We will be in Vienna for several days in late April and would like to see the Wachau Valley and Melk Abbey. We know we can make a day trip on our own or with a tour- but we have time to stay somewhere for 2 nights, perhaps an air bnb in Weißenkirchen with laundry facilities. It will be the middle of a 4 week trip and seems like a chance to slow down and relax a bit.
Our question is about transportation. We can get from town to town via bus and train, and we will probably take a boat trip for the scenery- but will we need a car to reach wineries? We would like to tour at least one, and possibly do tastings at a couple more. Is the best plan to bus to a town with a winery, spend half the day, then repeat? We are both in our late 60's and are good walkers but don't want to walk ourselves to death between places. We're open to E-bikes but not very daring in that department, seeing it as more recreational than transportation.
We want to get from place to place easily and have some nice experiences without overcomplicating the schedule due to transportation timetables and I would appreciate any feedback/advice.
Posted by
3465 posts
In 2015, we took the "Hidden Wachau Valley" small-group tour offered by Vienna Explorer. We had a couple of wine tastings, saw some beautiful villages, and had a memorable lunch. On the small-group tour, you either get a short Danube cruise or a visit to Melk Abbey, depending on the season. In October, we loved Melk Abbey. I'm guessing that a private tour would give you a choice.
https://www.viennaexplorer.com/tours/?_sft_type=van&_sft_location=wachau&_sft_length=full-day
Posted by
Lancaster PA
265 posts
Weissenkirchen has plenty of Heurigen within the town. Walk to the central square to see which ones are open. Heurigen are basically Austrian wineries with direct to consumer sales with cold food and snacks available. The settings vary but are typically delightful. If you have access to bicycles or Ebikes, it is easy to get to Wösendorf and Mosinghof as well without getting on the main highway and it is a fairly flat ride. The ride to Dürnstein requires a short stretch of Rt 3 but is worth seeing. A tour would be another option.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1396 posts
Maybe no wash machine, but a room here: http://www.kalmucktorte.at/gaestezimmer.php Nice Family, maybe they can help you with wash? Good Cafe.
This was nice: https://www.weingut-hermenegild-mang.at/. Had to try the Saumaise.
There is the motorless ferry across the Donau at Weißenkirchen. Kind of neat actually. The last run I think is 18:45, but other Heurigen across the river. Think you are there when the Apricots are in bloom (late April) https://www.marillenmeile.at/index.php?id=9
Regular bus between Melk and Krems. The area is full of Winzer. We took our own eBikes. Rental would be nice with easy rides along the Donau.