Vienna Woods - 5 hours.
Vienna Woods is a large forest massif, surrounding Vienna from the North, West and South. It's nature is rather representative of the Central Europe, being embedded in an enchanting mountainous backdrop of the Alpine foothills.
Foremostly though, the Vienna Woods are mostly famous for what has been created by man's hand in the run of many centuries – charming small towns and hamlets, old Medieval castles and monasteries. The unique combination of the generous nature and of human creation has attracted people of all walks of life here – monks and composers, townsfolk and politicians. They have been looking for inspiration or a mere recreation – something one does today too. One can go for hiking
in the shady forests, relax in a traditional thermal baths of Baden and have a nice glass of locally produced white wine, which is renown for it's superb quality.
During our tour I would like to offer your the following features:
Baden bei Wien ( Baden near Vienna).
Is a traditional spa town, dating back to the Romans. 2000 years ago they used to heal their
wounds in the thermal baths they called ''Aque'' (germ.Baden, engl.Baths).
We will take a stroll in the town centre modelled on he the best burgher traditions of the early 19-th century. En route we will explore the House of Beethoven, the Town Hall, The Spa Park and the Casino. We will also discover why Baden has successfully styled itself as the capital of operetta.
The Seegrotte in Hinterbrühl is the largest artificial underground lake in Europe, located in a
former gypsum mine. Back in 1912 the blasting operation inside the mine went wrong and more than 20.000 litres of water flooded the lower levels, thus creating the lake. In the 1930 the cave was converted into a tourist attraction accessible for everyone. After the depredations of the World War II, which saw the cave an Nazi military object of great significance, the cave was opened once again.
We will get 25 meters under the surface and hear the fascinating story behind the cave.,
whereupon we will board a small boat for an entertaining trip upon the lake.
The Liechtenstein Castle, situated on the southern edge of the Vienna Woods, was first erected in the 12-th century by the originally Austrian noble family of Liechtenstein as their family seat. After having passed several hands and endured the vagaries of fortune, elements and wars, the castle is now safely back in the hands of the Liechtensteins, who carved out a small independent state fort themselves in the west of Austria some 100 years ago.
Nowadays the castle houses a small museum and poses a must take a photo spot in the Woods.
The Heiligenkreuz (''Holy Cross'') Abbey was founded back in the 1133 and has been in
existence ever since weathering Reformation, Turkish Wars, anti-religious legislation and the Nazi dictatorship.
I would strongly recommend a tour inside the monastery, which has beautifully preserved it's
medieval structure. The real jewel is the Monastery Church, combining the late Romanesque and early Gothic styles.
The Cistercian monks residing here maintain the tradition of the Gregorian chant, which is a
cornerstone of the Catholic liturgy. In a newer church adjacent to the monastery a particle of the Holy Cross is stored. It was brought to Austria from a crusade back in the late 12-th century.
The Mayerling Carmelite Monastery was built instead of the former imperial hunting lodge, where the Austrian Crown-Prince Rudolf and his unfortunate mistress died under mysterious
circumstances.
A small memorial museum offers insights in the lives of the tragically deceased as well as an
- overview of the political situation at the Austrian Imperial Court in the late 19-th century.
The Wachau Valley - max 8 hours.
The Wachau Valley is one the post picturesque regions of Austria, located in an easy reach west from Vienna. Danube has carved it's way through steep rocks. The banks here feature old castle ruins, magnificent baroque abbeys and idyllic vine villages. From April to October one can also discover the Valley from aboard the a ship enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
The Benedictine Abbey of Melk was originally founded in the 11-th century. As the biggest
monastery in Austria it embodies the baroque fusion of the spiritual and secular authorities – mights ecclesiastic and temporal.
We will visit the luxurious inner rooms with a magnificent Marble Hall., impressively designed
baroque library and a dazzling Monastery Church. Don't miss!
Another Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig is embedded in an amazing landscape setting atop of a hill commanding some breathtaking views of the Danube Valley.
The Abbey itself was modelled on the functional principle of the Spanish Royal Residence-
Monastery Escorial – the spiritual authority is thus united with a center of the secular power in one.
The monastery restaurant serves delicious local cuisine on a terrace, which affords a view on the surroundings.
The medieval town Dürnstein is idyllically situated on the shores of Danube, surrounded by vine terraces and apricot orchards. The castle, the ruins of which are to be seen on the rock above the town, acquired it's fame in the late 12-th century, when the hapless English King Richard the Lionheart spent 3 languishing months in the Austrian captivity after delivering the Austrian Duke a mortal offence while on crusade.
Besides white wines of superb quality, Dürnstein boasts it' apricot produce – schnaps, liqueurs and jam. One can taste all these on the spot in one of the characteristic local shops.
It would be fine to conclude the tour sitting under the vines, having a glas of locally produced
''Veltliner'' or ''Riesling''.
Back in he 11-th century Krems rivaled Vienna to be considered the richest and the most
important city in Austria. Following ups and downs of history, Krems presents itself today as a modern and vibrant cultural, academic and industrial regional center.
The town has a well preserved medieval core, featuring churches and Italian-like burgher houses, creating a somewhat Mediterranean atmosphere.
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