Spitz, Austria
Spitz an der Danau, as it is formally known, is a tranquil gem at the northern end of the Danube River, in the heart of the breathtaking Wachau Valley. As such, it boasts all the necessary characteristics of a fairytale setting: cobbled streets winding between structures that tell the city’s architectural story; surrounding hillsides cloaked in Wachau’s famous vineyards; an Old Town that hails to Celtic times; and abbeys and churches that have witnessed the town’s long history. Perhaps the best vantage point from which to take all of these in is the hilltop castle ruins of Burgruine Aggstein. Standing nearly a thousand feet above the right bank of the Danube, the 12th century fortress has been stormed and destroyed – and then rebuilt – at least twice. Today, travelers can choose to hike the elevation to be rewarded with sprawling valley views, or enjoy motorized transport.