Welcome to Hooked on Cycling holidays and our cycling holidays in Austria. This biking vacation is a bike and boat tour. On a boat and bike tour your hotel is a wonderful ship the MS THEODOR KÖRNER. This cycling holiday is a self guided bike tour which we have graded as level 1 tour. Of course there is no need to cycle making this holiday ideal for non cycling partners and also families. Cycling along the Danube is a very special pleasure because on this tour the hotel is always with you! This cycling and boat journey takes you to the highlights along Europe’s second largest river. The impressive spectacle of nature of the Schlögener Donauschlinge, the fascinating landscape of the 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 pulsating 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 basilica in Esztergom salutes already from the distance. At the foot of the Carpathian Mountains the Slovakian capital Bratislava (former Pressburg) invites with its charming Old Town.

Available on 10/4, 17/4, 8/5, 29/5 ,19/6, 3/7 , 24/7 , 14/8 , 4/9, 18/9, 2/10, 9/10,16/10
Level 1 self guided tour.

Day 1 Passau
Arrival at “the city of three rivers”. if you arrive before boarding time take time to explore the wonderful old town and see one of the world’s greatest church organ at the Stephansdom. Boarding is a 5 p.m. with a departure around 9 p.m. Tonight you cruise to the Bavarian resort town Obernzell, which is the former summer residence of the bishops of Passau.

Day 2 Donauschlinge 25 miles 40 km
At Obernzell take a look at the wonderful castle before setting out on your bike tour. You cycle through the romantic fluvial topography of the “Great Loop” which is one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube with its small villages and cosy taverns. You will board again at the charming village Aschach and then you “sail” into the night.

Day 3 Vienna - Bratislava  33-46 miles 55 – 75 km
Outside of Vienna you can experience pure nature, wild and untamed at the National Park Donauauen, which is one of the last big unspoilt flood plains in Europe. You will the reach Bratislava where you can take an optional walkabout in the evening where you can discover hidden alleys, places and all the sights of this stunning metropolis.

Day 4 Budapest (day of rest)
In the morning you enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube bend´s gorgeous landscape. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming to many, many of the famous tourist features are situated directly next to the shore. Nearby you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for small bike tours. The market hall, called the stomach of Budapest, is bursting with Hungarian pleasures and handcrafts. During a city tour at night (optional) you can experience the illuminations of Budapest.

Day 5 Danube bend 15-36 miles 24-57 km
The Danube bend is definitely one of most delightful and attractive parts and is called the Hungarian Wachau. Today’s cycle tour starts at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the former palace. You can choose from 2 different routes: the longer one includes a side trip to the island of Szentendre and the baroque village of Vác which has been influenced by the architects of Austria’s empress Maria Theresia. The other route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church – overlooking the village

Day 6 Vienna (day of rest)
Discover Vienna´s most beautiful points. During a city tour by bike you can experience close by the most famous examples of architecture, the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous boulevard Ringstraße with the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall as well as the colourful Hunderwasserhaus and the Ferris wheel, which is situated directly at the Prater. Relaxation can be found at one of the numerous small coffee bars. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Opera Concert at the Wiener Kursalon (optional) or at a wine tavern.
Sight seeing tour by bike or bus , evening waltz concert (optional)

Day 7 Wachau 25 miles 40 km
Small dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins this hilly landscape is enchanting everybody. This is pure biking enjoyment! In Spitz you will find comfy wine taverns directly besides the bike path. Take a break, you should owe it to yourself! You have to walk your bike through Dürnstein´s narrow alleys. King Richard Lionheart was not really a voluntary guest here during medieval times as he found himself in prison on one of his crusades. At the end of this stage there is Melk with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine monk hood. After a ceremonial gala dinner lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced on board during a folklore show.

Day 8 Passau
Relaxed, being rested and definitely being in good spirits you will reach Passau in the late morning. You will leave the boat around 12:30 p.m.

Schedule
Changes of the timetable are subject to alteration.

The MS THEODOR KÖRNER is a very spacious ship of traditional shipbuilding skill with a very comfy and nostalgic atmosphere. It is imperative on board that the guest is king! The crew members will anticipate every wish and  therefore, make a contribution to the unbelievable success of this voyage. Your bike-cruise through various countries is also a culinary expedition through the diversity of the national and the regional cuisine, a musician will perform in the evening for dancing.

The ship offers a Restaurant, a Panorama-Bar, a Viennese Coffee Bar with sunny patio as well as a broad sun deck with comfortable deck-chairs. Books and magazines of our library provide relaxation and reading pleasure.

The dignified furnished cabins are cosy, rustic, approx. 9-10 sqm big and equipped with either 2 adjoined beds (2-Bed-Cabin) or with bunk beds (Double-Cabin), en suite (shower and toilet), TV, radio and air condition.

Technical details: year of manufacture: 1965, general renovation: 1998, length 87 m, breadth 17 m, draft 1,7 m, speed 25 km/h, 65 cabins, 135 passengers maximum

Tariff 2010

How to get there
Fly to Vienna where you can catch a train to Passau.
Fly to Munich where you can catch a local bus to Freising from the airport terminal and then by train to Passau.
To View other cycling holidays in Austria

Click below to view our great
Walking Holidays in Austria

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