Itinerary


Bike & Boat Danube 4 Countries Tour – The Highlights

Passau – Vienna – Bratislava – Budapest

8 days / 7 nights | Ship: MS Prinzessin Katharina | Self guided cycling tours

Accompanied by a cruise ship you cycle along Europe's second largest river Danube from the charming Bavarian “three river city” of Passau straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy. Enjoy three of the most enchanting European capitals: the lively Vienna, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and Budapest, the "Hungarian Danube Queen"! By bicycle you discover the stunning natural spectacle of the Schlögener Donauschlinge ("Great Loop"), the legendary Wachau with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park, as well as the picturesque Hungarian Danube bend where the important cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes from the distance. The highlights of the tour: Passau, the City of 3 rivers, the Schloegen Danube Loop, the Hungarian Danube Bend, the World Heritage Site Wachau, the metropoles of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna.

Highlights of this Bike & Barge Tour

✔  Staying on the premium ship MS Prinzessin-Katharina

✔  Easy cycling along the enchanting Danube

✔  Cycling and sailing from the Bavarian "Three Rivers City" of Passau

✔  Visiting charming capitals on a glorious cycling holiday


Itinerary 

 

Cycling kilometres 116-180 km

Day 1: Arrival in Passau | Boat trip to Engelhartszell

Individual arrival in Passau. Embarkation from approx. 16:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. Departure to Engelhartszell around 19:00 hrs, arrival around 22:00 hrs.

Day 2: Engelhartszell – Aschach, cycle tour approx. 40–46 km | boat trip to Vienna Nussdorf

In Engelhartszell (Austria's only Trappist monastery) the cycle tour begins through the romantic river landscape of the Donauschlinge, one of the most beautiful stretches of the Danube with dreamy villages at the foot of lush green wooded slopes. In Aschach you rejoin the ship and continue your journey by boat.

Day 3: Vienna–Nussdorf (rest day)

Today there is time to discover the beauties of Vienna: perhaps the Hofburg, St. Stephen's Cathedral, the magnificent boulevard Ringstrasse with the State Opera House, Burgtheater or the City Hall? At night, boat trip to Budapest.

Day 4: Budapest (rest day) or cycle tour Szentendre approx. 48 km

Early in the morning enjoy a fantastic view of the majestic landscape of the Danube Bend and the breathtakingly beautiful panorama of Budapest from the sun deck. Explore the countless sights of Budapest or take a bike trip to the small artists' town of Szentendre with its lovingly restored old town, numerous churches and artists' galleries. At night boat trip to Visegrad.

Day 5: Visegrad, cycle tour Visegrad – Vác – Visegrad | cycle tour approx. 36 km

The cycle tour through the Danube Bend is also an excursion into Hungary's history. From the former royal seat of Visegrad you cycle through the picturesque, gently rolling countryside over the Szentendre peninsula to the baroque town of Vác with Hungary's only triumphal arch. Via small Hungarian villages you return to Visegrad. In the afternoon boat trip to Bratislava.

Day 6: Bratislava (rest day)

Arrival by ship in Bratislava in the morning. Discover the small, lively capital of Slovakia today. Tip: Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the Pressburg and take a ride on the vintage train through the enchanting Old Town. Alternatively, you can explore the city during a guided bike tour. At night boat trip from Bratislava to the beautiful Wachau.

Day 7: Wachau – Melk – Pöchlarn | Cycling tour approx. 40-50 km Boat trip to Passau

The gentle hilly landscape, characterised by dreamy villages, wine terraces, castles, monasteries and ruins has enchanted everyone yet. The blue tower of the collegiate church, a landmark of the Wachau, towers over the baroque town of Dürnstein. In the afternoon, the imposing Melk Abbey awaits you, one of the most important baroque buildings in Austria. In Pöchlarn you disembark again. In the evening a festive farewell dinner. At night boat trip to Passau.

Day 8: Departure from Passau

Relaxed and rested, you arrive in Passau at approx. 11:00 am.Disembarkation and individual journey home.
We recommend booking train connections from approx. 13:30.

Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.