Along the Danube-Iron Gates

Day-To-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Passau
Day 2: Schlögen Danube Bend | Engelhartszell – Aschach, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 3: Devin – Bratislava, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 4: Budapest | Excursion to Szentendre, 34 mi. (54 km) (or rest day)
Day 5: Baja – Mohacs, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 6: Belgrade (rest day)
Day 7: Cataract Canyons /Iron Gates National Park (rest day)
Day 8: Novi Sad – Ilok, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 9:  Batina - Mohacs, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 10: Kalocsa – Solt, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 11: Danube Bend – Esztergom, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 12: Vienna (Bike excursion to Klosterneuburg, Danube Island…)
Day 13: Vienna (rest day)
Day 14: Wachau | Krems – Melk, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 15: Passau

*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
Embarkation is at 3.00 p.m. in Passau. Do note that the boat will depart at 5.00 p.m. so be prompt.  On board, you will 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: Schlögen Danube Bend | Engelhartszell – Aschach, 26 mi. (42 km)
Enjoy a delightful day’s cycling from Engelhartszell (Austria’s only Trappist monastery) through the ruggedly romantic Danube Bend at Schlögen. It is  one of the most beautiful sections of the river, lined with sleepy farming villages. Along the way, you can drop in at one of the many inviting cider taverns. Rejoin the ship in the idyllic market town of Aschach, with its long tradition of shipbuilding and shipping, before sailing into the night.

Day 3: Devin – Bratislava, 27 mi. (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. There follows a stretch of untouched countryside and a short time later, you arrive in the vibrant city of Bratislava. The 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, 34 mi. (54 km) (or rest day)
Savour the entrance to Budapest and the stunning views of the city‘s most famous buildings as this is a site to behold. You will have the option to discover the city that straddles the Danube on a guided tour (optional) or take a detour to the delightful little town of Szentendre with its many artists and galleries. Get a taste of the fiery Hungarian temperament at a Hungarian folklore show with traditional music and folk dance accompanied by wine and hearty local food (optional).

Day 5: Baja – Mohacs, 23 mi. (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 most southerly town on the Danube and  the site of two battles with the Ottoman Turks. *You will encounter some hilly terrain on today's route so the biking is more moderate in difficulty.

Day 6: Belgrade (rest day)
Explore the fun-loving Serbian capital at the confluence of the Save 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 a colourful folklore show with traditional dances from all parts of the country, followed by typical regional specialities in the well-known bohemian district of Skadarlija with lively folk music from a Serbian band (optional).

Day 7: Cataract Canyons /Iron Gates National Park (rest day)
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. Showcased for you will be a spectacular landscape with steep gorges, dark forests with historic monuments and impregnable fortresses 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, 30 mi. (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. Everything in the medieval town of Ilok revolves around wine. During an evening tour of the town, you will have the opportunity to sample some famous Serbian wines at a wine cellar (optional).

Day 9: Batina - Mohacs, 26 mi. (42 km)
Start cycling through the never-ending „Backa“ through the small, idyllic villages and endless canola fields from Croatia to Serbia and Hungary. Farmers stop their work to greet you and now and then you will meet a carriage. You will experience an almost untouched nature at the Nemzeti National Park. After a ferry ride to Mohacs, there is enough time for a visit at the White Stork Museum or the memorial of the Battle of Mohacs.

Day 10: Kalocsa – Solt, 31 mi. (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 skies from the flat Hungarian plain. Visiting the Paprika Museum you’ll learn all there is to know 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, and corn fields and orchards that stretch as far as the eye can see until you reach Solt, birthplace of the famous conductor Sir George Solti. Vecsey Castle and the library with some 34,000 books are especially worth seeing.

Day 11: Danube Bend – Esztergom, 27 mi. (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 that sits high over the Danube can be seen from far and wide. 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 into Vienna. Go for a ride on the Danube Island – Vienna’s favourite recreational area, cycle out to the nearby Klosterneuburg Abbey or wander through the idyllic vineyards on Kahlenberg (with magnificent views over the city and the Danube). The day ends traditionally with a concert of classic waltz and operetta music in a historic Viennese palace (optional).

Day 13: Vienna (rest day)
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 from close up. The magnificent Ringstraße will remind you of times long past 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, a feast for the senses. End your day in Vienna in traditional fashion at a rustic wine tavern.

Day 14: Wachau | Krems – Melk, 23 mi. (37 km)
This final stage of your cycling tour can best be described as magical! The gentle hilly countryside of the Wachau with its picturesque villages, historic castles and palaces surrounded by apricot trees and terraced vineyards, is one of the loveliest stretches of the river. In Weißenkirchen the cycle path is lined with cosy vintner’s taverns and you should definitely treat yourself to a break here (optional wine tasting)!

Day 15: Passau
Enjoy the first rays of the sun 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, your heart bursting with memories and impressions. Disembarkation at approx. 10.00 a.m. Independent homeward travel. We recommend that you do not make any arrangements for onward connections departing before 11.00 a.m. To be on the safe side, later departure times would be even better.

Excursions:

Bratislava: City tour on a scenic train, walk through the historic city center
Budapest: City tour by bike or by HOP ON HOP OFF Bus
Budapest by night and folklore show in a Hungarian Csarda
Belgrade: City tour by bike or bus
Belgrade by night with Folklore Show
Ilok: Wine-tasting at a wine cellar
Vienna: City tour by bike or bus
Concert of waltz and operetta music in a historic Viennese palace (2018: Schonbrunn palace)
Wachau: Wine-tasting at a vintner in the Wachau

*Important Information:

In the 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 the case of undeserved breakdown of engine or power unit.

Please be aware that your ship,  like all other ships on the Danube, is not only your hotel for the tour,  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.

Be sure to check out all of our featured bike and boat tours, or our full list of bicycle tours.

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• Along the Danube-Iron Gates