The Wachau Valley, winding from Melk downstream to Krems, northwest of Vienna, encapsulates one of the most attractive landscapes formed by the Danube. The small town of Melk is dominated by an imposing Baroque monastery.

This gallery, as with the journey itself, begins with the hour-long train ride to Melk, then continues by cruise steamer down the Danube to Krems, passing through the villages of Emmersdorf, Spitz, Weissenkirchen and Dürnstein to Krems. Dürnstein is notable for its ruined castle where the English crusader Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned, and for its striking churchtower.

These images were taken with Nikon D300 using RAW format, and are available for licensing. Please visit my blog.