Itinerary

The classic Danubian cycle path by bike & boat

Passau – Vienna – Passau

8 days / 7 nights | Ship: Prinzessin Katharina | Individual bike tours

The bike tour along the German / Austrian Danube is a very special pleasure, because your “swimming hotel” is always with you! Gently downhill, you will cycle along lush green river banks, through small, dreamy villages in the impressive Danube landscapes. You will discover the breathtaking natural wonder of the “Great Loop” (a swift 180º turn!) and immerse yourself in legendary Wachau with its vineyard terraces and enchanted castles and monasteries. Then Vienna – an abundance of sights! A city, hardly to describe – you have to see and feel it! Sights like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the city hall are easy to reach during a wonderful sightseeing tour by bike. A stroll through the Naschmarkt (famous food market) is a wonderful cultural and culinary adventure. You can also relax at any of the cosy coffee houses or at a typical traditional Viennese wine tavern in the suburbs. The highlights of the tour:
Passau, the City of 3 rivers, the Schloegen Danube Loop, the World Heritage Site Wachau, Upper Austria’s capital Linz, the cosmopolitan city Vienna with a plethora of sights.

Highlights of this Bike & Barge Tour

✔  Staying on the premium ship MS Prinzessin Katharina

✔  Discovering wines from the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Landscape WACHAU

✔  The elegant charm of Vienna, the city of the Waltz

✔  Easy cycling along the enchanting Danube

Itinerary 

Day 1: Passau – Engelhartszell

The Episcopal city close to the Bavarian/Austrian border is also known as the "City of three Rivers." Boarding time is at approx. 4-5 pm, departure around 7 pm Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.

Day 2: Engelhartszell – Aschach –„GreatLoop“ | Cycle tour approx. 40-43 km | Boat trip to Linz

Worth seeing is the monastery of Engelhartszell, known for its beautifully renovated church, but also for its "healing" herbal schnapps. You cycle downstream on the former Treppelweg. For a special change of pace, take a ride on the walnut-shell-sized longitudinal ferry (approx. € 6 p. p.) through the Schlögener Schlinge. From Aschach you can reach Linz by boat. Discover the city with the bright yellow City Express.

Day 3: Linz – Mauthausen – Grein (Cycling 36–40 km / 22–25 miles)

In the early morning shipping to Mauthausen. You have the possibility to visit the memorial-place KZ-Mauthausen. The Celtic town Mitterkirchen gives you an insight of the past. The route continues through the fertile area of the Machland region. The destination of the day's stage is the charming town of Grein. Also called “the pearl of the Strudengau” due to its idyllic location. Worth a visit in Grein: the impressive Castle of Greinburg.

Day 4: Grein – Melk – Tulln (Cycling 51 km / 31 miles)

Today's stage is marked by a diverse landscape. At the beginning, there is the Strudengau – a narrow point of the Danube which used to be notorious amongst skippers. The valley expands from Persenbeug and the bike tour leads you further to Melk with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine brethren. On deck, you enjoy the sunset and the beautiful evening illumination of the Wachau. Today's final destination is Tulln, famous for its numerous market gardens where the famous Art Nouveau artist Egon Schiele was born.

Day 5: Tulln – Vienna-Nussdorf  (Cycling 32–38 km / 22 miles)

Right in front of Vienna's entrance, embedded in a breathtaking landscape, the monastery of Klosterneuburg is situated. You can already see the cupola of this 900 year old baroque building from a distance. "Kahlenbergerdorf" with it's wine taverns is definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Vienna.

Day 6: Vienna – Nussdorf (day of rest)

You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that takes you back to the past. Take your time in the afternoon to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese coffee bars.
In the night shipping to Dürnstein or Rossatz.

Day 7: Wachau – Pöchlarn (Cycling 40–50 km / 24–32 miles)

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 evening farewell dinner and cocktail.

Day 8: Departure from Passau

Every journey draws to an end. Arrival in Passau is about 11 am, disembarkation half an hour later.