Compare Cycle the Danube by Intrepid Travel vs Danube Symphony with 2 Nights in Munich & 1 Night in Budapest (Eastbound) by Avalon Waterways
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 1,824 | $ 3,627 |
| Price Per Day | $ 228 | $ 403 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Retrace the steps of the Roman, Ottoman and Habsburg Empires on this cycling adventure along the mighty Danube River. Over eight days, you’ll ride through small villages, lowland forests and lush farmland as you cycle from Vienna to Budapest, passing through Slovakia. Discover the Baroque style at the Schonbrunn Palace or get lost in the cobbled laneways of Komarom – a spa city with one foot in Hungary and the other in Slovakia. Visit the architectural jewel of the Danube River – the Esztergom Basilica – and pass by the white-hued Bratislava Castle. Celebrate a day in the saddle with a luxurious soak in one of Budapest's steaming baths, then maybe spend the night at the iconic ruin bars. If you’re seeking an active adventure – cycling is the best way to experience the cosmopolitan cities along the Danube. |
Experience your Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary your way with two nights in Munich before your cruise. Enjoy a full-day guided tour to Neuschwanstein Castle—home of King Ludwig, and plenty of free time to explore the Munich before your cruise. Board your Suite Ship® in Vilshofen, Germany, and sail to the lovely city of Linz. Here enjoy a guided sightseeing or a visit to St. Florian Monastery. Explore Ybbs on a guided tour of its romantic old town; sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. Next, sail to Vienna—the “City of Music.” Marvel at the sights with a guided city tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, the world-famous opera house, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Bratislava, Slovakia, on your Danube River cruise to explore the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral. You may decide to join your Avalon Adventure Host on a hike to the castle above! Continue your European vacation your way with one night in Budapest after your cruise. Explore the “Pearl of the Danube”—Hungary’s captivating capital city. |
Day 1 Vienna
Willkommen! Welcome to Austria. Your cycling adventure begins in Vienna with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, explore the city at your own pace – the best way to see Vienna is on your own two legs! After the meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner at a Viennese Heurigen (wine tavern). Heuriger means ‘this year's wine’ and it originated as a way for winemakers to offer samples of their new wines along with a few snacks. Fortunately, this now also includes a hearty meal, which will be much needed for the days of cycling ahead!
Day 2 Vienna city ride
After breakfast this morning, you’ll have a bike fitting for the group followed by a short test ride to check everything is in working order. Then, you’ll join with your leader and take a tour of Vienna on two wheels. Follow the path of the Habsburg and explore the rich artistic and cultural icons of the city like the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace and all that the Ringstrasse has to offer. Tonight, you’re free to explore at your own pace – ask for dinner recommendations from your leader, they will always have the best suggestions!
Day 3 Cycle Vienna to Bratislava
Leave Vienna’s city centre and ride along the mighty Danube to the tiny hamlet of Hasslau an der Donau. From here, you’ll journey east along the riverbanks to one of Austria's most important archaeological sites – Carnuntum, with its eclectic mix of Roman ruins and modern reconstructions. Spend some time wandering among the remains of Roman life on the Danube before climbing back onto your bike and slowly winding along the riverside bike paths to the Slovak border. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in the Slovak capital – cosmopolitan Bratislava. See firsthand how bordering two independent countries has left its mark on Bratislava with a leader-led orientation walk. Tonight, you’re free to rest and recharge.
Day 4 Cycle Bratislava to Gyor
Follow the flowing waters of the Danube as it turns south today. Your ride today will pass by picturesque villages, lowland forests and across farmland to the Hungarian city of Gyor. This vibrant Baroque city – highlighted by Kaptalan Hill, Becsi Kapu Ter Square and the picturesque Kiraly Street – has been inhabited by varying cultures since ancient times and now offers a fascinating contrast to the slow pace of the river and its surroundings.
Day 5 Cycle Gyor to Komarom
Leaving Gyor behind, track back to the banks of the Danube and on to the city of Komarom, which straddles the borders of Hungary and Slovakia. While Komarom is known for its forts and strategic position on the Danube River, it’s also a beautiful city housing many museums and historical sites. Take a leader-led orientation walk when you arrive, across the Elizabeth Bridge, which is the pathway between the two counties. If you feel called to add some pampering to your afternoon, why not head to a local spa and soothe those leg muscles.
Day 6 Cycle Komarom to Esztergom
Today there’s an early departure to ride into your next stop – Esztergom. The former capital city of Hungary is the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church and boasts an amazing array of architectural gems such as the Royal Palace and Watertown, which is built on the banks of the Danube itself. When you arrive, take a leader led orientation walk of the city and see the crowning jewel at the Esztergom Basilica – a beautiful example of Classicism and the third largest church in Europe. Reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend, the Basilica is a sight to behold from both outside and from within. Your evening is free to find some delicious local cuisine and wander the city streets at your own pace.
Day 7 Cycle Esztergom to Budapest
Cycle the famous ‘Danube Bend’ today, beneath the wooded hills of Visegrad. Here, the river turns south towards the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. Today will be your longest day in the saddle, but you’ll break it up with a scenic a picnic lunch on the riverbank. After cycling through the city itself, end the day on a high with an afternoon visit to one of Budapest's famous spas! After indulging with your group, your night is free to explore at your own pace – maybe visit the ruin bars or walk along the river as the sun falls.
Day 8 Budapest
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Day 1: MUNICH, GERMANY
Welcome to Munich
Spend free time today by relaxing, exploring, or strolling through the streets of Munich.
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Day 2: MUNICH
Storybook Villages and Fairytale Castles CLASSIC Take a Guided Excursion to the garden landscape of the Bavarian Alps to visit Neuschwanstein Castle—the historic home of King Ludwig.
(Breakfast)
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Day 3: MUNICH–VILSHOFEN (EMBARKATION)
Modern Metropolis and Alpine Monarchs CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided City Tour which will show you the highlights of fascinating Munich. See Nymphenburg Palace—a former residence of Bavarian monarchs, along with the Old and New Town Halls of Marienplatz.
This afternoon transfer to Vilshofen to board your Avalon Suite Ship®
EVENING CRUISE TO LINZ
(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 4: LINZ, AUSTRIA
Legendary, Lovely Linz
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Join an expert guide for a trek up to Mount Pöstlingberg for a whole new perspective of beautiful Linz and its surrounding area, OR:CLASSIC Visit the 9th-century St. Florian Monastery-the largest monastery in upper Austria and home to Augustine monks, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walk through the city’s historic and beautiful sites along the shore of the Danube and see Hauptplatz—Austria’s largest medieval square—and the towering white-marble Trinity Column.
During free time you might join an Optional Excursion of Mauthausen Memorial.
Enjoy sailing on your way to Ybbs tonight.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN YBBS(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 5: YBBS–WACHAU VALLEY
An Ancient Village and Vintages of the Wachau Valley
ACTIVE Bike your way around Ybbs with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Visit the Lower Austrian little town of Ybbs. Walk through the doors of Austrian history with a guided sightseeing tour of Artstetten Castle.Relax on board and enjoy the picturesque Wachau Valley scenery as you cruise to Krems.
KREMS
An Ancient Village and Vintages of the Wachau Valley ACTIVE Experience Wachau valley by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Join an interactive Wine World Experience with wine tasting, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Walk to explore this small valley town, seemingly untouched by the new world.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VIENNA
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 6: VIENNA
A Feast for the Soul in Vienna
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Explore Vienna's Danube Island by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC After a short walk of Vienna, join a Guided Visit of Austria’s largest museum, the legendary Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), OR:
CLASSIC Explore the Habsburg empire with a Guided City Tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks. See the Imperial Palace complex —the winter residence of the Imperial Family, the iconic Vienna Opera House and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Optional tours today include a Guided Tour of magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence of Habsburg royalty. Alternatively you can choose to spend your free time strolling Austria’s famed Kärtnerstrasse and stop in a local café to enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel.
You may also choose to attend an Optional Excursion to a Royal Waltz Concert for an unforgettable evening of music in an elegant hall.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BRATISLAVA
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 7: BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
Cathedral Coronations and a Crowning Castle
ACTIVE Follow your Avalon Adventure Host on a short hike to lofty Bratislava Castle, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided City Walk, including quaint streets of Old Town, Town Hall, and the royal coronation site of St. Martin’s Cathedral.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO BUDAPEST
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 8: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (DISEMBARKATION)
Time for Cobblestones, Coffee, and Confections CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour to see majestic Heroes’ Square and Budapest’s classic sites.
(Breakfast)
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Day 9: BUDAPEST
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
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