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A bike and boat holiday along the most impressive and beautiful section of the mighty Danube River aboard the gorgeous MV Lisabelle. Highlights include the serene Danube Loop, the wonderful Wachau Valley, elegant Vienna, beautiful Bratislava and bustling Budapest.
Join your ship, the MV Lisabelle, in Passau on the German/Austrian border and embark on a week’s cycling adventure through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. Each day you will disembark for thrilling but easy rides along the riverbank, passing castles, historic villages, romantic ruins and famous cities. The scenery is breathtaking and each bend in the river reveals something new.
The MV Lisabelle offers excellent accommodation in modern, well appointed double/twin bedded cabins, arranged over 3 decks. Her sun deck and viewing decks are the perfect vantage points from which to watch the wonderful scenery drift by.
This is predominantly a self guided tour but on certain dates a guided option is offered – see the dates and prices page for more details
An easy cycling holiday on mostly level terrain, along riverbank cycle paths.
This is an easy cycling holiday on mostly level terrain, along riverbank cycle paths.
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
Upon arrival in Passau make your way to your riverboat where boarding commences at 4pm. The boat casts off at 6pm for a leisurely cruise through the serene and beautiful Danube Valley.
If you arrive early, Passau is a charming town with plenty to see and do. It is the point at which the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers all meet, so there are plenty of river banks to stroll along. We also recommend making the climb to Veste Oberhaus, a medieval fortress and museum that offers a fantastic, panoramic view of the town and river.
Enjoy a pleasant, gentle start to your cycling holiday, pedalling alongside the river downstream through pretty towns and villages. Stop to visit the only Trappist monastery in Austria at Engelhartszell where you may wish to sample the locally produced and rather good liquors. Further along, you reach the stunningly beautiful Danube Loop. Here we highly recommend making the hike, up through the woods, to the viewpoint where the stunning scene is revealed in its full glory. From here you follow an idyllic cycle path along a particularly peaceful and serene section of the river to the charming village of either Brandstatt or Aschach where you board the boat.
Overnight the boat cruises downstream to Devin on the Austrian/Slovakian border. Today your ride takes you along the former Iron Curtain border, first to the grand and imposing Hof Palace and then on to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava. Join the guided tour of this fascinating city (optional) or explore it at your own pace. Highlights not to be missed are the gorgeous medieval old town in the centre of the city with its many winding lanes and beautiful squares, wonderful St Martin’s Cathedral and the city’s prominent feature, Bratislava Castle.
After a relaxing cruise downstream into Hungary you arrive in stunning Budapest, cruising past the awe-inspiring Gothic Parliament building on the riverbank – have the camera ready! The river divides the city in two, Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east. After mooring up you can either cycle out to Szentendre a charming artists’ town, or explore Budapest at your own pace. There is also an option to join a city tour of Budapest by bus or bike.
Today the boat starts back upstream to the idyllic artists’ island of Szentendre where you disembark to begin following a delightful route upstream. After a few kilometres you reach the the Danube Bend, a particularly beautiful meander in the river’s course. Carry on upstream, enjoying the wide green valley and eventually you arrive in Esztergom, home to Hungary’s largest Catholic Church. Re-board the boat and settle in for the night while the boat cruises upstream to Vienna.
Today is your free day to explore Vienna. Visit Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Imperial Palace. You may also want to take in the ‘Riesenrad’, the giant ferris wheel, made famous in the 1949 British film, ‘The Third Man’, and no trip to Vienna would be complete with out enjoying a coffee and cake in one of its famous coffee houses. If you have booked the 'Guided' option of this holiday then you can join the guided tour of the city by bike. In the evening you may wish to visit a Waltz and Opera concert at the famous Viennese Palace (not included). Late at night the Lisabelle leaves Vienna and cruises through the night to the Wachau Valley.
There’s a real treat in store today as you get to enjoy a leisurely cycle ride through the stunning Wachau Valley. Picture perfect villages, apricot orchards, vineyards and hilltop castles characterise this stunning landscape that captivates all who visit. The charming village of Dürnstein with its haunting ruin and monastery church is definitely a highlight as is Weisskirchen which offers many opportunities for wine tasting. The route also leads you past the town of Melk with it's impressive baroque abbey standing guard over the river. A farewell dinner on board in the evening brings this very pleasant day to a close.
Enjoy a gentle morning cruise back to Passau with one last look at the Danube Loop on the way. You arrive in Passau at approximately 11am. We recommend that you do not book onward travel plans before noon.
Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 24 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.
Electric bikes are also available.
Renting a bike means you are liable for damages and theft. So, you can pre-purchase bike insurance, see supplements. This means the boat assumes liability so that in case of loss or damage to the rental bike (when properly used and secured) no financial responsibility must be paid. Excluded from this are only lost keys, batteries and chargers of e-bikes, as well as damage due to intent or gross negligence.
Helmets are only provided on board if you opt for the guided tour. For self-guided clients, you can pre-book a rental helmet. However, we always advise you to bring your own. Please note that cycle helmets are mandatory in Austria and Germany for children up to 12 years of age.
The MV Lisabelle is an elegant ship offering comfortable cabins with a wonderful friendly relaxed atmosphere onboard.
Her 76 spacious outside cabins are between 11-14m² and are arranged over three decks. All offer comfortable and elegant interior. All cabins are equipped with shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe and individually adjustable air conditioning.
Main deck cabins are twins - 2 x single beds. The window cannot be opened.
Middle deck cabins are twins - 2 x single beds which have panorama windows. (These cannot be opened).
Upper deck and several main deck cabins have a double bed which can be separated into 2 single beds. These cabins have a french balcony.
There is a stylish Panorama lounge which offers a comfortable, convivial atmosphere as well as large, panoramic windows. Outside there is a spacious sun deck with comfortable seating.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is provided each morning and cyclists can then pick up their packed lunches before leaving for the day’s ride. Those remaining on board enjoy lunch in the restaurant where the evening meal, always a culinary delight, is also served.
Daily afternoon coffee/tea break with small sweets.
On-board payments: Cash and debit/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 organizational necessities
Fly to Vienna, Munich or Salzburg airports and then travel by train onwards to Passau.
Research trains here.
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