Cycling the Austrian Danube, Passau to Vienna
Day 1, Sunday: Passau - gorgeous city at the confluence of three rivers
Your guide will pick you up from Munich and take you to Passau. Any meeting place in Munich is possible.
Passau offers various opportunities to pass the afternoon: Feel free to go for a stroll through the old town or enjoy a coffee in the shade of St. Stephan’s Cathedral. You may also go inside the cathedral and marvel at the frescos dating back to the 17th century, or walk up to Oberhaus Castle to relax and take in the view over the old town. Back down in the city, you can go on a cruise up and down the Danube and the river Inn.
Later that day, you will meet the other group members at a Bavarian restaurant over dinner. Your guides will have organised a table for the group in the beer garden.
Feel invited to watch a few videos taken in Passau: Highlights of Passau, Oberhaus Castle (above Passau)
Day 2, Monday: Guided walk through Passau, start cycling
After a gorgeous breakfast, you follow your guide through Passau’s historic landmarks and past its tourist attractions. You also pass the confluence point where three differently coloured rivers merge – the blue Danube, the green Inn and the black Ilz. Fascinating tales from Passau’s eventful past complete your walk this morning.
Today’s bike ride starts in the afternoon. After having adjusted your bicycle, you are ready to go. In a group, with your guide cycling in front, you cross the Austrian border today. As on every day, the route follows dedicated cycle paths and less busy back roads, mostly directly alongside the Danube. (26 miles/41 km, lunch on your own today)
Day 3, Tuesday: Cycling through the Donauleiten nature reserve to Linz
Cycling across the Donauleiten nature reserve is the first highlight today. Steep hillsides with dense forest on both sides of the river are its most striking characteristic. You'll be glad to know that we take the easy route next to the river. Later on, we cross the Danube at the famous Schlogen bend, where the river appears to turn 180 degrees.
To keep energy levels up, we will enjoy a delightful picnic around midday. You will have a buffet lunch, chat with your fellow cyclists and perhaps even have a nap under the trees, should you fancy it.
We will reach Linz, today’s destination, just in time to take a guided walk through the city. Linz was the European Capital of Culture in 2009, and the contemporary art installations in town can still be seen. (35 miles/56 km, picnic incl.)
Day 4, Wednesday: On quiet back roads through peaceful countryside
Back on the cycle path we follow the Danube through the Machland area. Flooded regularly and with many people moving away, nature is reclaiming the land here. Our route follows quiet back roads through peaceful countryside dotted with poplar forest, fruit tree meadows and abandoned hamlets.
We will cycle to Grein today. The small town is home to Austria’s first theatre, which is still in use. From Greinburg Castle, take in a view which overlooks the town, as well as tomorrow's route towards Melk. (38 miles/60 km, picnic incl.)
Day 5, Thursday: Guided tour of Melk Abbey
To avoid traffic, we cross the Danube in the morning and cycle down the river along the southern bank. After three hours we arrive at where today's picnic awaits.
From here it is not much further to Melk, famous for Melk Abbey. The Benedictine abbey was founded 300 years ago and, still very impressive, was awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the imposing library, the Marble Hall and the Abbey Church on a guided tour. Afterwards, feel free to take a break in the Abbey garden. (32 miles/51 km, picnic incl.)
Day 6, Friday: Exploring the vineyards of the Wachau: cycling, wine tasting, asking & listening
Today is the day where we enter the vineyards of the Wachau region. The reputation of the white wines produced here is growing year on year. Our route leads us through picturesque towns nestled between the hillsides and the Danube. Historic dry stone walls prevent soil erosion here.
In Dürnstein you will have the chance to taste local wines on a tour through one of the biggest and most renowned estates in Austria. Enjoy! In the evening, we will take a ferry to Vienna for the last leg of our journey. (19 miles/31 km, picnic incl.)
Day 7, Saturday: Departure from Vienna, option to extend your stay
Our hotel in Vienna is situated in the city centre, not far away from attractions such as St. Stephen's Cathedral and Hofburg Imperial Palace with its world-famous stables. You may also take a rest at a typical Viennese coffee house: have a coffee and a piece of Sachertorte, as the local chocolate cake is called. Since there is so much to explore, we recommend extending your stay in Vienna for a couple of days. Your ticket to Vienna Airport is valid on any chosen day.
