7 nights | 26 miles/day
Self guided from EUR € 699
Tap above to jump to different sections of this tour
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Danube Impressions
7 night self guided bike tour in Austria and Germany
It was in Passau that Sisi began her journey along the Danube as a young bride to Vienna, where she was eagerly awaited by her Emperor Franz. Follow in the footsteps of the Austrian empress by bicycle and on a nostalgia ship as you discover breathtakingly beautiful river scenery with small sleepy villages, castles, and palaces set in gorgeous countryside and enjoy warm Austrian hospitality at every stage of your cycling tour.
The region is a gourmand’s paradise and famous for its cakes, pastries, and other irresistible culinary treats. After Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte, and apricot dumplings it’ll be much easier to burn up the miles... Wines from the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Landscape Wachau enjoy an international reputation, Linz, the capital of Upper Austria is home to the biggest church in Austria. And then there’s Vienna... Enchanting, charming, and perhaps slightly eccentric, the City of Waltz will capture your heart in an instant. Magnificent buildings from the imperial age bear witness to the impressive history of times gone by.
This tour must meet a minimum of 90 passengers 4 weeks prior cruise start.
A Guided Package is available on Jun 4, Jul 30, Oct 1, 2022 (minimum 10 participants). This upgrade includes a guide and additional experiences along the tour route. You cycle in a small group guided by a local tour guide who's familiar with the region. Explore local cultures, discover hidden sites and secret places, and enjoy some delicious appetizers. Please see the Included Services for details.
Highlights
- Passau, the City of 3 Rivers
- Schlögener Donauschlinge - the "Great Loop"
- Cultural capital of Linz
- World Cultural Heritage Site Wachau
- The cosmopolitan cities of Vienna
Learn More
Learn more about self-guided tours.
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Daily program
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
Surface and terrain
The cycle route is completely flat, at times on a gentle downhill slope, and is ideal for bikers with less experience and children.
Boats
Swiss Crown
*inquire for detailsHow to get there
Tour start and end
Nearest airport Munich, Germany
Nearest train station: Passau, GermanyPrivate transfers are available from this tour operator for an additional cost. This must be arranged at time of booking.
Your can also arrange your own transfer from Munich Airport to Passau by train from nearby Freising station. They run at least once an hour, and you can purchase tickets after you arrive in Munich (about €22-28 per person). You'll need to take a 20-minute bus ride from the airport to the Freising station (they leave at 21 after each hour), connecting with a train from Freising to Passau (about 1 hour, 45 minutes). Airport signage is excellent, leading you to the bus and station.
Tips for getting to and from your tour.
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Dates
Apr 30; May 21; Jun 4, 25; Jul 9, 30; Aug 6, 27; Sep 10; Oct 1, 2022
- Low season:
- Apr 01, 2022 - Apr 30, 2022, Oct 01, 2022 - Oct 31, 2022
- Shoulder season:
- Aug 01, 2022 - Aug 31, 2022
- High season:
- May 01, 2022 - Jul 31, 2022, Sep 01, 2022 - Sep 30, 2022
Prices
Upper deck, twin cabin
Per person, double occupancy € 929 Shoulder season surcharge € 100 High season surcharge € 200 Single cabin surcharge (1 person/1 cabin) Low season
€ 511 Shoulder season € 566 High season € 621 Guided Package, per person (available only Jun 4, Jul 30, Oct 1) € 165 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike, 21-speed € 80 Electrically assisted bike € 180 Extra Nights, Passau
Per person, double occupancy € 66 Single room (1 person/1 room) € 95 Transfer
Per vehicle (1-8 persons)/per way, Munich city center or airport--Passau € 300 Discounts
Child, ages 0-2 sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 100% Child, ages 3-12 sharing a room with 1 full paying adult (on base package price) 50% Third person, ages 13 and older sharing cabin with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 20% Middle deck
Per person, double occupancy € 829 Shoulder season surcharge € 100 High season surcharge € 200 Single cabin surcharge (1 person/1 cabin) Low season
€ 829 Shoulder season € 929 High season € 1029 Guided Package, per person (available only Jun 4, Jul 30, Oct 1) € 165 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike, 21-speed € 80 Electrically assisted bike € 180 Extra Nights, Passau
Per person, double occupancy € 66 Single room (1 person/1 room) € 95 Transfer
Per vehicle (1-8 persons)/per way, Munich city center or airport--Passau € 300 Discounts
Child, ages 0-2 sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 100% Child, ages 3-12 sharing a room with 1 full paying adult (on base package price) 50% Third person, ages 13 and older sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 20% Main deck
Per person, double occupancy € 699 Shoulder season surcharge € 100 High season surcharge € 200 Single cabin surcharge (1 person/1 cabin) Low season
€ 699 Shoulder season € 799 High season € 899 Guided Package, per person (available only Jun 4, Jul 30, Oct 1) € 165 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike, 21-speed € 80 Electrically assisted bike € 180 Extra Nights, Passau
Per person, double occupancy € 66 Single room (1 person/1 room) € 95 Transfer
Per vehicle (1-8 persons)/per way, Munich city center or airport--Passau € 300 Discounts
Child, ages 0-2 sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 100% Child, ages 3-12 sharing a room with 1 full paying adult (on base package price) 50% Third person, ages 13 and older sharing a room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) 20% Included services
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for this tour
- 7 nights in cabin with private facilities and air conditioning
- Port fees
- Program according to the itinerary from/to Passau
- Captain's greeting and welcome cocktail
- Daily cabin cleaning, towels and linens
- Full meals: breakfast, lunch on board (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee, dinner (2-3 dishes to choose from) including house wine, draught beer and soft drinks, late night snack (no beverages included)
- Gala dinner with farewell cocktail
- Farewell crew show
- Daily live music
- Cruise director on board (doesn't cycle with group)
- Daily informational meeting
- Detailed route book (one per cabin) and GPS tracks
You may book the Guided Package on several dates. This upgrade includes:
- Cycling tour guide
- Ferry rides
Bike rentals
Bikes available to be rented (reserved at time of booking) include:
- 21-speed unisex trekking bike freewheel
- Electrically assisted bike (Pedelec)*
- Child seat, bikes for children, bike trailer or trailer bikes
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
All rental bikes are equipped with:
- Panniers
- Handlebar bag
You may bring your own bike for a €15 surcharge.
Helmets
Helmets are not available to rent, but can be purchased on board (payable upon arrival). Please make a note on the booking form to reserve in advance. We recommend for health and safety that you either take your own helmet or plan to purchase one upon arrival. *Helmets are mandatory for children under 12.
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Route Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
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Reviews
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★★★★★ Bryan Lee 1 hour ago
A great way to cycle tour along the Danube through Austria.
A great way to cycle tour along the Danube through Austria. Plenty of riding through beautiful, historic, picturesque towns and countryside during the day and to come back on board for the 5 star accommodation at night. Just enough exercise to not feel guilty going back for seconds at their magnificent buffets.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 25th 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- 1
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★★★★★ Rena Benor 2 hours ago
Bike Paradise
We absolutely loved the boat trip! Service was A++! Every single thing was taken care of! We did not have to do a thing! The bikes were taken off and on to the boat, the food was amazing! Such high quality of food, lovely waiters and waitresses! Our Host, George, was wonderful! Very friendly and helpful! We were prepped the night before on the bike course. The goodbye party was incredible and so fun!
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- 1
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★★★★★ NewbieBiker August 4, 2019
Great vacation!
Excellent way to see the Austrian countryside. Really enjoyed cycling thru each little town. The cycling was very easy with only a couple of hills during the entire week. There were a couple of times when we were on a very busy road for a short period of time, maybe a Kilometer or less but the drivers there are very accustom to cyclists. Most of the time was either on a designated bike path or country road with very few cars. The food on the boat was very good. The staff was very kind to tell us places to go or their favorite restaurant. Make sure to stop at some of the cafes while cycling and have a Knodel or other local delicacies. Don’t be intimidated by the distances to ride each day. We have never ridden more that 5 miles but found it very easy to bike the distance each day. I do recommend either biking shorts or a memory foam seat cover if you are not used to riding all day. Also recommend not getting a cabin on the bottom deck as the windows don’t open. Our only complaint was that the person giving the daily briefings on the routes was not very friendly and a couple of times the route wasn’t clearly marked. The rest of the staff was excellent.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 20 July 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Moo6 July 26, 2019
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 13-20.
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Martine September 17, 2018
Good bike trip
It was very nice to stay on board ship the whole week instead packing up and moving every few days. Food was delicious on board.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 1, 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was our second
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
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★★★★★ ohsuzanna June 30, 2018
- What was the date of your tour?
- may 5-12th 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Jennie June 20, 2018
Danube Impressions
Great boat and trip. Excellent tour guide. Excellent staff.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2018
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ kayak October 31, 2017
As much as you want it to be
This was our first experience with any kind of boat "tour" and we took it with some trepidation of it being too cushy and not offering enough activity. It proved to be the best of both.
It combined the best aspects of a boat tour (small and intimate, exploring new places each day without having to move luggage) without the aspects we associate with a boat cruise/tour (schmaltzy events in the evening, formal dress and food events).
We found fellow passengers to be fit, open to adventure and informal in the evening while able to share their previous world travels. The staff was gracious, attentive, and invisible when not needed. Dinner courses were presented as if at a high-end restaurant and special food needs tracked by them throughout the week. Alcohol prices were reasonable. The Cruise Director was knowledgeable and well prepared.
Standard and ebikes were well maintained and staging meetings helpful for passengers to know the next day's' route and highlights.
And finally, each town we in which we moored, each village and bierhouse we visited, was hospitable and accommodating.- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 24-30
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Beto October 23, 2017
Beautiful country!
Fantastic way to discover southern Austria. Great balance between cycling and sight seeing. Boat a haven of hospitality after a day's tour.
Friendly staff, old world charm and in our case, pleasant fellow gueste.
Highly recomendable- What was the date of your tour?
- 7-10-2017
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Chippy September 12, 2017
Awesome Austria
After planning this trip for over three years, I finally found my way to the Danube and it turned out fantastic. The route was well-planned with sights featured along the way. The boat was very comfortable and the crew did an amazing job cleaning the rooms and taking all the bikes on and off every day. The cruise director did a great job as well providing tips and directions for the bikers. And, the non-bikers who stayed on board were treated well with a hot meal at lunch. On most days, the schedule allowed for the bikers to catch up with the boat by early or mid-afternoon to facilitate sightseeing with the non-bikers. All in all, it was an excellent week.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 26 AUG 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- two
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Jim Johnson, founder and president September 13, 2017
Thanks very much for your feedback. I'm glad you had a great time and that the tour lived up to three years of planning and expectations! After three decades of bike touring, I still consider the Danube one of my favorite cycling regions.
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★★★★★ Booboo August 8, 2017
New friends, new places
Nice boat, although older. Very good meals. Great, helpful staff. Bikes we're good, all worked very well. Tour I'm Bratislava, Slovakia. We didn't research our day in Vienna very well, but we saw lots of stuff anyway. We will probably stay in touch with our dining table mates and do another trip
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 10 or so
- How many tours have you completed?
- 12 or more
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Shub May 23, 2017
My First Cycling Trip
Very well organised tour. Every detail was taken into consideration and therefore there were no delays.
The Theodor Kroner offered a very comfortable stay with excellent breakfast and dinner. The staff of the boat was very attentive and courteous which contributed immensely to the great experience on board.- What was the date of your tour?
- 06/05/2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- none
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Jaya May 18, 2017
A dream come true
- What was the date of your tour?
- 6 may 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- Two
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ mammaj October 29, 2016
I'm hooked!
The beauty and abundance of history and culture are a given when you're touring along the Danube River. But going with bikes.com offers you an organized, convenient, and fun way to tour!
Boating and biking combo ran the gamut of quaint to formal, lazy lounging to partying the night away.
The ease of having my hotel room the same place each night made the trip for me...no stress!- What was the date of your tour?
- September 25
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ KZ2016 October 25, 2016
Outstanding Trip
Richie Daigle with Bike Tours did an outstanding job on our club's bike and boat trip on the Danube. We had 38 people and many of them said it was one of our best trips ever. Throughout the planning process Richie answered all our questions in a timely manner. During the trip all contracted items were as promised or better. Many of our participants said it was one of the best vacations they have ever had.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 25 - Oct 2
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ TexasSkier October 17, 2016
Fabulous trip
The number one attraction of this trip is the scenery. I was afraid that mostly flat riding through a river valley might be somewhat dull. But I was amazed at the beauty every day. I was also concerned that the rides weren't long enough to fill each day, but with the many attractions pointed out in the provided maps that was never a problem; in fact we were more likely to run out of time to do everything we wanted than we were to finish early. The boat we were on is being retired, so not much reason to comment on it except to say that it was still in pretty good shape, so if the company wants to retire it at this stage of its life, that must speak well for its replacement. The food and service onboard were excellent. Allowing us to pack a lunch from the large breakfast buffet was great as it meant we always had a good lunch with us and could decide during the day whether to stop at one of the interesting pubs along the way or have a picnic. The only conceivable complaint was with the bikes and that was extremely minor. The bikes were actually in very good shape, but some of the accessories (speedometers, bells, etc.) didn't work so well and it was difficult to find someone to get them fixed. No biggie in the greater scheme of things. Once in a while the biking directions were a little confusing, and maybe could have been communicated a little better. But at the end of the day we always made to where we were going and back to the boat, so in reality, that just added to the adventure. All-in-all just a great and very smooth running trip.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 25 - Oct 2, 2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Babiruth October 13, 2016
Passau to Brastilava Danube cruise and bike trip
Richie from BikeTours.com and the boat staff were just great - helpful, organized, and fun!
The boat is older but being retired. Having said that, other than rough towels that needed replacing, and controlling the temperature in our cabin, the dining, lounge, lido deck, and entertainment were perfect. It's a laid back experience compared to the large ocean cruise ships which created a very 'family-oriented' feel. The scenery, historical sites, and biking in mainly Austria was just great - Austria is very well set-up for biking usually out of any car traffic. We so enjoyed and hope to do future biking excursions through BikeTours.com.- What was the date of your tour?
- 9/25-10/2/2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- first one
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ ROCKIN ROBIN October 12, 2016
AMAZING TRIP ON THE DANUBE
THIS BIKE AND BARGE TRIP ON THE DANUBE WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. RICHIE WAS WONDERFUL AND AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. THE CREW ON OUR BARGE WAS SO ATTENTIVE AND FUN TO BE WITH. THE ONLY DRAWBACK WAS THE BARGE WAS OLDER, BUT IT IS BEING RETIRED SO ALL IS GOOD FOR THE FUTURE.
- What was the date of your tour?
- OCTOBER 2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- JUST THIS ONE
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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