On our way to Vienna, we passed through the Danube Valley (Wachau) in the Lower Austrian region. The Wachau stretches for many kilometers, encircling the Danube with wine villages, abbeys and hilltop vineyards. A cycle path takes you along the banks of the Danube. We took full advantage of these magnificent landscapes as we headed east, stopping off in the small tourist village of Dürnstein.

Dürnstein has a reputation for being quite popular in summer, with many boats on sightseeing tours stopping here regularly. For our part, we found the crowds more than reasonable for August. The village is overlooked by old fortresses and a very photogenic church. It's a quick walk around, but a pleasant one, and a good opportunity to sample local wines and specialities.

Access: we parked in the parking lot at the entrance to the village (4 euros/2 hours), and had no trouble getting inside with our stroller (a path along the Danube leads up into the village).