The history and legends of this lovely part of Austria come to life as you wend your way past charming old villages, steep vineyards and mysterious castles. One such castle is the well-known Durnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned while waiting for his ransom to arrive from England.

Then, you'll enjoy a boat ride down the Danube from Splitz to Melk, passing the heart of the Wachau Valley at the old wine town of Krems. To complete your superb day trip, you will visit Melk's magnificent Benedictine Abbey, a pearl of the Austrian Baroque style.

While in Melk, you have the option of having lunch in the abbey's restaurant (price not included).

Please note: the boat trip (1.5 hours) operates from April 10 to October 26 only. In the winter months, lunch at the Zum Schwarzen Baren in Emmersdorf will be included in your tour price as a replacement.