Alternatively, take the bicycle track from the east of Vienna, running north of the Danube to Hainburg. Dominating the town of Melk, the superb Baroque monastery, Stift Melk, provides impressive views of the surrounding area from its terraces, as well as a huge church with twin spires and a high octagonal dome. The impressive Baroque interior of the church will astound the most hardened sightseer, with its prancing angels and gold swirls. The theatrical high altar scene showing St Peter and St Paul, by Peter Widerin, is enhanced by the ceiling paintings of Johann Michael Rottmayr, who also painted those in the dome.

One of the Wachau district’s most attractive villages is Durnstein, where the ruins of a castle - the Kuenringerburg - high up on a hill commands a superb view of the Danube as it winds through the valley. Stroll among the ruins and soak in the historic atmosphere of the castle where King Richard I was incarcerated in 1192 on his way back to England from the Crusades. And after your journey into the past rejoin the 21st century and sample some of the splendid local wines in one of the local taverns. To round off your stay in this unique area of Austria, enjoy some of the indoor and outdoor activities on offer in the Semmering resort or leave the beaten track to wander along the numerous trails in the Wienerwald, the woods near Vienna.

The largest province of Austria is also the country with the greatest variety in holiday ideas. The six holiday destinations - Danube Lower Austria, Mostviertel, Alpine south of Lower Austria, Waldviertel, Weinviertel and the Vienna woods - offer an unparalleled contrast in landscapes and a rich selection of culture, pleasure, wellbeing and sport offers. Be it a weekend trip, a short holiday break, a couple of wellbeing days, a summer resort or winter sport - Lower Austria stands for the completion of your holiday dreams.