Magnificent Melk Abbey, Austria

It was a hard choice today, as my camera was in overdrive:-). Do I give you scenes from delightful Durnstein or magnificent Melk. As I haven't worked out how to add extras on my iPad, I chose Melk Abbey for its completely OTT decoration!

We docked first in Durnstein in the heart of the Wachau Valley, one of the main wine making regions of Austria. The steep banks of the Danube (or Donau as it is called here) were full of row after row of vines and we were given jaw-dropping statistics about how many bottles were produced in a season just from one hillside.

The town itself is very small, but so charming, with lots of colourful houses, beautiful gardens and a stunning Abbey with an ice-blue and white Baroque tower, which is quite unique.

Later it was on to Melk to visit the famous Abbey, founded in 1089, but reconsructed in the Baroque style in the 18th century and still a thriving monastery and school today, with one of the largest libraries of medieval books in the world.

The guided tour takes you round various rooms which used to be the royal visitors' suites and now house a very eclectic museum of old and new artifacts and then lets you wander on your own into the Abbey church. It fairly takes your breath away:-). The photo only gives a hint of the sheer exuberance of the space!

Off soon to have an evening of fine dining, but must just tell you how much we all enjoyed the crew show last night. It was the funniest thing I've seen in years and there were tears of laughter from everyone:-). Well done them!