20-Aug – Approximately 9 am we arrived in Passau, Germany where three rivers (Danube, Ilz, and Inn ) converged to shape this distinctive city. Here we had a walking tour through delightful old-world streets. We visited St. Stephen’s Cathedral, among other sights. The cathedral is located on the highest point of the city’s Old Town. In 1662 a fire that swept through Passau and destroyed most of the facility with only the eastern façade left standing. The structure was rebuilt between 1668 and 1693. St. Stephen’s is home to the largest cathedral organ in the world, with 17,974 pipes, 233 stops and four carillons. We had free time to shop and explore the city before casting off in mid-afternoon. It was mostly a cloudy morning . . . it was very pleasant. This was not to be said for our afternoon adventure of our visit to the Baroque Town of Scharding. It rained; actually, it poured. We got wet and the area got a dose of badly needed rainfall.

Viking_20Aug_1550Sailing to Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1553Sailing to Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1563Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1570Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1575Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1577Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1582Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1607Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1611Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1622Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1634Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1636Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1637Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1645Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1650Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1658Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1662Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1664Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1686Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1710Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1712Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1736Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1738Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1740Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1741Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1744Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1748Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1754St. Stephen's Cathedral - Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1755St. Stephen's Cathedral - Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1762St. Stephen's Cathedral - Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1764St. Stephen's Cathedral - Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1765St. Stephen's Cathedral - Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1778St. Stephen's Cathedral - Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1787Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1791Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1792Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1798Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1801Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1805Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1811Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1822Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1826Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1827Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1851Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1855Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1862Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1863Passau, Germany Viking_20Aug_1870Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1883Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1887Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1892Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1894Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1896Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1898Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1910Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1915Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1938Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1939Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1941Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1948Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1949Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1952Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1954Baroque Town of Scharding & Bavarian Cruise Viking_20Aug_1969Austrian compentition of bands & dance in Baroque Town of Scharding Viking_20Aug_1976Austrian compentition of bands & dance in Baroque Town of Scharding Viking_20Aug_1978Austrian compentition of bands & dance in Baroque Town of Scharding

19 Aug – On this Friday we were treated to scenic sailing. On the upper deck, were enjoyed spectacular views and commentary by Program Director Elana as we sailed through the Wachau Valley. Castles were aplenty and there even was the Wachauer Nase which resides by the Danube at the ferry stop in Sankt Lorenz opposite Weißenkirchen / Wachau. It looks as if a giant was buried underground with only his nose poking out. The nostrils are big enough for people to enter. It boastfully is the most beautiful nose in the whole of Wachau, and all winegrowers wish it was theirs. In the afternoon we were treated to a shore excursion to Melk, Austria and the Melk Abby. This was the highlight of our Danube Valley visit. This has been described by some as the most famous abbey in Austria. The views from the abbey are sensational. Built between 1702 and 1736, the abbey was originally a royal palace with ceremonial courts, guest apartments, grand halls and a library. The library, itself, was very impressive; It comprises a main hall that boasts 16,000 volumes, plus 12 more rooms that are not open to the public but contain an additional 100,000 volumes. No photos were permitted inside the abbey :-[

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Valley & a Visit to the Melk Abbey Viking_19Aug_1014Scenic Sailing through the Wachau Valley & a Visit to the Melk Abbey

17-18 Aug - After leaving Komarom we cruised the Danube arriving in Vienna, Austria in the early evening. After a luxurious dinner on the Viking Skirnir we got on a bus and traveled to the Palais Auersperg which was built between 1706 and 1710. Here we were treated to a Mozart & Strauss concert. On the 18^th we toured a number of historical sights including St. Stephens Cathedral, Vienna’s most recognizable landmark; it’s South Tower projects 449’ above Vienna’s City Centre. We also toured the exterior of the Imperial Court Palace (AKA: Hofburg Palace), a truly magnificent work of architecture built between 1711 and 1740. Together with its many squares and gardens, the palace (Hofburg) occupies an area of some 59 acres and is, in many ways, a "city-within-a-city" comprising 18 groups of buildings, 19 courtyards and a staggering 2,600 rooms. I would love to spend a couple weeks visiting this amazing city.

Viking_17Aug_0603Crusing the Danube River; the second-longest river in Europe Viking_17Aug_0606Crusing the Danube River; the second-longest river in Europe Viking_17Aug_0635Crusing the Danube River; the second-longest river in Europe Viking_17Aug_0650Crusing the Danube River; the second-longest river in Europe Viking_17Aug_0652Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0665Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0670Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0672Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0673Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0676Mozart & Strauss Concert in Vienna, Austria Viking_17Aug_0677Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0684Vienna, Austria - St. Francis of Assisi Church AKA: the Emperor's Church built between 1898 & 1910 in Romanesque style. Viking_18Aug_0688Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0691Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0697Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0699Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0703Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0718Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0723Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0732Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0733Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0745Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0751Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0756Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0757Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0758Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0759Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0763Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0779Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0782Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0784Vienna, Austria - This gate forms the entrance to the Swiss Court. Viking_18Aug_0785Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0788Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0790Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0791Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0792Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0796Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0806Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0807Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0808Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0809Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0811Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0812Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0813Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0818Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0820Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0822Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0836Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0837Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0864Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0869Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0873Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0875Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0882Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0896Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0899Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0900Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0910Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0935Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0939Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0955Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0962Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0964Vienna, Austria - St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) Viking_18Aug_0971Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0985Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0992Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0993Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0996Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_0997Vienna, Austria Viking_18Aug_1011Vienna, Austria