All distances are approximate. If you do not want to cycle one day, you can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbor. The bike tours are self-guided, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and directions. We reserve the right to make changes to the program if necessary due to weather or other circumstances.
Day 1: Passau – Engelhartszell
Arrival in the "Three River City." Passau attracts many with the world's greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and its charming Old Town. Embarkation will be around 4:00pm, departure around 7:00pm. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.
Day 2: Engelhartszell – Great Loop – Brandstat – Bratislava (29 mi/46 km)
The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), where we head towards the "Great Loop," one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube. Your cycling will encounter small villages and cozy must-see taverns. You'll board again in Brandstatt. Then, you cruise towards Devin.
Day 3: Bratislava (34 mi/54 km)
Arrival at Bratislava in the morning. You start cycling from Bratislava via Hainburg to the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof, beautifully terraced gardens and idyllic manor farm, further on to Devin, and then back to Bratislava. Overnight, you'll cruise to Budapest.
Day 4: Budapest or roundtrip to Szentendre (0-25 mi/0-40 km)
In the early morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's gorgeous landscape on the sundeck. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the river bank. In the afternoon, you can explore the numerous attractions of the city. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for a small bike tour or the charming town of Szentendre with a Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. Continue cruising overnight to Visegrad.
Day 5: Danube Bend | Visegrad –Esztergom (16-37 mi/25-60 km)
The Danube bend is definitely one of the most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's bike stage starts in Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You can choose from 2 different routes: the longer one includes a side trip to the island of Szentendre and the baroque village of Vác, which has been influenced by the architects of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresia. The other route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom, with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary's largest Catholic Church –overlooking the village. Overnight you'll cruise to Vienna.
Day 6: Vienna-Nussdorf/Korneuburg (rest day)
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg. The gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that take you back to the past. Overnight you cruise to Rossatz or Dürnstein.
Day 7: Wachau – Melk – Pöchlarn (26-32 mi/42-52 km)
Your last biking day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In the small village of Emmersdorf – located just opposite Melk – you will board again. After the farewell gala dinner, you start cruising back to Passau.
Day 8: Departure from Passau
Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy on deck the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take one last sight at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed at Passau. You'll arrive at approximately 11:00am, disembarking half an hour later. We recommend arranging connecting trips from 12:00pm or later.