Compare Danube Cycle by UTracks vs The Pearls of the Danube by CroisiEurope

Day 1 Join Passau

Check into the hotel where you will receive your travel documents. The remainder of the day is free to explore the town. Located at the junction of three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has a number of interesting sites including the Fortress “Veste Oberhaus” built in 1219 where there is an observation tower for a good view of the town and the river and St. Stephen's Cathedral with the world’s largest church organ. Collect your bike this afternoon (4-7 pm) or tomorrow morning. Generally we provide bikes with 21 gears – if you would like a 7 speed bike please specify this on booking.

meals : D

Day 2 Cycle to Engelhartszell and Schlögen (41km/25.5mi)

The cycle begins directly at the bike garage where your bikes were collected, following the Danube through the Austrian border town of Engelhartszell which is home to a former Cistercian abbey (1293-1786) and since 1925 the only Trappist monastery in Austria. From here you continue to Schlögen. The famous Schlögener Blick provides a wonderful view of the surrounding Austrian countryside.

meals : B,D

Day 3 Cycle to Linz (55km/34mi)

On the southern bank of the Danube you pass Aschach and the monastery Wilhering until you reach the capital of Upper Austria, Linz. The city has a lively arts and music culture. In 1783 Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 36 here, now known as the Linz Symphony. The modern art gallery “Lentos” is worth a look. It is situated on the Danube and illuminated at night.

meals : B,D

Day 4 Cycle to Grein via Burg Clam Castle (60km/37mi)

The cycle continues along the Danube cycle path passing the Mauthausen concentration camp. It is possible to visit the camp which has an interesting museum, although the detour requires a steep uphill climb. Another interesting side trip is the town of Enns, the oldest city in Austria. Meandering away from the river the route takes you through fields of wheat, corn and sunflowers. This is the Strudengau region, a valley in Lower Austria. In the afternoon you arrive at Clam Castle and the town of Grein, dominated by the castle of “Greinburg”. In Grein you will find the oldest Austrian theatre which is open to visitors. Overnight in the surrounding area near Grein.

meals : B,D

Day 5 To Melk and Nibelungengau (50km/31mi)

Continuing through Strudengau, you arrive in Ybbs, a former trading centre on the Danube. The route continues past the Pilgrimage Church of Maria Taferl to Melk, with its imposing Benedictine Monastery. Well before you reach the town you can see the huge monastery and there will be ample time in the afternoon to explore the museum, abbey and absorb the sweeping view from its balcony. Overnight in a surrounding town, close to Melk.

meals : B,D

Day 6 Cycle through Wachau and on to Krems (50km/31mi)

Today, you pedal through the renowned Wachau, with its truly romantic scenery of vineyards and quaint villages, enroute to Krems. You will pass several fantastic sights (abbeys, castles, ruins). Alongside the cycle path you will find the so called “Heurigen” (typical Austrian wine taverns) where you can taste wine or regional foods.

meals : B,D

Day 7 Train to Tulln then cycle to Vienna (40km/25mi)

This morning you take the train to Tulln then cycle past the castle of "Greifenstein". You then continue to metropolitan Vienna, capital of Austria. The route into Vienna is mostly on a cycle path with no vehicles allowed, allowing easy access to the main centre and your hotel. Own arrangements for dinner tonight.

meals : B

Day 8 Explore a nearby nature reserve & the archaeological park of Carnuntum (42km/26mi)

From Vienna cycle along the Danube-Cycle-Path through the national park “Donauauen", which was established to protect the Danube floodplain areas and the large diversity of plants and animals found within this ecosystem. The route continues past the castles of “Orth” and “Eckartsau” before reaching the health resort town of Bad Deutsch Altenburg. Nearby you can view the Roman excavations of Petronell-Carnuntum, an important archaeological site. Overnight Bad Deutsch Altenburg or surrounds.

meals : B,D

Day 9 Follow the Danube to Bratislava (32km/20mi)

The Danube is bordered by the hills of Hainburg and the small Carpathian mountains at this point. Today you will cycle on to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Don’t miss the lovely pedestrian zone, old quarter, numerous sites and shopping opportunities. Bratislava is Europe’s youngest capital city, ideally located between the Danube plain, hills and vineyards. Overnight Bratislava.

meals : B,D

Day 10 Continue by bike and train through delightful villages to Györ (45km/28mi)

Continuing along the banks of the Danube you soon reach the Hungarian border and continue through small farming villages to the enchanting landscape of the Szigetköz, an idyllic paradise for birds and fish. In the midst of this region with more than 500 tiny islands you will find farming villages and a labyrinth of countless Danube creeks. From Mosonmagyarovar you take a short train ride to Györ, one of the important cities of the Hungarian lowlands. Take the time to explore on foot the laneways, churches and palaces of the beautiful Baroque-style old town.

meals : B,D

Day 11 Visit the stud of Babolna and cycle to Komarno and surrounds (57km/35.5mi)

Following your departure from Gyor where you need to concentrate on the directions, you cycle today through the landscape of western trans Danubia, passing the national stud in Babolna. Continue cycling along rolling hills to the divided town of Komarom (border town between Hungary and Slovakia, also Komárno), a favourite of King Matthias.

meals : B,D

Day 12 To Esztergom (52km/32mi)

Cycle along the banks of the Slovakian Danube on low-traffic roads through quaint and quintessential villages in the Danube bend region. On your way to the “Town of Bishops and Kings”, Esztergom, you pass the Roman fort of Kelemantia. A highlight of the day is the Basilica of Esztergom, the largest Catholic cathedral in Hungary with its beautiful view.

meals : B,D

Day 13 Ferry round trip to Szentendre Island and cycle to Budapest (62km/38.5mi)

Amidst the hilly landscape, the Danube river divides itself into parts creating the Szentendre Island. Here you will cycle through typical Hungarian villages. Szentendre is famous for its numerous handicraft boutiques and the Open-air Museum of Skanzen. Continue by bike and boat to the Hungarian capital, Budapest (dependent on the boat service, a train may be substituted). On the boat, the views from the sun deck is overwhelming. The cycling concludes on arrival in Budapest - we recommend exploring Budapest on foot and by tram.

meals : B,D

Day 14 Trip concludes

The trip concludes in Budapest after breakfast. We can arrange extra nights for you in Budapest if you wish to extend your stay in this fabulous city.

meals : B

Day 1 LINZ

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. We will depart for Vienna at 6:30 p.m. at the latest. After comfortably settling into your cabin, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.

Day 2 VIENNA

We'll arrive in Vienna early in the morning. Join us for the excursions proposed: CLASSIC: Visit to Schönbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the imperial family, and tour of part of Vienna. DISCOVERY: The high art of Viennese living: Music and Viennese cafes. We'll stroll through the city and visit back stage in the Konzerthaus(1) concert hall. After our tour, enjoy a steaming cup of Vienna Coffee and a delicious pastry. This afternoon, enjoy some free time or join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit the Hofburg Palace. In the evening, join us on an excursion for both packages: Tour of Vienna by night. We'll begin to cruise during the night.

Day 3 BUDAPEST

The morning will be spent cruising. Afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Budapest.Enjoy an evening of "operetta music” on board.

Day 4 BUDAPEST, the Puszta

Enjoy a free day in Budapest (lunch not included) or join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit the Puszta, the Pannonian steppe grasslands (typical regional lunch included.) Also called the Great Plain, this vast prairie was the once the wild west of Hungary, and immense herds of livestock grazed here under the watchful eye of the cowboys. Dinner will be served on board. Our ship will cruise through the night.

Day 5 BRATISLAVA

The morning will be spent cruising. Afternoon, join us for the excursions proposed: CLASSIC: Guided Tour of Bratislava.DISCOVERY: Hiking in Bratislava: The Little Carpathians. From Devin Castle, we'll take in the splendid view of Bratislava.We'll cruise to Dürnstein. Tonight is our gala evening.

Day 6 DURNSTEIN - MELK

We'll then set off on an excursion to Dürnstein, the fortified village where Richard the Lionheart was once held prisoner. Afterwards, we'll cruise to Melk by crossing the wonderful Wachau Valley. In the afternoon, join us on an excursion for both packages: Visit the Melk Abbey. Originally a Baroque-style palace built between 1702 and 1736, it is now a Benedictine monastery that hosts a prestigious coed school with more than 900 students. We'll cruise to Linz.

Day 7 LINZ

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.