Wachau, Durnstein and Vienna

After our tour of the Abbey in Melk, we boarded the ship and cruised down the Wachau Valley which is one of the most beautiful area of Austria.  Besides of the cultural heritage you have the beautiful vineyards growing on the hills and apricot trees.
There are only 4 castles on the Wachau Gorge and the most famous is in Durnstein where Richard the Lionheart of England was imprisoned.  He apparently insulted Leopold V,  the Duke of Babenberg during the crusades  and on his way back to England he had to go through Austria.  He dressed as a peasant but he paid for his food with an English coin-off to the castle for you- you English cad!!  He only stayed for a couple of months because he had to get home and be with Robin Hood!!!
Durnstein is called the "Pearl of the Wachau" and it is quite a beautiful village. The monastic church has a blue facade and the whole area takes on the hue of  the Blue Danube. 

Where is Robin Hood?

Now we are off to Vienna.  Unfortunately it is a Sunday when we arrive so all the shops are closed and the museums are open  for only scheduled tours.  We took a drive around the city-on the Ringstrasse, did a short walk through the downtown area, off to the Spanish Riding School with the Lippanzers, which was very special.  We had front row seats and those horses are magnificent!!!

Off to Lunch at DO+CO for lunch.  This a a hotel in the middle of the platz (Plaza) and it has round windows on the 7th floor overlooking St. Stephens Church and the area.  Great View!

After lunch we did a  leisurely stroll though the city streets to the canal of the Danube and to get ready for an early dinner and then a concert in the evening of Mozart and Strauss at the Palais Auersperg.  This was presented by the Vienna Residence Orchestra. During the concert we had ballet dancers, opera singers and waltzers!! It was a most enjoyable evening because of not only the music and entertainment but the musicians were having so much fun during the performance. Laughing and joking with one another.

Back to the ship for Goulash, hotdogs and desserts.

Into Slovakia tomorrow- Beats me where Bratislava is.  Used to be part of Czechoslovakia but gained freedom in 1993 from the communists.  Part of the "Velvet Revolution".