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Boat and bike Danube | MS Swiss Crown

Puszta, Balkan and Paprika

Discover the breathtaking natural scenery of the Iron Gates, one of the most spectacular gorges in Europe, the vast expanse of the Pannonian plains, cycle through the Danube Bend in Hungary and the breadbaskets of Croatia and Serbia, through idyllic wine-growing regions and past commanding fortresses high above the river. Visit Belgrade, the "white city", fall in love with bewitching Budapest, the "Paris of the East", marvel at the baroque palaces in the picturesque old Town of Bratislava and let yourself be carried away by the elegant charm of Vienna, the city of the waltz. 

Easy
Boat and Bike
15 Days / 14 Nights
Guided group tour

Itinerary

Embarkation 4.00 p.m. in Passau; departure is at 5.00 p.m. Enjoy a final view of the beautiful city of Passau as you glide serenely into the sunset, past dark green forests before entering the lock at the Jochenstein power plant on the border between Germany and Austria.

Your first day’s cycling begins with a ride through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’ Donauschlinge - one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube. Along the way you will encounter tiny villages and cozy cider taverns. In Austria’s only Trappist monastery at Engelhartszell you can taste their delicious liquors and cheese. The famous ‘Schlogener View’ provides a wonderful panorama of the surrounding Austrian countryside. The boat welcomes all cyclists back on board in the charming market town of Aschach.

A narrow cycle path runs along the Iron Curtain from the castle ruins in Devin to the splendid palace of Schloss Hof, which boasts one of the most magnificent baroque gardens in Europe. There follows a stretch of untouched countryside and a short time later, you arrive in the vibrant city of Bratislava. Our miniature train tour of the Slovakian capital in which Hungarian kings were once crowned (optional) begins with a glorious view from the fortress perched on a hill overlooking the city and ends with a walk through the beautifully restored historic city centre.

Savour the entrance to Budapest and the stunning views of the city‘s most famous buildings. Discover the city that straddles the Danube on a guided tour (optional) or take a detour to the delightful little town of Szentendre with many artists and galleries. Get a taste of the fiery Hungarian temperament at a Hungarian folklore show with traditional music and folk dance accompanied by wine and hearty local food (optional).

From the quiet baroque town of Baja that is famous for their fish soup, you’ll cycle along the flood protection dykes in the Gemenc floodplain, through sleepy river landscapes past fields of sunflowers. At the end of today’s stage, you take the ferry to the little town of Mohacs, Hungary’s most southerly town on the Danube and famously the site of two battles with the Ottoman Turks.

Explore the fun loving Serbian capital at the confluence of the Save and the Danube by bike or bus, take a journey in time from the past to the present and learn about the rise and fall of Yugoslavia (optional). In the evening, Belgrade is bathed in a sea of light. Visit a colourful folklore show with traditional dances from all parts of the country, followed by typical regional specialities in the well-known bohemian district of Skadarlija with lively folk music from a Serbian band (optional).

Experience the stunning fjord-like landscape at close quarters from the ship’s deck. The river cuts through the Romanian Carpathian mountains and the mighty foothills of the Balkan mountain range. A spectacular landscape with steep gorges, dark forests with historic monuments and impregnable fortresses on the shores that are reflected in the blue waters of the river: this miracle of nature will take your breath away!

The imposing Petrovaradin fortress perches high above the provincial capital of the Vojvodina. After cycling upstream along a flat cycle path you take a ferry to reach the gentle foothills of the Fruska Gora, with their orchards, vineyards and idyllic farming villages. Everything in the medieval town of Ilok revolves around wine. During an evening tour of the town, you will have the opportunity to sample some famous croatian wines at a wine cellar (optional).

In the border triangle you cycle through the never-ending „Backa“. Small, idyllic villages and endless canola fields accompany you from Croatia to Serbia and Hungary. Farmers stop their work to greet you and now and then you will meet a carriage. You will experience untouched nature in the Nemzeti National Park and after the ferry ride to Mohacs there is enough time for a visit at the White Stork Museum or the Memorial of the Battle of Mohacs.

Kalocsa is the "Paprika Capital" of Hungary and the character of the town is strongly influenced by colourful houses with hand painted, bright floral patterns and the cathedral with their towers that can be seen even from a distance as they rise into the skies from the flat Hungarian plain. Visiting the Paprika Museum, you’ll learn all there about Hungary’s favourite spice. Continue your journey on the well built cycle path along the flood protection dyke through the vast expanse of the puszta, and corn fields and orchards that stretch as far as the eye can see until you reach Solt, birthplace of the famous conductor Sir George Solti. Vecsey Castle and the library with some 34,000 books are especially worth seeing.

The Danube is framed by steep wooded hills as it flows through the picturesque, hilly landscape of the "Hungarian Wachau". Set in the middle of the Danube, the delightful island of Szentendre radiates real puszta romance. As you continue your journey on idyllic cycle paths through picturesque villages, you’ll be able to experience the Hungarian zest for life at first hand. The dome of the imposing basilica in Esztergom that sits high over the Danube can be seen from far and wide. Hungary’s largest church, with its Tuscan style high altar and a side chapel with red marble walls is especially worth seeing.

After so many action packed days of cycling, you deserve some relaxation. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the idyllic floodplain forest of the Donauauen National Park and the impressive skyline as you sail into Vienna. Go for a ride on the Danube Island – Vienna’s favourite recreational area, cycle out to the nearby Klosterneuburg Abbey or wander through the idyllic vineyards of the so called Kahlenberg (with magnificent views over the city and the Danube). The day ends traditionally with a concert of classic waltz and operetta music in a historic Viennese palace (optional).

Discover Vienna: from the saddle on a guided bike tour or on your own with the HOP ON HOP OFF Bus (optional). Ride through the historic city centre at a leisurely pace and see the sights from close up. The magnificent Ringstraße will remind you of times long past and inviting coffee houses will tempt you with delicious Viennese cakes and pastries. Afterwards, there’s enough time to stroll through the quaint lanes or visit the Naschmarkt, a feast for the senses. End your day in Vienna in traditional fashion at a rustic wine tavern.

This final stage of your cycling tour can best be described as magical! The gentle hilly countryside of the Wachau with their picturesque villages, historic castles and palaces surrounded by apricot trees and terraced vineyards, is one of the loveliest stretches of the river. In Weißenkirchen the cycle path is lined with cosy vintner’s taverns and you should definitely treat yourself to a break here (optional wine tasting)!

Enjoy the first rays of sun and the early morning tranquillity of the Danube valley one last time. Catch a final view of the Danube Bend at Schlögen – before you reach Passau, your heart bursting with memories and impressions. Disembarkation at approx. 10.00 a.m.. Independent homeward travel. We recommend that you do not make any arrangements for onward connections departing before 11.00 a.m.. To be on the safe side, later departure times would be even better.

Tour character

Easy

The cycle paths are asphalted for the most part and run through flat to lightly hilly terrain – mainly following the routing of Eurovelo 6 – via cycle paths and country roads with little traffic. Don’t feel like cycling today? You can reach your destination easily by boat.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & extras

Services

Included Services

  • 14 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
  • harbor fees
  • Program according to itinerary from/to Passau 
  • Captains greeting and welcome cocktail
  • Full board: rich breakfast, lunch on board (non- cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists), afternoon coffee break, dinner (2/3 dishes to choose from), late night snack 
  • Gala dinner with farewell cocktail
  • Farewell-Crew-Show
  • Daily live-music 
  • Tour guide on board (does not cycle with the group
  • Daily information meeting 
  • Detailed travel documents per cabin, GPS tracks + cycling tour app / cabin

Not included Services

  • Arrival and departure
  • Parking fee
  • Transfers
  • Entrance fee and excursions
  • city maps
  • Rental bike
  • Ferrys
  • Journey insurance
  • Tip and drinks on board

Arrival/Parking

  • Arrival by car: If you arrive in Passau with your own car, we offer you a place in the Globus parking hall. We will bring you with your luggage from the parking hall to the ship and back.

  • Arrival by train: Destination train station: Passau Hbf.
    The berth is about 3 km from the station. Cabs are available at the station. Please allow sufficient time for your train journey, as delays are also possible here.
    You should choose your connection so that you reach the port in time, at the latest 2 hours before departure. Please note that you are responsible for your own timely arrival at the port.

  • Arrvial by plane: From Munich airport it is best to take the bus to Freising train station (travel time approx. 30 min.) and then continue by train to Passau (approx. 2 h)

Embarkation: from 16:00 - 17:00 (earlier boarding of the ship is not possible due to the change of passengers). Checking in of luggage or private bikes is possible from 15:00 at the earliest.
Please do not arrive too early - the berth does not have a covered waiting area, seating or other infrastructure.

The berth can be changed at short notice by the port authorities.
If you cannot find your berth, please contact the cruise director on board (tel. no. in your travel documents).

Further information

Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Britta Krefeldt
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+49 441 48597 21
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