Relive history and revel in culture, art, and nature as you follow the route of the most romantic river in Europe. The landscape is one of densely wooded hills, vineyards, and fruit orchards, full of culture with countless sights spanning 2000 years of history. Add to all this, cozy inns, excellent cuisine, and Austria's legendary hospitality. This lovely and popular cycling tour is an independent, self-guided program with several variations. The route itself is very easy. It has no climbs and follows the Danube through varied countryside with numerous cultural and architectural treasures to admire along the way. This tour is suitable for beginners and families with children. We also can provide electric bikes, child seats, children's bikes, and bike trailers.

For 2008: three choices of accommodation

Category A: 4* Hotels
Category B: 3-4 *Hotels and Inns (4* in Passau, Linz and Vienna)
Category C: typical inns; 3 * Category, sometimes good 2 * inns

Two seasons with daily departures are offered for the Passau to Vienna program:
Season 1: Apr 12-May 09 & Oct 04-11
Season 2: May 10-Oct 03

June 1-30 is the European Soccer Championship: there will be a $70 per person surcharge for extra night hotel in Vienna for this period. The $70 surcharge will also apply to tours running from May 24-June 27.

Variations:
8D/7N BEAUTIFUL BLUE DANUBE CLASSIC
8D/7N BIKE & RELAX
10D/9N PASSAU TO VIENNA XXL
6D/5N PASSAU TO VIENNA ATHLETIC
5D/4N LINZ TO VIENNA
8D/7N PASSAU TO VIENNA AGROTOURISM TOUR
8D/7N PASSAU TO VIENNA MONASTERY TOUR

ITINERARY: 8D/7N CLASSIC TOUR

Day 1: Passau
Independent arrival in Passau. Use any extra time for a walk through the picturesque old part of town, or take a boat cruise around this city of 3 rivers (not included).

Day 2: Passau – Schlögener Loop/Surroundings (approx. 44 km / 28 miles)
Personal welcome meeting in the morning. Afterwards, you receive your bikes. You cycle through the Upper Danube Valley to Schlögen. In Engelhartszell you can visit the only Trappist Monastery in Austria, where you can taste very good liqueurs. You cycle on through the impressive Danube loop, where the river makes an about-turn of 180 degrees.

Day 3: Schlögener Loop/Surroundings – Linz, (approx. 53 km / 33 miles)
There are little ferries between the banks; enjoy this special experience. You cycle through the Eferdinger basin en route to Linz, the upper Austrian capital. Enjoy the summer evening with a shopping tour in the charming old part of the town.

Day 4: Linz – Grein/Surroundings (approx. 60 km / 38 miles)
Tip: Make an excursion to Enns, the oldest city of Austria. You cycle through the Celtic village Mitterkirchen and past the church in Baumgartenberg and the romantic castle at Clam. At the end of the day, you reach the beautiful baroque town Grein, where you can visit the oldest theatre of Austria.

Day 5: Grein/Surroundings – Melk/Surroundings (approx. 51 km/32 miles)
You enjoy the Danube landscape of the Struden and Nibelungenau, with high wooded rock formations on the left and on the right sides of the Danube. High over the Danube stands the pilgrimage church of Maria Taferl. Already from a distance, the Benedictine Monastery Melk greets you.

Day 6: Melk – Krems/Traismauer (approx. 40/55 km; 25/35 miles)
Another highlight of this cycle tour is the beautiful landscape of the Wachau. You can find wine terraces, apricot trees, and castles and monasteries between them. During your travel to Krems you cycle through the attractive wine places of Spitz, Weissenkirchen and Dürnstein. Along the way you see cozy Taverns, where you can enjoy Austrian hospitality.

Day 7: Krems/Traismauer – Vienna (approx. 39km /25 miles)
With the train you leave the unique cultural landscape of this UNESCO world heritage region. In Tulln you start your last leg of cycling. Don’t forget to visit the Monastery in Klosterneuburg before you reach Vienna!

Day 8: Vienna - Passau
Make sure to visit the famous „Naschmarkt“ and the beautiful castle Schönbrunn. Train ride back to Passau (bus transfer with own bikes possible).

Level: easy. The Danube Bike path is completely flat.

Prices & Departures for 2008

Season 1: Available Apr 12-May 09 & Oct 04-11	8D/7N Daily Departures
Category A	4* hotels & inns
Per Person in Double	$850
Per Person in Single	$1085
Half-Board Supplement	$195
Category B	3-4 *Hotels and Inns (4* in Passau, Linz and Vienna)
Per Person in Double	$750
Per Person in Single	$975
Half-Board Supplement	$165
Cat C	typical inns; 3 * Category, sometimes good 2 * inns
Per Person in Double	$595
Per Person in Single	$815
Half-Board Supplement	$150
Bike Rental:
7-speed or 21-speed Trekking Bike	$100
Electric bike	$165

 

Season 2: Available May 10-Oct 03	8D/7N Daily Departures
Category A	4* hotels & inns
Per Person in Double	$965
Per Person in Single	$1200
Half-Board Supplement	$195
Category B	3-4 *Hotels and Inns (4* in Passau, Linz and Vienna)
Per Person in Double	$875
Per Person in Single	$1100
Half-Board Supplement	$165
Cat C	typical inns; 3 * Category,  sometimes good 2 * inns
Per Person in Double	$735
Per Person in Single	$955
Half-Board Supplement	$150
Bike Rental:
7-speed or 21-speed Trekking Bike	$100
Electric bike	$165
May 24-Jun 27: Surcharge Per Person	$70

 

Optional Add-ons
Extra Night Passau (Cat A& B)	Includes breakfast, VAT
Per Person in Double	$100
Per Person in Single	$140
Extra Night Passau (Cat C)	Includes breakfast, VAT
Per Person in Double	$80
Per Person in Single	$100
Extra Night Vienna (Cat A & B)	Includes breakfast, VAT
Per Person in Double	$110
Per Person in Single	$160
Extra Night Vienna (Cat C)	Includes breakfast, VAT
Per Person in Double	$99
Per Person in Single	$150
Jun 01-30: Surcharge Per Person for extra hotel nights in Vienna Only	$70

 

PRICE REDUCTIONS FOR CHILDREN (bike rental extra):
Up to age 6 sharing room with parents: free
Age 7-11 years sharing room with parents: 50%
Age 12-14 years sharing room with parents: 25%

(Subject to change)