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City Guide - Vienna - Excursions | ||
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Excursions For a Half Day Krems: Along the Danube to the west of Vienna lies Krems, a thousand-year-old town surrounded by vineyards. The Steiner Tor is the gateway to the town's historic churches, monasteries and townhouses. For a Whole Day Wachau Valley: Between Krems and Melk, the Danube winds through one of the most beautiful areas of Austria. A variety of outdoor activities are available on this stretch including watersports, hiking, cycling, boat cruises and wine-tasting tours. The Danube Bike Path follows the river on both banks. Bicycles can be hired at the train stations in Krems, Melk, Spitz, Pöchlarn and Ybbs for a half day (öS120 or öS80 with a valid train ticket) or a full day (öS150 or öS100 with a valid train ticket) and deposited at a destination station for a further fee of öS45. Further information on the region is available from the Tourismusverband Wachau-Nibelungengau, Undstrasse 6, 3500 Krems an der Donau (tel: (02732) 85620; fax: (02732) 87471; e-mail: wachau@netway.at; website: www.members.aon.at/pcss/). Melk: Founded in 831, Melk is an attractive town with a stunning abbey. Stift Melk, Abt Berthold Dietmayrstrasse 1 (tel: (02752) 5231 2232; website: www.stiftmelk.at), sits atop an escarpment, commanding a large stretch of the river valley. It is a physical testament to the power and authority of both the Babenbergs who built it over a thousand years ago, and the Benedictine monks who have occupied it since 1089. Even those who do not have time to visit the abbey (cost: öS65) cannot fail to miss it as they approach Vienna by rail or road from the west. |