Danube Experience by BIKE + BOAT / Iron Gate
Fjord-like Landscapes, Puszta, Balkan and Paprika
Bitte beachten: Diese Reise können Sie nur mit einem 2G-Nachweis (Geimpft oder Genesen) antreten!
Stand Okt 2022, Änderungen vorbehalten.
Bei uns können Sie sich sicher fühlen: Wenn Sie diese Reise zwischen 01.05. und 15.06.21 buchen, können Sie KOSTENLOS bis 6 Wochen vor Anreise auf einen alternativen Termin 2021 umbuchen! Es gilt bei Umbuchung der Preis des neu gewählten Termins 2021.
Bei uns können Sie sich sicher fühlen: KOSTENLOSE UMBUCHUNG bis 28 Tage vor Anreise, gültig für alle Neubuchungen zwischen 01.05.21 und ***15.09.2021***. Gültig für alle Anreisetermine 2021 – es gilt bei Umbuchung der Preis des neu gewählten Termins 2021.
Join us on this eventful bike cruise through 6 countries and the most diverse cultures, revealing all the beauty of the Majestic Danube.
Discover the breathtaking natural scenery of the Iron Gates, one of the most spectacular gorges in Europe, the vast expanse of the Pannonian plains, cycle through the Danube Bend in Hungary and the breadbaskets of Croatia and Serbia, through idyllic wine-growing regions and past commanding fortresses high above the river. Visit Belgrade, the "white city", fall in love with bewitching Budapest, the "Paris of the East", marvel at the baroque palaces in the picturesque old Town of Bratislava and let yourself be carried away by the elegant charm of Vienna, the city of the waltz. In addition to scenic and cultural highlights, good food and a crew that will read your every wish from your eyes are the guarantee of success for an unforgettable and unique cycling holiday experience.
Individual or guided: This tour is bookable as a guided tour with personal attention from a dedicated guide, cycling in a small group, enjoying some delicious appetizers.
Route
Tour profile / Level 1-2
The cycle paths are asphalted for the most part and run through flat to lightly hilly terrain – mainly following the routing of Eurovelo 6 – via cycle paths and country roads with little traffic. Don’t feel like cycling today? You can reach your destination easily by boat.
Day 1: Passau
Immediately after embarkation between 16:00 and 17:00, it’s time to "cast off". Enjoy a final view of the beautiful city of Passau as you glide serenely into the sunset, past dark green forests before entering the lock at the Jochenstein power plant on the border between Germany and Austria.
Day 2: Great Loop / Engelhartszell – Aschach approx. 42 km
Your first day’s cycling begins with a ride through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’ Donauschlinge - one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube. Along the way you will encounter tiny villages and cozy cider taverns. In Austria’s only Trappist monastery at Engelhartszell you can taste their delicious liquors and cheese. The famous ‘Schlogener View’ provides a wonderful panorama of the surrounding Austrian countryside. The boat welcomes all cyclists back on board in the charming market town of Aschach.
Day 3: Devin – Bratislava, approx. 15-45 km
A narrow cycle path runs along the Iron Curtain from the castle ruins in Devin to the splendid palace of Schloss Hof, which boasts one of the most magnificent baroque gardens in Europe. There follows a stretch of untouched countryside and a short time later, you arrive in the vibrant city of Bratislava. Our miniature train tour of the Slovakian capital in which Hungarian kings were once crowned (optional) begins with a glorious view from the fortress perched on a hill overlooking the city and ends with a walk through the beautifully restored historic city centre.
Day 4: Budapest | Excursion to Szentendre approx. 27-42 km (or rest day)
Day 5: Baja – Mohacs, approx. 36 km
From the quiet Baroque town of Baja that is famous for its fish soup, you’ll cycle along the flood protection dykes in the Gemenc floodplain, through sleepy river landscapes past fields of sunflowers. At the end of today’s stage, you take the ferry to the little town of Mohacs, Hungary’s southernmost town on the Danube and famously the site of two battles with the Turks.
Day 6: Belgrade (rest day)
Explore the fun-loving Serbian capital at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube by bike or bus, take a journey in time from the past to the present and learn about the rise and fall of Yugoslavia (optional). In the evening, Belgrade is bathed in a sea of light. Visit the famous artists’ quarter "Skadarlija", where in the countless taverns typical local specialties are served to spirited folk music
Day 7: Cataract Canyons / Iron Gates National Park (rest day)
Experience the stunning fjord-like landscape at close quarters from the ship’s deck. The river cuts through the Romanian Carpathian mountains and the mighty foothills of the Balkan mountain range. A spectacular landscape with steep gorges, dark forests with historic monuments and impregnable fortresses on the shores that are reflected in the blue waters of the river: this miracle of nature will take your breath away!
Day 8: Novi Sad – Ilok, approx. 47 km
The imposing Petrovaradin fortress perches high above the provincial capital of the Vojvodina. After cycling upstream along a flat cycle path, you take a ferry to reach the gentle foothills of the Fruska Gora, with its orchards, vineyards and idyllic farming villages. Ilok, the easternmost town in Croatia is famous for its wines, which are drunk even in the English royal family. Optionally you can experience a wine tasting and cellar tour in one of the famous wine cellars of Ilok.
Day 9: Batina – Mohacs, approx. 48 km
You are in the border triangle and cycling through the endless expanse of the Batschka (the territory of the Danube Swabians). Small, dreamy farming villages, bright yellow rape fields and endless agricultural areas line your way from Croatia via Serbia to Hungary. Farmers cheerfully wave from their fields, and every now and then a horse-drawn wagon crosses the road. The alternative route leads through the untouched nature of the Dunav-Drava-Nemzeti Nations Park. On the roofs of the farmhouses nest numerous white storks, for which even a separate museum has been established. On your way to Mohacs, Hungary, you will pass the National Memorial commemorating the great battle of 1526.
Day 10: Kalocsa – Solt, approx. 52 km
Kalocsa is the “Paprika Capital” of Hungary and the character of the town is strongly influenced by colourful houses with hand-painted, bright floral patterns and the cathedral with its towers that can be seen even from a distance as they rise into the sky from the flat Hungarian plain. Visiting the Paprika Museum, you’ll learn a lot about Hungary’s favourite spice. Continue your journey on the well-built cycle path along the flood protection dyke through the vast expanse of the Puszta. White sandbanks along the Danube bank invite you to jump into the cool water again and again. A visit to a horse farm with a riding demonstration of the famous Csikos shepherds, a farm museum and traditional handicrafts is the crowning conclusion of an eventful day (optional).
Day 11: Danube Bend – Esztergom, approx. 50 km
The Danube is framed by steep wooded hills as it flows through the picturesque, hilly landscape of the "Hungarian Wachau". Set in the middle of the Danube, the delightful island of Szentendre radiates real puszta romance. As you continue your journey on idyllic cycle paths through picturesque villages, you’ll be able to experience the Hungarian zest for life at first hand. The dome of the imposing basilica in Esztergom that sits high over the Danube can be seen from far and wide. Hungary’s largest church, with its Tuscan style high altar and a side chapel with red marble walls is especially worth seeing.
Day 12: Vienna (Bike excursion to Klosterneuburg, Danube Island,...)
After so many action packed days of cycling, you deserve some relaxation. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the idyllic floodplain forest of the Donauauen National Park and the impressive skyline as you sail into Vienna. Go for a ride on the Danube Island – Vienna’s favourite recreational area, cycle out to the nearby Klosterneuburg Abbey or wander through the idyllic vineyards of the so called Kahlenberg (with magnificent views over the city and the Danube). The day ends traditionally with a concert of classic waltz and operetta music in a historic Viennese palace (optional).
Day 13: Vienna (rest day)
Discover Vienna: from the saddle on a guided bike tour or on your own with the HOP ON HOP OFF Bus (optional). Ride through the historic city centre at a leisurely pace and see the sights from close up. The magnificent Ringstraße will remind you of times long past and inviting coffee houses will tempt you with delicious Viennese cakes and pastries. Afterwards, there’s enough time to stroll through the quaint lanes or visit the Naschmarkt, a feast for the senses. End your day in Vienna in traditional fashion at a rustic wine tavern.
Day 14: Wachau | Krems – Melk, approx. 37 km
This final stage of your cycling tour can best be described as magical! The gentle hilly countryside of the Wachau with their picturesque villages, historic castles and palaces surrounded by apricot trees and terraced vineyards, is one of the loveliest stretches of the river. In Weißenkirchen the cycle path is lined with cosy vintner’s taverns and you should definitely treat yourself to a break here (optional wine tasting)! AT05_WeinverkostungSpitz Along the way you will also spot one of the most beautiful baroque ensembles in Europe: The Abbey of Melk AT03_StiftMelk_EN.
Take part in a commented wine tasting of 3 typical Wachau wines incl. table water. This is accompanied by a Wachauer Laberl (traditional Wachau roll).
Perhaps you are lucky enough to participate in a guided tour of the 800-year-old estate after the wine tasting.
If you are already hungry because of the bike ride, you can enjoy a snack in the restaurant from 11:30 am.
Magnificent Baroque abbey by Jakob Prantauer and fescos by Paul Trogers. The Benedictine abbey counts with a world famous library. Don‘t miss the collegiate church and the abbey museum. The parks with the Baroque garden pavillion were revitalised as English Gardens in 1995.
Day 15: Passau
Enjoy the first rays of sunlight and the early-morning tranquillity of the Danube valley one last time. Catch a final view of the Danube Bend at Schlögen – before you reach Passau/surroundings, your heart bursting with memories and impressions. Disembarkation at approx. 11.00 am. Independent homeward journey. We recommend not to make any arrangements for onward connections departing before 12.00 pm.
You are also welcome to book an extension at the 3*+ Hotel IBB Passau Sued DE04_IBBPassauSued_EN or 4* Passauer Wolf DE04_PassauerWolf_EN in Passau through us.
This 4-star hotel is located close to the pedestrian zone and Passau’s main historical sights on the charming banks of the Danube. At the Hotel Passauer Wolf you will stay in comfortably furnished rooms with a private bathroom and city or river views. The sofa can also be used as an extra bed. Relax in the bar.
From the Passauer Wolf you can easily reach sights such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Residenzplatz in walking distance. The boat landing stages and the Danube promenade are just 30 metres away from the hotel. Several cycle paths also pass nearby.
The IBB Hotel Passau Sued offers various room categories, some of which have a balcony or terrace. Look forward to a rich breakfast buffet in the morning. At the IBB Hotel you can use the sauna and the hot tub. Free Wi-Fi is also available in all areas. The hotel is a good base for exploring the city’s historic sights. These include St Stephen’s Cathedral, which houses the largest church organ in the world.
General Information:
In the event of extremely high or low water, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge stages by bus or even to cancel the trip at short notice without any legal claim arising therefrom (water levels are force majeure). The same applies for officially decreed repairs to locks or bridges, not announced in advance, or in the event of motor or propulsion damage to the ship without attributed fault.
On one hand, a riverboat is a “holiday hotel”, while on the other, it is also a means of transport that moves with motor power and must always be operated, even at night (partially with lock and bridge passages and the retractions and extensions of the structures caused as a result). Mistakes can happen with lock passages. This is the case for all Danube journeys and cannot be avoided. Please bear in mind that riverboats are restricted (bridge passages, locks) in size (length, height, width) and therefore cannot be compared with cruise liners at sea. The cabins are limited in space but are nevertheless comfortable and furnished.
Leistungen
14 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
Port charges
Program according to itinerary from/to Passau
Captains greeting and welcome cocktail
Full board: rich breakfast, lunch on board (non- cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2/3 dishes to choose from), late night snack
Gala dinner with farewell cocktail
Board Musician
Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group
Daily information meeting
Detailed travel documents per cabin, GPS tracks + cycling tour app with voice navigation
Additionally included in guided tour
Cycling tour guide
Ferry rides
City tour Budapest by bus
City tour Belgrade by bus
City tour Vienna by bike
Rental helmet (adults only)
Individual Cyclingtour
Ride free: cycle individually, at your own pace, and design your day around your desires. The only limit is the overall schedule.
Never miss a turn: Our bike tour app with voice navigation ensures gets you there safely and reliably. For extra peace of mind, a detailed route book packed with maps and insightful information is also included.
Daily insider tips: Learn about must-see sights, refreshing rest stops, and local delicacies during the daily briefing with your cruise director.
Flexibility on board: Want to take a day off? No problem! Simply stay on board and enjoy the passing scenery from the sun deck.
Guided tour
You cycle in a small group guided by a local tour guide. During a guided tour by bike or bus you will pass by numerous famous sights in Vienna and Budapest.
Termine & Preise
Extras
% Reduction for children in cabin | |
0-2,99 years in baby cot* | -100% |
3-11,99 years in cabin with min 2 full paying adults**; Cat Standard | -30% |
3-11,99 years in cabin with min 1 full paying adult; Cat Standrad | -10% |
*baby cot must be brought individually; category standard + comfort ONLY | |
** 3rd bed in cabin - body heigt max. 140 cm | |
Bicyle & equipment | |
24-speed bike | 139 |
E-bike | 289 |
Bringing own bike | 60 |
Bringing own e-bike (max. 23 kg excluding battery) | 80 |
Rental helmet (only bookable in advance) | 15 |
Additional nights | |
Passau 4* (dbl/sgl) | 74/109 |
Transfer ¹ | |
one way PRIVATE (total 1-8 pers.) from/to Munich Airport | 270 |
one way PRIVATE (total 1-8 pers.) from/to Munich Centre | 320 |
¹ please update us to your exact requirements; flight details and i.a.hotelname required
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