Part 1 of our Danube Journal deals with the navigable German section from Kelheim to Passau. Part 2 continues downstream across Austria to Vienna. Part 3 then centres on the Slovakian capital Bratislava.
Schlögen marina km 2187 RU
Fantastically situated on the Schlögener Schlinge with excellent infrastructure and a rediscovered Roman bath. It takes 30 minutes to climb up to the Schlögener Blick vantage point; the spectacular panorama with the Danube Loop quickly makes you forget your exertions. Water depth at NW: 2.50 metres. Service: Daily prices: up to 6 m € 12, up to 8 m € 16, up to 10 m € 20, over 10 m € 24. Incl: Slip, shower/WC, water, outdoor pool, rubbish, waste disposal, car park, WLAN, playground. Excl.: electricity (€ 2.50), boat petrol station, kiosk, tel. +43/699/11 96 15 30, www.freizeitanlage-schloegen.at
Obermühl harbour km 2178 LU
The two inns "Gierlinger" and "Aumüller" offer quiet guest moorings at the mouth of the Kleine Mühl. Ideal for hungry boaters! Water depth at NW: 2 to 3 metres. Service: Daily rates: free of charge. Excl.: Electricity (fee by arrangement), WC (free with catering at the inn). www.gasthof-gierlinger.at , www.fischgasthof.at
Untermühl marina km 2168.2 LU
Service: Daily rates: up to 5 m € 10, up to 8 m € 11, from 8 m € 15. Incl: Water, rubbish. Excl.: electricity (2 €). Tel. +43/664/344 53 10, www.sportboothafen.at
MYC Kachlet km 2159.5 LU
Service: Daily rates: up to 6.5 m € 1, up to 10 m € 17, over 10 m € 22. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower. Tel. +43/664/558 36 85, www.myc-kachlet.at
Linz
With some effort, Linz was able to shed its reputation as a dusty industrial city and today presents itself as a modern cultural centre. The centrepiece is the main square from the Middle Ages with its golden Trinity Column. Around the old town centre, the architectural style of the Gründerzeit prevails.
In addition to the Old and New Cathedral, the largest church in Austria, the Pöstlingberg with its pilgrimage church and viewing platform is a popular hotspot. Lovers of sweet pastries should try the traditional Linzer Torte. The Lentos Art Museum for contemporary and modern art is located in the centre of the Danube Park directly on the Danube. www.lentos.at
Winter harbour Linz km 2131.8 RU
From the Winterhafen basin, you can walk along the Danube to the bustling city centre of Linz in just over half an hour. The pebble beach directly behind the dyke is ideal for swimming. Water depth at NW: 3 metres. Service: Daily rates: up to 10 m € 22, over 10 m € 28. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, slip. Excl.: crane. Tel. +43/664/615 14 07, www.mycn.at
Marina Au km 2107.1 LU
Several clubs. Water depth at NW: 2.5 m. Service: Daily rates: up to 8 m € 16, up to 10 m € 20, over 10 m € 24. Incl: Water, WC/shower, WLAN, slip. Excl.: electricity (€3), club pub. Washing machines and playground at the neighbouring campsite. Tel. +43/664/633 65 32, www.myc-au.at
Wallsee jetties and anchorage km 2093.5 RU
There are two clubs in the oxbow lake that offer guest moorings, as well as a beautiful anchorage that is ideal for swimming. Restaurants and a supermarket are within walking distance. Service: Motoryachtclub Wallsee: Water depth at NW: 2.20 metres. Daily rates: up to 23 feet € 15, from 24 feet € 20. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, kitchen, slip. Excl.: chilled drinks. Tel. +43 664-251 92 62, www.myc-wallsee.at. 1st Steyr Yacht Club: Water depth at NW: 2 metres. Daily rates: up to 24 feet € 14, over 24 feet € 19. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, satellite TV, WLAN, slip. Tel. +43/664/115 28 94, www.1syc.at
Ardagger leisure harbour km 2082.7 RU
Beautiful harbour in the oxbow lake with its own speciality restaurant. Water depth at NW: 3.50 m. Service: Daily rate: € 15. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, playground. Excl: Boat fuelling station, restaurant, slip. Tel. +43/664/413 79 31, www.steckerlfisch-ardagger.at
Grein
Poets call the old shipping town the "Pearl of the Strudengau". The local prosperity is closely linked to Danube shipping, for which the people of Grein served as pilots through the dreaded rapids and shallows of the narrow Strudengau valley. The scenery around the Old Town Hall, which is home to Austria's oldest municipal theatre still in operation (www.stadttheater-grein.at), is picturesque. The landmark is Greinburg Castle with its festival rooms and the "Sala Terrena" decorated with Danube pebbles. The Upper Austrian Maritime Museum is also located here. www.schloss-greinburg.at
Grein harbour of refuge km 2079.4 LU
It is only a few minutes' walk to the petrol station, the open-air swimming pool and the picturesque town. Water depth at NW: 3 metres. Service: Daily rates: up to 26 feet € 18, up to 29 feet € 23, over 29 feet € 28. Incl: Electricity, water, WC. Excl: Shower (1 €), chilled drinks. Tel. +43/664/211 90 13, www.turul.at
Marbach marina km 2050 LU
Service: Water depth at NW: 1.5 m. Daily prices: up to 6 m € 8, from 6 m € 12, from 10 m € 20. Incl: Water, WC/shower, WLAN at the campsite. Excl.: electricity (€ 4), slip (€ 8), restaurant, washing machine and tumble dryer at the campsite. Tel. +43/74 13/70 77, www.marbach-freizeit.at
Emmersdorf harbour km 2037.2 LU
From the harbour, take the bus to the town of Melk, with the imposing baroque facades of the world-famous abbey towering over the old town ( www.stiftmelk.at ). A visit is highly recommended! Water depth at NW: 2 metres. Service: Daily prices: up to 9 m € 18, each additional metre € 1. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, WLAN, excl. slip 7 €, restaurant. Tel. +43/664/182 03 73, www.hafenemmersdorf.at
Spitz marina km 2018.2 LU
The market town of Spitz is known not only for its beautiful old town but also for its good wines. 700 m from the supermarket and road petrol station. Water depth at NW: 1.5 m. Service: Daily prices: up to 6 m € 12, up to 8 m € 15, up to 10 m € 17, from 10 m € 20. Incl: Electricity, water, WC, WLAN. Excl: Shower (1 €), slip (10 €). Tel. +43/664/231 47 05.
Krems and Stein
The former sister towns - Stein was annexed to Krems in 1938 - are located at the entrance to the Wachau cultural landscape (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which also includes their magnificently preserved old towns. The Gozzo Castle from the 13th century, whose ancient wall paintings were only discovered ten years ago during renovation work, is a very special gem amongst all the architectural treasures. The striking Stone Gate opens the way to Stein, whose old town centre is also well worth a visit. Unique in Austria: the Caricature Museum. www.karikaturmuseum.at
Krems marina km 2001.8 LU
Service: Water depth at NW: 2.80 m. Daily prices: up to 8 m € 23, up to 10 m € 28, over 10 m € 32. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, rubbish, WLAN, playground, kitchen, bathing card for the outdoor pool. Excl.: Slip (20 € for overnight stay, otherwise 40 €). Tel. +43/2732/836 17 (pre-booking required), www.motoryachtclubwachau.at. There is a boat refuelling station at km 2003.9 LU (cash payment only).
Altenwörth harbour and anchorage km 1979.6 LU
When approaching the harbour of the Altenwörth water sports club, keep close to the right bank! Water depth at NW: 3 m. Service: Daily rates: up to 6 m € 13, over 6 m € 20. Incl: Electricity, water, rubbish, WC/shower. Excl.: slip (15 €), marina shop. There is also a very nice anchorage in the oxbow lake next to the marina. Tel. +43/664/181 76 15, www.wsca.at
Marina Tulln km 1962.5 RU
Tulln is of particular importance for Austria's water sports world, as the Austrian Boatshow takes place here in spring, just outside Vienna - no question that it also has a marina with guest moorings close to the town centre! Water depth at NW: 2 metres. Service: Daily rates: up to 7 m € 22, up to 10 m € 27, over 10 m € 33. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, WLAN. Excl.: Slip (10 €), crane, lounge with drinks and coffee machine, boat refuelling station. Tel. +43/2272/626 56, www.hafen-tulln.at
Korneuburg marina km 1942.5 LU
The marina is run by two clubs that offer guest moorings up to 10 metres in length. Larger boats can be moored by prior arrangement. A restaurant and supermarket are within walking distance, as is the rapid transit railway (Korneuburg station, S3/S4), which runs to the centre of Vienna. There is a popular snack bar and a playground in front of the site. Service: Waterski & Motorboat Club Vienna: Water depth at NW: 1.50 m, daily price: €14.40. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, WLAN. Excl.: slip (40 €), crane. Tel. +43/699/15 23 55 09 (advance booking required), www.wmcw.at. Motorboat Sports Club Danubia: Daily price: € 15. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, WLAN, slip, barbecue area. Excl: Drinks machine, crane. Tel. 0043/699/16 43 35 02 (pre-booking by telephone required), www.mscd.at
Vienna
Austria's capital shines with its wealth of historical and modern cultural assets - and an enviable quality of life. The day begins appropriately with a Melange, the typical Viennese coffee speciality, in one of the traditional coffee houses such as the Künstlercafé Hawelka.
Plenty of time should be allowed for the Museumsquartier ( www.mqw.at The former imperial court stables were converted from 1998 to 2001 into one of the ten largest cultural centres in the world, which today represents almost all areas of art. In addition to internationally renowned exhibition venues such as the Museum of Modern Art (mumok) and the Leopold Museum with its collection of Austrian masterpieces, the MQ offers space for cultural professionals and enthusiasts of all kinds with around 60 facilities. The ZOOM Children's Museum also provides a platform for the youngest to explore their own creativity in a playful way.
Perhaps the world's most famous Ferris wheel in the Prater has already turned the heads of Sisi, James Bond and the ominous "Third Man". The Danube Island, just a stone's throw away from the city centre, offers Vienna residents and city travellers in need of relaxation a huge recreational area with many sports and recreational facilities, some of which are freely accessible, right on the doorstep.
Even in the centre of a city with millions of tourists, there is always a quiet place to linger. After an eventful day full of discoveries, you can of course fortify yourself with a real Wiener Schnitzel. A very good address for this is the "Zum Renner" restaurant on Nußdorfer Platz. Be sure to make a reservation! www.zum-renner.at
Marina Vienna km 1926.5 RU
Well-secured harbour facility in Leopoldstadt with excellent
infrastructure and the nearby underground station "Donaumarina" (line U2). Walking distance to the Danube Island and shopping centre. Water depth at NW: 2.20 m. Service: Daily rates: up to 5 m € 21, up to 6 m € 25, up to 7 m € 28, up to 8 m € 31, up to 9 m € 33, up to 10 m € 38, up to 12 m € 55, up to 14 m € 66. Incl: Electricity, water, WC/shower, playground. Excl.: crane, slip, petrol station, repair service, restaurant. Tel. +43/699/17 26 07 62, www.marina.at
Inn "Uferhaus" Orth km 1902 LU
In the middle of the Donauauen National Park to the east of Vienna (see page 91), this popular inn offers various fish specialities, a wonderful playground and a few guest moorings. Many things are made possible here on friendly request! Service: Daily rate: free of charge. Incl: WC use (depending on restaurant opening times). Excl.: electricity, water (on request as required). Tel. +43/644/180 03 22 (leave a message, the manager will call you back), www.uferhaus.at
