Are you ready for an absolute blast on this boating and cycling adventure along the picturesque Blue Danube? We’ll cruise along on our long skinny 135-passenger riverboat, with bikes on board, so we can pedal by day and sleep soundly at night in our floating hotel. Enjoy the convenience of unpacking only once, with stunning river views from your window.
We begin our journey in Passau, known as the ‘City of Three Rivers’, and make our way along the picturesque Danube River all the way to Budapest, returning to Passau 8 days later. The cycling routes are specially designed to offer scenic beauty and are suitable for all skill levels.
Immerse yourself in the rich culture and fascinating history of the Danube region as you explore charming villages and historic towns across four countries, from iconic Vienna and Budapest to enchanting sites like the Melk Abbey and Bratislava’s old town.
Savour regional delicacies made with care by your on-board chef, from traditional delights like Austrian schnitzels and Hungarian goulash, to modern cuisine meals made from locally sourced produce. Your taste buds are in for a treat. Each night, unwind with your fellow travellers and share stories and laughter.
This tour is completely flexible, if you don’t want to cycle, simply take the day off and enjoy the sights from the comfort of the riverboat as you float gently downstream.
Join us for a tour that combines the best of active exploration, cultural immersion, and the comforts of home, all on your floating oasis. Experience the Danube like never before, from the saddle of your bike and the deck of your boat.
Sounds quite perfect really!
Passau, Germany
Passau, Germany
If you arrive early in Passau there is plenty to see and do. This old town is known as ‘Venice of Bavaria’ due to the rivers that flow through the town and the Italian-style buildings. Whatever you do, be sure to be ready to board by 4.00pm, unpack your bags, and head to the meeting point for our 6.00 pm cast off – or is that a knitting term? (Bring your own bosun’s whistle to really get into the mood for this nautical adventure.)
Dinner tonight is onboard, so ball gowns, black ties, and tiaras are the order of the night! Don’t panic, it’s a joke.
Your first day’s tour begins with your packed lunch in your saddle bag, your seat at the right height ready to ride through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’, or as we prefer to call it, Donauschlinge – it’s one of the loveliest sections of the Danube, so no sleeping in!
We’ll dawdle through tiny villages and maybe call into the odd cider tavern. In Austria’s only Trappist monastery at Engelhartszell you can taste their delicious liqueurs and cheese whilst enjoying the famous ‘Schlogener View’ of the surrounding springtime Austrian countryside. The boat will welcome us back on board in the charming market town of Aschach. We’ll stay together in a group and try not to lose anyone along the way.
Today we’re heading out to peep behind the curtain; the metaphoric ‘Iron Curtain’, as labelled by Sir Winston Churchill post WWII, as we cycle into Slovakia (This may start to sound like a Contiki Tour as we hit our third country in three days, we’re just a bit more highbrow!) We’ll call into the imposing Imperial Schlosshof Palace with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s ‘vegetable garden’ to the coronation town Bratislava and the slopes of the Little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.
Today we rest, OR, join us as we cycle off to savour the beauty of Budapest and discover the many highlights of this beautiful city. We can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene (add approx 30km onto the ride to do this). This evening we can visit the Jewish quarter of the city as an option.
This morning, as we cycle through the wooded hills of Pilis, Visegrád, and Börzsöny alongside the meandering Danube, we encounter a nature lover’s paradise. We cycle via the baroque village of Vác (influenced by the architects of Austria’s empress Maria Theresia) to the bishop town of Esztergom. As one of the oldest towns in Hungary, this is a great spot to fully appreciate the history and folklore of Hungarian culture. There is time to explore the Esztergom Basilica, the country’s largest cathedral and a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture.
Discover Vienna’s most beautiful attractions by foot, pedal or hop-on, hop-off bus, the choice is yours (optional). Experience Vienna’s most iconic architectural wonders: the Imperial Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Ring Boulevard the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and of course the colourful “Hundertwasserhaus” (if you know you know, if you don’t, Google it). Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés. As the evening ends you may wish to join us at a classical concert (not Ultravox) at a famous Viennese Palace (optional).
Your last biking day is a special highlight through the Wachau Valley!
An imposing ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau region. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits. Oh, and as a side note, you may just find yourself ‘resting up’ in comfortable wine taverns along the bike path today. Any excuse to savour a glass or two of the famous local Riesling?
Cruising back up the Danube we enjoy a relaxing morning as we wind our way back to Passau, where we disembark at approx. 11.00am. Connecting travel should be booked for 12.00pm onwards.
If you are eager for more adventure, join us on our Prague and Bohemia Cultural Tour (7 days) to discover the highlights of the Czech Republic. If this is not your thing, or you’ve done it all before and wish to explore more of Europe, don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss options for your onward travel. Happy to help!
From her starting position as tea lady, a job she took way too seriously (trust us, tea is something of an obsession with her), she wins the gold star for giving everything a go.
As a former police office, Suzanne, joined the ICON team with not only a can-do attitude but also a bloody-well-will-do attitude too. If she’s in charge of a tour or helping to organise independent travel for you, you can be rest-assured it will be like her tea, done to the highest and most meticulous standard.
