Danube Experience 2024

Bike and Barge Cruise Danube

Fjord-like Landscapes, Puszta, Balkan and Paprika. Come with us on an adventure-packed bike and boat tour through six countries and widely differing cultures that reveals the beauty of the majestic Danube river in all its glory. Discover the breath-taking 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 Waltz. Scenic and cultural highlights, excellent food and a crew that caters to your every whim, guarantee that your cycling holiday will be a unique and unforgettable experience.

Highlights

• The four capital cities along the Danube Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade
• The canyons of the Iron Gates National Park
• Kalocsa, the “Capital of Paprika”
• The commanding citadel Petrovaradin
• Novi Sad, magnificent capital of the Vojvodina
• The Basilica in Esztergom
• The Drava-Nemzeti National Park
• The countryside of the Danube Bend
• The fabulous Wachau region

Guided Tour

(incl. cycling tour guide) Personal attention from a dedicated guide you cycle in a small group where you explore a lot of local cultures, discover hidden sites and secret places and enjoy some delicious appetizers.

SATURDAY, May 04, August 03, September 28 2024

Day 1: Passau/surroundings

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 tour 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 cosy 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 - 43 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. After a stretch of untouched countryside is followed and a short time later, you arrive to 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. 27-54 km (or day of rest)

Breathtakingly beautiful is the entrance to Budapest with a view of the city's most famous buildings. During a city tour (optional) you will discover the Danube metropolis or take a detour to the charming artists' town of Szentendre (the route can be shortened by train). In the evening, you can explore the Hungarian metropolis on your own or enjoy the view of the festively lit Parliament from the sundeck.

Day 5: Baja - Mohacs, approx. 37 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 (day of rest)

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 (day of rest)

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, impregnable fortresses and monasteries 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. 48 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. A stroll train will take you to the old wine cellar (1450), where you will taste through the most famous wines of the region. In some cases, a Tamburizza group will accompany us through the evening (optional).

Day 9: Batina - Mohacs, approx. 42 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. 50 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. On your way to Solt, the birthplace of the famous conductor Sir George Solti, 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. 43 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 can be seen from far. 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 breath-taking view of the idyllic floodplain forest of the Donauauen National Park and the impressive skyline as you sail to Vienna. Go for a bike ride on the Danube Island – Vienna’s favourite recreational area, cycle to the nearby Klosterneuburg Abbey or wander through the idyllic vineyards of Kahlenberg (with magnificent views over the city and the Danube). The day ends traditionally with a concert of classic waltz and operetta music at Schloss Schönbrunn (optional).

Day 13: Vienna (day of rest)

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 at point-blank range. The magnificent Ringstraße boulevard will remind you of times a long time ago 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. Let your day in Vienna end at a rustic wine tavern.

Day 14: Wachau | Krems - Melk, approx. 37 km

This final stage of your cycling tour can be described as magical! The gentle hilly countryside of the Wachau valley with its picturesque villages, historic castles and palaces surrounded by apricot trees and terraced vineyards, is one of the loveliest stretches. In Spitz the cycle path is lined with cosy vintner’s taverns and you should definitely have a break in this area. (optional wine tasting)!

Day 15: Passau/surroundings

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 a.m. Independent homeward journey. We recommend not to make any arrangements for onward connections departing before 12.00 am.

Included services

• 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: breakfast buffet, lunch on board (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists),
• afternoon coffee break, dinner (2-3 dishes to choose from)
• Gala dinner with farewell cocktail
• Bord Musician
• Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group)
• Daily information meeting
• Detailed travel documents + cycling guide app with voice navigation +GPS tracks per cabin

Guided tour ADDITIONALLY includes

• Cycling tour guide
• Ferry rides
• City tour Budapest by bus
• City tour Belgrade by bus
• City tour Vienna by bike
• Rental helmet (adults only)

Rental bikes & equipment

24-speed-Unisex trekking bike freewheel

Electrically assisted bike / pedelec

All rental bikes are equipped with 20 l panniers and a handle bar bag

Helmets + cycling clothing available for purchase onboard

Own bikes:

Own weight when loading and unloading max. 23 kg [without battery are (dis)assembled on land]. Batteries cannot be charged directly on the bike.

Rental bike disclaimer

• € 18,- per touring bike
• € 50,- per e-bike

If a traveller rents a bike, he is basically liable for damages and theft. When booking our rental bike disclaimer, we assume liability so that in case of loss or damage to the rental bike (when properly used and secured) no financial responsibility must be paid. Excluded from this are only lost keys, batteries and chargers of e-bikes, as well as damage due to intent or gross negligence.

General information

Riverboats are limited in size (length, height, width) (bridge passages, locks) and therefore cannot be compared with ocean-going vessels. The cabins offer more limited space than hotel rooms, but are also comfortably equipped. On the one hand, a riverboat is a "vacation hotel", but on the other hand it is also a piece of working equipment that moves with engine power and has to be operated constantly (also at night, partly with lock and bridge passages and the resulting retraction and extension of the superstructures). Unfortunately, disruptions during the lock passages cannot be avoided. The cabins are limited in space but are nevertheless comfortable and furnished. 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.