Cycle Cruise Passau - Vienna - Budapest - Passau

Enjoy the tour of superlatives! The most beautiful stretches of the Danube Cyclepath and the three capitals Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest are the highlights of this week of cycling. Accompanied by your 'swimming hotel' you are free to enjoy the tour of four countries with all comfort.
This journey takes you to the highlights along Europe’s second largest river. The impressive spectacle of nature at Schlögener Donauschlinge (=”Great Loop”), the fascinating landscape of Wachau with its vineyards, castles and palaces, the untouched alluvial forests of the National Park Donauauen as well as the picturesque hungarian Danube bend are alternating with pulsative metropolises such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. The wide stream of the Danube flows like a silver belt through Budapest separating the hilly Buda and the flat Pest. The imposant cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes already from the distance. At the foot of the Carpathian Mountains the slovak capitol Bratislava (former Pressburg) invites with its charming Old Town to a vast stroll. What about a small flirt with Vienna, City of Waltz? A firework of sightseeings, small dreamy coffee bars and cosy wine taverns are expecting you.

MS My Story

This famous, with traditional techniques built middle-class ship creates a warm and relaxed atmosphere. On the sun deck you can enjoy relaxed the passing Danube landscape with its picturesque villages and historic buildings and tank warmth. In addition to lounge chairs also small groups of chairs provide seating for entertaining round of talks or board games in the fresh air. The panorama restaurant and the panorama lounge featuring a bar offer not only regional delicacies and drinks but also plenty of room to get together with old friends and new acquaintances. For amusement and entertainment live music is provided every day. On the main deck, a small spa area with sauna invites guests to relax. The 87 comfortable outside cabins (about 9 m²) - spread over two decks - have 1-2 lower beds (during the day the bed can be folded against the wall so that a homely atmosphere is created), a centrally controlled air conditioning/heating with individual ventilation, a shower/toilet, a satellite TV and a hairdryer. Triple cabins have an additional upper bed. Particularly suitable for families are the cabins with connecting doors. The windows can be opened only on the upper deck.

1. day  Passau

Individual arrival at the ‘city of three rivers’. Passau attracts with the world’s biggest church organ at the Stephansdom and with its charming Old Town. Embarkation: 5 p.m. Departure: approx. 09:00 p.m. Cruise to the traditional town of Engelhartszell.

2. day  Donauschlinge 40 km

Your cycle tour starts in Engelhartszell. You cycle towards the great Danube loop of the Schlögener Schlinge, one of the most beautiful and original segments of the Danube with its small villages and cosy taverns. In the charming village Aschach you get onboard and ‘sail’ into the night to Vienna (arrival next morning).

3. day  Wien & Bratislava 55 - 75 km

Just outside Vienna you can experience untamed nature at the Danube Floodplains National Park, one of the last unspoilt floodplains of Europe. If you do not want to cycle the whole distance, the last 20 km can be covered by train. Todays destination Bratislava attracts with its imposing castle and a lovely Old Town. Discover hidden alleys, places and other sights of this ambitious metropolis during an Oldtimer ride and a guided walk through town (optional). In the night shipping to Budapest.

4. day  Budapest

Enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube bend’s gorgeous landscape in the morning. Entering Budapest by boat is overwhelming: many of the famous tourist features are situated directly on the river banks. The Margaretheninsel is waiting to be explored by bike. The market hall – called the ‘stomach of Budapest’ – is attracting with Hungarian specialities and handicraft. During a guided city tour by bike or bus (optional) you experience the city of Budapest.

5. day  Visegrad- Eszertgom 24 - 57 km

Look forward to today's bicycle tour through the Danube Bend because it is also an excursion into Hungary's history. From the former royal residence Visegrad you cycle through the picturesque, hilly landscape of the Danube Bend - also called Hungarian Wachau - to Esztergom. Here you'll see the powerful and magnificent basilica, the largest church in Hungary that is dominating the castle district. Enthusiastic cyclists who want to cycle more than 24 km can make a side trip to Szentendre Island and visit the Baroque city of Vác (57 miles).

6. day  Vienna sigthseeing tour by bike or bus

Discover Vienna’s most beautiful points by interest during a city tour by bike or bus. You will experience the most famous sights at close: the imperial Palace Hofburg, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the gorgeous boulevard ‘Ringstraße’ with the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and the Town Hall as well as the colourful ‘Hunderwasserhaus’ and the Giant Ferry Wheel, located at the amusement park Prater. Relaxation can be found at one of the countless small cafés. The day ends impressively with a Waltz- and Opera Concert at the Wiener Hofburg/Imperial Palace (optional) or you may want to visit a traditional wine tavern on your own. During the night shipping to Krems.

7. day  Wachau 36 km

Small dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins are the characteristics of the hilly landscapes of the UNESCO- World Heritage Site Wachau. Pure cycling enjoyment can be found here! The small town Weißenkirchen invites with cosy wine taverns directly next to the bike path for a break. Watch out: you have to walk your bike through Dürnstein’s narrow alleys, its pedestrial zone. King Richard Lionheart was involuntary guest here during mediaeval times. Today’s destination is Melk with its gorgeous baroque Benedictine monastery. After the gala dinner the crew invites for an entertaining show evening.

8. day  Passau

Relaxed and definitely in good spirits you reach Passau in the late morning. Disembarkation: approx. 11:30

Pleaae note:

In case of flood or low tide the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages with buses. In extreme case the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered – previously not announced – repair work on locks or bridges or in case of undeserved breakdown of engine and power unit.Please be aware that your ship MV Theodor Körner, like all other ships on the Danube, is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power also during night. Especially crossing locks and bridges – and the preparation work – might cause noises. If you are sensitive to noises please bring your own earplugs