From the cobblestone streets of charming Passau to the Austrian capital of Vienna and the majestic city of Budapest, this journey by comfortable river boat and bike offers the opportunity to experience life on the Danube and the surrounding countryside at your own pace. With a comfortable river boat as your base, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the legendary Wachau, Bratislava, the Slovakian capital at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and the icon studded cities of Vienna and Budapest.
Note: This trip is not exclusive to UTracks clients and you will be joining a group of up to 150 passengers from around the world.
Your tour highlights
- Cycling through the stunning Wachau Valley and along the famous Danube bike path
- Arriving in Vienna and Budapest by boat and exploring these magnificent cities
- Experiencing the timelessness of the Danube by bike
- Relaxing on board the comfortable boat
Tour itinerary
Boarding is between 4-5pm and the boat will depart at 6pm for the first cruise. (Luggage drop-off is available from 3.30pm). Located at the junction of three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has a number of interesting sites. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestone old town centre, listen to the bells of Passau’s Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world’s largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Cathedral. This evening we will cruise to the traditional town of Engelhartszell, home to Austria’s only Trappist monastery and where you can taste some delicious liquors and cheese. While cruising, information will be provided about the daily biking, sights and sightseeing trips, followed by dinner.
This morning you will receive your bicycles. Today’s cycle tour will begin through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’ Schlögener Donauschlinge, where small villages developed through the river trade of years gone by. Along the way you will encounter tiny villages and cosy cider taverns. The famous ‘Schlogener View’ provides a wonderful vista of the surrounding Austrian countryside. On arrival in the charming town of Aschach you will re-board the boat for an overnight cruise.
After a morning arrival in Devin, you will cycle along the former “Iron Curtain”, cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Schloss Hof palace with its beautifully terraced gardens and idyllic manor farm. Continue along the bike path through Austria’s “vegetable garden” to the coronation city of Bratislava, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. You can discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava or there’s an optional city tour. Re-board the boat this evening for an overnight cruise.
We arrive at Budapest in the morning and the panoramic view of the Danube bend is quite stunning. Savour the city’s beauty during a bus tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the city’s highlights. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre, with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. In the evening, visiting the Jewish Quarter is recommended.
Early this morning the boat brings us to the Danube Bend. In a wonderful landscape that is a nature lover’s paradise you cycle from the village of Vac via the idyllic isle of Szentendre with its baroque architecture, churches, colourful houses and narrow, cobbled streets. Continue to the bishop town of Esztergom with its imposing basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church – overlooking the village. During the night we cruise to Vienna.
Today is at leisure, or you have the option of joining a city tour by bike or bus, to experience some of Vienna’s main sights including the imperial Hofburg, St Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous ‘Ringstrasse’ (boulevard) and the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall, and of course the colourful ‘Hundertwasserhaus’. Information will be provided to help plan your sightseeing. Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés, while an optional evening excursion is available: a classical concert in one of Vienna’s famous palaces. Later we will cruise through the night to Krems.
The last biking day is a highlight, pedalling through the renowned Wachau valley, with its truly romantic scenery of vineyards and quaint villages. Cycling from Krems to Melk you will pass small dreamy villages, orchards, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein. In Spitz you will find cosy wine taverns right along the bike path where there is the possibility for wine tasting (optional). Before re-boarding the boat it is worth visiting the Baroque monastery of the Benedictine Brethren of Melk. This evening on board includes a gala dinner and crew show.
Check-out from your cabin by 8:30 am. During breakfast the boat continues to Passau, with disembarkation at approximately 11am. Your onward travel plans should be made from midday.
What you’ll see on the tour
Tour pricing:
from $2,890
To secure your place now:
Phone: 03 364 3400 or 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]
Tour Inclusions:
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners. The trip is based on full board which includes a buffet breakfast daily, 5 packed lunches and 1 full 3 course lunch and 3 course dinner each night (2-3 choices for main course). Vegetarian or other dietary requirements are catered for but we ask that you advise this in advance (at least 21 days prior to the trip commencement).
- 7 nights accommodation on board a deluxe category river boat – MV Vivienne (MVV) or MV Swiss Crown (MVSC) and the trip price is based on a standard cabin on the main deck. For other categories and seasons a supplement applies. Cabin upgrade options: MV Swiss Crown (MVSC) – Comfort, Minisuite or Superior cabin and MV Vivienne (MVV) – Comfort, Superior, Junior Suite or Master Suite. Price varies according to chosen category.
- Bike rental (24 speed) with pannier and a handlebar bag. A limited number of electric bikes are available, approx 12-15 per departure – must be pre-booked and a supplement applies (min height 160cm). Children trailers (max 2 children, 40kgs) on request.
- Helmet rental, must be pre-booked or purchase (EUR44 – payable locally and pre-booked)
- Information pack including route notes & maps per cabin, navigational app to use on your smartphone, GPS tracks
- Cruise director on board – does not cycle with the group (this is a self guided cycling holiday), provides daily briefings
- Welcome drink, crew show, live music every night, gala dinner on last evening with farewell cocktail
- Docking & harbour fees
- Towels and bed linen, daily cabin cleaning
- Emergency hotline