Danube Experience Iron Gates

Bike + Boat | MS Theodor Körner ***+ Passau - Vienna - Bratislava - Budapest - Belgrade - Iron Gates - Passau

Fjord-like Landscapes, Puszta, Balkan and Paprika
Come with us on an adventure-packed bike and boat tour through 6 countries and widely differing cultures that reveals the beauty of the majestic Danube river in all its glory. Discover the breath-taking natural scenery of the Iron Gates, one of the most spectacular gorges in Europe, the vast expanse of the Pannonian plains, cycle through the Danube Bend in Hungary and the breadbaskets of Croatia and Serbia, through idyllic wine-growing regions and past commanding fortresses high above the river. Visit Belgrade, the "white city", fall in love with bewitching Budapest, the "Paris of the East", marvel at the baroque palaces in the picturesque Old Town of Bratislava and let yourself be carried away by the elegant charm of Vienna, the city of the waltz. Scenic and cultural highlights, excellent food and a crew that caters to your every whim, guarantee that your cycling holiday will be a unique and unforgettable experience.

The MS Theodor Körner ***+
A ship that feels like home! The spacious nostalgia ship was beautifully renovated in a trendy art deco style in winter 2013/2014 and exudes a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Nothing is too much trouble for the crew and you will be pampered at every turn with regional and international specialities. After dinner, the generously proportioned Panorama Bar, where the board band plays dance music, is a popular place to socialise. The comfortable lounge is a haven of tranquillity - with board games and a library for your entertainment. After an action-packed day's cycling, enjoy the scenery from the comfort of the sun-deck as the sun goes down or relax in the infra-red sauna. WIFI is available on board (connection speed may vary, extra charge)
3 Passenger Decks:
Promenade Deck + Upper Deck (windows can be opened), Main Deck
Cabins:
60 comfortable cabins (approx. 8-16 qm) with large picture windows, shower /WC, SAT-TV, hair-dryer, safe and air-conditioning.
2-bed cabin: 2 single beds (approx. 10-11 m2)
2-bed ECO cabin: Bunk bed (1 upper and 1 lower bed, approx. 8-9 m2)
Junior Suite: Double bed, slightly more spacious (approx. 13-16 m2)
3-bed cabin: in Junior Suites (couch), 2-bed cabin on Promenade Deck (bunk bed)

Highlights
- The four capital cities along the Danube Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade
- The mighty canyon of the Iron Gates National Park is the highlight of this cycling holiday
- Kalocsa, the "Paprika Capital" and centre of folk art
- The commanding citadel Petrovaradin
- Novi Sad, the magnificent capital of the Vojvodina
- The basilica in Esztergom, the biggest church in Hungary
- The Drava-Nemzeti National Park
- The picturesque countryside of the Danube Bend
- The fabulous Wachau region with its vineyards and castles

Tour profile
Level 1+2: The route mainly follows the Eurovelo 6 cycle path; in A/SK/H it runs on asphalted paths over flat terrain; in HR/SRB country roads with little traffic and cycle paths not all of which are asphalted. 1 stage runs over hilly terrain. Don't feel like cycling today? You can reach your destination easily by boat.


Itinerary

Day 1: Passau
Embarkation 4.00 p.m. in Passau; departure is at 5.00 p.m. 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, approx. 42 km
Enjoy a delightful day's cycling from Engelhartszell (Austria's only Trappist monastery) through the ruggedly romantic Danube Bend at Schlögen, 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 ship-building and shipping, before sailing into the night.

Day 3: Devin - Bratislava, approx. 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. 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.

Day 4: Budapest | Excursion to Szentendre approx. 54 km (or rest day)
Savour the entrance to Budapest and the stunning views of the city's most famous buildings. 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, approx. 50 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 famously the site of two battles with the Ottoman Turks.

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).

Day7: 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. 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, approx. 51 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: Apatin - Bezdan, approx. 54 km
Apatin beer is well-known throughout the western Balkan region. Cycle along the Danube Canal on idyllic paths lined by meadows and trees, and over country roads through the vast expanse of the Batschka (the area populated by Danube Swabians). Sombor is a small romantic town with buildings dating back to the Habsburg period. In the silk-damask workshop in Bezdan - the only one of its kind in Europe - fabric is still produced on the old looms using original 19th century techniques.

Day 10: Kalocsa - Solt, approx. 45 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, approx. 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, approx. 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 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
Optional excursions (not included in the price of your tour) can be booked individually or as a package at a discount on board.
Bratislava:
- City tour on a miniature train, walk through the historic city centre
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
Novi Sad:
- City tour by bike
Ilok:
- Guided walk with wine-tasting at a wine cellar
Vienna:
- City tour by bike or bus
- Concert of waltz and operetta music in a historic Viennese palace
Wachau:
- Wine-tasting at a vintner in the Wachau

General information
One the one hand, a riverboat is a "holiday hotel", while on the other, it is also a means of transport that moves with motor power and must always be operated, even at night (partially with lock and bridge passages and the retractions and extensions of the structures caused as a result). Mistakes can happen with lock passages. This is the case for all Danube journeys and cannot be avoided. Please bear in mind that riverboats are restricted (bridge passages, locks) in size (length, height, width) and therefore cannot be compared with cruise liners in the sea.
The cabins are limited in space but are nevertheless comfortable and furnished. In the event of extremely high or low water, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge stages by bus or even to cancel the trip at short notice without any legal claim arising therefrom (water levels are force majeure). The same applies for officially decreed repairs to locks or bridges, not announced in advance, or in the event of motor or propulsion damage to the ship without attributed fault.

Rental bikes & equipment
21-speed Unisex hybrid bike with caliper brake (on request: 7-speed Unisex hybrid bike with coaster and caliper brake)
Electrically assisted bike / Pedelec
All rental bikes are equipped with 20 l panniers and a handle bar bag
Helmets + cycling clothes available for purchase onboard

Minimum of participants
50 people (has to be reached 4 weeks before cruise start at the latest)

Characteristics:

Participants:
from 50
Tourtype:
individual
Children:
yes
Regions:
Bacs-Kiskun, Belgrad, Bratislava, Buda, Budapest, Danube, Esztergom, Komarom, Krems, Lower Austria, Nationalpark Derdap, Novi Sad, Pest, Puszta, Save, Upper Austria, Vienna, Vojvodina, Wachau
Countries:
Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia

Benefits:

  • 14 nights in an outside cabin with shower/WC/air-conditioning in the cabin category booked
  • Programme according to the itinerary from/to Passau
  • Captain's cocktail reception
  • Cabins cleaned daily, towels and bed linen
  • Full board: Buffet breakfast, lunch on board or packed lunch for cyclists, afternoon coffee and cake, dinner (choice of 2-3 main dishes), late night snack
  • Gala dinner with farewell cocktail
  • Crew Show
  • Daily live music
  • Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group)
  • Daily information meeting
  • Detailed route booklet (one per cabin)
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  • All other costs: on request (bikehire, cabin categories, additional nights, transfers and so on)

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