Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for this tour
Day 1: Passau
The "Bishop City," close to the Bavarian/Austrian border, is also known as the "City of three Rivers." Boarding time is at 4:00pm. Use your free time and stroll through the old charming city center, visit the world's largest catholic church organ in the cathedral, and enjoy the easy atmosphere of a typical Bavarian beer garden. At 6:30pm cast off! Your vacation begins with a boat ride through the romantic Danube Valley.
Day 2: Engelhartszell – Brandstatt (28 miles/45 km)
Breathe in the fragrance of the dense forest and freshly mown meadows. Explore the pristine countryside of the Upper Danube valley on the former towpath as it runs past sleepy villages. Small, rustic inns at the edge of the trail invite you to linger, the aroma of fresh fish grilled according to tradition on a stick wafts through the air. The Schlögener Blick observation point offers a truly stunning view of the Schlögener Schlinge where the Danube carves its way through a gorge and doubles back on itself.
Day 3: Brandstatt – Linz (16 miles/26 km)
Catch some fresh country air again-- at lunch time, you’ll reach the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. Discover the European Capital of Culture 2009 on a bright yellow miniature train (optional). The cathedral is the biggest church in Austria, the Pöstlingbergbahn the steepest adhesion railway in the world. Are you curious about the future? At the ARS Electronica Museum you can try out some of the most impressive examples of modern technology for yourself. Make sure you don’t miss it!
Day 4: Mauthausen – Grein (22 miles/35 km)
A beautiful and varied route lies ahead of you as you explore the idyllic hinterland of the Strudengau by bike: the Celtic Village of Mitterkirchen, the Baroque monastery of Baumgartenberg and the romantic ruins of Burg Clam castle. Then it’s time to enjoy the little medieval town of Grein with its Baroque facades, imposing castle and the oldest municipal theatre in Austria. After a romantic journey sailing past towns and villages full of twinkling lights, you arrive just like Sisi did way back then in the City of Waltz early in the morning.
Day 5: Tulln – Vienna (22 miles/35 km)
Right in front of Vienna's entrance, embedded in breathtaking scenery, the monastery
of Klosterneuburg is situated. You can already see the dome of this 900-year-old baroque building from a distance. "Kahlenbergerdorf" with its wine taverns is only a hop from the shipping pier and definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Vienna. During a city tour by bus in the afternoon. You will pass most of the numerous and famous sights and have a guided walking tour through the historic center of Austria’s capital (optional, not included).
Day 6: Vienna (rest day)
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 colorful "Hundertwasserhaus." There is enough time in the afternoon to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese cafés. The evening can end in numerous ways. For example by visiting a Waltz and Opera concert at a famous Viennese Palaces (optional).
Day 7: Wachau Valley round trip (22 miles/35 km)
An unforgettable day in the picturesque Wachau. Cycle through delightful wine-growing villages surrounded by terraced vineyards and apricot trees. The charming little town of Dürnstein with its narrow lanes is an absolute highlight. In Weißenkirchen – the most important wine-growing village in the World Cultural Heritage Landscape – you can discover the first-rate famous Wachau wines.
Day 8: Passau
Enjoy the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley on deck before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Disembarkation at approximately 9:00am. We recommend arranging connecting trips from 11:0am onwards.
Optional excursion programs (bookable on board, not included in the tour package):
- Grien visit of Austria's oldest theater
- Vienna city tour by bike or bus
- Vienna – waltz and operetta music concert in the Schönbrunn Palace
- Linz city tour by Linz City Express
- Wachau wine tasting with local wine grower