Danube Waltz
Bike + cruise | MV Carissima **** - Passau - Vienna - Bratislava - Budapest | Self-guided or guided
By bike and boat from the "Bavarian Venice" directly into the heart of the famous and glamorous former K+K monarchy Austria/Hungary. You can look forward to three of Europes most charming capitals: Vienna, the metropolis of Waltz, Bratislava, the capital of coronation and Budapest, the "Paris of the East".
The bike tours lead you to the romantic "Great Loop" (Schlögener Donauschlinge), the picturesque Danube Bend with Hungarys greatest cathedral and the legendary Wachau valley, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage with the small villages and beautiful palaces and castles.
On board our comfortable cruise ship you enjoy an exclusive atmosphere - in the spacious, convenient cabins as well as in the stylish outdoor area. Experience the fantastic view to breathtaking landscapes - on the bike, from the pool on the sun deck, in the comfy seats of the lounge, and even during your amazing meals in the first class restaurant. This exciting bike trip will make your holiday unforgettable.
The cruise ship MV Carissima****
The first thing you'll experience when boarding is the friendly atmosphere and the coziness of this river ship. In the restaurant you will start your culinary excursion through the Danube countries - the fantastic view of the beautiful scenery will sweeten the diversity of flavours you are tasting. In the Panorama-Lounge, where the bar is located, you can enjoy a glass of wine with your new friends and travel mates while the gorgeous landscape is passing by. Comfortable lounge chairs and discreet colors make you stay a little longer...
After an exciting day of cycling you can relax in the spa with sauna and whirlpool. For pleasant refreshment, jump into the pool (June-August) on the sun deck, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view. And if you are in the mood for reading, just borrow a book in the library! The comfortable ship will make your journey unforgettable. Wifi is available on board (payable on spot, connection can vary).
Standard, Comfort or Luxury ? On the MV Carissima YOU have the choice
All 75 de-luxe staterooms have 14 qm and feature a hotel-style double bed, which may be converted to two single beds. The half-height windows on the Main deck cannot be opened, the staterooms on the Upper and Middle deck provide full-size picture windows which do open. All cabins are equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, hair dryer, TV, safe and full air-conditioning. For those who love the luxury: Some cabins on the promenade deck have a connecting door and can be rearranged to a spacious DELUXE-suite with living room and bedroom (prices on request). ECO cabins are located in the front/rear part of the ship (engine noise possible).
Itinerary
Day 1: Passau
Boarding time at 4.30 p.m. Located at the confluence of Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has numerous interesting sites to visit. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestoned old town centre, listen to the bells of Passau's Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world's largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Cathedral.
At 6.00 p.m. we cast off!
Day 2: Great Loop | Engelhartszell - Aschach, approx. 42 km
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 cozy 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.
Day 3: Devin - Bratislava, approx. 18-43 km
You pedal along the former 'Iron Curtain', cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria's 'vegetable garden' to the coronation city of Bratislava and the slopes of the Little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.
Day 4: Budapest | Szentendre, approx. 54 km
The entrance to Budapest, Hungary's capital, is stunning. Savour the beauty of Budapest during a coach tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the highlights of this beautiful city. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. You will get a very close experience of Hungarian culture at an evening show with traditional music and dance (optional).
Day 5: Danube bend - Esztergom, approx. 43 km
Situated in the middle of the Danube River the idyllic isle of Szentendre exudes silent Puszta romance. History, folklore and hungarian way of life will accompany you on your way to Esztergom where the gorgeous basilica - Hungary's largest Catholic Church is impressing its guests.
Day 6: Vienna (day of rest)
Discover Vienna's most beautiful attractions. During a city tour by bike or bus (optional) you will experience Vienna's most famous examples of architecture: the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous 'Ring'-boulevard and the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall and, of course, the colorful "Hundertwasserhaus". Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna's famous cafés, while the evening ends impressively at a classical concert (optional) in one of Vienna's most famous palaces.
Day 7: Wachau | Krems - Melk, approx. 37 km
Your last biking day is a special highlight! A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau Valley. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits ... you will be biking on cloud nine! In Weißenkirchen (possibility to do a wine-tasting - optional) you will find comfortable wine taverns along the bike path.
Day 8: Passau
As you cruise back up the Danube enjoy the early morning sunshine as you wind your way to Passau, where you'll disembark at approx. 10.00 a.m. Connecting travel should be booked for 11.00 a.m. onwards.
Highlights
- Passau at the intersection of three rivers
- the "Great Loop" Schlögener Donauschlinge
- World Cultural Heritage site Wachau
- Hungarian Danube Bend
- the metropolises of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna
Tour profile
Level 1: The cycle route is completely flat, at times on a gentle downhill slope and is ideal for cyclists with less experience and for children. The tour is rated as easy and you cycle on mostly flat terrain.
Comfort relax package (Guided tour)
You cycle in a small group guided by a local tour guide. Taste some Austrian delicacies: you'll try sweet cider in a wine tavern. In the world-famous Wachau region you will also get to savour a small variety of regional wine specialties. During a guided tour by bike in Vienna and by bus in Budapest you will pass by numerous famous sights.
Excursions
The following optional excursions (not included in the tour price) can be booked separately or as a package directly and only onboard.
Bratislava:
- City tour with scenic train and walking tour
Budapest:
- City tour by bike or HOP ON HOP OFF bus
- Budapest by night + traditional Hungarian folklore show at a Csarda
Vienna:
- City tour by bike or by bus
- Classical waltz & operetta concert in one of Vienna's famous palaces
Wachau:
- Wine tasting with a local wine grower
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
- Child seat, child trailer or tagalong bike
- All rental bikes are equipped with 20 l panniers and a handle bar bag
- Helmets + cycling clothing available for purchase onboard
Individual transfers (without waiting time) - prices on request
Minimum of participants
50 people (has to be reached at the latest 4 weeks before cruise start)
Guided Comfort Relax Package:
Minimum 10 people (max. 22)
Characteristics:
Operator:
Participants:
from 10 up to 22
Tourtype:
guided
Children:
yes
Regions:
Bavaria, Bratislava, Buda, Budapest, Danube, Esztergom, Inn, Komarom, Krems, Lower Austria, Passau, Pest, Puszta, Szentendre, Vienna, Wachau
Countries:
Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
Benefits:
- 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
- Program according to itinerary from/to Passau
- Captain's greeting and welcome cocktail
- Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linen
- Full board: rich breakfast, lunch onboard (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2/3 dishes to choose), late night snackGala dinner with farewell cocktail
- Farewell crew show
- Daily live music
- Cruise director onboard (does not cycle with the group)
- Daily information meeting
- Detailed road book per cabin
- Comfort Relax Package additional: Cycling tour guide, Tasting of homemade cider at a cider producer in the Upper Danube Valley, Ferry rides, Guided city tour by bike in Vienna & by HOP ON HOP OFF bus in Budapest, Wine tasting with a local wine grower
Start date: on request
End date:
Duration:
Price:
Click to order
Startdate
Middate
On request
Additional costs:
- All other costs: on request (bikehire, cabin categories, additional nights, transfers and so on)