Danube experience Iron Gate, MS Lisabelle

Immediately after embarkation between 04.00 p.m. and 05.00 p.m, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Zemun, the oldest district of Belgrade, or the famous artists' quarter "Skadarlija," where taverns serve traditional specialties accompanied by lively folk music.

Experience a breathtaking fjord landscape in the middle of the Danube, where the river cuts through the Romanian Carpathians and the mighty foothills of the Balkan Mountains. From the deck, enjoy steep gorges, dark forests, and historical landmarks. Highlights include the Decebalus Monument and a ship stop at Golubac Fortress with a visit opportunity. This natural wonder will give you goosebumps!

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: You'll visit the 400-year-old wine cellar of a local winemaker, taste famous wine varieties of the region, and learn a lot about Croatian wine-making traditions (optional).

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.

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. In the afternoon experience a horse show with breathtaking demonstrations by the Csikosoks and a tasting of local specialties (optional).

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.

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).

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.

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)! At your stage destination awaits the impressive Melk Abbey, one of the most beautiful Baroque ensembles in Europe!

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 pm.