Day 2 - Vienna - Wachau Valley
The beautiful weather led us outdoors on a tour of the local wine-making region and UNESCO world heritage site. The Wachau Valley lies about one hour west of Vienna. It's a wine region known for Grüner Veltliner and Rieseling, which we tasted at two wineries and one wine garden, known as a Heuriger. Our Welsh guide, Iolo (pronounced Yolo), fascinated us with tons of stories about the capture of English King Richard the Lionheart, battles against Napoleon, Saint Florion - patron saint of fire fighters - and enemy entrails hung from a city gate to dissuade potential marauders. Along a boat ride on the Danube we floated past many castles and ruins. Such a sultry late-summer afternoon brought out a bonus authentic Austrian exhibit, sunbathers. Let's just say, they seem to have an aversion to tan lines here. 😳 The towns here began in the middle ages. They are so full of stories and castles that tomorrow we intend to pick up where today's tour...