A short walk along the Blue Danube – Monasteries & Vineyards

Wachau, Austria

Holiday overview

Destination

Austria


Type

Self Guided, Wine Tours


Difficulty

Easy to Moderate


Month

Apr - Oct


Price

£ 550 pp


Duration

4 nights


The mild climate and steep hills make this ideal territory for orchards and vineyards. A varied walking tour leads you past steep rocks, across soft hills and through aromatic vineyards. Picturesque hamlets dot the landscape and as well as the famous wine, there are delicious apricot delicacies to be sampled.

In Wachau the Danube is at its most beautiful. A friendly climate and steep slopes form ideal conditions for vineyards and orchards. Some of the best wines of Austria grow in Wachau (and so do the local apricots). This varied self-guided walking holiday passes steep rocks, wanders over gentle hills and meanders through scented vineyards. A special feature of this countryside is the many small villages where the emphasis is on good food and wine. In spring time the blooming flowers, in summer the fruit harvest and in autumn the grape harvest.

 

Price:

Price (staying in 3 star hotels):

£550 per person (low season: 23rd March – 14th April & 26th August – 8th September)

£625 per person (mid season: 15th April – 9th June)

£650 per person (high season: 10th June – 25th August & 9th September – 13th October)

Single room supplement £140

 

Price (staying in 4 star hotels):

£650 per person (low season: 23rd March – 14th April & 26th August – 8th September)

£695 per person (mid season: 15th April – 9th June)

£755 per person (high season: 10th June – 25th August & 9th September – 13th October)

Single room supplement £210

 

 

Included:

  • 4 nights accommodation on a B&B basis in 3 or 4 star hotels.
  • Luggage transfers
  • boat cruise from Spitz to Krems
  • wine tasting
  • Route notes
  • Maps – GPS data is available

 

Not Included:

  • 2 x Ferry crossings on Danube
  • Any visitor taxes

 

Departure Dates 2020:

Daily departures from 23rd March to 13th October inclusive.

 

 

Day 1:  Arrival in Krems

 

Day 2: Krems to Dürnstein & Vineyards
Walk up into the vineyards to the tower with a view over the ‘blue’ river Danube, the city Krems and the magnificent monastery Göttweig. Cross the hills to ruin Dürnstein or take the picturesque Talgrabensteig via Talweg to Dürnstein.

Distance: 11.9 kms, approx. 4.5hrs

 

 Day 3: Dürnstein to Weißenkirchen
Take the ferry from Dürnstein to Rossatz. Continue past the largest apricot growing area of Austria, on old tracks up to Seekopf with stunning views to the Alps. Optional walk along Danube through orchards to the ferry. In Weißenkirchen a theme trail leads through the vineyards.

Distance: 11.7 kms, approx. 3.5 to 5 hrs

 

Day 4:  Weißenkirchen to Spitz
Leave Weißenkirchen via the wine trail, past picturesque wine cellars and ascend to Seiber. Walk through the forest, initially quite steep to Buschandlwand where an observation platform allows stunning panoramic views. An alternative route passes through vineyards to the famous wine grower community Spitz an der Donau.

Distance: 11.7 kms, approx. 4 to 5 hrs

 

Day : Spitz to Krems – departure
Individual journey by boat from Spitz to Krems after breakfast.

 

Hotels:

Gasthof Zum Goldenen Engel, Krems   www.hotel-ehrenreich-krems.at

Hotel Sänger Blondel, Dürnstein   www.saengerblondel.at

Hotel Kirchenwirt, Weissenkirchen   www.kirchenwirt-weissenkirchen.at

Gasthof Goldenes Schiff, Spitz    www.goldenesschiff.at

Laglers Hotel Weinberghof, Spitz   www.laglers.at

 

GETTING THERE

Vienna is the most convenient airport to fly into as there is a good train connection to Krems, the starting point of the holiday.

 

What to take:

Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sunblock/cream, compass, torch, first-aid kit.

 

Insurance:

We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
Contact us now to book this walk or make an enquiry.