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A bike and boat cycling holiday enjoying the most impressive and beautiful sections of the mighty Danube River. Living aboard an elegant river cruiser you'll visit the serene Danube Loop, elegant Vienna, bustling Budapest, gorgeous Bratislava and the absolutely stunning Wachau Valley.
Join your beautiful river cruiser, the MS Prinzessin Katharina, in the charming Austrian market town of Engelkhartszell close to the German border. From her you'll embark on a relaxing 7 night cruise downstream to Budapest, the capital of Hungary and back. On most days you will disembark for highly enjoyable and easy rides along the riverbank, following the well-maintained and clearly signposted Danube Cycle Path. The scenery is breathtaking and each bend in the river reveals something new.
Dürnstein - Wachau Valley
Highlights of this wonderful route include the serene natural beauty of the Danube loop at Schlögen and cycling the length of the stunningly beautiful Wachau Valley with its cascading vineyards and medieval wine villages. You'll also visit 3 very different but equally captivating capital cities - Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.
The MS Prinzessin Katharina is an elegant and very comfortable river cruiser - the perfect base for your cycling holiday. Dine in style in the panoramic restaurant, watching the scenery slip by through the large viewing windows. A partially covered sun deck offers comfortable seating in the fresh air with nothing between you and the beautiful scenery. In the evening there are two cosy bars to choose from
An easy cycling holiday on mostly level terrain, along quiet roads and riverbank cycle paths.
Make your way to the charming market town of Engelhartszell on the banks of the Danube, just 18 miles downstream from the city of Passau. Embarkation takes place at 4pm. At the southern end or the town you will find the Cistercian Abbey of Engelszell. The abbey is famous for its excellent liqueur, beer and cheese products. The ship stays at her mooring in Engelhartszell overnight.
A return transfer can be pre-booked from Passau Main Station to the boat. This leaves at 16:00.
The first bike ride of the week is a fabulous introduction to the Danube Cycle Path. You'll set off from Engelhartszell and follow the riverside bike path along a very scenic and peaceful stretch of the river. After 14 km of this idyllic cycling you reach a huge natural bend in the river that is renowned for its natural beauty and tranquillity. This is the Danube Loop and, if you have the energy, we recommend a hike up to the vantage point above the loop where you can enjoy a marvellous view of the whole scene. Afterwards you continue along the riverside cycle path, through a valley where nature still holds sway. Bird song and the hum of your tyres on the asphalt are the only sound as you roll along. The boat is waiting for you in the town of Aschach and once everyone is on board, the crew cast off and the ship cruises through the night to the Austrian capital, Vienna.
The ship moors in the suburb of Nussdorf, from where there are good public transport connections into the city centre. Th day is yours to explore this elegant city and take in its many sights. Visit Schönbrunn Palace for its imperial grandeur, and stroll through historic Stephansplatz to admire St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The grand facade of the Hofburg Palace also shouldn't be missed and maybe consider enjoying some art at the Belvedere or Kunsthistorisches Museum. Finally, find time to relax at a traditional Viennese café with coffee and Sachertorte and don't miss the grandeur of the city's famous Opera House. In the evening the crew cast off and the ship cruises through the night to the Hungarian capital - Budapest.
In the morning the ship cruises into the heart of the Hungarian capital. Arriving in Budapest by boat is breathtaking. The Danube River reveals the city’s grandeur—Buda’s hills crowned by the Castle, Pest’s majestic Parliament reflected in the river. You can opt to spend the day exploring the city at your leisure. You can also follow a lovely cycle route up stream to the colourful artists' town of Szentendre. Cobbled streets, colourful Baroque buildings, and vibrant art galleries make this a wonderful place to explore. The riverside setting, local crafts, and delicious pastries add to its appeal.Afterwards the route leads you back to the ship. In the evening the ship cruises back upstream to the town of Visegrad.
Today's bike ride showcases the sights and scenery of the Danube bend, a long gentle very scenic bend in the river. After disembarking in Visegrad with its fortress and former palace the route leads you through the picturesque countryside of Szentendre island to the Baroque village of Vác. You then return to Visegrad via the other bank of the Danube passing through a succession of small villages along the way. In the afternoon you re-board the ship and begin a pleasant, scenic cruise back upstream. Early the following morning the ship arrives in the delightful Slovakian capital - Bratislava.
Today is a lovely treat as you get to discover the small lively city of Bratislava. Wander through the Old Town’s cobbled streets and up the hill to Bratislava Castle’s where you can enjoy panoramic views along the river. Street cafés and restaurants line the narrow streets creating a frenetic buzz. The Danube River adds scenic beauty, while friendly locals and vibrant atmosphere make the city feel welcoming and memorable. In the evening the ship slips her moorings begins her cruise upstream to the Wachau Valley.
Today's route is definitely another highlight of the trip as you ride the length of the spectacular Wachau Valley. This wine region is achingly beautiful with castle ruins, fruit orchards and cascading vineyard terraces on either side of the river. In Dürnstein you can explore the quint old village and hike up the castle ruin where King Richard the Lionheart was help captive in 1192. the idyllic cycle path follows the bends in the river past more beautiful old wine villages such as Weissenkirchen and Spitz. The twin towers of the Baroque abbey in Melk signify youy hacve reached the end of the Wachau and here (o=r in nearby Pöchlarn you re board the ship for the final night cruise of the trip back to Engelhartszell.
In the early morning there is a final chance to appreciate the Danube Loop as the ship cruises past it just before reaching her berth in Engelhartszell around 9am.
Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 7 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.
Electric bikes are also available.
Helmets are not provided, so you will need to bring your own.
The MS Prinzessin Katharina is an elegant, very comfortable river cruiser offering a tasteful interior and a wealth of on-board amenities.
She has a total of 71 air-conditioned cabins each with en suite shower, toilet, hair dryer, mini refrigerator and TV.
The upper deck features 29 twin cabins, 1 triple and 2 single cabins. All feature floor to ceiling windows which can be opened to the fresh air.
On the main deck there are 38 twin bedded cabins, each featuring two sofa beds at right angles to each other and there is also one single cabin. The picture windows in these cabins cannot be opened. Some cabins, located towards the bow or stern, have been designated as ‘eco’ cabins and are available at a lower price because of perceivable engine noise when underway.
On the upper-deck there is a panoramic restaurant, a comfortable salon and two bars. There’s also a quiet book corner as well as a small shop. The top deck is a partially covered sun-deck with plenty of seating for watching the scenery drift by.
A hearty breakfast is provided each morning, as are packed lunches to take with you on the daily rides. A three-course meal is served each evening.
On-board payments: Cash and credit cards accepted.
The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organisational necessities.
Fly to Munich airport and then travel by train to Passau. From Passau station you can either catch the 670 Postbus to Engelhartszell (38 min journey time) or take a taxi (the distance is 18 miles).
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Research onward rail connections.
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