Impressions from the Danube

Tour details
Donau Imp 2
Donau Imp 3
Donau Imp 4
Swiss C 9 Restaurant
Swiss C 3
Swiss C 4

Empress Sisi’s Danube: It was in Passau that Austria’s Empress Sisi began her journey along the Danube as a young bride to Vienna, where she was eagerly awaited by her Emperor Franz. Follow in the footsteps of the Austrian empress by bicycle and on a premium ship as you discover breathtakingly beautiful river scenery with small sleepy villages, castles and palaces set in gorgeous countryside and enjoy warm Austrian hospitality at every stage of your cycling tour.

The region is a gourmand’s paradise and famous for its cakes, pastries and other irresistible culinary treats. After Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte and apricot dumplings it’ll be much easier to burn up the miles... Wines from the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Landscape Wachau enjoy an international reputation, Linz, the capital of Upper Austria is home to the biggest church in Austria. And then there’s Vienna... Enchanting, charming and perhaps slightly eccentric, the City of Waltz will capture your heart in an instant. Magnificent buildings from the imperial age bear witness to the impressive history of times gone by.

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.

The cycle route is completely flat with only slightly gradients, ideal for cyclists with less experience and children. Do not feel like cycling? Without effort you will also reach your destination by ship.

Dates Guided Tour; June 08, July 06, September 21 (add. dates from 10 persons up on request)

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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.


Day 1: Passau

Experience Mediterranean flair in Passau, the city of three rivers. You should definitely set aside some time on the day of your arrival for a walk through the picturesque baroque city with its narrow lanes and Passau cathedral home to the largest church organ in the world. After embarkation between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m., it’s time to cast off and begin your cycling vacation with a romantic boat trip into the sunset, with a view of the Passau backdrop of church towers and domes slowly disappearing on the horizon.

Day 2: Engelhartszell - Brandstatt, approx. 45 km

Breathe in the fragrance of the dense forest and freshly mown meadows. Explore the pristine countryside of the Upper Danube valley on the former towpath as it runs past sleepy villages. Small, rustic inns at the edge of the trail invite you to linger, the aroma of fresh fish grilled according to tradition on a stick wafts through the air. The Schlögener Blick observation point offers a truly stunning view of the Schlögener Schlinge where the Danube carves its way through a gorge and doubles back on itself.

Day 3: Brandstatt - Linz, approx. 24 km

Catch some fresh country air again - at lunch time, you’ll reach the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. Discover the European Capital of Culture 2009 on a bright yellow miniature train (optional). The cathedral is the biggest church in Austria, the Pöstlingbergbahn the steepest adhesion railway in the world. Are you curious about the future? At the ARS Electronica Museum you can try out some of the most impressive examples of modern technology for yourself. Make sure you don’t miss it!

Day 4: Mauthausen - Grein, approx. 36 km

A beautiful and varied route lies ahead of you as you explore the idyllic hinterland of the Strudengau by bike: the Celtic Village of Mitterkirchen, the Baroque monastery of Baumgartenberg and the romantic ruins of Burg Clam castle. Then it’s time to enjoy the little medieval town of Grein with its Baroque facades, imposing castle and the oldest municipal theatre in Austria.

Day 5: Tulln - Vienna, approx 31 km

Right in front of Vienna’s entrance, embedded in a breathtaking scenery, the monastery of Klosterneuburg is situated. You can already see the dome of this 900 year old baroque building from a distance. "Kahlenbergerdorf" with it’s wine taverns is only a hop from the shipping pier and definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Vienna. During a city tour by bus in the afternoon. You will pass most of the numerous and famous sights and have a guided walking tour though the historic center of Austria’s capital (optional, not included).

Day 6: Vienna (day of rest)

On a city tour of Vienna all the sights are within reach from the saddle of your bike or on the HOP ON HOP OFF bus (optional). The magnificent Ringstraße will remind you of times long past and inviting coffee houses will tempt you with delicious Viennese cakes and pastries, while the Naschmarket market is a feast for all the senses. End the evening on a magical note with a concert of waltz and classical operetta music in Sisi’s summer residence (optional).

Day 7: Wachau Valley roundtrip, approx. 37 km

An unforgettable day in the picturesque Wachau. Cycle through delightful wine-growing villages surrounded by terraced vineyards and apricot trees. The charming little town of Dürnstein with its narrow lanes is an absolute highlight. In Weißenkirchen – the most important wine-growing village in the World Cultural Heritage Landscape – you can discover the first rate famous Wachau wines (optional wine tasting). Along the way you will also spot one of the most beautiful baroque ensembles in Europe: The Abbey of Melk .

Day 8: Passau

Enjoy the first rays of sun and the early morning tranquillity one last time from the deck of the ship before you reach Passau/ surroundings, your heart bursting with memories. Disembarkation: approx. 11.00 a.m. We recommend that you do not make any arrangements for onward connections departing before 12.00 a.m. To be on the safe side, later departure times would be even better.

You are also welcome to book an extension at the 3*+ Hotel IBB Passau Sued or 4* Passauer Wolf in Passau through us

Included services

  • 7 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, packed lunch (onboard lunch for non cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2/3 dishes to choose)
  • Gala-dinner with farewell cocktail
  • Farewell-Crew-Show
  • Daily live-music
  • 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 per cabin

Additional services for guided tour

  • Cycling tour guide
  • Ferry rides
  • Rental helmets (adults only)

Embarkation

from 4pm to 5pm (earlier boarding of the ship is not possible due to the change of passengers). Checking in of luggage or private bikes is possible from 3pm at the earliest. Please do not arrive too early - the berth does not have a covered waiting area, seating or other infrastructure.The berth can be changed at short notice by the port authorities.If you cannot find your berth, please contact the cruise director on board (tel. no. in your travel documents).

Disembarkation

Disembarkation will take place after the arrival of the ship (approx. 11pm) and will take about 1 h. Please take this into account when planning your onward journey and do not book trains before 12pm.

Note for privately departing guests: Taxis are in high demand in Passau on embarkation and disembarkation days - therefore longer waiting times must be expected.

Further information is available on board from the cruise director or at the reception.

Participants

Minimum number of participants Bike Cruise: 90 persons (must be reached at least 4 weeks before departure)

Minimum number of participants guided tour (guided tour) : 10 persons (max. number of participants 18)

Season 2024 p.p. April May/August June/July/Sept
Standard € 899 € 999 € 1.099
Comfort € 1.089 € 1.189 € 1.289
Mini suite € 1.199 € 1.299 € 1.399
Superior € 1.299 € 1.399 € 1.499
Single use + 55% + 55% + 55%
Bike rent € 89
E-bike rent € 189
Guided tour + € 209 p.p.