Wachau Valley, Austria

This was a morning cruise through the Wachau Valley, full of vineyards and fruit orchards. Our adventure was a bicycle ride through the country side and little communities.

This is one of the most important wine making regions in Austria. Some of these vineyards are over 100 years old.

This is the ferry, but there is no motor or engine. There is a cable strung from one side to the other and the ferry is tethered to that cable. There are two rudders on the vessel and the current of the water moves it across, with the rudders guiding it's path. As you can see, it even carriers cars. So fascinating.

Our bike ride was a loop so we got to take the ferry back to the boat.

At the end of the day, we enjoyed a wine tasting in the little village across the street from the river. We arrived at this beautiful little courtyard and learned, this well is the oldest in the region and is still working. It still draws water from the Danube and is used to help irrigate the fields.

I loved these doors and learned they were once horse stalls. Many years ago, the horses helped pull barges up the river. Now there are boats and they've turned these compartments into little living areas.

One of the other excursions was a hike up this castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held captive. We were grateful we did the bike ride… this was a long hike with lots of stairs, but those who went said the view was gorgeous.