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: Mauthausen – Grein (22 miles/35 km)
Today's bike tour takes you directly along the Danube where you have enough time to enjoy the natural state of the meadow landscape. Visit the medieval village and former concentration camp at Mauthausen. The Celtic village Mitterkirchen gives you an insight into the past. The alternative route, "Clam Castle," through the beautiful back country of the "Strudengau" is slightly hilly but a fantastic scenery. Grein is the destination of today's stage. After a romantic sunset cruise, you arrive in the morning at Devin with its castle ruin overviewing the Danube.
Day 3: Devin – Bratislava (27 miles/43 km)
From Devin you follow the former Iron Curtain, cross the former border and reach the imposing Baroque Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Cycle through Austria's "vegetable garden" to the coronation city and former capital of Hungary, Bratislava, located at the slopes of the Little Carpathians. Explore the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.
Day 4: 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 5: Wachau, Krems – Melk (23 miles/37km)
Today’s biking day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries, and ruins, this hilly landscape enchants everybody. You will be biking on cloud nine! A powerful ruin looms above the small baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the Wachau valley. In Weißenkirchen (optional wine-tasting is possible) you will find comfortable wine taverns right along the bike path.
Day 6: Melk – Grein (31 miles/50 km)
After breakfast, you have plenty of time to visit the gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine brethren of Melk. Today's stage is marked by diversity. Starting in the wide valleys of the Nibelungenau, you follow the Danube and cycle further into the Strudengau – a narrow point of the Danube which used to be notorious amongst skippers. Today’s destination is the well-known city of Grein, home of Austria's oldest city theater (optional, not included).
Day 7: Great Danube Loop – Engelhartszell (16 miles/25 km)
Today you will cycle through the Danube valley with pretty villages. Along the cycle path, you may smell freshly grilled mackerels with small pubs inviting cyclists to stay. Follow the small walking trail to the viewpoint high above the Danube Loop--what a breathtaking panoramic view of the Danube valley and the meandering Blue Danube! Need a refreshment? Try some of the special cordials in the Trappist monastery Engelszell, your today's destination.
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 10:30am. We recommend arranging connecting trips from 11:0am onwards.
Optional excursion programs (bookable on board, not included in the tour package):
- Bratislava city tour with scenic train and walking tour
- Grien visit of Austria's oldest theater
- Vienna city tour by bike or bus; concert of waltz and operetta music in the Schönbrunn Palace
- Wachau wine tasting with local wine grower
