Austria's Romantic Route runs along the Danube through terraced vineyards, connecting interesting looking medieval towns like beads on a necklace. This would be a wonderful route on a bicycle on a sunny day when the grapes are ripe. The Danube, or Donau, wasn't so blau today - we haven't seen the sun in a week - the vineyards were naked and the towns were mostly deserted.
The fortress-like Abbey that towers over the medieval town of Melk could be its own walled city. Originally built in the 8th Century t is in pristine condition after a 30-year renovation project. We arrived between tour groups and missed out on the guided tour so we occupied ourselves exploring the grounds and visiting the free public art exhibits before wandering down into alte Melk.
No one was home, Durnstein
The walled town of Durnstien is known for its wines and restaurants and and its most famous guest, Richard Lion Heart, who was imprisioned here after his return from the Crusades. It's not good to piss off the King. Richard is long gone and so it seemed is everyone else. Nothing was open, which made for good photos but growling tummies.
So we are back in Aining, Germany - same town, different hotel - for the night. We have to change rental cars in Munich tomorrow then head north.
