11
16 875
Arrive at your riverfront hotel and then enjoy dinner in the heart of the old town tonight. *Comfortable Hotel*
After receiving your bike and welcome brief, pedal east to Obernzell, famous for pottery, before popping into the Keramicmuseum in a riverside castle. The scent of wood smoke and grilled trout may tempt you into lunch as you cross into Austria where the valley is steeper and cloaked with oak woods. On reaching the hotel, relax in the pool before dinner on the terrace watching passenger boats sparkling with fairy lights cruise past. Cycling distance either 23km/14.5mi or 47km/29.5mi *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 23
Distance in Miles: 14
Spot kingfishers today in the Donauschlinge Nature Reserve. Stop and enjoy the views at the picnic tables that dot the waterfront before you reach Aschach's frescoed waterfront. Catch the Linz ferry, or follow the towpath through reed marshes to Ottensheim beach for a swim. Hop on the train here and in no time you'll arrive at your hotel, an ancient convent, in Linz's extravagant town square. Cycling disctance either 27km/17mi or 46km/29mi *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 27
Distance in Miles: 17
The route leads you away from the Danube to 12th Century Enns. Austria's oldest city, before returning to the Danube and your overnight stop in the beautiful little village of Ardagger. *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 60
Distance in Miles: 37
Explore the small baroque town of Grein before cycling through the fertile Danube Valley for a lunch stop in Ybbs, home to a quirky collection of penny-farthings bicycles. The hilltop twin towers of Maria Taferl appear and Melk's monastery looms high above as you pedal towards Margaret Ebner's welcoming family hotel in Melk. Cycling distance either 27km/17mi or 46km/29mi *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 50
Distance in Miles: 31
Melk's massive Benedictine monastery was rebuilt in 1683 and the interior abbey is as breathtaking as the countryside views from the rooftop terrace. For a day trip, cycle to Schloss Schallaburg (8km return), one of the finest Renaissance castles north of the Alps, where you can stroll in the magnificent rose gardens and enjoy acclaimed cultural exhibitions. After dinner, enjoy wandering Melk's atmospheric cobbled streets. *Comfortable Hotel*
Today you coast along the UNESCO Wachau Valley, a necklace of villages and vineyards, anchored by pretty churches along the north bank. Each is charming, especially Durnstein where Richard the Lionheart was held for ransom in the craggy hilltop castle. Admire the statuette, Venus of Willendorf, dating back to 23,000BC, before arriving in Krems for a splash in the pool, and candlelit dinner on the terrace overlooking the valley. *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 39
Distance in Miles: 24.5
Krems has one of the most beautiful historic centres in Europe and is packed with interest, from the Wine Museum housed in a restored Dominican monastery to the 13th century abbey that exhibits paintings of Martin Johann Schmidt. You can cycle out to Schloss Grafenegg (14km away), a gargoyle-encrusted Gothic castle set in 85 acres of parkland, perfect for picnics, or just relax in the fabulous hotel spa and pool. *Comfortable Hotel*
Freewheel down river to Tulln, known as the 'Town of Roses'. Pop into the Roman museum which is packed with artefacts, and dine out tonight amid the fountains, statues and ornate buildings that crowd the pretty centre before returning to your waterfront hotel. *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 41
Distance in Miles: 26
Coast along the last stretch and relax over lunch in imperial Klosterneuburg. Then cycle along Danube Island before continuing to your hotel, right in the heart of the city. Enjoy dinner out in Vienna's lively centre which is breathtakingly floodlit at night! Cycling distance either 22km/13.5mi or 41km/26mi *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 22
Distance in Miles: 13.5
* 10 Nights, hotel-to-hotel
* 6 Days cycling
* Departs every 2 days
* High quality bikes provided
* Luggage transfers between hotels
All breakfasts included
* 10 Nights, hotel-to-hotel
* 6 Days cycling
* Departs every 2 days
* High quality bikes provided
* Luggage transfers between hotels
Classification: Self-Guided
Much of the cycling is on the old river towpath which is now lovely, flat and
surfaced; previously up to 60 horses strained to drag heavy cargo boats
upstream against the powerful current! Today, dozens of farms and cafes offer
waterfront lunch stops as you cycle between sun-baked villages and wayside
stalls piled high with apples, peaches and plums. Most cycling days are
completely flexible, as local boat and train services are excellent, cheap
and cater brilliantly to cyclists.
Hotels
Our hotels are all individually charming with those at Passau, Schlogen and
Tulln on the riverbank, and range from a quirky, 15th century convent in
Linz, to magnificent 4-star luxury in Krems, with two pools and a world-class
spa! We have included two nights in Linz, Melk and Krems to allow time to
explore at leisure. It's easy to add nights before or after the tour to enjoy
time in Passau and Vienna.
*Room upgrades available on request*
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the beginning of
the week to go through the route notes and point out particular places of
interest. Your luggage is transferred and route directions and maps are
provided. Please note: the luggage transfers included in this tour are
subject to a minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A
supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy
of a room will apply if only 1 person travelling on a departure date.
All breakfasts included
Transfers from Passau train station (pay locally, allow approx 8 euro),
however return to Vienna airport at 11:30 is included when booking a flight
inclusive package.
* Waterproofs
* Warm jumper/fleece
* Suncream
* Water bottle (1 litre) you will be able to refill each day at the
accommodation.
*Please note that cycling helmets are compulsory in Austria for all customers
under 12 yrs. As we are unable to provide these, we strongly recommend that
you bring your own.*
You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all
drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per
day. As dinner is not included expect to spend €10-€15 for lunch and
€15-€35 for dinner.
* Visas and vaccinations
* Travel insurance
* Single supplements
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.