Hair salon
Two bar areas
Library
Individually controlled air conditioning
Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Day of rest & exploration in Budapest
Around 200 km / 147 miles
Ships with max. 100 passengers
Accompanied by a 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.
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 metropolis of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna.
The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking.
NOTE from the organizing tour operator:
All guests must be fully vaccinated or recovered (so-called 2G-rules i.e. 2G stands for “geimpft”=vaccinated or “genesen”=recently recovered). Unfortunately, unvaccinated guests or guests without a valid certification of recent recovery from Covid-19 may not participate in our trips. Government restrictions are changing regularly and rapidly. All cruise guests are required to keep themselves updated about current restrictions in good time prior to departure. All cruise guests are solely responsible for complying with applicable Covid-19 travel regulations. For the safety of all persons present on board, you are obliged to wear a mouth and nose protector and to observe the rules of distance and hygiene. For this purpose, you will receive our ship-specific hygiene concept when booking/inquiring.
Day 1: 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 4 p.m.. Departure around 7 p.m. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.
Day 2: Engelhartszell – Great Loop – Untermühl ca. 46 km/27.6 mi. | Untermühl – Bratislava (SE-Manon) or Untermühl – Devin (Prinzessin Katharina)
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.
SE-Manon: You’ll board again in Untermühl. Then, you “sail into the night” towards Bratislava.
Prinzessin Katharina: You’ll board again in Untermühl. Then, you “sail into the night” towards Devin.
Day 3: SE-Manon: Bratislava, ca. 54 km/32.4 mi. | Prinzessin Katharina: Devin – Bratislava, ca. 11 – 43 km/7 – 27 mi. | Bratislava – Budapest
SE-Manon: Arrival at Bratislava. 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. Tip: discover the hidden alleys of Bratislava, places and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis during a tour by mini train and by foot. In the night shipping to Budapest.
Prinzessin Katharina: Arrival at Devin in the morning. The cycle tour takes you to the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof. After crossing the green line you cycle along the former “Iron Curtain” towards the coronation city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. Tip: discover the hidden alleys of Bratislava, places and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis during a tour by mini train and by foot. In the night shipping to Budapest.
Day 4: Budapest (day of rest) or round trip to Szentendre, ca. 40 km/24 mi. | 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 numerous attractions of the city. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for a small bike tour or the charming town of Szentendre with Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. In the night shipping to Visegrad.
Day 5: Danube Bend | Visegrad – Esztergom, ca. 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: Vienna-Nussdorf / (Korneuburg may also be possible) (day of rest) | Vienna-Nussdorf – Rossatz or Dürnstein
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral, the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraβe” with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that takes you back to the past. In the night shipping to Rossatz or Dürnstein (Wachau).
Day 7: Wachau – Melk – Pöchlarn, ca. 42 – 52 km / 25.2 – 31.2 mi. | 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 the small village of Pöchlarn you will board again. After the farewell gala dinner, you start “sailing” back to Passau.
Day 8: Departure from 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 11 a.m., disembarkation half an hour later. We recommend to arrange connecting trips from 12.30 p.m. onwards.
Day 1: Passau – Engelhartszell
Arrival in the “Three River City”. Passau attracts many with the world’s greatest church organ at the Stephansdom and its charming Old Town. Embarkation will be around 4 pm, departure around 7 pm. Enjoy your first dinner on board and an evening sail to Engelhartszell.
Day 2: Pr Katharina: Engelhartszell – Great Loop – Brandstatt, ca. 46 km | Brandstatt – Bratislava |
SE-Manon: Engelhartszell – Great Loop – Untermühl, ca. 36 km | Untermühl – 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.
Pr. Katharina: You’ll board again in Brandstatt. Then, you “sail into the night” towards Bratislava.
SE-Manon: You’ll board again in Untermühl. Then, you “sail into the night” towards Bratislava.
Day 3: Pr. Katharina: Bratislava (day of rest) | Bratislava – Budapest |
SE-Manon: Bratislava, ca. 52 km | Bratislava – Budapest
Pr Katharina: Arrival at Bratislava around noon. Today discover the small lively capital of Slovakia. Tip: Enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the castle and take a ride on a mini train through the enchanting old town. Alternatively, explore the city during a guided bike tour. In the night shipping to Budapest.
SE-Manon: Arrival at Bratislava. 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. Tip: discover the hidden alleys of Bratislava, places and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis during a tour by mini train and by foot. In the night shipping to Budapest.
Day 4: Budapest (day of rest) or roundtrip to Szentendre, ca. 48 km | 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 numerous attractions of the city. Nearby, you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for a small bike tour or the charming town of Szentendre with Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art life. In the night shipping to Visegrad.
Day 5: Danube Bend | Visegrad – Esztergom, ca. 27 – 60* km | 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.
(*60 km-tour is designed for strong cyclists only).
Day 6: Vienna-Nussdorf / (Korneuburg may also be possible) (day of rest) | Nussdorf – Rossatz
You should be sure to see the most famous places of interest like the St. Stephens Cathedral, the Hofburg, the gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraβe” with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House or the town hall that takes you back to the past. In the night shipping to Rossatz or Dürnstein (Wachau).
Day 7: Wachau – Melk – Pöchlarn, ca. 40- 49 km | 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 the small village of Pöchlarn you will board again. After the farewell gala dinner, you start “sailing” back to Passau.
Day 8: Departure from 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.
Pr. Katharina: Arrival: approx. at 11 am, disembarkation half an hour later.
SE-Manon: Arrival: approx. at 10 am, disembarkation half an hour later.
Below you see an overview of the available (blue) dates; the yellow dot means that this date has 2 or less cabins available, orange is ‘on request’ and red means that on this date there aren’t any cabins available. Then click on the preferred date. After this, choose your ship (some tours have only one ship, and therefore there is no choice), the number of cabins in the required (and available) category, any desired additional products, and ‘local costs’ (such as special dietary needs, which you usually pay for onboard). On the right side, you’ll find the ‘Booking Summary.’ After completing your preferences and necessary information click ‘Book now’ to finalize your booking.
Bicycles on board: 28-inch unisex trekking bicycles of the brand Velo de Ville (custom built) with normal mount (ladies model), Shimano 7 gears with hand brake and coaster breaking hubs or 7 speed freewheel hubs (subject to availability, please indicate as non-binding customer request when booking), lock and pannier bag.
E-Bikes: modern high quality unisex E-bikes of the brand Velo de Ville (custom built) with 8-gear hub and Pedelec cycling support triggered by using the pedals with 3 support modes, robust wheels and comfortable to ride for both men and women. The energy supply is provided by a detachable lithium battery with a range of up to 65 km. The range is subject to body weight, amount of support used, wind, cycling style and terrain. E-Bikes with hand brake and coaster breaking hubs or 7 speed freewheel hubs (subject to availability and limited, please indicate as non-binding customer request when booking).
This was our first barge/bike experience. The barge accommodations were lovely and the meals provided a nice variety and were presented nicely. Coming from previous cruise experiences we were disappointed not to have at least coffee/tea available 24/7. We also were disappointed to be charged for water at dinner. After the first charge we avoided it on future dinners by…
Bicycling directions need improvement and more information regarding sites on the way.
Very nice experience – too bad that we couldn’t dance because of covid. Routes were the right length of cycling. Accomodation and food was excellend. Would like some fresh fruit or other healthy options for the afternoon coffee breaks.
good experience all round, accomodations, food and service on board was good. only negative was that some of the instructions/directions for the cycling parts could have been better, and a few of the cycling sections were on narrow busy roads.
Hair salon
Two bar areas
Library
Individually controlled air conditioning
Restaurant with separate lounge
Spa facilities (Sauna/Whirlpool/Fitness)
Outdoor pool
Individually controlled air conditioning
Plenty of sights in Vienna
the “Great loop”and UNESCO Site Wachau
Around 200 km / 147 miles
Ships with max. 150 passengers
Between Germany and Austria
Day of rest & exploration in Vienna
Around 200 km / 147 miles
Ships with max. 100 passengers
Cities of Vienna, Bratislava, & Budapest
Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
Around 220 km / 135 miles
Barge with max. 170 passengers