Or one can take a cruise through the Wachau valley, an especially beautiful area along the Danube. The majestic Benedictine Abbey of Melk, towering above the river; the vintner's villages Spitz, Dürnstein and Weissenkirchen; hills, on which exquisite wines are grown - all of this is part of the colorful kaleidoscope of profound impressions.
The southern part of the Vienna Woods can easily be visited in half a day: one should not miss Heiligenkreuz Abbey if one takes such a trip. Also, one should visit the seemingly modest hunting mansion of Mayerling, which gained some notoriety due to the mysterious death of Crown Prince Rudolf. The tranquil resort town of Baden (about 20 kilometers south of Vienna) with its sulfur springs, casino and racetrack is definitely worth a detour.
Neusiedler Lake, to the south-east of Vienna, can be reached by car in about one hour. It is the biggest steppe lake in Central Europe and the largest lake in Austria. It lies at the beginning of the Little Hungarian Plain, surrounded by a wide reed belt with unique bird species. Some vintner's villages around the lake, such as Rust or Mörbisch are especially charming; the latter is ecially well known because of its lake festival during the summer.
An excursion to Bratislava is also recommended. In just 75 minutes, the Twin City Liner carries you along the Danube from Vienna straight to the centre of the Slovakian capital, which above all impresses with its romantic Old City and castle.
Burgenland
Sports, relaxation and hot-springs activities from the region of Lake Neusiedl to South Burgenland.
More information:
www.burgenland.info
Lower Austria
Wine and culture in a wide country.
Information:
niederoesterreich.info
Vienna Woods:
www.wienerwald.info
Bratislava and the Twin City Liner
www.twincityliner.com
http://visit.bratislava.sk/DE
