Viking Grand European Tour 2023

Days 13 and 14 (Saturday-Sunday, July 29-30) were both spent in Vienna. We have been to Vienna before and were quickly reminded of its artistic and intellectual legacy, elegant buildings, rich history, cleanliness and the wide-open green spaces. We started our day with a combined bus and walking tour "Panoramic Vienna."  Hofburg, 13th century imperial palace of the Habsburg dynastry Auberes Burgtor, outer castle gate built in 1821 to replace the one destroyed by Napolean Auberes Burgtor Josephsplatz, Austrian National Library Sisi Museum, a collection of artifacts from Empress Elisabeth St. Peters Catholic Church St. Stephen's Cathedral was consecrated in 1137 and under construction for 300 years. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest building in the world for the next 100 years. Above the roof is one tall spire at 450 feet, surrounded by 12 smaller spires representing the desciples. St. Stephen's Cathedral, primary spire St. Stephen's Cathedral St. St...

I have fallen behind in my travel blog, but it's fortunately due to an activity-filled schedule. Today (Friday, July 28) started with our Viking ship docked in Melk, Austria. Set amid an important wine-growing region of picturesque villages and hilltop castles, the small city of Melk, Austria (population 5,000) lies at the confluence of the Danube and Melk Rivers at the base of the Wachau Valley.  We met our guide Andrea at 8:45 am for a short bus ride to Melk Abbey, an imposing 900-year-old Benedictine abbey. Built in Italian baroque architecture, Melk Abbey overlooks the town from a hilltop location. This architectural treasure has 365 windows, one for each day of the year, and the views from its expansive balcony are stunning.  Melk Abbey on the Danube Historic drawing of Melk Abbey with one of the original towers in the background View across the Danube from Melk Abbey balcony The original Palace was founded in 996 by Babenberg family and given to Benedictine monks for a m...