Famous Cities on the Danube

Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia Bike + Boat Tour

Passau – Vienna – Bratislava – Budapest – Passau

This great tour starts in the “three river city” of Passau, known for its quaint cobblestone streets. Its charming Old Town contains the famous Stephansdom with one of Europe’s largest church organs. The 2nd day has you cycling through the romantic landscape of the Danube’s famous “Great Loop” with re boarding in the charming village of Aschach. Next is a ride through the National Park Donau-Auen, one of Europe’s last undeveloped, unexploited floodplains in all its natural beauty, teeming with wildlife. Then  to Bratislava, with an optional evening walk through its charming Old Town. Many of Budapest’s famous tourist attractions are situated directly next to shore, which you can marvel at on the day of rest. Budapest is split by the Danube into two parts: Buda on the right and Pest on the left. Buda is the most impressive –containing the Castle quarter on Castle Hill and the Royal Palace. North of Budapest is the picturesque, slightly hilly landscape of the Hungarian Wachau. Szentendre has a great open-air museum. Vienna is famous for its rich architecture: the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraße” with the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and colorful “Hunderwasserhaus”. The enchanting Wachau region that follows is filled with apricot trees, hilly vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins. Spitz has many cozy wine taverns (Heurige) directly beside the bike path while Melk is famous for its truly great Baroque Benedictine monastery!

Tour Dates

• First departure is on Saturday, April 21, 2012 aboard the MS Theodor Korner. Then, beginning April 29-October 14, 2012 departure is every Sunday aboard the MS My Story.
• Arrivals in April and October: Free wine with dinner
• Guided tour dates: May 20, June 17, July 22, August 26, September 23 and October 7, 2012.

Where You’ll Stay

On board the MS Story a spacious 174 passenger ship! As a guest, you will be treated as a king! The ship features a restaurant, Panorama-Bar, salon with sunny patio as well as a broad sun deck with comfortable lounge chairs. All cabins have their own bathroom (shower and toilet) AC, and TV.

What’s Included

• 7 nights on board
• Welcome cocktail
• Full meals (breakfast, lunch/bag lunch, dinner) Choice between two or three dinner entrees each evening
• 1x Gala Dinner with farewell cocktail
• Folklore show & daily live music
• Tour leader on board but does not cycle with group
• 7-speed hybrid bicycle
• Information packet with route book (one per room)
• Also included with Guided Tour:
• Cycling tour guide
• 3 Ferry rides, 1 train ticket
• Cider tasting in the Upper Danube Valley
• City tour, Bratislavia by excursion train
• Visit of the basilica of Esztergom
• Wine tasting in the Wachau region
• Guided city tour in Vienna and Budapest by bike

What’s Not Included

• All beverages, including water, except for those mentioned.
• Port fees: €59
• Helmets are available for purchase on board with advance notice. € 15

Skill Level

This is a relatively easy tour following the flow of the Danube. Route is mostly flat with 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 My Story
• MS Theodor Körner

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Board in Passau at 5 PM. Sail to Engelhartszell.
2. Engelhartszell - Schlögen - Aschach, 28 mi. Sail to Vienna.
3. Vienna – Bratislava, 34-47 mi. Evening walk through Old Town.
4. Budapest, day of rest. Sightseeing tour by bike or in the evening by bus.
5. Danube bend, 15-36 mi.
6. Vienna, day of rest. Sightseeing tour by bike or bus, ± 3½ hr.
7. Wachau – Spitz - Dürnstein – Melk, 25 mi.
8. Passau, disembark at  12 noon but could be as late as 2 pm.

*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. 

Day 1: Passau
Arrival at the "3 river city" with boarding starting at 5 PM.. Passau attracts many with the world's greatest church organ at the Stephansdom, and with it's charming Old Town. Departure will be around 7:00 PM when we sail to the traditional Engelhartszel.  Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail at 9 pm  to Engelhartszell.

Day 2: Donauschlinge ("Great Loop") 40 km or 28 mi
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 cozy must-see taverns. You'll board again in the charming village Aschach. Then, you "sail into the night".

Day 3: Vienna - Bratislava 55-75 km or 35-47 mi, Walk through the Old Town (optional)
Before Vienna you can experience pure nature, wild and untamed, at the National Park Donauauen, which is one of the last, unspoiled floodplains of Europe.
Bratislava awaits you. During a walk in the evening (optional) you can discover hidden alleys, places, and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis.

Day 4: Budapest (day of rest), Sight-seeing tour by bike or at night by bus
In the morning you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's gorgeous landscape. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the shore. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for small bike tours. The market hall - called "the stomach of Budapest" - is attractive with Hungarian hand made crafts. During a city tour at night (optional) you can experience a beautiful illuminated Budapest.

Day 5: Visegrad - Esztergom (Danube bend) 24-57 km or 15-36 mi
The Danube bend, also called the Hungarian Wachau, is definitely one of the delightful and attractive parts of your trip. Today's bike leg starts at Visegrad with it's famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You can choose from 2 different routes: the longer one includes a side trip to the island of Szentendre and the baroque village of Vác which has been influenced by the architects of Austria's empress Maria Theresia. The other route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom with its gorgeous basilica - Hungary's largest Catholic Church - overlooking the village.

Day 6: Vienna (day of rest), Sight-seeing tour by bike or bus - approx 3.5 hrs.
Discover Vienna's most beautiful attractions. During a city tour by bike you will experience up close the most famous examples of architecture; the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous boulevard "RingStraβe" with the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall, as well as the colorful "Hunderwasserhaus" and the Ferry wheel, which is situated directly at the Prater. Relaxation can be found at one of the numerous small coffee bars. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Opera Concert at the Hofburg(optional), or at a wine tavern.

Day 7: Wachau, 36 km or 25 mi.
Small dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins along sloping hills await you. This is pure biking bliss! In Spitz, you will find comfy wine taverns along your bike route. There you can take a well-deserved break!
You have to walk along with your bike through Dúrstein's narrow alleys. King Richard Lionheart was not a voluntary guest here during the medieval times. At the end of this stage is Melk, with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine monks. After a ceremonial gala dinner, lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced on board during a folklore show.

Day 8: Passau
After rest and relaxation, and definitely being in good spirits you will arrive in Passau in the late morning. Disembarkation is approximately 12 PM. Please be flexible with the departure time.

*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 MS My Story, 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.

Book This Trip

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