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Pedal and cruise your way along Europe’s most celebrated river. Beginning in the cobblestone streets of Passau, you’ll journey at a relaxed pace through the Wachau Valley, into the lively Slovakian capital of Bratislava, and on to the great cities of Vienna and Budapest. Each day offers the freedom to cycle through vineyard-clad landscapes, riverside villages and historic towns, while your comfortable river boat awaits each evening with a warm meal and a good night’s rest.
Please note: this trip is not exclusive to UTracks. You’ll be sharing the experience with up to 150 fellow travellers from around the world.
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112kg of CO2-e PP per day
(785kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Passau, cruise to Engelhartszell
Boarding is between 4.00pm-5.00pm and the boat will depart at 6.00pm 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.
Meals: D
Day 2
Cycle from Engelhartszell through the 'Great Loop' and on to Aschach (43km/26.7mi)
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.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Cycle to Bratislava (45km/28mi)
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.
Day 4
Arrive Budapest by boat, round trip to Szentendre (24km/15mi) or free time
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.
Day 5
Cycle through the Hungarian countryside (50km/31.5mi), by boat to Vienna
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.
Day 6
At leisure in Vienna, optional city tour by bike
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.
Day 7
Cycle through the Wachau Valley to Melk (37-45km/23-28mi)
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.
Day 8
Morning cruise through the Danube valley, disembark Passau, trip concludes
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.
Meals: B
What's included
What's not included
Standard cabin (main deck)
The standard cabins (approx. 11m²) are located on the main deck. They have two single beds and a small raised non-opening window.
Comfort cabin (middle deck)
The comfort cabins (approx. 11m²) are located on the middle deck. They have two single beds and a generous panoramic non-opening window.
Superior cabin (middle and upper deck)
The superior cabins (approx. 14m²) are located on the middle and upper deck and have a separable double bed and a French balcony.
Eco comfort and standard cabins (middle and main deck)
These cabins are located at the front and rear of the ship. It is possible that you may be disturbed by operational noise.
Standard Double
Standard cabins are located on the main deck and include a double bed which can be separated into twin beds. Windows do not open.
Comfort Double
Comfort double cabins are found on the middle deck. They come equipped with panorama windows which cannot be opened.
Superior Double
Found on the middle and upper deck, these cabins have a French balcony.
Junior and Mastersuite
These cabins are found on the upper deck. The Junior suite is 22m sq and the Mastersuite is 30m sq. Both have French balconies and panoramic window.
During the trip you will be provided with a 21 or 24 speed bike with handbrakes. You will also receive a pannier, along with a handlebar bag, bike computer, lock and repair kit (per room). In the case of a puncture the assumption is that you can repair. You will be given a proper puncture repair kit, which will enable you to solve the problem.
A limited number of electric bikes are available for an additional supplement. These must be requested at the time of booking or in advance. These are 8-speed KTM or Flyer models that increase your pedalling power and allows cyclists of different athletic conditions to book a bike tour together. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Note: Frame sizes 43/45/50cm - minimum height 153cm. E-bikes are not fitted with odometers.
Usually along paved cycle paths across generally flat terrain. The itinerary is almost exclusively on the Danube cycle path. In and out of the cities there will be some traffic.
GRADE 2- This trip involves 5 days cycling usually along paved cycle paths across generally flat terrain. It is almost exclusively on the Danube cycle path. In and out of the cities there will be some traffic. You need only carry your camera/rain gear and water bottle. Your luggage remains on the boat. For this reason the trip is a grade 2 cycle and is considered suitable for beginners and children. A limited number of children’s bikes are available (minimum height 120cm/3ft 11.3in), as are bike seats (max 18kg/39lb 10.93137oz) and trailers (2 children, maximum 40kg/88lb 2.95oz). *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.
Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.
With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love.
8Days
Introductory to Moderate
Introductory
Moderate