The Wachau is the most famous stretch of the Danube in Austria, thirty six kilometres of romantic Danube Valley.

Today’s townscape of Krems brings back bygone days and a particularly beautifully-preserved street complex. More than a hundred buildings provide an authentic picture of the Old Town. Today, the buildings’ façades and entrances are decorated in the traditional way and show off the town’s splendid Renaissance and mediaeval buildings. Sacred monuments recall the victory of Catholicism over Protestantism following two centuries of hostilities.

Up the Danube to Dürnstein, a place with a long history and unique appearance. Arrival by boat is particularly scenic and a jetty leads to a wall from where a gate and steps provide access to the Old Town. The small mediaeval town clings picturesquely to the cliffs above the Danube, guarded by castle ruins and fortified walls.

In Roman times, vines were cultivated in this picturesque area due to the region’s ideal growing conditions and Weissenkirchen has always been a wine-growing centre. The steep river valley and its terraced vine gardens enjoy a temperate climate. The small village has a long and dramatic history and its old houses and lanes are indelibly evocative of the past.

Spitz is picturesquely embedded within its surrounding vineyards, and the legendary Thousand Bucket Mountain is an imposing sight. It was not only due to wine but also the trading of both wood and salt that Spitz attained an important position in the Middle Ages and at the beginning of modern times.

Since the year 2000, the Wachau has been a World Cultural Region, a gem on the long route of the Danube, a picturesque river valley where both mediaeval and Baroque create an exceptional atmosphere, and nature, the perfect setting.