We meet at the main entrance of Vienna’s ‘Westbahnhof’ railway station (see map below for directions), before a one hour train journey to Melk, home of the world famous baroque abbey, at the western edge of the Wachau. Once there, we’ll prepare the kayaks, provide a full safety briefing and give paddling instructions, prior to launch.

The first part of the tour takes us through west Wachau. Here it is too cool for wine production, so the hills are covered in carpets of trees with castles and palaces sitting proudly atop many of the valley’s highest peaks. You’ll be in awe of the Wachau’s natural beauty from your privelged position, right at the heart of it on the Danube river! We’ll also stop for a break by the river’s edge, where the shore transforms itself into a small natural beach.

After continuing downstream for a few more kilometres, we’ll take another break, this time for lunch in a small yet historically fascinating local hamlet (lunch not included).

The eastern side of the valley is where the wine is produced, by way of hundreds of individual vineyard plots and centuries of local experience. Here we’ll take another break at a winery to sample local specialities including some of the world’s best dry Riesling, Austria’s signature Gruner Veltliner, and the wonderfully unique and earthy Neuburger amongst others…

After a full day of activity we should arrive back to Vienna around 7pm, although the precise time of arrival will depend on our progress over the course of the day – there’s no rush!