Wachau

The Wachau is the name given to the 30km/18mi stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems, where the river cuts a narrow rocky valley between the foothills of the Bohemian Forest to the northwest and the Dunkelsteiner Wald to the southeast. This is surely the most beautiful part of the Danube, with ancient little towns nestling below historic old castles and castle ruins woven in legends. The best time to visit the Wachau is in spring or autumn, when there are fewer visitors. At the time of the Renaissance there were 31 monasteries in the Wachau. In 1784 Emperor Joseph II allowed the set up of inns known as "Buschenschenken" (vine branches were placed outside the entrance).