Compare A Cycling Journey: Munich to Vienna along The Danube River by Road Scholar vs Oktoberfest The Germanic Experience - 2022 by Insight Vacations

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
Arrive Munich, Transfer to Deggendorf, Orientation
Deggendorf D Hotel Burgwirt
Activity note: There will be no biking today which provides an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate after your international flight; Motorcoach time is 1.5 hours (70 miles / 113 kilometers).

Morning: Proceed by motorcoach to Deggendorf and check into our hotel.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Deggendorf. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Afternoon: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. A support vehicle will accompany the group while biking each day until lunchtime in the event of emergency situations. Thereafter, the driver and vehicle will depart for the hotel to place the luggage in the rooms. Upon arrival in Natternberg/Deggendorf, bicycles will be fitted to the participant and testing will take place to insure participants are able to safely start, stop, and control their bicycle. Periods in the daily schedule designated as "Free time" and "At leisure" offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room, enjoy a three-course set menu (with choice of one of two entrées) plus water; other beverages are available for purchase. Dinner each night will fit this description except where indicated.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 3
Plattling, St. Jacob's Church, Deggendorf, Introductions
Deggendorf B,D Hotel Burgwirt
Activity note: Biking distance is 16 miles (26 kilometers) on paved bicycle paths on flat terrain. Walking approximately .5 mile (.75 kilometers).

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, choose from a buffet with meats, cheeses, eggs, yogurt, cereals, breads, juices and hot beverages. Breakfast at each hotel will fit this description.

Morning: After a hearty breakfast, join your Group Leader in the hotel conference room for a presentation on safety, rules of the road, and the IBT Corner System, the way in which we navigate throughout the course of this program. We’re ready to bicycle and our destination is just a short ride to Plattling, a typical Bavarian town with pastel-colored houses.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in your choice of several Plattling restaurants.

Afternoon: A lecture at St. Jacob’s Church, one of the few remaining Roman churches in Bavaria, is planned. Following the lecture, return to the hotel along a quiet bike path where we will have our first glimpse of the Danube (or as the locals call it, die Donau).

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: Learn more about your fellow travelers at Group Introductions after dinner. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 4
Passau, Hofkirchen, Stroll Passau
Passau B,D Hotel Weisser Hase
Activity note: Biking distance is 40 miles (65 kilometers) on paved bicycle paths on flat to rolling terrain. Walking approximately 1 mile / 1.5 kilometers.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Today’s the real thing; our destination is Passau, a city at the German-Austrian border. We’ll see immediately why the Danube is so popular with bicyclists: for most of the program we bicycle on paths not accessible to cars.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like at the Gasthof Buchner in Hofkirchen.

Afternoon: Continue cycling along the Danube to our hotel in the center of Passau.

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: Accompany your group leader on a short walk through Passau after dinner.

Day 5
Passau Architecture Lecture, Organ Concert, Free Time
Passau B,D Hotel Weisser Hase
Activity note: There will be no biking today to allow for our visit of Passau. Walking approximately 1 mile (1.5 kilometers), standing for up to 2 hours on uneven terrain, stairs, and cobblestones.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Start the day by attending a lecture on the various architectural styles prominent in the towns and villages along our way. Embark on a guided walking field trip of Passau to learn all about the history of this wonderful city. Visit St. Stephen’s Dom (except on holidays), which has the largest church organ in the world to attend an organ concert.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Passau.

Afternoon: Free Time: Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Passau. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Explore the banks of Danube by foot, enjoy a riverboat cruise, or spend the afternoon at the Oberhausmuseum which includes an art gallery and local history museum. If you want to relax, seek out one of the local cafés to sip a beer or cup of coffee while watching the locals.

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 6
European Union Lecture, Obernzell & Schlögen Ferries
Schlogen B,D Hotel Donauschlinge
Activity note: Biking distance is 26 miles (42 kilometers) on paved bicycle paths on flat terrain. Walking approximately 1 mile / 1.5 kilometers.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Before departure, enjoy a lecture on the European Union at the hotel. Mount your bicycle and head for Obernzell, where the castle that was built by the Bishop of Passau in 1426 as his summer residence stands.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Obernzell.

Afternoon: We cross the border into Austria on a bicycle path along the Danube. The route to Schlögen is one of the most scenic rides you could wish for, along the river and through a forest. A ferry takes us across the river to our hotel. Be sure to hike the trail behind the hotel that leads to one of the most magnificent views of the Danube you will see during the program. Enjoy a dip in the indoor swimming pool or relax on a bench along the river before dinner.

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 7
Aschach, Ottensheim Ferry, Wilhering Church, Badesee, Linz
Linz B,D Hotel Kolping
Activity note: Biking distance is 38 miles (61 kilometers) on paved bicycle paths and secondary roads on flat terrain. Walking approximately 1 mile / 1.5 kilometers.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Our destination this morning is Aschach on the Danube, a beautiful old village featuring homes painted during the Baroque era.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Aschach.

Afternoon: After lunch, we bike to Ottensheim where we take a ferry across the river. Enjoy an excursion to Wilhering to visit one of the most impressive Rococo churches in Austria. Linz is our home for the next two nights.

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: Discover Linz by night on a stroll to the Main Square with your Group Leader.

Day 8
Austrian Economy Lecture, Mauthausen, Free Time
Linz B,D Hotel Kolping
Activity note: There will be no biking today to allow for a visit to Mauthausen and Linz. Motorcoach time is 1 hour (30 miles / 48 kilometers). Walking approximately 1 mile (1.5 kilometers), standing for up to 2 hours on uneven terrain, stairs, and cobblestones.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: After breakfast, attend a lecture on the Austrian economy. Continue by motorcoach for an excursion to the remains of the concentration camp, Mauthausen. Formerly a notorious World War II internment camp built by the Nazis, you’ll see the granite quarries from which the stones were cut to pave many of the streets in Vienna. Many of the camp prisoners died working in these quarries. Today the camp is a memorial with monuments dedicated to the people of many nationalities who died here.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Linz.

Afternoon: Free Time: Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Linz. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Explore Linz, the capital of the province of Upper Austria. Don’t miss the Hauptplatz, the former market square, with Baroque buildings and the Rathaus. It was from the balcony of this town hall, on March 12, 1938, that Adolf Hitler announced his thousand-year empire. For a wonderful view of the city, board the Pöstlingbergbahn, the steepest mountain railway in the world. The old-fashioned cars have been making the 16-minute climb of 835 feet to the top of the mountain since 1898. The town abounds with cathedrals, museums and most importantly, Konditoreien. Be sure to find one of these local bakeries and sample the famous Linzer Torte. You might even want to take one with you!

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 9
Austrian Traditions Lecture, Au an der Donau, Grein
Grein B,D Hotel-Restaurant Goldenes Kreuz
Activity note: Biking distance is 39 miles (63 kilometers) on paved bicycle paths on flat terrain. Walking approximately 1 mile / 1.5 kilometers.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: After breakfast, attend a lecture on the traditions and customs of Austria. We leave Linz on the north shore of the Danube and enter the province of Lower Austria towards our destination, Grein.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like at the Gasthof Pühringer in Au an der Donau.

Afternoon: Keep your camera handy as we round the bend in the river; the approach to Grein is truly picturesque. You will love this charming village with its old town hall and wonderful ambiance.

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: Discover the idyllic village of Grein during a walk along the river promenade on your own or with your biking comrades this evening. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 10
Danube Lecture, Schifffahrtsmuseum, Persenbeug, Sankt Nikola
Melk B,D Hotel-Restaurant Wachauerhof
Activity note: Biking distance is 33 miles (53 kilometers) on paved bicycle paths and secondary roads on flat terrain. Walking approximately 1 mile / 1.5 kilometers.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Before leaving Grein, join your fellow travelers for a lecture on the history of the Danube. Following the lecture, embark by foot on a field trip to the Schifffahrtsmuseum (Shipping Museum) and castle which affords a spectacular view of the Danube. Another great day of biking lies ahead.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Persenbeug.

Afternoon: We pass by the village of Sankt Nikola, named after the guardian angel of the sailors, and the ruins of Castle Freyenstein, perched high above the Danube. Years ago, the castle was given the nickname "Wines." According to legend, the knights of the castle stopped many of the barges loaded with wine, as they headed for Upper Austria and Bavaria. After paying a considerable ransom in wine, the barges continued their journey. The picturesque town of Melk awaits our arrival.

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 11
Melk Abbey, The Wachau, Willendorf, Spitz, Durnstein, Krems
Krems B,D Parkhotel Krems
Activity note: Biking distance is 26 miles (42 kilometers) on paved bicycle paths on flat terrain. Walking approximately 1 mile / 1.5 kilometers.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: First stop is the famous 900-year-old Benedictine Melk Abbey where we gain insight into the history of this magnificent building. From the balcony of the Abbey one has a splendid view of the Danube. Today’s ride will take us through a wine-growing region called the Wachau. Although we don’t encourage drinking wine during the day, you may want to try the local wine at night. We’ll visit the village of Willendorf where many years ago a chalk statue was found in the fields. The statue, Venus of Willendorf, is believed to be over 25,000 years old. Today, a replica stands at the site.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Spitz.

Afternoon: Continue to Durnstein, the oldest town in Lower Austria. High above the town sits the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lion-Hearted was held prisoner until he was rescued by Blondel, his faithful minnesinger. From Durnstein it is only a short ride to our hotel in Krems.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, enjoy a three-course set menu plus water; other beverages are available for purchase.

Evening: A walk led by the Group Leader after dinner will acquaint us with this charming city. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 12
Tulln, Transfer to Vienna, Free Time
Vienna B,D Hotel Erzherzog Rainer
Activity note: Biking distance is 30 miles (48 kilometers) on paved bicycle paths on flat terrain. Motorcoach time is 1 hour (28 miles / 45 kilometers). Walking approximately 1 mile / 1.5 kilometers.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: Our last day on the bicycle. We have a ride planned along the Blue Danube (which is, incidentally, not blue at all) to Tulln. The terrain is perfectly flat and the biking is most relaxing.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Tulln.

Afternoon: We will say farewell to the bicycles (complete with tears and picture taking) before boarding a bus for Vienna (or Wien, as the Austrians call it). Free Time: Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Vienna. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Dinner: Hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 13
Vienna Walking Field Trip, Free Time
Vienna B,D Hotel Erzherzog Rainer
Activity note: There will be no biking today to allow for our visit of Vienna. Walking approximately 1 mile (1.5 kilometers), standing for up to 2 hours on uneven terrain, stairs, and cobblestones.

Breakfast: Hotel dining room.

Morning: After breakfast, join a local historian for a guided walk of Vienna to learn about its vivid history. To describe the capital of Austria would take a lot of pages. We suggest you obtain a travel guidebook and read about Vienna before getting there. It is a city perfectly suitable for walking around. Indeed, you may want to consider spending a few extra days to see everything.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like in Vienna.

Afternoon: Free Time: Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Vienna. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Do not leave Vienna without visiting Hotel Sacher, near the Opera, to indulge in the REAL Sacher Torte, worth dying for. Order the Einspanner (black coffee with whipped cream) and you will truly experience happiness.

Dinner: Recap your adventures and share your favorite memories with your fellow participants tonight at our farewell dinner in the hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day 14
Program Concludes, Departures
In Flight B
Activity note: Hotel check-out time is 12:00 Noon. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers. Transfer from the hotel to the airport is approximately 30 minutes (15 miles / 24 kilometers).

Breakfast: Hotel dining room. This concludes our program.

Morning: Morning transfer to Vienna International Airport for departures. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 1: Welcome to Berlin

On arrival at Berlin’s Brandenberg Airport, transfers leave for the hotel at 10:30 & 13:30. This afternoon, perhaps visit nearby Check Point Charlie - once the best-known Berlin Wall crossing between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Later, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception with the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.

Day 2: Discover Berlin

Marvel this morning at the landmarks of the old East and West sections of Berlin during your sightseeing tour with a Local Expert. See the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden and the Reichstag Building which were all major points of focus in 1990 during the reunification of East and West Germany. Also see the Tiergarten and Kurfürstendamm famous for its shopping and entertainment. Stop a while on Museum Island before enjoying an afternoon at leisure in this once divided city.

Day 3: Journey to Dresden

A short drive south brings you to Dresden – known as ‘Florence on the Elbe’. Join a Local Expert to see the splendours of the city. From the Frauenkirche, which has risen again from the destruction of World War II, walk past ‘The Procession of the Dukes’, a mosaic of colossal proportions on the Royal Palace façade. See the enormous cathedral, Semper Opera House and Baroque Zwinger Palace. Tonight we’ll go to Dresden-Pillnitz, where we enjoy dinner with wine at the Schloss Hotel. The baroque castle complex was built upon order of the King Augustus II the Strong in 1720, with inspiration from the Far East. Until 1918 the palace served as the summer residence for the House of Wettin.

Day 4: Journey to Munich

In Nuremberg witness the charming blend of stone and timbered dwellings in the Old Town as well as the massive ramparts. Perhaps shop for delicious Lebkuchen (gingerbread)? Continue across the Danube to Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria, lying near the foot of the German Alps. At night, perhaps consider dinner at one of Munich’s famous ‘Bier Kellers’?

Day 5: Munich

Be welcomed into fun-loving Munich for an orientation tour which shows you the Feldernhalle on the Odeonsplatz, the Palace of the Dukes of Wittelsbach, English Garden, Hofbrauhaus, St Peters Church, and the famous Marienplatz. Munich hosts the most famous beer festival in the world: Oktoberfest, which has been running since 1810 and now sees over six million visitors each year. This afternoon enjoy the festival atmosphere, amusement rides, entertainment, beer and local Bavarian specialties for dinner. With tables reserved, your dedicated host will ensure you have a memorable time.

Day 6: Visit the BMW Museum Relaxed Start

After a relaxed start, take the opportunity to travel through time and experience fascinating BMW, with a history spanning 9 decades. See some of the most famous and valuable automobiles, motorcycles, and engines during a tour of the museum.  In the evening, join special guest Patrick von Richthofen, a descendent of Manfred von Richthofen otherwise known as ‘The Red Baron’, for an unforgettable dinner.

Day 7: Journey to Salzburg

A short drive over the Austrian border leads to Salzburg, steeped in musical history. A Local Expert will show you the gardens of the Mirabell Palace, the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress, the cathedral in the old town, Mozart’s birthplace, and locations that brought the city alive with the Sound of Music.

Day 8: Explore Berchtesgaden

Our day trip today takes us into ‘real’ Alpine Bavaria. Drive over the German border, past picturesque farmhouse, and villages to Obersalzberg. Nearly 75 years ago, this small mountain paradise was the summer playground for top Nazi brass. Here we transfer to special coaches for a scenic drive up the mountain to Hitler’s notorious “Eagle’s Nest”. Used as a restaurant since the 50’s, there are splendid views through the arches up to the ‘Hohen Goll’ and across the snow-capped peaks. A breath-taking drive to appreciate the picturesque scenery of the region takes past hill tops and mountain villages. We stop at the Maria Gern Church and look inside before looping back to Salzburg.

Day 9: Journey to Vienna

Cross the Austrian border and head east through the rolling countryside to stop in the shadow of the great Monastery of Melk. Join a river cruise along the stunning Wachau Valley, where the Danube meanders below forested cliffs, topped with picturesque churches and ruined castles. Pass the fortress of Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart languished in prison until discovered by his faithful Welsh minstrel, then alight beneath the vine laden cliffs of Krems. Immerse yourself in the vineyards and cellars of the local winery to learn about and sample the unique Wachau style wine. Finally, we head for the Austrian capital, and to our central hotel.

Day 10: Discover Vienna

Much of Vienna’s present day charm is due to the long reign of the Habsburgs, so in the morning, join a Local Expert for a guided visit of Maria Theresa’s Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens.  Then get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament Building. Demel is a well-known Viennese institution for its cakes and pastries. Previous noble costumers include Empress Elizabeth and Princess Pauline von Metternich. Enjoy coffee and cake in one of the splendid Coffee houses to begin your leisurely afternoon in this imperial city. As night falls, experience an extraordinary concert of Viennese classical music. The best-loved works of Johann Strauss and Mozart, performed by highly acclaimed soloists and dancers, are combined with a delicious meal of traditional Austrian fare, with drinks included.

Day 11: Auf Wiedersehen Vienna

Your journey concludes after breakfast with transfers arriving at Vienna Airport at 07:00 and 09:00.