Marbach to Krems - 54kms


After a continental breakfast, we were on the road again by 8.30am and it soon began to rain!
Luckily the route took us through woodland which offered us some protection, but soon we were back by the river again.

We criss-crossed the river by ferry to Melk.


We saw 7 river boats struggling against the river current and making slow progress.

8

Melk's 500+ year old abbey dominated the landscape. Several cruise ships had deposited their customers on land and, with dozens of people walking on the cycle path and around the abbey, we decided to leave them to it and cycle on.


We rode through small, seemingly isolated villages, each with cobbled streets and all with a church at its centre. The remains of a castle appeared on a ridge.
Then suddenly we were in WINE country!
Every bit of the hillside had been planted in grapes.


Religious grottos were dotted about the vineyards.


The small town of Wachau offered everything that a tourist might be tempted by but we cycled on to Krems.
Krems is a small city with a university, sports stadium and lots of cafes. We were wondering which way to go, when a friendly local pointed us in the right direction.
Just our luck! Our hotel, Hotel Steigenberer, was up a steep hill. Having little time to gear down, we walked most of the way and arrived pooped, but relieved to have found it. 

After settling into our room, we decided that a simple sandwich dinner was all that we needed, so we walked - yes, downhill - to the nearest Cafe, bought our dinner and walked back up the hill to the hotel. 







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