Along the Danube, Passau – Vienna – Passau

The Classic Bike Trail Biking along the German/Austrian Danube is a very special pleasure because the hotel is always with you! Gently downhill, mostly with a helpful tailwind, you are experiencing the impressive river as it meanders in the Donauschlinge (“Great Loop”) and enjoying the gorgeous landscape of the legendary Wachau with its castles and fortresses. Then Vienna, rich with architecture, a firework of places of interests! A city, hardly to describe – you have to see and feel it! Sights are easy to reach during a wonderful sightseeing tour by bike. You can also relax at any of the cosy coffee bars or at a typical Viennese wine tavern. After a great day of cycling, relax on board listening live music or discover the port city.

Included: 

• 7 nights in outside cabins with shower, toilet
• 2 Transfers
• Programme according itinerary from/to Passau
• Captains greeting and Welcome cocktail
• Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bedclothes
• Full meals: rich breakfast, lunch on board (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2/3 dishes to choose)
• Gala-dinner with farewell cocktail
• Farewell-Crew-Show
• Daily live-music
• Your bike
• Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group)
• Daily information meeting
• Detailed roadbook (one per cabin)
• Cycling tour guide
• 2 ferry rides
• Tasting of homemade cider directly at the cider farm in the Upper-Danube-Valley
• Linz city tour by excursion train
• Visit of Austria’s oldest theatre in Grein
• Wine tasting in the Wachau region
• Guided city tour by bike or bus

Not Included:

• International airfare to and from the destination, please contact us for the best available prices from your home city.
• Travel Insurance is not included, but available, please contact us for the best options for your family.
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary below.
• Tours not mentioned in the itinerary below.
• Gratuities (optional).
• Admission charges

Day 1:  Saturday: Passau Boarding time is at 5 PM. The “Bishop City,” close to the Bavarian/Austrian border, is also known as the “City of three Rivers.” Use your free time and stroll through the old charming centre, visit the world largest Catholic Church organ in the cathedral and enjoy the easy atmosphere of a typical Bavarian beer garden.

Day 2:  Sunday: Passau – Great Loop, app. 41 km Downstream, the path leads you to pretty villages amid natural landscape. Need a boost? Try some of the special cordials and liqueurs in the Trappist monastery in Engelszell. Follow the small walking trail to the viewpoint high above the Danube Loop – what a breath-taking panoramic view of the Danube valley and the impressive meanders!

Day 3:  Monday: Danube Loop – Linz, app. 53 km What does mossy forest floor and freshly mown meadow smell like? Close up you cycle through the Danube valley. Along the cycle path blowing the smell of freshly grilled mackerels and small pubs are inviting cyclists to stay. After passing the Cistercian Abbey of Wilhering (Abbey of thousand angels) ride on the bright yellow City-Express (optional, not included) and discover Linz, the capital of upper Austria.

Day 4:  Tuesday: Mauthausen – Grein, app. 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. The Celtic village Mitterkirchen gives you an insight of the past. The alternative route, “Clam Castle,” through the beautiful back country of the “Strudengau” is slightly hilly, but a fantastic landscape. Grein is the destination of today’s stage, place of Austria’s oldest city theatre and a mighty castle (optional, not included).

Day 5:  Wednesday: Grein – Melk – Vienna, app. 50 km. 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.

Day 6:  Thursday: Vienna (rest day) Enjoy Vienna during a city tour by bike or bus (optional). You will pass most of the numerous and famous sights. The gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraâe” with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House and the town hall takes you back to the past. You can visit St. Stephens Cathedral and have a short guided walking tour through the old town centre. There is enough time in the afternoon to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese coffee bars. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Opera concert at the Hofburg (optional, not included).

Day 7:  Friday: Wachau | Rossatz – Emmersdorf, app. 29- 42 km Your last biking day is a special highlight! A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody. You’ll be biking on cloud nine! In Weisenkirchen (possibility for a wine-tasting – optional) you will find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path. After the Captain’s farewell dinner, lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced during a crew show.

Day 8:  Saturday: Passau Enjoy on deck the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last sight at the Schlogener Schlinge (“Great Loop”) before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Arrival: approx. 11 AM, disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend arranging connecting trips from 12 noon onwards.

Land Excursions (Optional) The following optional excursions (not included in the tour price) can be booked directly on board: Linz: City tour with the yellow excursion train Grein: Visit of Austria’s oldest theatre Vienna: Sightseeing tour by bus or bike Waltz & operetta concert at the Imperial Palace Wachau: Wine tasting with a local wine grower

Prices starting from:

Junior Suite                 $2223.90 Canadian per person, based on double occupancy

Promenade Deck       $2601.90 Canadian per person, based on double occupancy

Above pricing includes taxes where stated. In Canada, GST/HST included. Country taxes that must be paid locally are not included.  Prices listed were correct at time of publication.  Prices can change to reflect exchange rate changes. Custom World Vacations reserves the right to amend prices at any time without prior notice.  All vacations are subject to availability.