This morning the Bragi sailed through the Wachau Valley, the heart of Austria's wine country. This is a truly spectacular area of the Danube and is recognized for its cultural and historical significance and is of such unsurpassed beauty, that it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Upon arrival in Melk, we disembarked for an excursion to the ostentatious Melk Abbey, perched on the sheer cliffs high above the Danube. 900 years old and in a elaborate Baroque style, pictures don't do it justice. It's stunning library with one of the largest collections of medieval manuscripts, in addition to a kaleidoscope of red, orange and gold, with its magnificent carved pulpit and shimmering ceiling frescoes makes the Benedictine Abbey in Lower Austria truly sensational. Melk is a masterpiece of the typically Austrian period of art - the Baroque. Monks of the Benedictine Order have lived and worked here for over 900 years. In the monastery itself, monks run a public secondary school with nearly 900 students. The monastery sees the religious and intellectual formation of its pupils as an important spiritual duty. I found out that the monastery's income from agriculture and tourism is used to fulfill these duties and to finance the costly and difficult maintenance required for this outstanding building.
Back onboard the Bragi, we continue to experience outstanding service and attention. Every detail is taken care of, from room service, to concierge , to meals. One could not ask for better service!
Tomorrow sees our arrival in Passau...if all goes well, we should hook up briefly with friends who are doing a similar tour, only in reverse. Here's to connecting with them!
No comments:
Post a Comment