Cycling the Austrian Danube, Passau to Vienna

Day 1, Sunday: Passau, history-packed city at the confluence of three rivers

You will be welcomed by our guide in Munich. It might be central Munich or Munich Airport, depending on your prior arrangements. You will then be taken to Passau (transfer time: approx. 1:45 hrs).
Passau offers numerous options to spend the remaining afternoon: start with a stroll past the colourful historic buildings in the old town. Visit Saint Stephan’s Cathedral and marvel at the 17th-century frescoes. If you fancy enjoying the view over Passau and the three rivers as they merge, take a walk up to Oberhaus Castle. Back down again, hop on a boat and take a sightseeing tour from the water. Alternatively, listen to the glockenspiel on town hall square or rest at the confluence point and take in the atmosphere of the three rivers merging.
Don’t hesitate to talk to us if you would like to arrive in Passau a day earlier. There is much more to discover and getting there on your own from the airport is very straightforward.
Either way, you will meet your fellow cyclists at a Bavarian restaurant over dinner. Your guides will have organised a table for the group in the beer garden.

Day 2, Monday: Guided walk through Passau, start cycling

We start the day with a guided walk after breakfast. A local will introduce us to Passau’s most notable landmarks, its history, stories and legends. There’s a lot to tell, from the Roman castrum Batavis in the 1st century to the devastating flooding in 2013.
After fitting everyone’s bicycle, we are ready to go after lunch. With the tour guide cycling mostly in front of the group, we cross the Austrian border shortly after leaving Passau.
We cycle on motor-traffic-free cycle paths and quiet back roads, often right by the Danube. There will be frequent stops for you to take pictures, have a sip from your bottle of water and chat with your fellow cyclists. We conclude this day with a ferry ride across the Danube, disembarking right below the hotel. (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 of many highlights today. Steep hillsides with dense forest on both sides of the river are its most striking characteristic. You’ll be glad to hear that we take the easy route along the river.
To keep energy levels up, we prepare a delightful picnic for you at around midday. Enjoy the buffet, chat with your new friends – and perhaps even have a nap under the trees, if you feel like it.
We will reach Linz, today’s destination, just in time to check in and prepare for a guided walk through the city. While you may not have heard of Linz before, it’s unlikely that you’ll forget its lights at night, its recent history and the artists and academics who worked here in the past. (35 miles/56 km, picnic included)

Day 4, Wednesday: Through tranquil countryside to Grein

Back cycling we share the track with a few locals cycling to work or simply enjoying the quietness along the Danube in the morning. A few miles later we will be back on our own again. We stop for a coffee, rendezvous with a wooden ferry and cross the dammed-up river before another picnic awaits us.
The afternoon will be slightly less thrilling as we follow the Danube through the Machland area. This is peaceful countryside, dotted with poplar forest, abandoned hamlets and fruit trees. Farmers here grow squash and cabbage and lots and lots of maize.
We arrive in Grein in the late afternoon. If you still have the energy, walk ten minutes to Greinburg Castle and gaze out at tomorrow’s route towards Melk. (38 miles/60 km, picnic included)

Day 5, Thursday: Melk Abbey and the cradle of Austria

To avoid some heavy traffic, today we take a route along the southern bank. This also offers some great photo opportunities, with views of Grein and its castle above from across the Danube. The route downstream happens to be pleasantly flat again. Wonderful!
It will be early afternoon by the time we get to Melk. The small town used to be the seat of the House of Babenberg, Austria’s first ruling family. Melk however is far more famous for its abbey: founded in 1089, still active and a World Heritage Site since 2000. We will visit the abbey’s historic library, the Marble Hall and the opulently decorated Abbey Church on a guided tour. Afterwards, feel free to take your time in the church or explore the abbey gardens. Dinner will be arranged at what is possibly Melk’s finest restaurant. (32 miles/51 km, picnic included)

Day 6, Friday: Cycling the vineyards of the Wachau – wine tasting included (if you insist)

Today is when we cycle the Wachau valley and its vineyards. Quaint towns, nestled between the Danube and the hillsides, mark our way. The remains of mighty castles watch us as we ride past row after row of vine. Most of it is white, like Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. Never heard of them? One more reason to join us! You will get the chance to taste the wine on a tour of one of the biggest and most renowned estates in Austria. Its reputation grows with every harvest. Cheers!
Afterwards, be amazed by the sheer splendour of Dürnstein’s Abbey Church, a baroque jewel from the early 18^th century. The more adventurous among you will quickly walk the trail to the ruin of Dürnstein Castle and enjoy the views over the vineyards. It is likely the same view that King Richard the Lionheart took in when held captive here in 1193.
A charter bus will take us to Vienna in the late afternoon. From our centrally located hotel it is then just a short walk to the restaurant, where we indulge in Viennese cuisine at our farewell dinner. (19 miles/31 km, picnic included)

Day 7, Saturday: Departure from Vienna, option to extend your stay

Our hotel 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. The typical sightseeing buses are a great way to take in the most prominent places of interest. Alternatively, take a break 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 thoroughly recommend extending your stay in Vienna for a couple of days. Your ticket to Vienna Airport will be valid on any chosen day.