Cycling & Boat Passau - Wien, MS Prinzessin Katharina
The Danube in the rhytm of the waltz
Travelling by bike & boat is particularly popular amongst cyclists. On this holiday, enjoy the wonderful nature along the River Danube by bike whilst being accompanied by your "floating hotel" - the MS Princess Katharina. On this bike & boat holiday, you travel from Passau, the 3 river city, via Upper and Lower Austria all the way to Vienna and back. Enjoy the impressive Danube landscape whilst treating yourself to the many regional specialities as well as the quality Wachau wine. Try the hearty dumplings or the light and sweet 'Most' (apple wine). After a leisurely cycle tour along the Danube, you will arrive in Vienna, a cosmopolitan city. In 2016 Vienna was selected for the sixth time in a row as the best city to live in worldwide.
There are numerous attractions for you to explore on a city tour by bike. Dive into the long forgotten Habsburg Empire and visit some of the 177 palaces. Historical stately buildings like the gothic style St. Stephen's cathedral, the Imperial Palace, the art nouveau of the Secession building, the famous baroque Schönbrunn palace, town hall and the natural history and art museum are all sites where you can sense the former empire's flair.
In the global capital of music, you can expect a diverse cultural offer ranging from Waltz, light opera and opera to musicals or symphony concerts. You are sure to find somewhere to relax in one of the cosy coffee houses or at the "Wiener Prater", perhaps on its famous and huge giant wheel. Viennese food offers true culinary delights. You sure can round off your bike tour with lots of specialities.
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 cruise we officially welcome you as guests of the cruise on the Danube and welcome you on board with a welcome cocktail and the first dinner.
Worth seeing is the monastery of Engelhartszell, known for the beautifully renovated church, but also for the "healing" herbal schnapps. You cycle downstream on the former Treppelweg. For a special change of pace, take a ride on the walnut-shell-sized longitudinal ferry (approx. CHF 9.- per person) through the Schlögener Schlinge. From Aschach you can reach Linz by boat. Tip: Discover the city with the bright yellow City Express.
Early morning boat trip to Mauthausen. On your boat and bike vacation, a tour by bike and boat to Grein awaits you on this day. Before you reach the town, however, you can first visit the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial site in the morning. It commemorates the atrocities in the largest concentration camp built by the Nazis during their rule in Austria.
Insight into older history is offered by a visit to the Celtic village in the market town of Mitterkirchen. The tour 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 (closed on Mondays and can only be visited as part of the optional excursion offered).
Today your cycling vacation starts with a tour in the fascinating landscape of the "wild Strudengau". The Strudengau is a beautiful, wooded valley of the Danube with a narrow section of the river that was once much feared by boatmen. The bike path continues to Melk with its magnificent Benedictine monastery. The impressive baroque building is considered a landmark of the Wachau and belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage as one of the most important baroque buildings in Austria.
In Melk you will board the ship again. Night boat trip through the Wachau and arrival in the garden city of Tulln.
Now you have already come very close to the Austrian capital by bike and boat: Just outside the gates of Vienna, however, there is still time for a visit to Klosterneuburg Abbey. Already visible from a distance is the dome of the 900-year-old baroque magnificent building. The "Verdun Altar" inside the monastery is one of the highlights of medieval goldsmith's art.
From the wine tavern village Kahlenbergerdorf a short hike through the vineyards to the panorama terrace of the Kahlenberg is worthwhile. You will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the metropolis. During a city tour / city walk you can discover Vienna.
Today, the countless sights of the Danube metropolis are on your agenda: perhaps St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg, the magnificent boulevard Ringstrasse with the Burgtheater, State Opera House and City Hall? There are countless possibilities. Nevertheless, take enough time to stroll around or visit one of the famous Viennese cafés. At night your ship will sail to Dürnstein or Rossatz in the Wachau.
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. We recommend booking train connections from about 13:30 p.m.
Tour character
Flat and slightly downhill, for relaxed cycling, suitable for beginners and children.
7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities
Full board (7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch, 7x 3-course-dinner)
Coffee and tea in the afternoon
Welcome- and Farewell drink
Daily cabin cleaning
Changing of towels and bed cloths if wanted
Daily informational meeting
Guide book for individual Tours (1x per cabin)
Tour guide on board
Passenger and port fees
GPS-data available
Note:
Extra nights in Passau are possible upon request
Reservation fee of CHF 20.- per adult (incl. legally required customer money protection)
Information
Arrival/Parking/Departure:
Passau mains station is about 5 km away from the pier
Parking space (fenced area) incl. transfer parking space – boat – parking space CHF 85.- per week Park garage incl. transfer park garage – boat – park garage CHF 99.- per week (Registration form in the travel documents)
Other important information:
The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.
Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended.
Accommodation
MS PRINZESSIN KATHARINA☀☀☀☀
The comfortable MS Prinzessin Katharina provides the right ambience to make you feel at ease. On board the premium ship you can expect classic elegance, a tasteful interior and a friendly crew.
Beds: 142Cabinsize: ca. 11 m²Length: 110 mWidth: 11,2 mDraught: 1 m
MS PRINZESSIN KATHARINA☀☀☀☀
The comfortable MS Prinzessin Katharina provides the right ambience to make you feel at ease. On board the premium ship you can expect classic elegance, a tasteful interior and a friendly crew. Enjoy the special atmosphere and let yourself be spoilt by the good cuisine. On two passenger decks you will find a panoramic restaurant, a comfortable salon, two bars and an inviting foyer, a book corner, a small shop and a massage parlor. On the spacious, partly covered sun deck there are enough deck chairs available.
All 71 cabins are outside cabins and comfortably and tastefully furnished featuring en-suite facilities with shower/WC, hair dryer, air-conditioning, TV, on-board-radio, telephone and a small refrigerator.
Upper deck: 29 two-bed cabins, 1 triple cabin und 2 single cabins; all cabins have approx. 11 m2 with French balcony (= floor-to-ceiling windows which can be opened). 2-bed cabins with a sofa bed and a pullman bed (stowed during the day for more comfort). In the triple cabin a 3rd bed is folded down from the wall (max. 80 kg).
Main deck: 38 two-bed cabins, 1 single cabin (all cabins have approx. 11 m2) with two sofa beds standing in a right angle and a picture window (not to open).
Beds: 142Cabinsize: ca. 11 m²Length: 110 mWidth: 11,2 mDraught: 1 m
Schöne Reise, sorglos entlang der Donau radeln, alles ist organisiert und klappt sehr gut. Einfach entschleunigend!
RetoZingganswered:
Herzlichen Dank für dieses tolle Reisefeedback. Es freut uns sehr, dass Sie Ihre Reise auf der MS Prinzessin Katharina geniessen konnten und Sie sich wohlgefühlt haben. Die Velowege entlang der Donau sind schon einsame spitzte. Es freut uns sehr, dass sie mit den Ferien zufrieden waren.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Robert Z. |28.06.2022
Magnifique! Vélo facile pour tout le monde
Nous avons cette opportunité de faire à vélo ce Danube et c’était juste extraordinaire. Nous avons visité à notre guise de jolis villages . Pris le temps de vivre. On revient l’année prochaine
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
Nicole Wasserfallen |12.08.2017
Schöne Fahrradferien
Das Schiff ist gut eingerichtet, nicht mehr ganz neu, aber heimelig. Die Kabinen sind sehr einfach und ein bisschen in die Jahre gekommen. Zwei schmale Einzelbetten.Das Essen war super! Die Besatzung sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit. Der Reiseleiter war top! Er kennt die Strecken wie seine Westentasche und die Besprechungen waren sehr hilfreich. Die Fahrräder sind in gutem Zustand aber ein bisschen schwer. Wer sich gewöhnt ist ein E-Bike zu fahren, sollte sich das für diese Strecke überlegen.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Nicole Droz |20.09.2016
Excellente
Nous avons apprécié de dormir sur le bateau et de partir à vélo chaque jour. Excellente formule. Très bonne organisation.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Christiane Kunz |12.09.2016
Super organisation, sérieux
nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir lors de cette croisière. En faisant du vélo la journée, tout est bien organisé, les étapes sont bien calculées, le personnel est très agréable.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4 stars
Christian Seelhofer |18.07.2016
Donau mit Rad und Schiff
Sehr schöne Reise. Radreisen waren interessant, die Radstreifen manchmal etwas viel den Hauptstrassen entlang. Stadtbesichtigung in Budapest super. Stadtbesichtigung Wien zu kurz und zu oberflächlich. Das Schiff und Kabinen mit gutem Komfort. Schiffpersonal super. Reiseführung mit Jan super. Die Reise werde ich sicher weiterempfehlen.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
3 stars
Albert Grolimund |05.06.2016
Radreisende mit Mängel
Schiff mit komfortablen Kabinen im Oberdeck! Sauber, 2x täglich Tücherwechsel. Räder guter Zustand jedoch nicht reserviert wie vom Reiseveranstalter versprochen. Chaotischer Reiseleiter! Personal im allgemeinen freundlich. Frühstück-Angebot gut, Abendessen könnte für ein 4Stern besser und reichhaltiger sein. Überraschung am vorletzten Tag: Couvert für Trinkgeld mit Empfehlung, sollte dringend in den Reiseunterlagen erwähnt werden!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
JEAN-FRANCOIS RUCHONNET |01.06.2016
BELLE DECOUVERTE
NOUS SAVIONS QUE LES LANGUES DU VOYAGE ETAIENT L'ALLEMAND ET L'ANGLAIS,MAIS PERSONNE NE PARLAIT LE FRANCAIS,C'EST NOTRE SEUL REGRET!!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Ernst Hartmann |04.10.2015
Schwimmendes 5-Sterne Hotel
Diese Reise war eine der schönsten sehr gut organisierten Aktiv-Ferien mit einem unübertrefflichen Service an Bord der MS-Normandie. Wir freuen uns schon auf die nächsten Aktivferien mit Ihnen.Freundlich grüsst Ev und Ernst Hartmann
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Max Günter |24.09.2015
Super
Alles war super.Wir hatten allerdings nur schönes Wetter.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Kurt Arnold |27.08.2015
Nur der Wettergott hat gepatzt!
Alles bestens organisiert von A - Z. Super Informationen des Guides Jan, mit Humor an den Mann/Frau gebracht anlässlich der Infotreffen. Personal auf dem Schiff sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend, aufmerksam aber nicht aufdringlich. Eine Superreise für Genuss-Radfahrer.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
John Diehl |10.09.2014
Super schön.. super organisiert
Es war eine tolle Reise. Bestens organisiert. Schönes Schiff. Gutes Essen. Super Crew. Nur zum Empfehlen.