Durnstein, Wachau Valley Day 7

Darling medieval river town, famous for holding Richard the Lionhearted for ransom, captured during his return from the Crusades. However vet, they treated him like a guest, giving him the run if the town. After a 45 minute walking tour, those who were interested were taken into the monastary, with probably the best guide ever...and that's saying a lot since ALL the guides have been fabulous.

The monastery is not only exquisite, in the baroque fashion, but contains two saints' relics (skeletons), gifts from the Pope at the time it was consecrated. The town is noted for its apricot products... A bottle of liqueur is going home with us. :)

Georges joined the group hiking up to the fortress ruins. I browsed the cute shops with some of the women. The visit to Durnstein ended with a wine tasting of 5 surprisingly good Alsatian wines. Nothing like the sweet German wines imported into the states.Read more