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An opportunity to cruise along Europe’s iconic Danube river while cycling along its riverbanks. We take inspiration from the Danube as it carves its way through the once famous Austria Hungarian Empire, four great European countries, Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. An opportunity to visit three of Europe's most charming capitals: Vienna, the metropolis of the waltz, Bratislava, the capital of coronation and Budapest the "Paris of the East".
We travel in a large comfortable boat with an expansive lounge and sundeck perfect for relaxing after cycling each day. In Austria, we visit tiny villages and cosy cider taverns, in Hungary, we approach the capital of Bratislava on the river to appreciate fully this majestic capital, in Vienna we do a city bike tour to take in the best of this city.
All this linked together by wonderful scenery dotted with vineyards, majestic castles and palaces and the untouched forests of the Danube National park.
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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Resources Tab
Itineraries
Day `1
Arrive in Passau
Boarding time at 5 p.m. Located at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers, Passau has numerous interesting sites to visit. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestoned old town centre, listen to the bells of Passau’s Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world’s largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Cathedral. At 6.30 p.m. we cast off!
Day 2
Great Loop/Engelhartszell – Aschach (approx. 42 km by bicycle)
Your first day’s cycling begins with a ride through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’ Donauschlinge - one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube. Along the way, you will visit tiny villages and cosy cider taverns. In Austria’s only Trappist monastery at Engelhartszell, you can taste their delicious liquors and cheese. The famous ‘Schlogener View’ provides a wonderful panorama of the surrounding Austrian countryside. The boat welcomes all cyclists back on board in the charming market town of Aschach.
Day 3
Devin – Bratislava (approx. 43 km by bicycle) image 1 Devin – Bratislava (approx. 43 km by bicycle)
You pedal along the former ‘Iron Curtain’, cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautiful terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s ‘vegetable garden’ to the coronation city of Bratislava and the slopes of the Little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.
Day 4
Budapest / Excursion to Szentendre (approx. 54 km by bicycle or Rest day)
The entrance to Budapest, Hungary's capital is stunning. Savour the beauty of Budapest during a coach tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the highlights of this handsome city. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. You will get a very close experience of Hungarian culture at an evening show with traditional music and dance (optional).
Day 5
Danube Bend – Esztergom (approx. 43 km by bicycle)
The wooded hills of Pilis, Visegrád and Börzsöny together with the meandering Danube create a wonderful landscape that has become a nature lover’s paradise. Situated in the middle of the Danube River the idyllic isle of Szentendre exudes silent Puszta romance. You cycle via the baroque village of Vác (influenced by the architects of Austria’s Empress Maria Theresia) to the bishop town of Esztergom with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church.
Day 6
Vienna (Rest day)
Discover Vienna's most beautiful attractions. During a city tour by bike or bus (optional) you will experience Vienna’s most famous examples of architecture: the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous ‘Ring’-boulevard and the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall and, of course, the colourful "Hundertwasserhaus". Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés, while the evening ends impressively at a classical concert (optional) in one of Vienna‘s most famous palaces.
Day 7
Wachau / Krems – Melk / (approx. 37 km by bicycle)
Your last biking day is a special highlight! A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits. Traditional wine taverns along the bikepath invite to savour local wines (wine tasting optional). The Benedictine Abbey of Melk, perched on a hill, overlooking the Danube, is a true architecturual marvel.
Day 8
Passau (Disembarkation)
Enjoy the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley on deck. Take a last look at the Schlögener Schlinge (‘Great Loop’) before you arrive relaxed in Passau. Disembarkation is at approx. 10.00 a.m. We recommend arranging connecting trips from 11.00 a.m. onwards.
? 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
? Captain?s greeting and welcome cocktail
? Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linen
? Full board: rich breakfast, lunch onboard (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break,
dinner (2/3 dishes to choose), late night snack
? Gala dinner with farewell cocktail
? Farewell crew show & Daily live music
? Detailed road book per cabin ( one per cabin )
? A tour guide on board for Daily information meeting (does not cycle with self-guided participants)
Included in the comfort relax group tour price only:
? Cycling Tour guide
? Tasting of homemade cider at a cider producer in the Upper Danube Valley
? Ferry rides
? Guided city tour by bike in Vienna
? Hop on Hop off bus in Budapest
? Wine tasting with a local grower
? Bike helmet rental
Not included in the tour:
? + €65 supplement due to current increase in fuel prices. Payable on board at check in
? Option of bike rental (€80 hybrid bike, €180 e-bike)
? Bringing own bike charge of €25, e-bike €35
? Drinks onboard/Meals ashore/Tips for the crew
? Entrance fee to excursions/attractions/individual visits; Cross-river ferry on day 2 & 5 on self-guided
? Helmets self guided tour (available for purchase on board, adult helmets only)
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SELF GUIDED TOUR
PREMIUM SHIP MV VIVIENNE
Season 1 (per person sharing):
€1000 (Standard) / €1320 (Comfort) / €1520 (Superior) / €1820 (Junior Suite) / €2020 (Master Suite)
Season 2 (per person sharing):
€1100 (Standard) / €1420 (Comfort) / €1620 (Superior) / €1920 (Junior Suite) / €2120 (Master Suite)
Season 3 (per person sharing):
€1200 (Standard) / €1520 (Comfort) / €1720 (Superior) / €2020 (Junior Suite) / €2220 (Master Suite)
PREMIUM SHIP MV SWISS CROWN
Season 1 (per person sharing):
No dates available on this tour in April & October
Season 2 (per person sharing):
€1100 (Standard) / €1420 (Comfort) / €1520 (Superior) / €1620 (Deluxe)
Season 3 (per person sharing):
€1200 (Standard) / €1520 (Comfort) / €1620 (Superior) / €1720 (Deluxe)
Single cabins are available at a 55% supplement on standard cabin only
Season 1: April, October
Season 2: May, August
Season 3: June, July, September
Bike hire not included in the tour price:
€90 hybrid bike / €190 e-bike
Group Tour Information
+ €300 for guided group tour on premium ship MV VIVIENNE:
May 5, May 26, June 16, July 14, August 4, September 1, September 22
(other dates on request for groups of 10 minimum)
Self Guided Tour Information
MV VIVIENNE: Every Sunday from April 28 - October 6
MV SWISS CROWN: Saturday start May 18, June 1, August 31, September 14
Riverboat MV Vivienne
(All cabins with shower/toilet)
The exquisite premium ship MV Vivienne (renovated 2020) sets new standards in comfort and spaciousness and offers a tasteful, high-quality ambience in a luxurious style. Experience a fantastic view of breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes, sometimes from the saddle of a bicycle, sometimes from the inviting, partially covered sun deck.
The panorama lounge, equipped with comfortable club chairs and sofas in light colours, and a cozy bar offer a very special atmosphere. In the first-class, light-flooded panorama restaurant, you can take a culinary journey through the Danube countries and their variety of flavours. Rest and relaxation await you after an eventful day of cycling in the wellness area. On the spacious, partly covered sun deck you can enjoy a very special kind of nature cinema with a glass of wine together with like-minded people.
Ship information
Length: 110 m (360.9 ft.) Width: 11.4 m (37.4 ft.)
Decks: 3 Cabins: 76
Crew: ca. 35 Pass.: 152 (max.)
Cabin information
The 76 outside cabins are spacious 15 – 30 m², present themselves in light colors and modern design with optimal use of space and are in no way inferior to a first-class hotel room. All cabins have double beds, which can also be separated into 2 single beds, private facilities, hairdryer, telephone, satellite TV, safe and individually adjustable air conditioning; Suites offer a front row seat with a view and are add. equipped with minibar (against surcharge) and coffee machine.
Standard: Main deck (ca. 15 m²) , double bed to be separated, windows not to be opened
Comfort: Middle deck (ca. 15 m²), double bed to be separated, panoramic windows not to be opened
Superior: Middle + Upper deck (ca. 15 m²), double bed to be separated, French balcony
Junior (22m²) + Mastersuite (30m²): Upper deck, double bed to be separated, French balcony
Riverboat MV Swiss Crown
Stylish, elegant and timelessly beautiful - this is how the premium ship MS Swiss Crown presents itself as it glides gently along the Danube river. You will immediately feel at home on board as soon as you enter the spectacular foyer. Designed in warm wood tones, the ship radiates a comfort and leaves nothing to be desired. The simple elegance of the timelessly beautiful staterooms, which are decorated with great attention to detail, will inspire you. Sit back, enjoy the serene, relaxed atmosphere, the fantastic views of breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes, sometimes from the bicycle seat, sometimes from the inviting, partially covered sun deck. Let yourself be pampered by the friendly, accommodating crew and create on board relationships alongside memories to last a lifetime.
The 68 outward-facing cabins are spacious 14qm and convince with elegant, comfortable interior. The cabins have a double bed (can be separated to 2 single beds), shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe, coffee maker and individually adjustable air conditioning.
4 passenger decks:
Standard: Main deck, double bed to be separated, windows not to be opened
Comfort: Middle deck, double bed to be separated, windows be opened
Superior: Upper deck, double bed to be separated, private balcony
Minisuite: Middle deck, double-bedded to be separated, windows to be opened, minibar)
The 68 outward-facing cabins are spacious 14 m² and convince with elegant, comfortable interior.
The cabins have a double bed (can be separated to 2 single beds), shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe, coffee maker and individually adjustable air conditioning.
How to get to the start point in Passau:
- Munich Airport (MUC)
The closest airport to Passau is Munich Airport (Mõnchen Flughafen / MUC) with its huge number of cheap flights to mostly German and European destinations.
Passau is around 160 km (100 miles) from Munich Airport. Driving time is around 90 minutes.
Public transportation is slightly complicated, from the airport, take bus 635 to Freising (18 minutes). Direct trains run from Freising to Passau every two hours. Alternatives require transfers in either Plattling or Regensburg. Total journey time varies from 2h20 to three hours.
- Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
Many international/intercontinental passengers will enter Germany at Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). It is, both faster and cheaper to take the ICE train from Frankfurt to Passau rather than taking a connection flight to Munich. Many direct trains are available with more options requiring an easy transfer at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof. Total journey time is just over four hours.
The following websites will help you with train connections between Vienna and Passau.
Bahn.de or Oebb.at
It is possible to book a transfer from Munich to Passau: €300 one way (1-8 people)
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