Famous Cities on the Danube (shorter)

Austria, Germany Bike + Boat Tour

Passau – Vienna – Passau

Also starting in the German town of Passau, this tour quickly crosses the Austrian border as it follows the Danube east downstream through tucked-away villages and serene landscapes. After a great day of cycling, relax on board as you sail through the impressive Schlögener Loop (a swift 180º turn!) and after dinner, a bus tour of Linz, home of Austria’s largest cathedral. The 2nd day’s cycling takes you directly along the river to the Celtic town of Mitterkirchen, or alternatively to Clam Castle, and into Grein with Austria’s oldest city-theatre and the Castle of Grein. Day 3 starts with Strudengau, a narrow point in the river notorious among skippers, through the valley to Melk with its breathtaking Baroque Benedictine monastery (a true gem!). Next comes a day of rest in Vienna with its rich architecture. The city can hardly be described, you have to see and feel it! At the Naschmarkt (famous food market), a stroll will become a cultural and culinary adventure. You can also relax at any of the cozy coffee bars or at a typical Viennese wine tavern.

Tour Dates

• Departures on Saturdays, April 28 to October 13, 2012. Departures are also on Thursdays, starting/ending the tour in Vienna.
• Comfort Relax Package (Guided): May 12, June 9, July 14, August 18, September 15 and September 29, 2012.
• *Additional dates on request.

Where You’ll Stay

On board the MS Theodor Körner, a spacious 135 passenger ship! As a guest, you will be treated as a king! The ship features a restaurant, , salon with sunny patio as well as a broad sun deck with comfortable lounge chairs. All cabins have their own bathroom, AC, and TV.

What’s Included

• 7 nights on board the ship MS Theodor Korner
• Welcome cocktail
• Full meals (breakfast, on board lunch for non cyclists/bag lunch for cyclists, dinner) Choice of two or three dinner entrees each evening.
• Afternoon coffee break or snack
• Daily cabin cleaning
• 1x Gala Dinner with farewell cocktail
• Folklore show & daily live music
• Tour leader on board (does not cycle with the group)
• 7-speed hybrid bicycle
• Information packet with route book (one per cabin)
• Daily informational meeting
• Additional inclusions for the Comfort Relax Guided Tour
• Tour guide
• Two ferry rides
• Cider tasting in the Upper Danube Valley
• City tour of Linz by excursion train
• Visit of the monastery of Melk
• Wine tasting in the Wachau region
• Guided city tour of Vienna by bike

What’s Not Included

• Port fees: €59
• Supplement for 21 speed bike: €44 (2012)
• All beverages, including water

Skill Level

Relatively easy tour following the flow of the Danube. Route is mostly flat but there are some rolling hills especially coming out of the Danube valley. It takes place on good, asphalt bike paths very suitable for beginners and children. Daily distances can be adjusted.

Tour Boats

• MS Theodor Körner

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Board in Passau at 5 PM.
2. Passau - Schlögen - Linz, 31 mi. (50 km)
3. Linz – Grein, 41 mi. (65 km)
4. Grein – Melk - Tulln, 32 mi. (51 km)
5. Tulln - Vienna, 22 mi. (35 km), city tours by bike or bus.
6. Vienna, day of rest. Waltz concert (optional)
7. Wachau - Krems - Emmersdorf, 22 mi. (36 km)
8. Passau, disembark at approximately 12 noon.

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

PLEASE NOTE:  For Departures on Thursdays, the tour starts/ends in Vienna.

Day 1: Passau
The "Bishop City" is also where the Inn, Ilz, and the Danube come together, close to the Bavarian/Austrian border. Boarding time is at 5 p.m. In the evening you will enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner with live music.

Day 2: Passau - Danube loop- Linz (50 km or 32 mi), Sight-seeing tour with City-Express (optional)
Downstream, the path leads you through pretty villages amid natural landscape. Need a boost? Try some of the special cordials and liqueurs in the Trappist monastery in Engelszell. Supposedly they have "special healing powers". Let yourself relax on the sun deck after a satisfying day of bikine while the ship takes you through the romantic Schlögener Loop, where the river makes a very abrupt 180 degree turn. And after dinner, ride on the bright yellow City-Express (optional) and discover Linz, the capital of upper Austria.

Day 3: Linz – Grein  (60 km or 37.5 mi.), Visit of Grein Castle (optional)
Todays bike tour takes you along the Danube where you have enough time to enjoy the natural state of the meadow landscape. The Celtic town Mitterkirchen gives you an insight of the past. The alternative route "Clam Castle" through the beautiful back country of "Strudengau" is slightly hilly, but a fantastic landscape. Grein is the destination of todays stage, home of Austria's oldest city-theater and the Castle of Grein.

Day 4: Grein - Melk - Tulln (51 km or 32 mi)
Today's biking is marked by a diversified landscape. At the beginning there is the Strudengau, a narrow point of the Danube which is notorious among skippers. The valley expands to Persenbeug and the bike tour leads you further to Melk. Melk is famous for it's gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine monks. When you arrive back on deck, you enjoy the sunset and the beautiful evening illumination of the Wachau. Today's final destination is Tulln, famous for its numerous market gardens.

Day 5: Tulln - Vienna, (35 km or 22 mi), city tour by  bus.
Right in front of Vienna’s entrance, embedded in a breathtaking landscape, the monastery of Klosterneuburg is situated. You can already see the cupola of this 900 year old, baroque building from a distance. “Kahlenbergdorf” with it’s wine taverns is only a hop from the shipping pear and definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Vienna. During the city tour (optional) by bus in the afternoon you will pass most of the numerous and famous sights. You can visit St. Stephens Cathedral and have a short guided walking tour though the old town center.

Day 6: Vienna (day of rest), City tours by bike or bus, Waltz & Operetta concert in the Imperial Palace (optional)
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like Prater, St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg. The gorgeous boulevard "RingStraβe" with Burgtheater, State Opera House and town hall takes you back to the past. There is enough time in the afternoon to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese coffee bars. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Opera concert at the Hofburg (optional), or at a wine tavern.

Day 7: Wachau - Krems - Emmersdorf (36 km or 23 mi)
Your last biking day is a special highlight! Admist small dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins this hilly landscape enchants everybody. You'll be biking on cloud nine ! In Spitz you will find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path. You owe it to yourself to take a break! After a ceremonial gala dinner, lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced during a folklore show.

Day 8: Passau
Today is the end of this biking journey. Once again, on deck, you enjoy the first sunbeams and the matutinal peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last glance at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed in Passau. Disembarkation will be at approximately 12 noon. Please be flexible with the arrival time in Passau and disembarkation time and allow approximately two hours.

*Important Information:
In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages with 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 this ship, the MV Theodor Korner, like all other ships 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 to noises, please bring your own ear plugs.

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Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us