Danube-Impressions by BIKE & BOAT

Cycle Cruise Passau-Vienna –Passau
Enjoying a traditional river ship during the evening and cycling the various landscapes along the Danube provides the best experience. The most important advantage of this tour is that you do not have to pack your things every day - you cycle during the day and return to the very same room on the ship in the evening. The crew of the MV Theodor Körner is looking forward to welcoming you!
Biking along the Danube is a very special experience as your hotel on the water is always with you! Slightly downhill and most of the time with a helpful tailwind, you will be exposed to the impressive river-meanders of the Donauschlinge (“Great Loop”) as well as the gorgeous landscape of the legendary Wachau. Also you will explore Europe’s Capital of Culture 2009, the city of Linz in Upper Austria. And finally Vienna, an explosion of interesting places and culture! A city hard to describe as you just have to live it for yourself! Sights like the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Town Hall (Rathaus) and the world’s oldest Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) are easy to reach during a wonderful sightseeing tour by bike. To stroll around the Naschmarkt (famous food market) is a cultural and culinary adventure. And don’t forget to enjoy some time at the quaint cafes and typical Viennese wine taverns on the outskirts of the city!

Highlights: Passau, Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop) , UNESCO-World Heritage Wachau, Linz and Vienna with all its sights 

We suggest: Book early, as capacities are limited and the tour is very popular!!!

Alternatively this bike & boat tour is also available to Bratislava & Budapest!

Tour profile:
The path follows the banks on the left and right riverside, is completely flat,also ideal for bikers with less experience and children. Certain stretches can be shortened by train or boat.

Day 1: Passau
The worth seeing and quaint “Bishop-City” embedded between Inn, Ilz and the Danube is close to the German/Austrian border. Embarkation is at 5 p.m. Now you can enjoy a relaxing evening aboard with a welcome cocktail and dinner; live music is provided in the evening.

Day 2: Passau – Danube loop – Linz, bike leg approx. 50 km – Sightseeing tour with City- express in Linz (optional, approx. ½ h)
In the morning there is a possibility for a short walking tour. Downstream the path guides you through pretty villages amidst natural landscapes. Need a boost? Try some of the special cordials and herbal liquors in the Trappist monastery in Engelszell. Supposedly they even have “special healing powers“. Cycle through the romantic Schlögener loop, here the river makes a very abrupt 180 degree turn. Back on board the ship brings you to Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. After dinner, ride on the bright yellow City-Express (optional) and discover what this great city has to offer.

Day 3: Linz – Grein, bike leg approx. 65 km – Visit of Grein Castle (optional)
Today’s bike tour leads you directly along the Danube with enough time to enjoy the natural state of this exceptionally beautiful meadow landscape. The Celtic town Mitterkirchen gives you unique insight into the past. The alternative route “Clam Castle” through the stunning back-country of the “Strudengau” is slightly hilly, but has a breathtaking landscape. Grein is the final destination of today’s stage, place of Austria’s oldest city-theatre and Grein Castle. (optional visit of the castle)

Day 4: Grein – Melk – Tulln, bike leg approx. 51 km
Today’s stage is marked by a diversified landscape. At the beginning, you traverse the Strudengau, a narrow point of the Danube which used to be notorious amongst skippers. The valley expands to Persenbeug and the bike tour leads you further to Melk with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine monks. Back on board you enjoy the sunset and the beautifully illumintated evening over the Wachau. Today’s final destination is Tulln, famous for its numerous market gardens and its over two-thousand year old Roman cavalry camp Comagena of which still today announces the well-preserved Roman tower overlooking the Danube.

Day 5: Tulln – Vienna, bike leg approx. 35 km – Vienna city tour by bus (optional)
Just before reaching Vienna, embedded in a breathtaking landscape, stands the magnificent monastery of Klosterneuburg. The dome of this 900 year-old baroque building can be seen from a far distance. Kahlenbergdorf or Nussdorf with its wine taverns “Heurigen” are only a hop from the shipping pier and definitely worth a visit. After a stroll through the vineyards, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Vienna. During the city tour (optional) by bus in the afternoon you will pass most of the numerous and famous sights, visit St. Stephens Cathedral, have a short guided walking tour through the old centre and get a wonderful impression of this historically important city. In the evening there is an optional visit to a typical vine tavern.

Day 6: Vienna (day of rest), Vienna city tour by bike – (approx. 3,5 h, optional), Waltz- & Operetta concert in the Imperial Palace (optional)
One should discover this city of vitality first hand during a sightseeing tour by bike. The most famous places of interest like Prater, St. Stephens Cathedral and the Hofburg are slowly passed by. The gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraße” with the Burgtheater, the State Opera House and Town Hall are all reminiscent of the past. There is enough time in the afternoon to stroll around or visit one of the many famous Viennese cafes. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz- and Opera Concert at the Hofburg (optional). Departure from Vienna that night.

Day 7: Wachau |Krems - Emmersdorf, bike leg approx. 36 km
Your last bike tour is through the Wachau and is a very special highlight! Influenced by small sleepy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this gently rolling landscape enchants nearly everyone. This is pure biking enjoyment! In Weißenkirchen you will have the chance to sample the regional wines in typical wine taverns (optional) directly next to the bike path. You owe it to yourself to take a break in this dreamy landscape! After a ceremonial Gala dinner, much fun and entertainment can be indulged in during the show on-board as we head towards Passau.

Day 8: Passau
Every journey must come to an end, unfortunately. Once again you can enjoy the first rays of light and the matutinal peaceful silence of the Danube Valley on deck. Take a last look at the Schlögener Schlinge (”Great Loop”) before you arrive in Passau. Approximate arrival 11:30; disembarkation approx ½ hour later. We recommend making reservations for onward passages not before 02:00 p.m. After 2:00 p.m. all connections and reservations should be met in a timely manner.

Optional excursions:
We are happy to offer the following optional excursions. Reservation on board. Payable in cash
Linz: City tour by "Linz City Express"
Grein: Visit of the castle
Vienna: City tour by bus or bike, Waltz- and Operetta-concert in the Imperial Palace (Hofburg)
Wachau: Wine-tasting

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
In case of flood or low tide the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages with buses. In extreme case  the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered – previously not announced – repair work on locks or bridges or in case of undeserved breakdown of engine and power unit. Please be aware that your ship MV Theodor Körner, like all other ships on the Danube, is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power also during night. Especially crossing locks and bridges – and the preparation work – might cause noises. If you are sensitive to noises please bring your own earplugs.

Arrival | Parking | Departure:
Train-Station: Passau
Airport: Munich,Salzburg,  Linz, Vienna, Bratislava

YOUR SHIP MV THEODOR KÖRNER:
This charming ship of traditional craftsmanship has a very comfortable and nostalgic atmosphere. On board, the guest is king! Our crew aims to satisfy every wish and also makes a large contribution to the unbelievable successfulness of this voyage. Your bike tour through various countries is a culinary expedition through the diversity of national and regional cuisine; in the evening musicians will perform and even dance!
The ship offers a restaurant, a panorama-bar, a salon with sunny verandas as well as a spacious sun deck with lounge chairs that are at your disposal. Books and magazines in our air-conditioned library provide relaxation and reading pleasure as well as parlour games, which offer all kinds of disport. Our dignified furnished cabins are cosy and rustic, approx. 8m², big and equipped with either 2 adjoined beds (2-Bed-Cabin) or with bunk beds (Double-Cabin), en suite (shower and toilet), TV, radio and air condition. 3-Bed-Cabin: Wiendeck: 2 adjoined beds and 1 upper bed; Linzdeck: 3 adjoined beds. The windows can be opened in all cabins on Wiendeck and in most double cabins amidship on Linzdeck.
Technical details:
manufactured in 1965, general renovation 1998, length 87m, breadth 17m, draft 1,7m, speed 25km/h, 65 cabins, 135 passenger maximum
Language on board: German, English

CABINE-CATEGORIES & DECKS:
2-Bed-Cabins = 2 lower beds
Doublecabins = bunk beds (1 lower bed, 1 elevated bed)
3-Bed-Cabins = 2 lower beds, 1 elevated bunk bed on Wiendeck, 2 lower beds one daybed on Linzdeck
1-Bed-Cabins = Doublecabins for single use
Family cabin: on request

WIEN-Deck: Upper deck (windows to open)
LINZ-Deck: Middle deck (windows to open in doublecabins midship.)
PASSAU-Deck: Lower deck

Included services:
7 nights in external cabins with private facilities
Full board (breakfast, lunch,/packed lunch, coffee and cake, dinner)
Welcome cocktail
1 Gala Dinner with farewell cocktail
Show
daily live music
Bike rental (modern 7-gear-roadster with backflow and saddlebags)
1x handle bag bar with detailed map and information material per cabin
Daily informational meetings
cruise director/tour guide on board

Not included: Arrival and departure, entrance fees, insurances, tips and personal expenses.

Bikes:
*7-speed-UNISEX-touring bike, panniers, back pedal and calliper brake; *21-speed-TREKKING-bike
*Electric-bikes: You still have to pedal, but it's going to be much more easier! The bike supports your force up to three times. With the electric bike the tour will be a relaxed experience for unpractised bikers also
helmets to buy on board - € 15 (as available); children-seats, -trailers and trailerbikes on request; No refund for own bikes!

Discounts for children: 0-2 years free, 3-13 years -20 % in 3 bed cabin with at two full-paying adults

Tranfers:
Transfer Munich-Passau € 49 per person, oneway (min. 2 pers.)
Transfer from Train-station Passau one way € 6,50- per person, advanced booking necessary.

Parking:
Barred private parking space Passau: € 53
Private parking garage € 65 - reservation neccesary, payable locally

more information, dates, prices .....

For more details just e-mail us, please: radreise@web.de