Austria

Ramona & I visited Graz Austria in 2014. This time, in 2023, Vienna and Krems were ports we had the opportunity to visit while cruising the Danube River with Viking River Cruises.
Our journey began in Budapest. Our expectations were to leave the following day for Vienna Austria.

A mechanical breakdown of our Jarl cruise ship had our expected early arrival in Vienna delayed a few hours. So, instead of a nice leisurely, 1 1/2 hour walking tour, we had coach ride, a shortened tour later in the afternoon, then left to wander around the Centre of Vienna , on our own, for 3 more hours, when our ship arrived to great us. Exhausted? Yes. But recovered quickly while enjoying a marvelous Château, Briand, dinner that evening. It doesn’t get any better than that.
The next evening, still in Vienna, Ramona & I chose to attend a Mozart & Strauss concert at the famous Strauss Theatre. A chamber orchestra performing lilting Strauss waltzes and selections from Mozarts Magic Flute, and costumes singers and dancers who frequented the stage, made for a most mesmerizing evening.

This day, our tour brought us to the beautiful Göttweig Abby. Constructed in the 11th century, the abbey was nearly demolished by fire in 1580. In 1718, the monastery burned down again; its subsequent reconstruction was overseen by Johann, Lucas von Hildebrandt, the emperors architect. Among the few original structures that remain our parts of the Erentrudis chapel.

The Göttweig Abbey is a treasure overlooking the Wachau from a hill covered by vineyards and forests. Often called the “Austrian Montecassino” because it is visible from great distances—a characteristic that provides epic panoramas.

Göttweig Abbey was founded in 1083—although the current baroque building was constructed after a fire in the early 18th century. If you visit the abbey today you'll experience High Baroque in all its splendour. For example, the monumental imperial staircase with the ceiling fresco by Paul Troger from 1739 is one of the largest and most beautiful staircases of its kind in the world.

The church houses the largest chimes of any church in Austria. To the south you'll find the highest elevated orchard of the famous Wachau apricot, with information on various aspects of the Wachau apricot.