We will be traveling around Austria by car in October and are considering spending the night in Melk on the way to Vienna. Is there a round-trip Danube sightseeing cruise from Melk to Krems? Or is it worthwhile to just drive the road along the Danube to Krems and then on to Vienna? Which is best for beautiful scenery?
Posted by
Longmont, CO, USA
527 posts
http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at/eng/cruises_wachau_sightseeing_cruises_wachau.php
The cruise is very scenic. I would recommend not spending the night in Melk, but drive to Durnstein, Spitz, or Weissenkirchen and stay overnight in one of those beautiful little villages.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Thank you and fyi, I live in Houston but my daughter is an engineering student at CSU and we bought her a car in Longmont. Did you also go to Vienna?
Posted by
Longmont, CO, USA
527 posts
We have been to Vienna many times over the years. We have biked the part of the route you are driving/cruising as part of a longer journey from Aschach and der Donau to Vienna. Again, try one of the villages I mentioned, you will have a better experience.
Here is a link to one of the places we stayed at...very nice and in the vineyards:
http://www.stockingerhof.at/english/index.php
I hope you are not planning to drive in Vienna. Use the public transit system, it is the best and most efficient way to see Vienna.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
As the schedule link shows, one direction of boat travel is slower than the other, but a roundtrip boat ticket doesn't cost much more than one-way. The designated driver will probably appreciate being able to relax on the boat ride.