Melk and Spitz      15/9/2009

The library of Melk Monastery.

Alexander outside the monastery library.

Tuesday we headed off in sunshine to Spitz where we were to spend two nights. On the way we did a tour of the Baroque Monastery at Melk - probably the most beautiful in Austria and we were lucky to be able to attend midday singing and prayers. It also has a beautiful library.


After that, a lot of the cycling was inland through fruit growing areas and vineyards - very beautiful and peaceful scenery. This is the Wachau Valley, the famous wine growing region.


We stopped along the way to visit the site of the discovery of the Wilhousen Venus - a prehistoric stone figure unearthed when the railway was being built. We also stopped occasionally to help ourselves to apples, pears, grapes, plums and walnuts, all along the side of the path.

























Finally we arrived at our accommodation at Spitz, and like most of our hotels, it was along the banks of the Danube.