Bike and Barge Danube: Passau - Bratislava - Budapest - Vienna - Passau

MS Normandie

Accompanied by a comfortable cruise ship you cycle along Europe's second largest river Danube from the charming Bavarian "three river city" of Passau straight into the heart of the once glorious Imperial and Royal Monarchy. Enjoy three of the most enchanting European capitals: the lively Vienna, the Slovak coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and Budapest, the "Hungarian Danube Queen"!

By bicycle you discover the stunning natural spectacle of the Schlögener Donauschlinge ("Great Loop"), the legendary Wachau with romantic towns and mighty castles amidst lovely vineyards, the untouched alluvial forests of the Danube National Park, as well as the picturesque Hungarian Danube bend where the important cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes from the distance

After a great day of cycling, relax on board listening live music or discover the port city.

The highlights of the tour: Passau, the City of 3 rivers, the Schloegen Danube Loop, the Hungarian Danube Bend, the World Heritage Site Wachau, the metropoles of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna.

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 (advance booking at the reception only) on the main deck the comfortable restaurant (no direct access from the cabin-zone). On deck there are both deck chairs and ordinary chairs and tables, which encourage conversation and communal activity in fresh air. MS NORMANDIE possesses altogether two 1-bed-cabins and forty-nine 2-bed-cabins. They are all outside 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 (deposit), central air-conditioning and a picture window. Only on the upper deck the windows may be opened. 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.


Tour Details Danube: Passau - Bratislava - Budapest - Vienna - Passau | MS Normandie

Day 1: (Sat): Embarkation: Passau | Passau - Engelhartszell
Arrival in the "Three River City". Passau attracts many with the world's greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and it's charming Old Town. Embarkation will be around 5 p.m., departure around 7 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.

Day 2: (Sun): Engelhartszell - Brandstatt (Approx. 46 km/27,6 mi.) | Brandstatt - Bratislava
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 Brandstatt. Then, you "sail into the night" towards Bratislava.

Day 3: (Mon): Bratislava - Hainburg - Castle Hof - Bratislava (Approx. 54 km/32,4 mi.) | Bratislava - Budapest
Arrival at Bratislava around noon. 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. During a tour by mini train and by foot in the evening (optional) you can discover hidden alleys of Bratislava, places and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis. In the night shipping to Budapest.

Day 4: (Tue): Budapest (rest day) | city tour by coach/by foot or bicycle (optional)| roundtrip to Szentendre 40 km | In the evening: "Budapest by Night" (opt.)| Budapest - Visegrad
In the early morning, you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube's gorgeous landscape on the Sundeck. 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 during a city tour by coach and by foot (optional). Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for small bike tours or the charming town of Szentendre with Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. In the evening you can enjoy Budapest by Night with folklore program (opt.) In the night shipping to Visegrad.

Day 5: (Wed): Visegrad - Esztergom (Approx. 25-60 km/15-36 mi.) | Esztergom - Vienna
The Danube bend is definitely one of most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today's bike leg starts at Visegrad with its 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 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 shipping to Vienna.

Day 6: (Thu): Vienna-Nussdorf / (Korneuburg may also be possible) (day of rest) | city tour by bike or by coach/foot (optional) | Waltz and Operetta concert (opt.) | Vienna - Rossatz or Dünstein
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the 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 night shipping to Rossatz or Dürnstein (Wachau).

Day 7: (Fr): Wachau - Melk - Pöchlarn (Approx. 42-52 km/25,2-31,2 mi.) | wine-tasting (opt.) | Pöchlarn - Passau
Your last biking day 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 Weißenkirchen (possibility for a wine-tasting - optional) you will find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path. You owe it to yourself to take a break! You'll board again in the small village Pöchlarn. After the farewell gala dinner, you start "sailing" back to Passau

Day 8: (Sat): Disembarkation: 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 sight at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Arrival: approx at 10:00 a.m., disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to arrange connecting trips from noon onwards.

All distances are "approximate distances" of recommended bike tours.
When you do not want to cycle one day, you can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next town.
Program and details barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.

Characteristics:

Tourtype:
individual
Children:
yes
Regions:
Bavaria, Bratislava, Buda, Budapest, Danube, Esztergom, Inn, Komarom, Lower Austria, Passau, Pest, Szentendre, Vienna, Wachau
Countries:
Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia

Benefits:

  • 7 nights in a cabin with shower/toilet and air-conditioning in the booked category
  • Program according itinerary from/to Passau
  • Captains greeting and welcoming cocktail
  • Full board (breakfast, lunch/lunch package during bike tours, dinner, afternoon coffee break)
  • Bed linen and towels on board
  • daily cleaning of the cabin
  • Farewell-dinner with goodbye cocktail
  • Daily live music
  • 1x comprehensive maps- and info material per cabin
  • Daily bike tour instructions from board manager
  • Board manager
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