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 – Aschach – Vienna-Nussdorf ( approx. 40 - 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 tav-erns. 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. 48 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 – 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)
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 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 11:00, disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to book train connections from approx. 1:30 pm 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 deck chairs available. All 71 cabins are outside cabins and comfortably and tastefully furnished featuring en-suite facilities with shower/WC, hair dryer, air-conditioning, TV, on-board-radio, telephone and a small refrigerator.In some cabins in the front and rear part of the ship (category Eco) engine and generator noise may be perceptible.
►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
►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.Please bring your own bike helmet. Onboard Selling: UVEX I-VO € 40.- per helmet, limited number. And, if necessary, please bring your high-visibility vest from home.
►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: 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.

 

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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. 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 (does not cycle with group)
port fees

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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%
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): 220 EUR
Bring your own bike / own E-bike: € 40.- (on request only,limited space)
Parking garage / parking space inclusive transfer to/from ship 100 EUR / 90 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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