Melk, Austria is home to the golden baroque Benedictine Abbey. Most river ships stopover in Melk and feature guided tours of this old abbey that sits high on a hill overlooking the town and the river. The ornate rooms and library are fascinating, and the views of Melk and the Wachau Valley from the terrace are spectacular.
Passau is a university town at the confluence of three rivers. Its setting is lovely, and river ships like the Viking Prestige can dock within easy walking distance of the old town. Although Passau is not a major city, it has a huge cathedral with an organ that boasts 17,000 pipes. Walking (or riding) up to the top of the Oberhaus Fortress is a great way to get a marvelous view of this city and its three rivers.
Melk (c) Linda Garrison