October 9, 2016- Wachau Valley- Durnstein, Melk, Aggestein Castle

Durnstein is a charming Austrian village in the Danube.  WAY up is a castle ruin where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned for some time. Naturally, we somehow took the hard path up, with steps carved out of the rock.  We found the much easier path for the way down. The hard path up.  The castle

Then we cruised the Wachau Valley to Melk.  The Wachau Valley is very picturesque - very green with grape vines for wine in every possible spot.

 Field with grape vines in Wachau valley

At sunset, they drove us to Aggstein Castle for a sunset drink and entertainment by an accordionist and guitarist. The music selection was quite etc lectice from Waltzing Mathilda, Alouette, the Chicken dance and so on...

 

On October 10, we had a long day excursion from Passat to Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace, then up in the Alps foothills (we couldn't really tell as it was foggy) for lunch and a show of Austrian music, including some songs from the Sound of Music.