Lower Austria

One of Austria's wellknown wine regions: the Wachau

Lower Austria is characterized by its scenic diversity: the Wachau section of the picturesque Danube Valley, is extremely charming with wine producing villages, forested slopes, vineyards, and imposing fortresses at nearly every bend. There are art monuments from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods, like the imposing monastery-fortress in Melk. The Mostviertel, or “Pleasure District” as it is also known, is especially attractive in the spring when the region south of the Danube turns into a fragrant sea of white flowers and there are more cheerful festivals than you can shake a stick at. Southern Lower Austria is a paradise for nature lovers and walkers. Semmering, Rax, and Schneeberg mountains and the secluded hill country called "Bucklige Welt" offer plenty of outdoor activities with hiking being the big draw. North and west of Krems is the Waldviertel, a peaceful forested region with out-of-the-way uplands boasting thousands of ponds and moors. The Weinviertel’s many vineyards and gently rolling hills are best explored by bicycle, while the scenic Wienerwald is a place to get off the beaten track and enjoy nature. Walking is popular, with numerous trails meandering through the luxuriant forest, gentle hills, and friendly villages.