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THE DANUBE CYCLING ROUTE
along the most beautiful river in Europe . 8 days . hotel . roundtrip . self-guided
Cycling has its classic races: the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Names that are uttered respectfully and reverentially; winning one of these races brings eternal glory. But cycling tourism also has its classics, and one of them is the Danube Cycling Route. This trip should not be missing in the programme of a cycling holiday specialist – nor should it be missing from the roll of honour of the cycling tourist.
It is not that strange that the Danube Cycling Route has become a classic. Where else can you find so much carefree cycling pleasure? The approximately 300 km from Passau to Vienna are done mainly on asphalt paths beside the river. While the mountain peaks alternate around you, you follow the flat banks of the river. Through a landscape that is continually changing, where castles and cathedrals, historic towns and cheerful villages are presented to you doubly: in reality and reflected in the blue water of the river.
The trip starts in Passau, a town full of narrow cobble-stone streets, antique dealers and restaurants, where the Inn, the Ilz and the Danube converge. You then take car-free towpaths, following the meandering river on its winding path through the green hills, past forested slopes, spacious pastures, picturesque villages, impressive monasteries, romantic castles and baroque towns like Linz and Vienna.
And there are countless other less well-known highlights along the route. Grein, for example, a jewel of a town with an impressive castle, Ybbs with its cheerful Altstadt, or Melk, with its baroque monastery the famous Benediktinerstift. Another highlight is without a doubt the stage through the Wachau, a protected nature reserve with high cliffs and with terraced slopes covered with grapevines where highly-praised wines are produced. This ‘queen of stages’ ends in Krems, a town with an Italian touch, with many narrow streets and views.
The final destination of this classic can be nothing less than Vienna itself, the town of coffee houses and Sachertorte, grandeur and nostalgia, music and visual arts, the Prater and the Stephansdom, Hundertwasserhaus and Schloss Schönbrunn.
Day-to-day programme
Day 1 Arrival in Passau.
Day 2 Passau - Schlögen, 44 km.
Day 3 Schlögen - Linz, 53 km.
Day 4 Linz - Grein, 65 km.
Day 5 Grein – Melk, 51 km.
Day 6 Melk - Krems, 40/55 km.
Day 7 Krems - Vienna, train + 39 km.
Day 8 Transfer by train to Passau and departure
Price per person in 2009
Based on a double room SEK 7310,-
Surcharge for half pension: SEK 1477.-
Travel dates
Every day from 1 April through 31 October
INCLUDED:
7- nights based on double room with shower/toilet in a 4-star hotel
• Complimentary welcome drink and bottle of wine
• Breakfast (7x) and diner if booked
• Luggage transport until Vienna
•Route description with map (1 per room)
• Trainticket Krems-Tulln
• Handlebar bag (1 per room)
• Bicycle: local bicycle with 7 gears and a bag
NOT INCLUDED:
• Return transfer Vienna – Paussau
• Harbour fees
1 piece of luggage per person
Day-to-day programme can be different than the programme indicated
21-speed bicycle or electrobicycle on request available
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