Danube Cruise Part 4

Back on the river the next morning on our way to Krems, Austria.

The abbey we will visit is in the distance.

Krems ahead.

The abbey ahead. Lots of grapes growing. They make wine at the Benedictine Abbey.

They make apricot wine too and we were treated to a sample.

Our guide, Peter.

The abbey is on a hilltop.

The neoclassical gateway.

Inside the church. The Gottweig Abbey was dedicated in 1083.

An impressive organ.

Wonderful fresco in the main building.

There was a small museum with some really beautiful pieces.

Stove in the corner.

The view of Krems below. Lots of grapes.

We tried and then bought bottles of their Gruner Veltliner wine.

And up the river we go. Every town has a church. Many have a castle. This one has both.

Terraces of grapes leading to the castle ruins.

We are cruising up the Wachau Valley. Mountains and grapes.

Very pretty area.

Another little town, another church, and more grapes.

A refurbished castle.

Not sure why the ladder is there.

A castle part way up the mountain. They put chains across the river and had

canons so river travelers had to pay a toll.

A church and lots of grapes.

We saw a variety of ship going the other way. This one is another Viking ship.

Looks just like ours.

Locals enjoying the river bank.

I really liked the old castles. I try to imagine their stories.

This one was on top of a high hill.

Perhaps another abbey.

Interesting sites everywhere.

A refurbished castle at the end of the river.

Coming into Passau, Germany.

On a walking tour of Passau with our guide, Bridget.

Neat decorations.

Interesting alleyway. Hell of place to park.

The church doors.

Pretty.

Passau frequently floods. Note the 2013 water height.