My mom is my go-to person for travel tips. While I was planning my trip to Vienna she was visiting my Aunt, who happens to be going to Vienna in a few months. They suggested visiting Melk and enjoying the Wachau Valley, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I knew nothing about the region, but took their advice- and I am so glad I did- it was one of the highlights of my trip.
Melk is about an hour train ride from Vienna and has a completely different feel than Vienna. Vienna is a city sprawled out on a flat plain, Melk is a small town in rolling green hills nestled along the Danube. It was quite the contrast to Vienna and a great change of pace. On perhaps the highest hill sits Melk Abbey, offering great views of the Abbey from almost everywhere in the town. The small quiet streets lined with shops were so relaxing, had I the time, I could have stayed for days.
The Abbey is large and full of so much rich history. Perhaps my favorite room was the one room where photographs were not allowed, the library. Exquisite jewels, embroidered tapestries, marble halls- these are all wonderful and intriguing, but nothing is quite as blissful as shelves of books set in rich wood towering over my head. The balcony overhead that led into the adjoining room, the plethora of books holding so much history, the massive old globe sitting between the tall cases…it was heavenly.
After touring the abbey and strolling around the gardens I walked down to the river for a little boat trip. The scenic boat ride offered beautiful views of charming villages and old ruins scattered along the rivers edge and nestled in the rolling hills and surrounding vineyards.
I ended my trip in Krems, another quiet riverside village. After meandering through the village and enjoying a snack in the park I headed back to Vienna.
Chew on This 