Itinerary

Stroll through the pretty little baroque town of Schärding and marvel at the famous Silberzeile lane, or take a walk through the “New Centre” of Passau, the town of three rivers, which has been completely redesigned as a pedestrian, car-free area.

Along the river Inn you will come to Passau, the town of three rivers. We recommend that you take a guided tour of the town, and visit the cathedral where you can enjoy the sounds of the largest church organ in the world (except Sundays and public holidays). Then you will continue along the Danube, first passing Obernzell and finally arriving in Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria). You will then cycle through the nature reserve Donauleiten, from where you will reach the Schlögen Bend to the north. This is where granite proved to be too much of an opponent and forced the Danube to change directions by 180 degrees. While a ferry takes you to the other side of the river to your hotel you have time to look at this natural phenomenon.

Today you will cycle through the green Eferdinger basin via the market towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering and all the way to the Upper Austrian capital of Linz. The historical Old Town of Linz has many pubs and eateries for you to discover. Other highlights of the European Capital of Culture 2009 include the magnificent views from Pöstlingberg mountain and a stroll through the Donaulände park.

On the fourth day you will take a little detour away from the course of the Danube to St. Florian (Augustinian monastery) and to Enns. In Enns you can go to the town square with its 60 metre town tower, the landmark of the oldest town in Austria, or you visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum. Afterwards, you will return to the river, first reaching the beautiful little baroque town of Grein. Here you have the opportunity to visit the oldest municipal theatre in Austria that is still being used. Or you can visit the maritime museum or Greinburg castle.

This section of the Danube, the Strudengau, was once feared by sailors, now you can cycle along it. Where they used to fight against the Danube currents you can now take a leisurely cycle ride. In Maria Taferl, high above the Danube, you will find the magnificent pilgrimage church, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year.

You should make a little stop in Melk and look up or you will miss the beautiful Stift Melk monastery that overlooks the Danube. As soon as you leave the town you will get into the picturesque Wachau region, where you can enjoy the charming atmosphere of the region’s typical orchards and vineyards. You will pass through the little wine towns of Spitz and Weißenkirchen, cycle past the Dürnstein Castle ruin, and finish your journey in the 1000-year old town of Krems or in Tulln. A stay in the Wachau region means that you simply have to take part in a wine tasting, which we have organised for you.

The final kilometres of your bike tour will be a relaxed trip to the Danube metropolis of Vienna. According to the variant part of the stage is covered by train. As soon as you arrive you can occupy your room and then enjoy all the amenities of the city for the rest of the day. Treat yourself to a Viennese-style Americano coffee and a piece of the famous Sachertorte cake in one of Vienna’s typical coffee houses. Take a stroll along Vienna’s Parade shopping street, along Mariahilfer Strasse, visit the St Stephen’s Cathedral or see the main sights and take a trip in one of the famous Fiaker cabs.

After breakfast, individual return journey or start of your extension.

Tour character

Easy

Along the Danube, flat or slightly downhill, almost continuously on a well-developed cycle path without motorised traffic. Only very short sections run on side roads - in terms of route, the Danube Cycle Path is the perfect example of a cycle tour.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & extras

Services

Included:

7 nights in the Charme category (see sample hotel list below)
breakfast
Personal tour information (DE, EN)
1x ferry trip (Au-Schlögen) incl. bike
1x wine tasting in the Wachau
Detailed travel documents 1 x per room (DE, EN, FR)
Carefully prepared itinerary
Navigation app and GPS data
Luggage transport
Rental bike insurance
7-day service hotline

Not included:

Arrival and departure
parking fees
Spa and local taxes where applicable
transfers
Optional sightseeing
travel insurance
Expenses for personal use

Extras

Parking

In Passau multi-storey car park approx. € 45 per week.
In Schärding free public car park on the company premises directly on the cycle path, no reservation possible/necessary.

Arrival / departure

Good train connections to Schärding and Passau.
Daily return transfer from Vienna: pick-up directly from the hotel in the afternoon, journey time approx. 4 hours, costs € 79 per person, additional € 39 if you bring your own bike, reservation required, payable in advance.

Hotels

You will stay in particularly charming hotels or in the best hotels in town.

Example hotel list:

Schärding: Hotel Forstinger 4**** The Forstinger family has stood for typical Austrian hospitality and warmth for generations. The atmosphere is based, among other things, on its historic building fabric, where history is palpable, where solidity and style prevail. The hotel has been carefully redesigned, extended and modernised.

Passau: Hotel Residenz 4**** Built on the foundations of a 400-year-old house directly on the banks of the Danube, lovingly renovated in a historic style. With an appealing interior, a high level of comfort, refined elegance and a timeless ambience, you can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

Schlögen: Hotel Donauschlinge (balcony rooms) 4**** Here, the Danube pours all its power into forcing its course in the opposite direction. And right here, in the hotel on the Schlögener Schlinge, this force unfolds its positive effect on people. Feel the power of the water, absorb the beauty of nature to the full.

Linz: Hotel am Domplatz 4**** Top location in the centre of Linz, right next to St. Mary's Cathedral, perfect for discovering the diverse art and cultural programme. Design meets cosiness in 68 rooms. The highest level of comfort ensures an unforgettable stay.

Ardagger: Landgasthof Winter 4**** This hotel combines the best of two worlds, both architecturally and in terms of cuisine: the former monastery tavern from the 13th century has been converted into a traditional country house and restored with great attention to detail. It offers down-to-earth cuisine at the highest level.

Melk: Hotel Zur Post 4**** With a direct view of the monastery in the centre of Melk. Family-owned since 1893 and now in its fourth generation, with inviting rooms. Restaurant with seasonal Austrian dishes made from regional products and in-house wine bar.

Krems: Steigenberger, Hotel & Spa 4**** The Steigenberger Hotel and Spa is situated in a marvellous location with a view of the Danube. The modern hotel is harmoniously embedded in the Krems vineyards, a visit to the numerous winegrowers in the area and a boat trip on the Danube is a must.

Vienna: Hotel Steigenberger, Herrenhof 5***** Located in the heart of Vienna, in the historic city centre and just a stone's throw from the Hofburg Palace, with Vienna's landmark, St. Stephen's Cathedral, in view. In this hotel, tradition always plays with design and invites its guests to join in. Imperial service included, of course.

Further information

Further important information in accordance with the "Pauschalreisegesetz" (Package Travel Act) can be found here!