HG TRAVEL
144 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
Weissenkirchen, in Austria’s
Wachau Valley, is one of many
pretty towns along the Danube.
Passau
ON OFFER Walking tour, bus trip around the old town,
paddling on the Ilz river, cycling tour.
We awake to find the ship docked right in Passau, so we can
simply stroll up the cobblestone road to the village. This, I’m
beginning to understand, is one of the beauties of river cruising.
But first Mila and I, along with her pals, board a bus to a
tributary of the Ilz river. It’s warm on the river and we play for
ages on an array of kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and a water
slide. Later, I stroll through the streets of Passau, past its white
cathedral and modern shops in ancient premises. Some of the
more active passengers have opted to take a 27km cycle tour.
A pop-up burger bar opens on deck for dinner. Later that night,
tucked up in our comfy beds, we cross the border into Austria.
Weissenkirchen
ON OFFER Tour of Melk Abbey, Weissenkirchen village,
hike in the vineyards, helicopter ride over the valley.
We sail into the Wachau valley, past the opulently baroque
Melk Abbey. Venturing out, we are all enthralled by
Weissenkirchen, an ancient village fortified against plundering
Turkish pirates in the 14th century. We wander along its
cobbled streets, listening to local history on earphones, and
sample schnapps, jam and chocolate made with locally grown
Wauchauer Marille apricots. That evening, while children dine
with the attentive crew, the adults dress to the nines for a
beautiful farewell dinner in the ship’s Edelweiss Brasserie.
Vienna
ON OFFER Schönbrunn children’s museum, city tour,
Mozart and Strauss concert at Palais Ferstel.
On the bus into Vienna, our guide brings the city to life with
tales of the Viennese waltz, Sigmund Freud and the tragic
Empress Sisi. When we’re dropped at the Schönbrunn palace,
I realise that we’ve never had to queue for anything on this trip.
We wander through the incredible formal gardens, then watch
Mila’s delight as she plays dress-ups in the children’s museum.
At the superlative Cafe Gloriette, we order Sachertorte (me),
strudel (Jacqueline) and an enormous Nuss-Krokant-Becher
(nut-crunch sundae, for Mila). Next up is the Prater, an
amusement park offering every imaginable ride and side show.
While teenagers in our party zip around on Segways, I trail after
Mila as she hops on ever-wilder rides. That evening, Jacqueline
attends a concert she later describes as one of the best of her
life, an intimate performance by the Vienna Supreme Orchestra
at the Palais Ferstel. It’s a fitting end to an incredible holiday
and one of the most memorable times of our lives. #(^) Vanessa Walker sailed on Uniworld’s 10-day
Danube Discovery & Prague tour, featuring
an all-inclusive river cruise aboard the
River Ambassador. Prices start from $5099 per
person, twin share, and include two nights’
accommodation in Prague, a seven-night cruise
in a Riverview Stateroom, all meals and unlimited
beverages on board, daily excursions (including
exclusive Go Active tours), onboard local
entertainment, all gratuities, the services of an
experienced Uniworld Hotel Manager and Cruise
Director, and transfers on arrival and departure
days. An exclusive multi-generational program is
also available on select departures. For more
information, call 1300 780 231 or visit uniworld.com.