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2
introductory to moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 7 nights accommodation in an air conditioned cabin with ensuite facilities on board MV Swiss Crown Or MV Vivienne (date dependent) - price varies according to chosen category. See inclusions for further details
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

8 Days£1280GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: DEX

Trip highlights

  • Cycling through the stunning Wachau Valley and along the famous Danube bike path
  • Arriving in Vienna and Budapest by boat and exploring these magnificent cities
  • Experiencing the timelessness of the Danube by bike
  • Relaxing on board the comfortable boat

From the cobblestone streets of charming Passau to the Austrian capital of Vienna and the majestic city of Budapest, this journey by comfortable river boat and bike offers the opportunity to experience life on the Danube and the surrounding countryside at your own pace. With a comfortable river boat as your base, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the legendary Wachau, Bratislava, the Slovakian capital at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and the icon studded cities of Vienna and Budapest.

Note: This trip is not exclusive to UTracks clients and you will be joining a group of up to 150 passengers from around the world.

Countries:

Germany, Hungary, Slovakia & Austria

Starting Point:

Passau

Finishing Point:

Passau

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Boarding is between 4-5pm and the boat will depart at 6pm for the first cruise. (Luggage drop-off is available from 3.30pm). Located at the junction of three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has a number of interesting sites. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestone old town centre, listen to the bells of Passau’s Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world’s largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Cathedral. This evening we will cruise to the traditional town of Engelhartszell, home to Austria’s only Trappist monastery and where you can taste some delicious liquors and cheese. While cruising, information will be provided about the daily biking, sights and sightseeing trips, followed by dinner.

Meals:  D

This morning you will receive your bicycles. Today's cycle tour will begin through the classic scenery of the 'Great Loop' Schlögener Donauschlinge, where small villages developed through the river trade of years gone by. Along the way you will encounter tiny villages and cosy cider taverns. The famous 'Schlogener View' provides a wonderful vista of the surrounding Austrian countryside. On arrival in the charming town of Aschach you will re-board the boat for an overnight cruise.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a morning arrival in Devin, you will cycle along the former "Iron Curtain", cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Schloss Hof palace with its beautifully terraced gardens and idyllic manor farm. Continue along the bike path through Austria's "vegetable garden" to the coronation city of Bratislava, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. You can discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava or there's an optional city tour. Re-board the boat this evening for an overnight cruise.

Meals:  B,L,D

We arrive at Budapest in the morning and the panoramic view of the Danube bend is quite stunning. Savour the city's beauty during a bus tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the city's highlights. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre, with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. In the evening, visiting the Jewish Quarter is recommended.

Meals:  B,L,D

Early this morning the boat brings us to the Danube Bend. In a wonderful landscape that is a nature lover's paradise you cycle from the village of Vac via the idyllic isle of Szentendre with its baroque architecture, churches, colourful houses and narrow, cobbled streets. Continue to the bishop town of Esztergom with its imposing basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church – overlooking the village. During the night we cruise to Vienna.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is at leisure, or you have the option of joining a city tour by bike or bus, to experience some of Vienna’s main sights including the imperial Hofburg, St Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous ‘Ringstrasse’ (boulevard) and the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall, and of course the colourful 'Hundertwasserhaus'. Information will be provided to help plan your sightseeing. Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés, while an optional evening excursion is available: a classical concert in one of Vienna’s famous palaces. Later we will cruise through the night to Krems.

Meals:  B,L,D

The last biking day is a highlight, pedalling through the renowned Wachau valley, with its truly romantic scenery of vineyards and quaint villages. Cycling from Krems to Melk you will pass small dreamy villages, orchards, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein. In Spitz you will find cosy wine taverns right along the bike path where there is the possibility for wine tasting (optional). Before re-boarding the boat it is worth visiting the Baroque monastery of the Benedictine Brethren of Melk. This evening on board includes a gala dinner and crew show.

Meals:  B,L,D

Check-out from your cabin by 8:30 am. During breakfast the boat continues to Passau, with disembarkation at approximately 11am. Your onward travel plans should be made from midday.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners. The trip is based on full board which includes a buffet breakfast daily, 5 packed lunches and 1 full 3 course lunch and 3 course dinner each night (2-3 choices for main course). Vegetarian or other dietary requirements are catered for but we ask that you advise this in advance (at least 21 days prior to the trip commencement).
  • 7 nights accommodation on board a deluxe category river boat - MV Vivienne (MVV) or MV Swiss Crown (MVSC) and the trip price is based on a standard cabin on the main deck. For other categories and seasons a supplement applies. Cabin upgrade options: MV Swiss Crown (MVSC) - Comfort, Minisuite or Superior cabin and MV Vivienne (MVV) - Comfort, Superior, Junior Suite or Master Suite. Price varies according to chosen category.
  • Bike rental (24 speed) with pannier and a handlebar bag. A limited number of electric bikes are available, approx 12-15 per departure - must be pre-booked and a supplement applies (min height 160cm). Children trailers (max 2 children, 40kgs) on request.
  • Information pack including route notes & maps per cabin, navigational app to use on your smartphone, GPS tracks
  • Cruise director on board - does not cycle with the group (this is a self guided cycling holiday), provides daily briefings
  • Welcome drink, crew show, live music every night, gala dinner on last evening with farewell cocktail
  • Docking & harbour fees
  • Towels and bed linen, daily cabin cleaning
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to and from Passau
  • *Parking in Passau including transfer to and from the boat (reservation necessary, payable locally); Closed parking lot EUR75 approx, Parking garage EUR87 (subject to change)
  • *Private transfer from Munich Airport to Passau – price on request according to number of participants
  • *Taxi costs between Passau train station to the boat dock - allow approx EUR5-15
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Helmet. Optional rental (must be pre-booked & pre-paid) or purchase (EUR32 - payable locally but must be pre-booked) available - please request with your consultant
  • Bike insurance. Available onboard: €18 per standard bike, € 50 per e-bike (subject to change)
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Guide - this is a self guided cycling holiday. A guided cycling package is available on select departures aboard MVV only) - see below for details.
  • Optional guided cycling package (supplement applies). Inclusions: with a dedicated tour guide cycle in a small group to explore the local culture and discover hidden sites. Includes tour guide, tasting at a cider producer in the Upper Danube, ferry rides, Guided city tour by bike in Vienna + Hop On Hop Off bus in Budapest, wine tasting with a local grower and bike helmet rental
  • Tips
  • A supplement will apply if you are booking a single cabin
  • Entrance and sightseeing fees not listed as included
  • Optional excursions - can only be booked onboard:
  • *Bratislava: City tour with scenic train and walking tour
  • *Budapest: City tour by bike or bus
  • *Vienna: City tour by bike or by bus, Waltz & operetta concert at Schönbrunn Palace
  • *Wachau: Wine tasting with a local wine grower in the Wachau Valley
  • We recommend bringing a mobile phone holder to fix to the handlebar to cycle smoothly following the app (self guided cyclists)
  • Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, entrance fees etc.

Cabins

MV SWISS CROWN

Standard Cabin

Main deck outward facing cabin with a double bed that can be separated to make two single beds. Windows do not open. Cabins have shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe, nespresso coffee maker and individually adjustable air conditioning.

MV SWISS CROWN

Comfort Cabin

Middle deck outward facing cabin with a double bed that can be separated to make two single beds. Windows can be opened. Cabins have shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe, nesprsso coffee maker and individually adjustable air conditioning.

MV SWISS CROWN

Superior Cabin

Upper deck outward facing cabin with a balcony and opening window. A double bed that can be separated to make two single beds. Cabins have shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe, nespresso coffee maker and individually adjustable air conditioning.

MV SWISS CROWN

Minisuite

Middle deck outward facing cabin with a double bed that can be separated to make two single beds. Windows can be opened. Cabins have shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe, coffee maker, minibar and individually adjustable air conditioning.

MV Vivienne

Standard Double

Standard cabins are located on the main deck and include a double bed which can be separated into twin beds. Windows do not open.

MV Vivienne

Comfort Double

Comfort double cabins are found on the middle deck. They come equipped with panorama windows which cannot be opened.

MV Vivienne

Superior Double

Found on the middle and upper deck, these cabins have a French balcony.

MV Vivienne

Junior and Mastersuite

These cabins are found on the upper deck. The Junior suite is 22m sq and the Mastersuite is 30m sq. Both have French balconies and panoramic window.

Bike information

Rental Bike

During the trip you will be provided with a 24 speed unisex bike with handbrakes. You will also receive a 20L pannier to carry your gear for the day, along with a handlebar bag, bike computer, lock and repair kit (per cabin). Helmet rental is not included - please bring your own well-fitted helmet, or they are available for purchase or rent (additional cost applies - must be pre-booked).

Electric Bike

A limited number of electric bikes are available for an additional supplement. These must be requested at the time of booking or in advance. These are 8-speed KTM or Flyer models that increase your pedaling power and allows cyclists of different athletic conditions to book a bike tour together. Note: minimum height for e-bike rental is 160cm.

Suitability

introductory to moderate

2

This trip involves 5 days cycling usually along paved cycle paths across generally flat terrain. It is almost exclusively on the Danube cycle path. In and out of the cities there will be some traffic. You need only carry your camera/rain gear and water bottle. Your luggage remains on the boat. For this reason the trip is a grade 2 cycle and is considered suitable for beginners and children. A limited number of children’s bikes are available (minimum height 120cm/3ft 11.3in), as are bike seats (max 18kg/39lb 10.93137oz) and trailers (2 children, maximum 40kg/88lb 2.95oz), and tag-a-long bikes (minimum height is 120cm/3ft 11.3in). *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.

Departure dates


Notes

H
High Season
1
Guided Cycle Package available (MVV) only on the following dates: 5 & 26 May, 16 Jun, 14 Jul, 4 Aug, 1 & 22 Sep Other dates possible on request, minimum 10 participants. For inclusions see trip notes. Supplement applies.
Note:
High season 1 June - 31 July and 1-30 September - supplement applies. Prices for other cabins and seasons available on request.
Note:
Sunday departures are on board MV Vivienne (MVV), denoted D. Saturday dates are on board MV Swiss Crown (MVSC), denoted K.

Priceper person from

£1280GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount for October or April departure - MVV only (cabin upgrade supplements still apply)GBP£-54
  • Helmet rentalGBP£15
  • E-bike supplementGBP£90
  • Guided cycle packageGBP£280
  • Comfort cabin upgrade ppGBP£290
  • Minsuite cabin upgrade pp (MVSC)GBP£380
  • Superior cabin upgrade ppGBP£470
  • Single use of cabin - main deck standard - season supp appliesGBP£550
  • Junior suite cabin upgrade pp (MVV)GBP£750
  • Master suite cabin upgrade pp (MVV)GBP£930
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.

Videos

Explore the Danube River from Passau to Budapest on a Bike and Barge Tour | UTracks

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