With bike and boat to Europe’s cultural strongholds
Where world heritage meets Waltz and Hungarian history. On this bike and boat journey from Passau to Budapest and back you will experience vibrant cities, vineyards and world famous sights. Find yourself surrounded by new cultural charms and experiences every day! You will start your eight-day journey aboard the premium boat MS SE-Manon, sailing on the beautiful blue Danube. The journey meanders from Passau to Linz, though the world-famous ‘Schlögener Schlinge’ (the impressive moment the river loops back on itself) in the Wachau and waltzes on to Vienna. It continues on to the ‘Danube Bend’ at Visegrád then to Budapest. Cultural experiences are everywhere!Details of the bike and boat tour along the Danube to Budapest
Details of the bike and boat tour along the Danube to Budapest
Empress Elizabeth of Austria is omnipresent during this combined trip on the Danube, whether in beautiful Vienna or in historic Budapest - where she was once crowned Empress. The MS -SE-Manon takes you to the most famous cities along the Danube. Sample ‘an Achterl’ of wine (1/8 of a litre) among the vines in the Wachau or a Sachertorte with a punch in Vienna – culinary temptations span as far as the eye can see! Further on, the route plan takes in: Budapest, Devin and Bratislava. Cities brimming with history and quaint urban centres just begging to be explored.
Useful information about the cycle tour along the Danube
On the eight-day bike and boat tour, you will not only experience culture, but also the spectacular landscapes of the Danube valley. The route runs alongside the well-developed Danube cycle path over flat terrain. For each section of the route, you can cycle comfortably for 25 to 55 kilometres. This combined trip is perfect for beginners or occasional cyclists.
Don’t have your own set of wheels? No problem, you can rent one from Eurobike. The experienced team will give you a bike according to your height, weight and personal preferences and you’re ready to go!
Arrival in the "Three River City". Passau attracts lots of visitors because the world's greatest church organ is there in the Stephansdom. Passau also has a very charming historical centre. Embarkation will be around 4:30 p.m.Your ship remains in the port of Passau for the night.
The day starts in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria), 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 cosy must-see taverns. You'll board again in Untermühl. Then, you "sail into the night" towards Bratislava.
Arrival at Bratislava. You start cycling from Bratislava via Hainburg to the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof beautifully terraced gardens and idyllic manor farm further on to Devin and then back to Bratislava. Tip: discover the hidden alleys of Bratislava, places and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis during a tour by mini train and by foot. In the night shipping to Budapest.
In the early morning, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's gorgeous landscape from the sun deck. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming, as many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the river bank. In the afternoon you can explore the city on a city tour by coach and by foot (optional). Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel, which is an outstanding place for a small bike tour. The charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life is also worth a visit. In the evening you can enjoy Budapest by night on a folklore program (opt.) In the night, the boat moves on to Visegrad.
The Danube bend is definitely one of most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's bike ride starts at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You can choose from two 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 the Austrian 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. In the night the boat moves on to Vienna.
You should be sure to see the most famous sights like St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg. You can take a city tour by bike or by coach/foot (optional, not included). The gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House and the town hall takes you back to the past. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Operetta concert (optional, not included). In the nigh, the boat moves on to Rossatz or Dürnstein (Wachau).
Your last day's cycle tour is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In Spitz (possibility for a wine-tasting – optional) you will find cosy wine taverns right alongside the bike path. You owe it to yourself to take a break! You’ll board the boat again in Pöchlarn, a small village. After the farewell gala dinner, you start “sailing” back to Passau.
Every journey draws to an end. Once again you can enjoy the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley on deck. Take a last look at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive nice and relaxed in Passau. Arrival: approx at 11am. Disembark half an hour later. We recommend to arrange connecting trips from noon onwards in case there is a delay.
Tour character
A flat and sometimes slightly downhill route. All in all a relaxed cycle tour that is suitable for beginners and children.
Program as mentioned in the itinerary from/to Passau
7 overnight stays in cabins with shower/toilet in the booked cabin category
Full board: 7 x breakfast buffet, 6 x small lunch or lunch package for your bike tours, 6 x coffee and cake in the afternoon, 7 x 3-course dinner
Welcome and farewell drink
Daily cleaning of cabins
Change of towels and bed linen if required
Port fees included
Daily bike tour briefings
1x route book for self-guided tours per cabin
GPS data is available
On board tour guidance
Rental bike insurance
Infos
Arrival/Parking/Departure:
Passau main station is about 5km from the pier
Parking space (fenced area) incl. transfer parking space – boat – parking space € 71 per week Park garage incl. transfer park garage – boat – park garage €83 per week (Application form in your travel documents, pay there)
Notes:
Extra nights in Passau are possible on request!
Further important information according to the package travel law and additional information about your bike and boat trip can be found here!
An Bord des eleganten Premiumschiffes MS SE-MANON erwartet Sie eine entspannte und gemütliche Atmosphäre. So bleibt es Ihnen überlassen, ob Sie nach Ihrer Radtour den kleinen einladenden Wellnessbereich mit Sauna, Whirlpool und Fitnessgeräten nutzen, sich in die Bibliothek zurückziehen oder lieber im Panoramasalon entspannen
Beds: 150Cabinsize: 14 m² Crew: 30Length: 110 mWidth: 11,4 mDraught: 1,50 m
MS SE-Manon
An Bord des eleganten Premiumschiffes MS SE-MANON erwartet Sie eine entspannte und gemütliche Atmosphäre. So bleibt es Ihnen überlassen, ob Sie nach Ihrer Radtour den kleinen einladenden Wellnessbereich mit Sauna, Whirlpool und Fitnessgeräten nutzen, sich in die Bibliothek zurückziehen oder lieber im Panoramasalon entspannen. Im Restaurant mit Panoramaaussicht wird für Ihr leibliches Wohl gesorgt. Auf dem großzügigen Sonnendeck, wo auch die Räder untergebracht werden, können Sie die Aussicht genießen. Ein besonderes Highlight ist der Außenpool (8,70 m x 4,50 m) im Heck des Schiffes. Alle 75 Kabinen sind Außenkabinen, ca. 14 m² groß und komfortabel mit Hotelbetten eingerichtet. Sie verfügen über Dusche/WC* (*Kabinen Nr. 306, 307, 308, 309 mit Badewanne), Föhn, TV, Safe, Haustelefon, Minibar und einer individuell regulierbaren Klimaanlage. Das Mittel- und Oberdeck sind per Fahrstuhl zu erreichen.
Oberdeck: Kabinen mit französischem Balkon (= Fenster bis zum Boden, die sich durchgehend öffnen lassen). Mitteldeck: Die großen Panoramafenster lassen sich öffnen. Hauptdeck: Die kleinen Fenster (Höhe ca. 40 cm) lassen sich nicht öffnen
Beds: 150Cabinsize: 14 m² Crew: 30Length: 110 mWidth: 11,4 mDraught: 1,50 m