Accompanied by a cruise ship you cycle along Europe's second largest river Danube from the charming riverside town in Upper Austria Engelhartszell 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 Schlögener Donauschlinge ("Great 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 baroque town of Vác with its colourful 18th century houses. The highlights of the tour: the Schloegen Danube Loop, the Hungarian Danube Bend, the World Heritage Site Wachau, the metropoles of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna.
Highlights:
♦ 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
Day 1: Engelhartszell
Individual journey to Engelhartszell, known for its Trappist monastery and scenic natural surroundings, approx. 30 km/18,64 miles from Passau. Embarkation will be around 4:00 pm. Overnight in Engelhartszell.
Day 2: Engelhartszell - Great Loop – Aschach – Vienna-Nussdorf ( approx. 40 - 43 km )
The day starts in Engelhartszell, 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'll board again in Aschach. Then, you "sail into the night" towards Vienna -Nussdorf.
Day 3: Vienna-Nussdorf (day of rest) You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral, the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that takes you back to the past. In the night shipping to Budapest.
Day 4. Budapest (day off) or roundtrip to Szentendre (approx. 47 km)
In the 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. In the afternoon you can explore the numerous attractions of the city. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for a small bike tour or the charming town of Szentendre with Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. In the night shipping to Visegrad.
Day 5: Danube Bend | Visegrad – Vác – Visegrad (approx. 36 km )
The Danube bend is definitely a delightful part and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's bike leg starts at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You cycle through the picturesque countryside via the Szen-tendre Peninsula to the baroque village of Vác, which has been influenced by the architects of the Austrian empress Ma-ria Theresia. Via small Hungarian villages you return to Visegrad. In the afternoon shipping to Bratislava.
Day 6: Bratislava (day of rest) Arrival at Bratislava in the morning. Today discover the small lively capital of Slovakia. Tip: Enjoy a magnificent panoram-ic view from the castle and take a ride on a mini train through the enchanting old town. Alternatively, explore the city dur-ing a guided bike tour. In the night shipping to Rossatz or Dürnstein (Wachau).
Day 7. Wachau - Melk - Pochlarn (approx. 40 - 50 km), sailing back to Engelhartszell Your last biking day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In the small village of Pöchlarn you will board again. After the farewell gala dinner, you start “sailing” back to Engelhartszell.
Day 8: Departure from Engelhartszell
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 Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed at Engelhartszell. Arrival: approx. at 09 am, disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to book train connections from Passau from approx. noon onwards.
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Good to know:
►The ship: The comfortable MS Prinzessin Katharina provides the right ambience to make you feel at ease. On board the premium ship you can expect classic elegance, a tasteful interior and a friendly crew. Enjoy the special atmosphere and let yourself be spoilt by the good cuisine. On two passenger decks you will find a panoramic restaurant, a comfortable salon, one bar and an inviting foyer, a book corner, a small shop and a massage parlour. On the spacious, partly covered sun deck there are enough chairs available. ►Bicycles on board: 7 gears unisex trekking bicycles with normal mount (ladies’ model) and 8 gears E-Bikes with normal mount (ladies’ mod-el). With hand brake and pedal brake or hand brakes only (subject to availability, please indicate as a non-binding customer request by the 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 ►Excursions: We offer a small excursion program, that can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. You will get a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English) ►Luggage: we recommend: rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers. Please be aware that the cabin storage space is very limited.Please bring your own bike helmet. ►Travel documents: EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy. ►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. ►Routing/Program: We 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.
►Notes: 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.
This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. We recommend that you take out a travel health insurance with repatriation coverage as well as baggage, accident and travel cancellation insurances
Price Includes: 7 nights in outside cabins on main deck with private facilities program according itinerary from/to Engelhartszell Captains greeting and Welcome-Drink Daily cabin cleaning. Changing of towels and bed cloths as necessary full meals: 7x breakfast,6x packed lunch for cyclists or lunch snack on board (non cyclists),6x afternoon coffee break,6x 3-course-dinner and 1x farewell-dinner with farewell-drink daily informational meetings digital travel documents via GUIBO-App incl. GPS tracks for bike tours tour guide on board Not Included: Journey to and from Engelhartszell shuttles entrance fees and excursions bike rental insurance parking fee drinks on board tips personal expenses city maps ferry fees Additional Services: 2-bed-cabin for single use: + 50% Upgrade to upper deck cabin is available: price on request rental bicycle with 7 gear + hand- and/or pedal brakes + pannier bag: (please indicate by the booking): 99 EUR E-Bike (advance reservation due to limited number): 219 EUR Bring your own bike / own E-bike: € 49.- (on request only,limited space) Parking lot / private garage 75 EUR / 95 EUR (registration form in the travel-documents,payable on site) child reduction price possible (till 13 y.o.) - please ask.
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