On the Danube

I was up early today because we were cruising up the Danube River through the Wachau Valley. It was like traveling back through time. There were terraced vineyards all along the hillsides. The views were spectacular. The sculpture of the nose in my photos symbolizes the importance of the sense of smell in wine tasting and the changing aromas of each harvest season!

Our excursion for today was in Melk where we visited the world famous Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery. Founded in 1089, the Baroque-style abbey was rebuilt in the beginning of 18th century. It is located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the town and the Danube River. Twenty-one monks still live there today and dedicate their lives to education and learning. An interesting side point…The Abbey sold a Gutenberg Bible for $100,00 to Yale University in 1926 because it needed money to renovate the roof. Now they have the money, but they can’t buy it back. Most of my pictures from the Abbey and church are not mine because we were not allowed to take photos. The Baroque-style church is the most extravagant and showy that I have ever seen.Read more