Krems, Austria 9th August 2024.

This was a special morning as we sailed through the Wachau Valley withy a detailed commentary from Progrm Director Violeta.

We woke to the gentle swaying of our ship and had been instructed to have an early breakfast in the Dining room before the ship enters the beautiful Valley.

It is simply stunning scenery, from 8.30 am ,we sail through the beautiful Wachau \valley with wineries and farms on both sides of the Danube River.

We arrive in Krems at 10.40 am almost on schedule after a fascinating morning of relaxed sailing through thes beautiful and stunning valley. The photos do not do it justice.

Krems remains a small university town at the eastern end of the Danube’s Wachau Valley. It is surrounded by terraced vineyards. In its heyday Krems held even more importance that Vienna for its iron, grain, salt and wine trade.. The city has payed and continues to play a central role in the Wachau Valley’s wine culture . It is no exaggeration to suggest that these areas produce some of the best Riesling and Veltliner wines, on the sunny southern slopes , in the world.

The city’s cobblestone streets whilst a challenge to navigate leads to taverns, wne bars and coffee shops which have a timeless appeal.

We have chosen the late morning / early afternoon excursion to Gottweig Abbey a working monastery. We depart the ship at 11.15 am and it is a pleasant morning and we expect to be back by 2.30pm. I will briefly describe Gottweig Abbey before returning to a detailed description of the River Danube between Krems and Melk.

Gottweig Abbey remains a working Abbey / Monastery but also provides a stunning example of the teaching and religious framework of this part of Austraia. Dominated by the beauty of the River and its towns, the Abbey was constructed in the 11th Century , although nealry destroyed by fire in 1580. In 1718 , the monastery burned down again and its subsequent reconstruction was over seen by Johannes Lucas von Hildebrandt , the emperor’s architect. Among the few remaining original structures that remain are parts of the Erentrudis Chapel constructed in 1072.

In 2001, UNESCO named the Abbey a World Heritage Site. Approximately 40 monks currently reside here amongst the 26 acres of vineyards. Wine has been produced at the Abbey continuously since 1093.

The Old Town of Stein - Remarkable.

Right beside Krems nestled at the confluence of the Danube and Krems rivers , sits enchanting Stein. Though once separate they have now merged.

In 2000, the Old towns of Krems and Stein were listed as part of the Wachau Cultural Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site.. Though settled by the Romans in 32AD, Stein was inhabited long before this time. and today its Steiner Gate is one of only two remaining medieval gates. ; erected in the 15th Century it was rebuilt in the baroque style after its destruction by hungarian guards in 1477. Today it stands as the symbol of the city. We spent time walking through the old square and its cobblestone lanes and streets.

The Centerpiece of the the square is the Steinmer Rathaus, or town hall, which was built in 1701. Stein previously traded in salt and wine but today it is a tourist mecca. A fascinating visit, all history and vintage wines of the highest standing.