Highlights of the Danube

Starting from UNESCO World Heritage Site „Schlögener Schlinge“ through the uninhabited valley Kaiserau to the baroque market Aschach and via Ottensheim further on to Linz. Here you can explore, among other things, the St. Mary’s Cathedral, the castle and the picturesque main square, and take the world’s steepest cable car up the Pöstlingberg. Optional: Concert on the Bruckner organ in Linz.

After breakfast individual visit of the Egon Schiele-museum and garden exhibition in Tulln. Bike tour from the flower-city Tulln, with nice view to the extensions of the Viennese forest past Klosterneuburg to Vienna. Individual city tour by bike on up to 95% car-free cycle paths (+ 18 km). You can also choose to book a guided cycle tour (3hrs) or a guided bus tour through the city (2hrs) (The excursions take place at the same time and therefore cannot be booked together.) Dinner on board. Individual visit to a “Heuriger” near the docking place.

In the morning, you’ll cruise by ship through the Danube Bend—one of Hungary’s most beautiful landscapes—into the Slovak town of Komárno, a place with an astonishingly rich history. Take some time to admire the impressive fortress and the Europe Square before beginning your bike ride. The route follows the Danube path, completely car-free, with only the gentle sound of the river as your companion. Along the way, you’ll pass the Roman castellum of Kelemantia before reaching Štúrovo. This charming town sits directly across from Esztergom, home to its majestic basilica. A visit to this iconic church—the largest in Hungary—is well worth your time. In the evening, you’ll cruise by ship through the splendidly illuminated Danube metropolis of Budapest.

Today you can take the whole day to explore the beautiful capital of Hungary. You can choose between an individual bike tour or a 3-hour city tour by bus to the most beautiful sights with a stop at the castle district (optional). There are several possibilities for a bike tour: on 100 % car-free bike paths into the pedestrian zone to stroll around and/or shop and further on to the Margarete’s island, the wonderful recreation zone in the middle of the city. Active version: Bike tour to the artists’ town of Szentendre (55 km round trip)

From one capital city to another: when you wake up, the ship is still on its way to Bratislava. You can relax on the sun deck after breakfast. After lunch and arrival, you can begin a 1-hour guided city tour of Bratislava (optional) or start the bike tour right away. The historical center of the Slovak capital is small and compact. So you can easily visit the most important sights like St. Martin’s Cathedral, the Old Opera House or the Old Town Hall on foot. The bike tour then leads to a truly special piece of land: the Meulensteen Cultural Island. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by an unexpected contrast—within this natural tranquility lies a surprising cultural hotspot. The Meulensteen Gallery is a place where nature and art go hand in hand. Visitors are free to explore the gallery at their own pace, where modern sculptures, installations, and paintings are displayed in harmony with the surroundings. After the visit, you return along the same path—but the ride back feels different. The images from the gallery, the rhythms of nature, and the silence of the island continue to resonate.

This last section is one of the highlights of this bike and boat trip. You start your day in the 1000-year-old city of Krems with its beautiful old town. Then, you will continue through the Wachau region with its characteristic orchards and vineyards. In this fascinating environment you will pass the wine villages Spitz and Weißenkirchen and the castle ruin Dürnstein. Below the ruins is a monastery with a distinctive blue tower. When you reach the medieval town of Melk, you will see the imposing Benedictine Abbey of Melk Abbey (UNESCO World Heritage Site) from afar. The baroque abbey and the old town of Melk are definitely worth a visit. And from the hill you have a great view of the Danube and the surrounding countryside. Our day ends in Marbach.

Arrival in Passau at approx. 10 a.m. – after the breakfast bus transfer to the train station/parking space and home journey.