Tuesday on the Danube

Tuesday, April 2, we arrived in Melk and enjoyed a visit to Melk Abbey in spite of the low temperatures and the accompanying wind chill factor. Melk has been an important spiritual and cultural center in Austria for over 1,ooo years. Once the residence of the Babenberg family, the Abbey became a Benedictine monastery in 1089 founded by. Leopold II. For more than 900 years monks have lived and worked in Stift Melk, following the rules laid down by St. Benedict. The abbey is still alive and well as a working monastery as well as impressive in its Baroche architecture. Melk Abbey is claimed as one of Europe's great cultural heritages sites and it's library contains many volumes of priceless books from the ages. The church at the monastery was one of the most beautiful that we have seen, and we have seen a LOT.

After lunch, our ship continued its passage down the Danube through the Wachau Valley dotted with ruined castles and medieval towns lined with vineyards. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, the Wachau is described as an "outstanding example of a riverine landscape". Our weather did not allow us a proper portrayal of what, on a clear day, must be a beautiful scenic sail.

Mid-afternoon, We arrived in Krems, another Unesco World Heritage Site , surrounded by terraced vineyards. The "art mile of Krems" extends from the historic town center to the medieval village center of Stein, highlighting museum, concert venues and restaurants along the way.

The weather has not improved as the day passed and thus, we have skipped the personal view. Nevertheless, as we look upon the beautiful town and hear the comments of those who braved the elements, we are impressed.