Danube - Bike and Boat – MV Swiss Crown

This popular Danube River Bike and Boat cycling holiday between Passau and Vienna aboard the beautiful river cruiser, Swiss Crown, showcases the most impressive and beautiful section of the mighty river. Enjoy easy daily cycle rides along the riverbank through spectacular scenery including the Danube Loop, and Wachau Valley.

You’ll board your river cruiser in Passau on the German/Austrian border. If you have time we recommend a pre or post night stay in this wonderful old town which sits astride the confluence of three rivers – the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz.

Danube cycle path at Grein

You then enjoy 7 days of cruising and cycling along the Danube River. Along the way you’ll visit charming riverside towns, beautiful, unspoilt valleys and wonderful historic palaces and castles. Highlights include the historic cities of Passau and Vienna, the beautiful Wachau Valley, the iconic Danube loop and the simple joy of pedaling alongside the famous river on a level, traffic-free cycle path.

The MV Swiss Crown is a very comfortable river cruiser offering excellent accommodation and an array of on-board facilities.

This is an easy cycling holiday on level terrain following riverside cycle paths.

Danube - Bike and Boat – MV Swiss Crown

This popular Danube River Bike and Boat cycling holiday between Passau and Vienna aboard the beautiful river cruiser, Swiss Crown, showcases the most impressive and beautiful section of the mighty river. Enjoy easy daily cycle rides along the riverbank through spectacular scenery including the Danube Loop, and Wachau Valley.

You’ll board your river cruiser in Passau on the German/Austrian border. If you have time we recommend a pre or post night stay in this wonderful old town which sits astride the confluence of three rivers – the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz.

Danube cycle path at Grein

You then enjoy 7 days of cruising and cycling along the Danube River. Along the way you’ll visit charming riverside towns, beautiful, unspoilt valleys and wonderful historic palaces and castles. Highlights include the historic cities of Passau and Vienna, the beautiful Wachau Valley, the iconic Danube loop and the simple joy of pedaling alongside the famous river on a level, traffic-free cycle path.

The MV Swiss Crown is a very comfortable river cruiser offering excellent accommodation and an array of on-board facilities.

This is an easy cycling holiday on level terrain following riverside cycle paths.

Itinerary

This trip offers easy cycling along quiet roads and riverside cycle paths on mostly level terrain.

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.

Day 1 : Arrive Passau

Upon arrival in Passau make your way to your riverboat where boarding commences at 4pm and then we cast-off 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 but 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.

Day 2 : Engelhartszell – Danube Loop – Brandstatt
28 miles/45 kms

Your first ride starts in Engelhartszell, a pretty riverside village. The route leads you through the pristine countryside of the Upper Danube Valley. Steep, tree clad hillsides sweep down to the river sometimes giving way to lush meadows at the water’s edge. The level quiet cycle path is a joy to pedal along and eventually you reach today’s highlight, the Schlögener Schlinge or Danube Loop. The best way to appreciate this majestic and picturesque bend in the river is from the vantage point high on the opposite hillside. This does mean investing in a 20 minute hike up a winding forest trail but most agree it is very much worth it. Afterwards you continue your ride through a magical section where nature still holds sway and it’s just you, the bike path and the lush forested hillsides, no roads or cars in sight. Eventually you rejoin the Swiss Crown in the pleasant little hamlet of Brandstatt where she remains moored for the night.

Day 3 : Brandstatt – Linz
15 miles/24 kms

An easy ride today as you continue following the riverside cycle path downstream to Linz. Austria’s third largest city and capital of Upper Austria, Linz is a bustling place with lots to offer. You could take the Pöstlingbergbahn, one of the steepest adhesion railways in the world, up to to a nearby hilltop for some fantastic views across the city. The ARS Electronica Museum is a great place to learn about the latest developments in modern technology and offers some really cool interactive learning opportunities. Or you could just stroll through the streets of the old town, perhaps taking a seat at one of the outdoor cafes in the Hauptplatz (main square) where the locals gather for a drink and to socialize. The Swiss Crown remains moored in Linz for the evening.


Day 4 : Tulln – Vienna
22 miles/35 kms

We disembark in the pleasant riverside town of Tulln and then enjoy an easy ride alongside the river towards Vienna. From some distance away, the impressive twin towers of the monastery at Klosterneuburg are in sight. Here, on the outskirts of the city, we can take a stroll through the vineyards and enjoy some panoramic views over the historic city of Vienna. The Swiss Crown remains moored on the outskirts of Vienna for the night

Day 5 : Vienna

The Swiss Crown remains moored on the outskirts of Vienna today giving you a whole day to explore the vibrant and historic Austrian capital. If you like you can join one of the optional Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tours of the city or you can grab a map and make your own way around, taking in the sights and attractions that appeal to you. We highly recommend finding time during your day to experience a typical Viennese Cafe to sample the fabulous cakes and pastries on offer. In the evening you may opt to enjoy a concert of classical music and waltz in Sisi’s summer residence (payable locally). The Swiss Crown remains moored just outside Vienna for a second night.

Day 6 : Wachau Valley - Krems - Melk
23 miles/37kms

Today you have a real treat in store as you pedal through the stunning Wachau Valley. Many regard this as the most beautiful stretch of the Danube. Picture-perfect, riverside 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 iconic church is definitely a highlight as is quaint Weißenkirchen which offers many opportunities for wine tasting.

Day 7 : Grein - Mauthausen
22 miles/36 kms

After a short breakfast cruise you disembark in Grein, a beautiful baroque town with an impressive riverside castle. You then follow a wonderful riverside cycle path upstream through a pretty, rural landscape of meadows and woodland. After a while reach the village of Mitterkirchen where it’s possible to visit the site of an ancient Celtic settlement. Those with energy to spare can detour inland to admire the impressive Klam Castle otherwise the route continues alongside the great river to the charming riverside town of Mauthausen. Nearby you may wish to visit the WWII concentration camp memorial site which is both moving and thought provoking. The Swiss Crown remains moored in Mauthausen overnight.

Day 8 : Cruise back to Passau - end of trip

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.

Bikes

Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 21 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.

Electric bikes are also available.

We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons but please note if you book the guided option then adult rental helmets is provided as part of your package.

Please note that cycle helmets are mandatory in Austria and Germany for children up to 12 years old.

Accommodation

MS Swiss Crown (superior)

The MS Swiss Crown boasts a range of spacious, high-standard cabins coupled with an array of stylish public areas and facilities.

Her 68 air-conditioned cabins, each occupying 14m², are arranged over three decks. All offer comfortable, hotel-style double beds, which can also convert into two single beds, a private shower/toilet, TV, safe, hair dryer and air conditioning.

On the upper deck, there are 29 double cabins. All cabins on the upper deck have panoramic, sliding French windows and a balcony

On the mid deck, there are 25 double cabins and 1 single cabin. All cabins on the mid deck have full-size picture windows that can be opened to the fresh air.

On the lower deck, there are 12 double cabins and 1 single cabin. All cabins on the lower deck feature half-height secured windows.

The stylish Panorama lounge and bar on the upper deck offers a comfortable, convivial atmosphere as well as large, panoramic windows. An elegant and spacious restaurant, located on the middle deck, also features large picture windows allowing diners to enjoy the scenery while they eat. The spa on the lower deck offers a sauna and a steam room for soothing those aching muscles after the day’s exertions and on the sun-deck there is plenty of comfortable seating and a small whirl-pool.

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

Getting there

Fly to Vienna, Munich or Salzburg airports and then travel by train onwards to Passau.

Research flights from the UK here

Research onward rail connections.

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