Durnstein, Austria: Winter Morning in Wachau Valley
Durnstein, Austria on the Danube River, Wachau Valley
I shot this photograph on December 10, 2014 while sailing the Danube on a Christmas Markets river cruise with Viking River Cruises. As you can see in my photo, the vines are bare and there’s a fog in the air as the Danube’s waters were warmer than the cool winter air. When we got off of the ship, we found frost in the shadowy parts of the landscape. I’m going to guess that the air temperature was 45º. If you like, you can find more of my photos from Durnstein, here and here.
Most river cruise ships will sail during the night allowing you maximum time in the cities. However, when sailing the Danube, the Wachau Valley is one of those spots where you’re certain to be sailing during the day and taking in all of the sights.
The Wachau Valley is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Lower Austria, much akin to Napa Valley, as the region is famous for its high-quality wines, fabulous restaurants, and stunning Danube views. And, this section of the Danube is where you’ll encounter ancient monasteries and castles perched above the Danube.
While we enjoyed Budapest, Vienna, and many of the other stops on our journey, I found Durnstein to be the most magical. The little town was charming, the locals were out walking on their cobble-stone streets, and the surrounding views were gobsmacking.
To learn more about sailing the Danube with Viking River Cruises, click here.
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