Once you’ve checked in to your hotel the rest of day is yours to explore this fascinating city. 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 film, ‘The Third Man’. No trip to Vienna would be complete without enjoying a coffee and cake in one of the city’s elegant coffee houses. In the evening we highly recommend trying the local speciality – Wienerschnitzel. This pan-fried breaded pork cutlet has become popular around the world but this is where it was born. Of course, this is the city of the Waltz and you might wish to attend one of the many Waltzing evenings that take place in the city.

Shortly after leaving the hustle and bustle of Vienna you enter a very different world, cycling through a riverside nature reserve full of diverse flora and fauna. The city suddenly seems a million miles away with the peace and quiet only interrupted by chattering birds. The Romans left their mark around here and we highly recommend stopping at the Carnuntum archaeological park just before the spa town of Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. Thereafter you cycle across the border into Slovakia and follow the riverbank to the country’s charming capital, Bratislava. The medieval town at the city’s heart actually feels more like a large village than a city and the attractive flag-stoned streets are a delight to explore on foot or by bike. Other must-sees include the Castle, which offers fantastic views from its high vantage point and St Martin’s Cathedral, the city’s oldest church. You’ll spend the night in this enchanting city.

Today you have a lovely ride along an idyllic cycle path beside the river. The Danube broadens considerably just after Bratislava and resembles a lake more than a river. It also marks the border between Hungary (southern bank) and Slovakia (Northern bank). Nature holds sway here and the only sounds are your tyres on the tarmac and birdsong. After a while you leave the river and head south to pleasant old town of Mosonmagyaróvàr where you will stop for the night.

Today’s ride continues along the idyllic Danube cycle path in part but you’ll also cycle through the peaceful Hungarian countryside away from the river. You’ll pass Hedervár Castle and after a relatively easy ride arrive in the lovely old town of Györ where you will spend the night. The charming streets and beautiful town square of this lovely old town are a delight to explore on foot.

From Györ you return to the Danube and begin to follow the river on the Slovakian side. A raised embankment provides a nice elevated platform for the cycle path, allowing you to admire the surrounding countryside and peaceful river views as you head further east. Your destination today is the town of Komárom or Komárno. This fortress town has two names as it straddles the river and is therefore part Slovakian and part Hungarian.

The route continues along the embankment cycle path. After a few kilometres you might want to stop at the the Roman fort Kelemantia. From there you pedal on through quiet farming villages alongside the Danube. At Šturovo you cross the bridge to the city of Esztergom. Here you can visit the imposing basilica, the largest in Hungary. The town also has a beautiful town square. Then cycle on to Nagymaros where you take the short ferry ride )not included and to be paid for locally) to the town of Visegrád for your overnight stay.

Your final ride leads you around the Danube Knee and down to the artists’ island of Szentendre. From here you may opt to take a train (payable locally €3 per person) or a boat along the river and into Budapest (payable locally €10 per person). You can of course opt to complete the journey by bike and cycle into the city centre.

The rest of the day and evening are yours to explore this fascinating city which is actually two cities, Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east.

After breakfast it’s time to head for home or your next adventure.