Hello everyone
Our guide books said Hallstatt was a stunning place and they
were right. We approached this tiny village from across the lake, parked up and
walked the last couple of kilometres. The main road passes behind the village
at roof-top level before disappearing through a tunnel, but the footpath takes
you via the lakeside to the centre. The houses all seem to cling to the
hillside overlooking the lake connected by steep steps to the different levels.
We spent a couple of days here soaking up the sunshine and the atmosphere.
From here we headed back towards the Danube staying on a
site at Schönbühel overlooking the river and castle (sadly not open to the
public). The weather has been very sunny and blisteringly hot followed by
mugginess and thunderstorms, so we didn’t venture far.
We did visit Melk and its abbey 5km away. This huge 18th
century Benedictine monastery and abbey church sits high above Melk overlooking
the Danube. Our tour took us through the Marble Hall, Library (with approx.
10,000 leather bound books) and into the church with it’s beautifully painted
ceilings. 
Our journey along the Danube has taken us through the
vineyards growing on the hillside which is reminiscent of our trips along the Mosel
in Germany. We’ve feasted on the
renowned apricots which grow in clusters amongst the vines around
Weissenkirchen and Krems, but have yet to try the wine!
We’re wending our way to Vienna in a leisurely fashion –
perhaps we’ll have visited before we post the blog again next week………
Love to all
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