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Danube – Bike & Boat Passau to Vienna (Return)

Tour: BBDV8
Bike & Boat Holiday
Linear Cycling Holiday

The Danube is one of the great cycling classics, so why not enjoy it in real style by combining it with a relaxing cruise experience? Setting off from Passau, the famed City of Three Rivers, the MS Prinzessin Katharina cruise ship will be your hotel and guide along the illustrious Danube to waltz capital, Vienna, and back again, stopping to let you explore stretches of the magical river valley with its castles, vineyards and World Heritage Sites by bike. All cycling itineraries are optional and there are some on-board activities and excursion opportunities (payable locally), making this a great tour to enjoy with friends or family who’ll love sharing this iconic experience, but might prefer just to dip a toe in the water when it comes to exploring on two wheels. 2024 Prices now available   Read More

Destination

Austria, Europe

Start Day

Fri, Sat

Board Basis

Full Board

Prices from

£939.00

Duration

8 Days, 7 Nights

Availability

Apr - Sept

Tour Grade

Grade 1 (Very Easy)

Read Overview
Home > Austria > Danube – Bike & Boat Passau to Vienna (Return)

Overview

A wonderful way to see all the classic sites of the Austrian Danube including Passau, Linz, Vienna and the Wachau castles and vineyards. Pedal out from your floating hotel as you stop off on your cruise for easy day rides packed full of fab places to visit, then return to relax and literally watch the world go by as you cruise onwards to your next Danube destination. All cycling is optional, leaving you to explore the jewels of this awesome river valley up close, or simply sit back and watch the show from comfortable decks of the MS Prinzessin Katharina

Tour Code:
BBDV8
Activity:
Bike & Boat, Cycling
Type:
Bike & Boat Holiday, Linear Cycling Holiday
Country:
Austria, Europe
Area:
Danube
Duration:
8 Days, 7 Nights
Board Basis:
Full Board
Availability:
Apr - Sept

Itinerary

Please note:

Due to navigation conditions, the exact details of itineraries are confirmed daily at the morning briefing meetings. All cycling itineraries are optional. All overnights are on board your floating hotel, the MS Prinzessin Katharina and some overnights may include transit to the next destination.

Day 1 All aboard!

Explore Passau, the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz, arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Don’t miss the grand Baroque of St Stephen’s Cathedral with its massive pipe organ and the bishop’s former fortress, the Veste Oberhaus, sitting on the wooded crest between two rivers. Boarding time for your cruise and cycle adventure is 4-5pm. During the evening sailng to Engelhartszell which departs around 7pm, enjoy a welcome cocktail and your first dinner onboard .

Day 2 Unwinding around the Schlögener Loop

Discover charming villages nestled in the natural landscapes of the Danube river valley around Engelhartszell and may be take in a visit to Austria’s only Trappist monastery. Stop for a sip of the special liqueurs and cordials prepared by the monks and reputed to have ‘healing powers’, and pedal on to take the little ferry boat (payable locally) to experience the amazing, romantic Schlögener loop. Meet up with your floating hotel at Untermühl for a cruise on to Linz. After dinner, you may choose to take the CityExpress into Linz (optional and payable locally) for an evening of bright lights and architectural treats in the capital of Upper Austria before returning to the MS Prinzessin Katharina for your next overnight.

Miles: 21 Kms: 35

Day 3 Celtic towns and castles

A cruise to Mauthausen in the early morning sets up a great day’s cycling, packed with culture and castles. Visit the very moving memorial at Mauthausen before pedalling on to the Celtic town of Mitterkirchen in the municipality of Perg, then choose to carry on coasting along the riverside, or to follow the slightly more energetic hinterland route into the beautiful ‘Strudengau’. Reaching the picturesque town of Grein, it’s hard to resist a visit to the solid, imposing Greinburg Castle built around 1488 and still the ducal home of the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha family. Return to the MS Prinzessin Katharina for your next overnight.

Miles: 26 Kms: 42

Day 4 The mighty monastery of Melk

A day of diverse landscapes starting at the Strudengau, one of the Danube’s narrowest points and then following the valley as it opens up around Persenbeug. Push your pedals a little further up to the amazing Baroque monastery at Melk next to the Wachau Valley. It was built into the rock by Leopold I on the site of Babenberger castle in 1089 and is the home to a Benedictine brotherhood. Back on deck, look forward to the sunset across the iconic Wachau Valley before the cruise stops at Tulln, famed for its market gardens and birthplace of the renowned member of the Art Nouveau movement, Egon Schiele.

Miles: 31 Kms: 50

Day 5 Tales of vineyards and Vienna

The sight of the cupola of the great Baroque monastery at Klosterneuburg announces that Vienna is not so far away. Set off to explore its nine hundred years of history or hop across from the shipping pier to Kahlenbergerdorf for a gentle tour around the vineyards and tempting time in the ‘keller- cafés’ or wine taverns. An optional bus tour (payable locally) is available if you prefer to head into vibrant Vienna and soak up the sights in advance of your own day of exploration.

Miles: 21 Kms: 35

Day 6 Vienna at your leisure

Enjoy a whole day in Austria’s magical capital. Start with a bird’s eye view from the famous big wheel or ‘Riesen Rad’ at the Wiener Prater perhaps to pick out all those must see attractions around the city. Don’t miss St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Romanesque Ruprechtskirche, Baroque Karlskirche plus Art Nouveau legacies and contemporary conundrums such as the eccentric Hundertwasserhaus. A guided tour by bike is available, so too an evening Waltz and Operetta Concert (both optional and payable locally) and there’s plenty of time for Kaffee und Kuchen in the finery of the smart coffee houses. Return to the MS Prinzessin Katharina for your next overnight as the vessel moves on to Dürnstein or Rossatz.

Day 7 The unique Wachau Valley

A day of enchanting landscapes with a rich crop of apricot orchards and vineyards, picturesque hillside villages and monasteries, captivating castles and impressive ruins. The small Baroque town of Dürnstein is overshadowed by the ruined castle where Richard the Lionheart was held hostage whilst returning from the Crusades; the blue tower of the monastery church here has become a landmark of the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time to reflect on the views and the vivid history of such an idyllic region with such a contrastingly complex past. Wind your way on to Weissenkirchen to savour the local flavours in a different way – at one of the many vineyard taverns lining your bike route back to the Danube and your floating hotel which awaits you at Pöchlarn. On board – evening farewell dinner and cocktail.

Miles: 24 Kms: 39

Day 8 One last glimpse…

The great Danube carries you back towards Passau this morning, allowing you to enjoy one last glimpse of the ‘Schlögener Schlinge’, that mighty meander where the river meets the hard granite bedrock. Arrival back in Passau is around 11am, so that you are ready for onward travel from around noon… but then, if you are still under the Danube’s spell, why not stay in City of Three Rivers a while longer?

Extra nights can be booked to allow more time to explore Passau at your leisure.

On board programme of activities included in the price are:

Captain’s greeting and Welcome Cocktail
Farewell Dinner – Dinner with Farewell Cocktail
Daily live music
Daily information meeting
Services of a tour guide on board

Price includes bicycles (discount given if not required) and port fees.

Optional excursions (bookable on board )are:

City tour: Linz
City tour: Vienna
Waltz & Operetta Concert, Vienna
Guided city tour by bike, Vienna
Wine tasting, Weissenkirchen

Dates & Prices

Download Prices

For tour start days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above

PRICE INCLUDES

Accommodation for 7 nights in a cabin of the selected type, all with ensuite facilities (includes daily cleaning and change of towels & bed linen as necessary)

Meals including buffet/continental breakfast, packed lunch (light lunch on board if not cycling), afternoon coffee and 3 course dinner

Hire of hybrid bicycle and ancillary equipment (single pannier and handlebar bag, pump, basic tools, spare inner tube & puncture repair equipment)

Insurance for bike theft

GPS tracks available on request

Information pack and route book provided on arrival; also a daily information briefing from the on board tour guide (the tour guide does not cycle with the group)

Other services, items and local experiences:

  • Captain’s greeting and welcome cocktail
  • Farewell dinner and drink on last night
  • On board musician
  • All port and passenger fees applicable

The detailed itinerary may be affected by navigational issues such as floods or low water. These will be decided by the boat’s captain and, on occasion, may include transfers by bus if necessary

Please note that the price EXCLUDES

Excursions and entrance fees during the tour

Costs of getting to and from the tour area and transport to and from the dock in Passau and other cities, city maps, ferry fees, tips and drinks on board

Accommodation Options

On board cruise ship  MS Prinzessin Katharina in a standard, outside-facing 2 bed cabin with private facilities and air-conditioning on the main deck. We are pleased to discuss details on request.

The barge has 71 cabins/suites and can accommodate up to 140 passengers.

Cabin Upgrades:

  • Upper deck cabin

Boat Plan & Details 

 

More Information

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