Passau – Vienna – Passau, MS Prinzessin Katharina

Boat: Passau – Engelhartszell
Arrival as arranged by you in Passau. The city is located on the Bavarian/Austrian border between the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers. Embarkation between 4-5 pm. At 7pm, the boat leaves the harbour bringing you to Engelhartszell where you will arrive at about 10pm. During the boat ride, you will enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner. 

Cycling: Engelhartszell – Untermühl | Boat: Untermühl – Linz

Engelhartszell abbey is well-worth a visit. It is well-known for its lovely church its "healthy" Schnaps. To mix things up a bit, take the little ferry boat through the romantic Schlögener loop (approx. €6 per person) where the river makes a very abrupt 180 degree turn. 

From Untermühl, you cruise to Linz. We recommend you take the yellow city express to explore the sites here in the European Capital of Culture 2009. This takes about 30 minutes. 

Boat: Linz – Mauthausen | Cycling: Mauthausen – Grein

In the morning you cruise to Mauthausen. There you can visit the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial and gain deep insights into the past of Mitterkirchen, a Celtic village. The easy cycle path takes you directly along the Danube.  

The route continues through the wide fertile plain of the Machland. The destination of the day's stage is the charming town of Grein. Also called the pearl of the Strudengau due to its idyllic location. Worth seeing: Greinburg Castle, Austria's oldest residential castle.

Cycling: Grein – Melk | Boat: Melk – Tulln
Your bike tours starts amid “wild Strudengau's" fascinating landscape, which is a narrow section of the Danube that was infamous amongst skippers. In Persenbeug, the valley gets broader and the bike tour heads to Melk where there is a noble baroque Benedictine abbey. You can reboard the boat here. At night you will leave Melk and start to Tulln.

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Cycling: Tulln – Vienna-Nussdorf/Korneuburg
Just before arriving in Vienna you will see Klosterneuburg abbey embedded in the landscape. The roof of this 900-year-old baroque building can be seen already from afar, the Lord’s Table is a highlight of medieval goldsmith’s art. Kahlenbergerdorf is located next to the shipping pier.

After a hike through the vineyards you can enjoy the view across the metropolis. In the afternoon you have the possibility to discover Vienna, the city of vitality during a city tour by coach or by foot (optional).

Boat: Vienna – Wachau/Dürnstein (at night)
Today you can experience the pulsating city of Vienna first hand during a city tour by bike. You shall go past the well-known places of interest like Prater, Stephans cathedral and the Hofburg ss well as the boulevard Ringstraße with  the Burgtheater, opera and town hall, which are all a remainded about times long ago.

In the afternoon there is enough time for a stroll or to visit a typical viennese café. Enjoy the evening at a concert or operetta in the Hofburg. The boat departs Vienna at night to cruise towards Wachau.

Cycling: Wachau/Dürnstein – Pöchlarn | Boat: Pöchlarn – Passau (at night)

Today, your last day of cycling, is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot treet, vineyards, castles, monastries and ruins, this slightly hilly landscape enchants everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In Spitz (possibility for a wine-tasting – optional), you will find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path. You have earnt yourself a break! In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner and cocktail.

Enjoy the sun on deck and the silence of the Danube valley for the last time. Take in the last opportunity for a view of the Danube loop before you arrive in Passau at around 11am. This is where your trip ends.