Danube River Cruise - Vienna and Durnstein

Our ship crossed the Slovakian-Austrian border during the afternoon and landed at the port of Vienna in the evening.   We were treated to an exclusive dinner in the private ErleBnis restaurant at the rear of the ship.  A private cook, server and wine steward served us a truly excellent dinner of salmon tartar, beef tenderloin and an assortment of apricot deserts.  A gastronomical delight!  After dinner we were escorted to a traditional Viennese Wine Tavern "Heuriger" and were entertained by a musical duo with dancing, plenty of wine and singing.   Can't wait to try to get up tomorrow morning!

Another beautiful day was spent in Vienna with an escorted tour of the city.   It's not surprising that Vienna is a UNESCO  World Heritage site.  The architecture is stunning.  Our tour included the  famous Ringstrasse, St. Stephen's Cathedral and, of course, sitting at a coffee house eating traditional goulash soup and calorie-filled Sacher Torte. Some of us visited the Schonbrunn Palace which was the summer palace of the Habsburgs who ruled Europe for over 600 year.   Our evening highlight was a Mozart and Strauss concert at a Viennese palace.  What a contrast to last night!

Overnight we sailed along the Wachau Valley to the Medieval village of Durnstein. Along the way we passed the ruins of an ancient castle where Richard the Lionheart of England was held prisoner in 1193.  Of course we had to taste the local wine.  After touring Durnstein, we continued to Melk and toured the Abbey that was built over 1000 years ago.  Here we are enjoying the night life on the ship.