Danube by bike and boat - Swiss Crown

Bike cruise between Passau and Vienna on Swiss Crown

Go on an exceptional cycling cruise in the footsteps of Sissi the Empress between Passau and Vienna. The Danube is a paradise for cyclists, you can contemplate breathtaking landscapes while riding on one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Europe: the Eurovelo 6.

The highlights of the circuit:

• Vienna
• Wachau wines
• castles and picturesque villages
• Linz

Day 1 - arrival in Passau

Boarding at 4:00 p.m. After settling into your cabin, explore Passau, the city of three rivers and its historic city center, and see the world's largest Catholic church organ in the cathedral.

Day 2 - Engelhartszell - Brandstatt - 45 km

Breathe the dense forest air and explore the countryside of the Upper Danube Valley on the old towpath. You pass through peaceful and picturesque villages. You may even be able to smell the smell of grilled fish in the air, a local specialty. The Schlögener observation point offers you a breathtaking view of Schlögener's "scarf" or the Danube loop.

Day 3 - Brandstatt - Linz - 26 km

You arrive in Linz at lunchtime. You can discover the Austrian city thanks to the little yellow train. The cathedral is the largest religious building in the country. If you are interested in new technologies and the future, the ARS Electronica Museum is for you. Here you can test the most impressive recent technologies.

4th Day - Mauthausen - Grein - 35 km

A magnificent course full of diversity awaits you today. You first explore the idyllic hinterland of Strudengau with: the Celtic village of Mitterkirchen, the Baroque monastery of Baumgartenberg and the romantic ruins of Burg Clam Castle. You then reach the medieval town of Grein with its Baroque facades, imposing castle and Austria's oldest municipal theater.

5th Day - Tulln - Vienna - 35 km

Just before the gates of Vienna, visible from a distance, you can admire the dome of the Abbey of Klosterneuburg.

The Verduner altar is a staple of medieval goldsmithing. Visit one of the traditional Viennese Heurigen or enjoy an exceptional view of the metropolis from the Kahlenberg terrace. Your evening ends with a classical waltz and operetta concert in Sissi's summer residence (optional).

Day 6 - Vienna (day off)

Enjoy a city tour aboard the HOP ON HOP OFF bus (optional) and discover the most beautiful sights of Vienna. The splendid Ringstrasse is reminiscent of times gone by, cafes tempt you with Viennese pastries and you can take a trip to the Naschmarkt, Vienna's great flea market.

Day 7 - Wachau round trip - 35 km

An unforgettable day in picturesque Wachau! Travel through small wine villages surrounded by terraced vineyards and apricot trees. The dreamy town of Dürnstein with its narrow streets is a highlight. In Weißenkirchen you can do a wine tasting (optional), finally you reach the cycle path and the imposing Benedictine monastery Melk which is one of the most beautiful Baroque complexes in Europe.

8th Day - Passau

Enjoy the first rays of sun and the morning silence on the deck before arriving in Passau. Disembarkation around 10:30 am. We recommend that you plan connecting trains for the return trip from 11:30 am at the earliest.

General informations :

• 8 days and 7 nights
• Boat comfort level: Deluxe
• Languages ​​spoken on board: English and German
• Child rates: contact us

The dates :

Departure from Passau on Saturdays
From 29/04 to 23/09 2023

• Low season: 29/04 // Mid season: 19/08 and 26/08
• High season: 27/05, 10/06, 17/06, 24/06, 01/07, 08/07, 15/07, 22/07, 29/07, 09/09 and 23/09
• Possible dates with guide (min. 10 people - max. 18 people): 10/06, 08/07 and 23/09 (other dates on request)

Included :

• Full board stay (picnic lunch)
• welcome cocktail
• an afternoon snack
• gala dinner with farewell cocktail
• mucisian on board
• daily debriefing on the itinerary to be taken 
• road book on site
• application and gps tracks 
• Free loop tour

Not included :

• Transport to the place of departure
• Personal expenses
• Visits
• Parking (to be paid on site) for 8 days

The options :

• Renting of VTC or VAE
• Personal bike supplement (mandatory if no bikes are rented)
• Parking
• Guided tour supplement (minimum 10 persons and up to 18 persons)
• Transfer from Munich airport to the port of embarkation or from downtown Munich to the port of embarkation
• Helmet
• Bicycle theft insurance (for rented bikes)
• Cancellation insurance
• Additional night(s) in a 3* or 4* hotel in Passau

Level:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Ground :

Flat, very smooth roads and paths. Cycle paths all along the Danube.

Weather :

Continental, mild sun, pleasant temperatures.

Technicality:

- 0 to 59 km of hiking per day, or 3 to 5 hours of cycling.
- Easy to follow route. No difficulties, accessible to all.

Bibliography:

The banks of the Danube from Passau to Vienna
Other guides and cycling maps on cartovelo.fr

The participants :

On board you will meet an international community of all ages, men, women, singles and couples with children.

Support :

Here are the people responsible for your bike and boat holidays:
On board, the captain and his crew (16 people). They are responsible for the smooth running of the vacation on the boat, and take the boat from stage to stage. The cook prepares the meals.

Meals :

Breakfasts: on the boat you will find a buffet breakfast with hot and cold dishes.
Lunches: on the boat: 3 courses offered / by bike: picnic provided
Snack: after the daily route, you will find, upon arriving on the boat, various drinks such as tea and coffee.
Dinners: 3 courses
Drinks not included.

The bike :

By default, the rented bikes are 7-speed, German backpedal branded bikes. On request, it is possible to rent a VTC with 21 speeds.
If you take your own bike, it cannot be insured against theft by our company, you will have to make the necessary arrangements with your usual insurer. Do not forget your anti-theft. The return of your bike will be at your expense.
In Austria, helmets are compulsory for adults and children.

Transportation :

By train: regular from Vienna to Passau.
By car: E56 motorway to Passau.
By plane: Vienna International Airport.

Your vehicle :

Possibility of parking in a car park in Passau, unguarded and closed, to be paid on site.

Cancellation insurance :

In order to guarantee the reimbursement of costs in the event of cancellation of your stay, you can take out cancellation insurance. To learn more, click here.

Boat description : click here.