Danube Cruise and Bike

A unique cruise and cycling tour along Europe's second largest river Danube - from the charming Bavarian city of Passau straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy. Enjoy three of the most enchanting European capitals: the lively Vienna, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and Budapest, the "Hungarian Danube Queen"! By bicycle you discover the stunning natural spectacle of the Schloegen Danube Loop, the legendary Wachau with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park, as well as the picturesque Hungarian Danube bend where the important cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes from the distance.

Highlights:
♦ Passau - known as the “Baroque Town or city of Three Rivers”
♦ The Schloegen Danube Loop
♦ Hungarian Danube Bend - definitely one of most delightful and attractive sites
♦ World Heritage Site of Wachau
♦ The charming metropoles of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna

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Itinerary:   

Day 1. Passau - Engelhartszell
Arrival in the "Three River City". Passau is famous for the world's greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and its charming Old Town. Embarkation will be around 4:00 p.m., departure around 7 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.

Day 2. Engelhartszell - Great Loop - Brandstatt - Bratislava (approx. 46 km)
The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), where we head towards the "Great Loop" - one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube. Your cycling will encounter small villages and cosy must-see taverns. You will board again in Brandstatt. Then, you "sail in the night" towards Bratislava.

Day 3. Bratislava (approx. 54 km)
Arrival at Bratislava around noon. Today discover the small lively capital of Slovakia. Tip: Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the castle and take a ride on a mini train through the enchanting old town. Alternatively, explore the city during a guided bike tour. In the night shipping to Budapest.

Day 4. Budapest (day off) or roundtrip to Szentendre (approx. 40 km)
In the early morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's gorgeous landscape on the Sundeck. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the river bank. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for small bike tours or the charming town of Szentendre (roundtrip 40 km) with Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. In the night sailing to Visegrad.

Day 5. Danube Bend / Visegrad - Esztergom (approx. 25 - 60 km)
Today's bike leg starts at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You can choose from 2 different routes: the longer one includes a side trip to the island of Szentendre and the baroque village of Vác, which has been influenced by the architects of the Austrian empress Maria Theresia. The other route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom, with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary's largest Catholic Church – overlooking the village. In the night sailing to Vienna.

Day 6. Vienna - Nussdorf (day off)
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the Prater, the St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg. The gorgeous boulevard "Ringstrasse" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House and the town hall takes you back to the past. In the night shipping to Rossatz or Dürnstein (Wachau).

Day 7. Wachau - Melk - Pochlarn (approx. 42 - 52 km)
Today you will be enchated by the small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins cycling through this gentle hilly landscape. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. You’ll board again in the small village Pochlarn. After the farewell gala dinner, you start “sailing” back to Passau

Day 8. Passau
Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy on deck the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last sight at the Great Loop before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Arrival: approx at 10:00, disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to arrange connecting trips from noon onwards.

Good to know:

►How to get there: You can fly to Munich and then take the train to Passau: check here
►The ship: On board our comfortable premium ship MS SE-MANON you will find a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. After the bike tour you can use the small inviting wellness area with sauna and whirlpool, read a book in the pleasant library or relax in the panorama salon. Then enjoy your dinner in the restaurant with panoramic view. The spacious and partly shaded sun deck holds deck chairs, which invite you to enjoy the passing scenery. Here is also the storage space for the bicycles. A special highlight is the outdoor pool (8,70 m x 4,50 m). All 75 cabins are outside cabins, about 14 m² in size, comfortably furnished with hotel beds and featuring en-suite facilities with shower/WC* (*cabins no. 306, 307, 308, 309 with bathtub), hairdryer, TV, safe, in-house telephone and individually adjustable air conditioning. Middle deck and upper deck can be reached by lift. Cheaper and more expensive cabin options available. For more info, please ask.
►Bicycles on board: 7 gears unisex trekking bicycles with normal mount (ladies’ model) and 8 gears E-Bikes with normal mount (ladies’ mod-el). Brand: Velo de Ville (special production for SE-Tours). Each with hand brake, coaster breaking hubs or freewheel hubs (subject to availability - please indicate as non-binding customer request when booking) and pannier bag. E-bikes are available after prior request and at limited number only. Please indicate your body height when you book .To bring your own bike: on request only – due to lack of space on sundeck
►Languages on board - German and English
►Cycle tours: All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours. If you do not want to cycle one day, you can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbour. The bike tours are individual, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and directions. All cycle tours can be classified as being easy.
►Luggage: we recommend: rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers. Please be aware that the cabin storage space is very limited
►Diet: (i.e.: lactosefree, glutenfree) possible on request and for an extra charge. Must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure.
►Travel documents: EU-nationals need a valid passport.
►Smoking: The interior of the ship is a non-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. As a safety measure, a statutory smoking ban applies in all cabins; this means that all cabins and rooms on board are non-smoking areas.
►Land excursions: Optional excursions are offered (surcharge - not included in the tour price) and can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only.
►Routing/Program: E reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages by buses. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges or in case of undeserved breakdown of engine or power unit. Please be aware that a cruise ship on the Danube is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power also during the night. Especially crossing locks and bridges - and the preparation work - may cause noise. If you are sensitive please bring your own ear plugs.
►Travel safe and secure with SE-Tours: we recommend to wear a bike helmet (compulsory use for helmets: In Austria for children till 12 years; in Slovakia for children till 15 years and for all cyclists outside built-up areas.)

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Price Includes:
7 nights in outside cabins on main deck with private facilities and air-conditioning
program according itinerary from/to Passau
Captain's welcome drink
daily cabin cleaning and changing of towels and bedclothes if wanted
full meals: 7 breakfast +6 lunches on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists + 6 afternoon coffee break + 7 dinners (incl. a farewell dinner with a farewell drink)
daily informational meetings
information pack with route book (one per cabin)
tour guide on board (does not cycle with group)
port fees
GPS tracks

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Not Included:
Journey to and from Passau
shuttles
entrance fees and excursions
bike rental
insurance
parking fee
drinks on board
tips
personal expenses
city maps
ferry fees

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Additional Services:
2-bed-cabin for single use: + 50%
rental bicycle with 7 gear + hand- and/or pedal brakes + pannier bag: (please indicate by the booking): 95 euro
E-Bike (advance reservation due to limited number): 195 euro
helmet for sale on board: 25 euro per helmet (limited number)
Parking space inclusive transfer to/from ship in Pissau 75 EUR (registration form in the travel-documents,payable on site)
Parking garage inclusive transfer to/from ship 87 EUR (registration form in the travel-documents,payable on site).
child reduction price possible (till 13 y.o.) - please ask.

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Gallery

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