Austrian Countryside!

"There is pleasure in the pathless woods;

There is rapture on the lonely shore

There is society where none intrudes

By the deep sea and the music in its roar:

I love not the man less,

but Nature more..."

                                                                                                                 

 -Lord Byron  

Our second day in Austria we decided to leave the city behind and explore the countryside of the Danube River Valley. This was a last minute decision, but probably the best one we made all trip. Our bus tour took us to 5 quaint towns wedged in the hills of the valley, all perched right next to the Danube River. It was such  a beautiful and picturesque scene in every direction.




Vineyards cover the hills in between each of the towns



The first town we stopped at was Krems, Austria. Built on a hill, many of the roads are windy and steep and the houses have the appearance that they were literally built up on top of each other.



My mom and I in Krems



The next town we went to was called Durnstein.

parents at lunch!

After lunch and stopping at all 5 towns along the river the bus took us to the mideval Melk Abbey. This Austrian Benedictine abbey was built in 1089 but is still one of the world's most famous monastic sites. It's located in the town of Melk built up on a rocky peak overlooking the Danube river and Wachau valley in Lower Austria. This was such a beautiful and old place, and it was amazing to see that it was still functioning today much like it was a thousand years ago.

intricate chapel ceiling

picture of my postcard from Melk

The inside of the church was amazingly ornate, covered in intricate gold designs

Austria was such a beautiful country! I knew very little about it and wasn't sure what to expect at all when we chose it as our weekend destination. That's the thing I have fallen in love with in Europe....any country you end up in offers its own unique culture and hidden beauties that always surprise me. Every place I have visited is just as exciting and beautiful as the last.

I had such an amazing time with my parents during their time in Denmark and Austria. Lots of catching up and talking about the past and the future over some good, red wine. Thank you so much for coming to visit me, and especially for supporting me on this adventure abroad!! Love you both!





 Tomorrow I'll be posting about my trip to Louisiana, which is the most famous Modern Art Museum in Denmark, and home to a large Picasso exhibit!

Sending my love from Denmark

XOXO,

Kelly