Day Trip: Wachau

The Wachau valley, located west of Vienna, is one of Austria’s most scenic, drawing outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its rolling hillsides and stunning vistas. Don’t miss the scenic medieval village of Dürnstein where king Richard Lionheart was reportedly held captive during the Third Crusade. Have lunch on the terrace of Richard Löwenherz restaurant, overlooking the Danube. Other nearby towns not to miss are Melk (home of the Baroque monastery Stiftung Melk) and Krems, with its contemporary art enclave Kunsthalle. The drive from Vienna to Melk and Dürnstein is about an hour.