Danube Waltz – Danube Bike & Boat Holiday

The duraion of the Bike Boat holiday is 7 nights and eight days.

Day 1: Saturday, Passau - Engelhartszell

This Episcopal city of Passau close to the Bavarian/Austrian border and is also known as the "City of three Rivers." Boarding the Cruise ship MS NORMANDIE is at approx. 4 - 5 p.m. and departure around 7 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening cruise to Engelhartszell.

Day 2: Sunday, Engelhartszell – Untermühl – "Great Loop“ – Linz.

Need a boost? Then try some of the special cordials and liqueurs in the Trappist monastery in Engelhartszell. Supposedly, they have "special healing powers." Downstream leads you to pretty villages amidst a natural landscape. For a change take the little ferry boat through the romantic Schlögener loop, where the river makes a very abrupt 180 degree turn (approx. 3 euro) . Cruise from Untermühl to Linz. After dinner, ride on the bright yellow City-Express (optional, not included) and discover Linz, the capital of upper Austria.

Approx. Distance 22 miles (35 km)

Day 3: Monday, Linz – Mauthausen – Grein.

In the early morning cruise to Mauthausen.

You have the possibility to visit the memorial-place KZ-Mauthausen. The Celtic town Mitterkirchen gives you an insight of the past. For an easy bike ride the tour leads along the Danube, the alternative route, "Clam Castle," leads through the beautiful back country of the "Strudengau," it is a slightly hilly, but fantastic landscape. In Grein, the impressive Castle of Greinburg is worth a visit.

Approx. Distance 22 - 26 miles (36 - 42 km) with an optional visit to Greinburg castle.

Day 4: Tuesday, Grein – Melk – Tulln.

Today's ride is marked by a diverse landscape. At the beginning, there is the Strudengau – a narrow point of the Danube which used to be notorious amongst skippers. The valley expands from Persenbeug and the bike tour leads you further to Melk with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine brethren. On deck, enjoy the sunset and the beautiful evening illumination of the Wachau. Today's final destination is Tulln, famous for its numerous market gardens where the famous Art Nouveau artist Egon Schiele was born (museum).

Approx. Distance 31 miles (50 km)

Day 5: Wednesday, Tulln – Vienna-Nussdorf / (Korneuburg may also be possible).

Right in front of Vienna's entrance, embedded in a breathtaking landscape, the monastery of Klosterneuburg is situated. You can see the cupola of this 900 year old baroque building from a distance. "Kahlenbergerdorf" with it's wine taverns is definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Vienna. In the afternoon, an optional tour by coach and by foot passes most of the famous sights of this beautiful city.

Approx Distance 22 miles (35 km)

Day 6: Thursday, Vienna-Nussdorf / Korneuburg (day of rest)

Explore this beautiful city and be sure to see the places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg, also visit the gorgeous boulevard "Ringstraβe" with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House and the town hall. There will still be enough time to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese coffee bars. Night cruise to Dürnstein or Rossatz.

Day 7: Friday, Wachau – Pöchlarn

The last biking day is a special highlight. Amongst small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this rolling landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery is a landmark of Wachau. There is a wine tasting option in Spitz where you will also find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path. You owe it to yourself to take a break! In the evening farewell dinner and cocktail.

Approx. Distance 24 miles (39 km)

Day 8: Saturday, Passau

Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy on deck the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last look at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Arrival is about 10 a.m., disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to arrange connecting trips from noon onwards.

Key Details

• Eight day, seven night itinerary.
• This tour will start and end in Passau.

Helmets are compulsory for children up to 12 years of age in Austria but are not included with bike hire.

• MS NORMANDIE - On joining this vessel you are immediately aware of the cosy and informal ambience on board. On the upper deck you will find the comfy panorama salon with its bar and the small sauna on the main deck the comfortable restaurant. On deck there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, which encourage conversation and communal activity. MS NORMANDIE possesses two 1-bed-cabins and forty-nine 2-bed-cabins. They are all out-side cabins, giving some 10-11 square metres of space (2-bed) and about 7 qm (1-bed). All 2-bed-cabins on main and upper deck are equipped with two lower beds, one of which can be folded against the wall during the day to provide a more homely atmosphere, shower and WC, hairdryer, TV, safe, central air-conditioning and a picture window. Windows may only be opened on the upper deck. 1-bed cabins have one lower bed and are otherwise equipped with same features. Technical details: Length 91.2 m, width 10.50 m, depth 1.60 m, max. 100 passengers. Currency on board: Euro. Credit cards: MasterCard and Visa.

• Embark.4-5pm. Disembark.10:30 am.

• Bicycles on board: Unisex trekking cycles with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears with coaster breaking hubs or 7 speed freewheel hubs (subject to availability) and pannier bag. E-Bikes are available on request (limited number) .Please indicate your height when you book - Bringing your own bike on request only (due to lack of spaceon sundeck).
• Languages on board: German and English
• Cycle tours: All distances are approximate.When a guest does not wish to cycle they can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next port.
• The bike tours are self guided but with daily briefings on board and detailed maps and directions.All routes can be classified as being easy.
• Luggage: We recommend rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers.Please be aware that the cabin storage space is very limited.
• Smoking: As a safety measure, all cabins and rooms on board are non-smoking areas.  Smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. .
• Land excursions: We offer an optional (surcharge-not included in the tour price) excursion programme which can be booked directly on board with the cruise director. Together with your travel documents you will get a brief description. Dependingon the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English)
• Routing/Program: We reserve the right to make changes to the routing and program. In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of the passages with buses. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey at short notice. No legal right shall be constituted in both situations. The same applies to officially ordered and previously not announced-repair work of locks or bridges.Please be aware that a cruise ship on the Danube is not only your hotel but also a machine, powered with an engine both day and night. Especially when passing through locks and bridges, preparation work-may cause some noise. If you are sensitive please bring your own ear plugs.
• Travel documents:EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the countries to visi, to get information about visa and entry documents at the necessary embassy.
• This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility

There are lots of attractions and places to explore during your holiday in The Danube including:

• Passau - The City of 3 rivers
• The Schloegen Danube Loop
• The World Heritage Site of Wachau 
• Upper Austria's capital Linz
• The cosmopolitan city Vienna
• Passau, the City of 3 rivers, the Schloegen Danube Loop

Getting to Passau

By Rail/Bus – You can travel from London St-Pancras to Passau by train, the journey time is approx 10 hours.

By Car – Passau can be reached by car using ferries or Eurotunnel and well-maintained motorways.

By Air –  There are no significant airports near Passau. The closest airport to Passau is Linz in Austria, trains run between Linz and Passau. The 2nd closest is Salzburg and you can catch a direct bus between the two. The 3rd closest is Munich Airport (MUC) but intercontinental travelers may often find taking the train from Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) faster than transiting by air to Munich.

For more information on travel around Germany please visit this travel website.