Cesky Krumlov to Melk
Located on a small arm of Strauss' 'Beautiful Blue Danube' this quiet town still retains an imperial air.
From Cesky KrumlovJewel of South Bohemia
Miraculously escaping the destructive tides of war for over seven centuries the town's architectural heritage, a harmonious melange of building styles dominated by the Renaissance, has remained beguilingly intact. The facades of painted houses, traditional artisan shops, taverns and restaurants simply reeking of centuries past form a delightful labyrinth in which you can lose yourself completely. There's gem after gem to be found in this orange-roofed jewel-box of a town and everyone will have their favourite. Perhaps the baroque theatre in the Castle grounds, one of the best preserved in central Europe. Český Krumlov is no static museum piece pickled in amber however, it vibrates with life all year round, with a diverse program of cultural events and festivals celebrating everything from St Wenceslaus to Wine.
ViaStop to discover these sights
Rozmberk nad Vltavou
A Little Krumlov
Vyssi Brod
A spiritual and historical landmark
Linz
Transformation on the Danube
Mauthausen
Austria's Secret Nazi Death Camp
Kremsmunster Abbey
Universal Appeal
Steyr
An ancient town with modern comforts
To Melk Abbey town on the Danube
This is largely due to the Abbey, a former palace which dominates the small but perfectly-formed town from its rocky bluff. Napoleon strutted his stuff here and the Kaisergang or Emperor's Gallery, a corridor in the Abbey, is lined with portraits of the Austrian nobility crushed beneath his heel. The highlight of the Abbey however is its baroque church, a controlled chaos of lavishly embellished marble and frescoes, simply drenched in gold. But a close second is the Marmorsaal, or Marble banqueting hall, a magnificent baroque riot of marbled pillars – look out for the gold bewigged caryatids! - and frescoed ceiling by Paul Troger which seems to soar upward vertiginously into infinity. A similarly vertiginous effect is experienced on the tightly circular marble convolutions of the Abbey library stairwell, where you can appreciate why Umberto Eco researched his best-selling novel The Name of the Rose here. While the Abbey cannot – shouldn't – be avoided, the town itself is a delightful place to recover from its profusion of historical and architectural wealth.
Private transfer from Cesky Krumlov toMelk with a local, English-speaking driver.
Door-to-Door service. Convenient, affordable, and faster than train.
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Private door-to-door transfers between cities with local drivers. Door-to-Door service.
Convenient, affordable, and faster than a train. Custom sightseeing itineraries available.