To round off the 82nd Biennial ILA Conference, participants headed beyond Vienna on Saturday for a day trip through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape along the Danube.
The day began with a guided visit of Melk Abbey, one of Austria’s most celebrated Baroque landmarks. Perched above the Danube, the Benedictine abbey has been a centre of learning and religious life for more than 900 years and is renowned for its magnificent Baroque architecture and library.
The journey continued to Dürnstein, one of the most picturesque towns in the Wachau. Best known for its charming historic centre, vineyards and the striking blue tower of its Augustinian church, Dürnstein is also associated with Richard the Lionheart, who was famously imprisoned in the town’s castle in the 12th century.
Participants enjoyed lunch and a wine tasting featuring wines from the Wachau, providing the perfect opportunity to experience one of Austria’s most renowned wine-growing regions while continuing conversations in a relaxed setting.
A wonderful way to conclude the conference: combining history, culture, landscape, Austrian wine and, of course, the collegial spirit that made the week in Vienna so special.
