Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LOWER AUSTRIA
Getting There & Around
Much of Lower Austria has excellent autobahn, rail and bus connections to the rest of the
country. Travelling through the province can be done mostly by rail, but the Waldviertel
north of the Danube and the Mostviertel south of the Danube have limited train connec-
tions. So it's better to have your own set of wheels, or use local buses.
TOP OF CHAPTER
The Danube Valley
The Danube, which enters Lower Austria from the west near Ybbs and exits in the east
near Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, carves a picturesque path through the province's hills
and fields. Austria's most spectacular section of the Danube is the dramatic stretch of river
between Krems an der Donau and Melk, known as the Wachau. Here the landscape is
characterised by vineyards, forested slopes, wine-producing villages and imposing fort-
resses at nearly every bend. The Wachau is today a Unesco World Heritage ite, due to its
harmonious blend of natural and cultural beauty.
Tourismusverband Wachau Nibelungengau
( 02713-300 60 60;
www.wachau.at
; Schlossgasse 3, Spitz an der
Donau; 9am-4.30pm Mon-Thu, to 2.30pm Fri)
are the people to approach for comprehensive in-
formation on the Wachau and the surrounding area.
Getting Around
BICYCLE
A wonderfully flat cycle path runs along both sides of the Danube between Vienna and
Melk, passing through Krems, Dürnstein, Weissenkirchen and Spitz on the northern bank.
Many hotels and
Pensionen
(B&Bs) are geared towards cyclists and most towns have at
least one bike-rental and repair shop. For more information, pick up a free copy of
The
Donauradweg - Von Passau bis Bratislava
(from tourist offices or as a PDF download
from
http://brochures.austria.info
), which provides details of distances, hotels and tourist
information offices along the route.
BOAT
