Vienna day-trip - Wachau Valley - mid April
Mar 20th, 2011, 07:13 PM
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Vienna day-trip - Wachau Valley - mid April
Hi all - We have a few days in Vienna the second week of April 2011, and have reserved one day for a day-trip ... we figured our best bet would be the Wachau Valley starting with Melk Abbey. I've read up on this a little, including some excellent, informative (and at times I have to say, entertaining 
posts in these forums. A couple of questions: (1) IS this in fact the best day-trip to choose, as we can only do one? (2) Is it realistic to try to fit in some wine-tasting (even if it's from prior year's crop, of course) or a vineyard visit?
Also (okay - this is a 'few' questions), this is the rough itinerary I've knocked together for such a day ... comments?
Early 8:30 am-ish train to Melk Abbey - tour Abbey + lunch
Boat to Durnstein - see town, hike to castle ruins if possible
Boat or bike (but at this time of year??) to Krems
Train back into Vienna
Am I missing anything essential? Thanks so much in advance!!
posts in these forums. A couple of questions: (1) IS this in fact the best day-trip to choose, as we can only do one? (2) Is it realistic to try to fit in some wine-tasting (even if it's from prior year's crop, of course) or a vineyard visit?Also (okay - this is a 'few' questions), this is the rough itinerary I've knocked together for such a day ... comments?
Early 8:30 am-ish train to Melk Abbey - tour Abbey + lunch
Boat to Durnstein - see town, hike to castle ruins if possible
Boat or bike (but at this time of year??) to Krems
Train back into Vienna
Am I missing anything essential? Thanks so much in advance!!
Mar 20th, 2011, 08:06 PM
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If you only have a "few days" in Vienna, I would spend all my time there. With all the lovely churches, parks and museums as well as Hofburg Palace and Schoenbrunn, there is plenty to keep you busy. Just what DO you plan to see/do while in Vienna?
Mar 20th, 2011, 10:31 PM
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The Danube boats begin their season on April 14.
.
If visiting after that date, your plans make for a great and varied day.
The train leaves from Vienna Westbahnhof , easily reached by the UBahn line U-3 or other city transport.
For 48 euro, you can buy a Combi ticket
see
www.ddsg-blue-danube.at
Melk Abbey , a fine historic visit
www.stiftmelk.at
a short walk from the train station
The boat trip passes many wine villages, steep terraced vineyards, castle ruins.
www.wachau.at
Dürnstein makes for a good stop- historic buildings, castle ruins ( 20 minue walk uphill )
fine Abbey Church
and many places to test wine.
The better aged and now bottled white wines from 2010 available.
A good place for testing
www.domaene-wachau.at
www.alter-klosterkeller.at
food and wine
a bus from Dürnstein one time per hour directly to the Krems train station for the trip back to Vienna.( 2 euro )
Bus time is generally co-ordinated with the train schedule.
www.oebb.at
info on Dürnstein
bike rental available in Durnstein 1 euro per hour if you wish
www.duernstein.at
.
If visiting after that date, your plans make for a great and varied day.
The train leaves from Vienna Westbahnhof , easily reached by the UBahn line U-3 or other city transport.
For 48 euro, you can buy a Combi ticket
see
www.ddsg-blue-danube.at
Melk Abbey , a fine historic visit
www.stiftmelk.at
a short walk from the train station
The boat trip passes many wine villages, steep terraced vineyards, castle ruins.
www.wachau.at
Dürnstein makes for a good stop- historic buildings, castle ruins ( 20 minue walk uphill )
fine Abbey Church
and many places to test wine.
The better aged and now bottled white wines from 2010 available.
A good place for testing
www.domaene-wachau.at
www.alter-klosterkeller.at
food and wine
a bus from Dürnstein one time per hour directly to the Krems train station for the trip back to Vienna.( 2 euro )
Bus time is generally co-ordinated with the train schedule.
www.oebb.at
info on Dürnstein
bike rental available in Durnstein 1 euro per hour if you wish
www.duernstein.at
Mar 21st, 2011, 05:23 AM
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Many thanks! Particularly Molker whose information is always so good ... I wish we had more days and will be focusing our Vienna time on the 'essentials' -like Hofburg and Schoenbrunn-but Melk's something we've always wanted to see, too.
Unfortunately we're just shy of the April 14 date for the start of boat season; so while that would be ideal it looks like we'll have to stick to trains, buses, and possibly bikes.
Unfortunately we're just shy of the April 14 date for the start of boat season; so while that would be ideal it looks like we'll have to stick to trains, buses, and possibly bikes.
Mar 21st, 2011, 06:06 AM
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Thank you kwlem !
An alternative for you to still see Melk Abbey.
It is really worth a visit.
You can take the regional trains after 9 AM weekdays ( not restriction on weekends - 28 euro fee for 2 people - unlimted travel on regional trains until 3 AM the next morning- so your journey Vienna - Melk and Krems - Vienna is covered by this ticket - a bargain -
This is known as an Einfach Raus ticket . You can buy it at the station on the morning of your travel-you then simply buy your Melk ticket for the tour when you arrive.
Almost hourly bus service runs between Melk and Dürnstein then onward to Krems.
Melk - Dürnstein takes about 50 minutes , passing along the banks of the Danube and many of its villages.
Dürnstein - Krems train station about 15 minutes
If you wish - frequent bike rental kiosks alng the way - rent a bike where you wish and drop it off as you want
www.leihradl.at
train and bus schedules found here -
www.oebb.at
Recent weather has been very mild- bikers already out and about -
You have a good chance to see the beginning of green and perhaps blossoms on the fruit trees during this time.
Dürnstein info above certainly valid for your bus / bike travel.
Bike paths are paved , well marked and for almost the entire area without regular vehicle traffic.
Some parts dirctly by the Danube and through vineyards.
In good weather - a perfect time - for certain a heuriger/ wine tavern open for enjoyment too.
Whatever your decision- enjoy Austria!
An alternative for you to still see Melk Abbey.
It is really worth a visit.
You can take the regional trains after 9 AM weekdays ( not restriction on weekends - 28 euro fee for 2 people - unlimted travel on regional trains until 3 AM the next morning- so your journey Vienna - Melk and Krems - Vienna is covered by this ticket - a bargain -
This is known as an Einfach Raus ticket . You can buy it at the station on the morning of your travel-you then simply buy your Melk ticket for the tour when you arrive.
Almost hourly bus service runs between Melk and Dürnstein then onward to Krems.
Melk - Dürnstein takes about 50 minutes , passing along the banks of the Danube and many of its villages.
Dürnstein - Krems train station about 15 minutes
If you wish - frequent bike rental kiosks alng the way - rent a bike where you wish and drop it off as you want
www.leihradl.at
train and bus schedules found here -
www.oebb.at
Recent weather has been very mild- bikers already out and about -
You have a good chance to see the beginning of green and perhaps blossoms on the fruit trees during this time.
Dürnstein info above certainly valid for your bus / bike travel.
Bike paths are paved , well marked and for almost the entire area without regular vehicle traffic.
Some parts dirctly by the Danube and through vineyards.
In good weather - a perfect time - for certain a heuriger/ wine tavern open for enjoyment too.
Whatever your decision- enjoy Austria!
