Passau to Vienna Cycle Deluxe

Check into your 4 star hotel located directly on the Danube and receive your travel documents. The remainder of the day is free to explore the town. Located at the junction of three rivers, the Danube, Inn and Ilz, Passau has a number of interesting sites including the Fortress “Veste Oberhaus” built in 1219 where there is an observation tower for a good view of the town and the river and St. Stephens Cathedral with the world’s largest church organ. At 4.00pm there will be a bike handover. If you are arriving after this time, a bike handover will occur tomorrow morning.

Following breakfast at your hotel, cycle along the Danube through the Austrian border town of Engelhartszell which is home to a former Cistercian abbey (1293-1786) and since 1925 the only Trappist monastery in Austria. From here you continue to Schlögen. The famous Schlögener Blick provides a wonderful view of the surrounding Austrian countryside. The usual hotel this evening is right on the Schlögen Loop with impressive views from the terrace.

On the southern bank of the Danube you pass Aschach and the monastery Wilhering until you reach the capital of Upper Austria, Linz. The city has a lively arts and music culture. In 1783 Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 36 here, now known as the Linz Symphony. The modern “Lentos” museum, situated on the Danube and illuminated at night, is worth a look. The Brucknerhaus has an extensive program in 2024 celebrating Upper Austria's famous composer.

The cycle continues along the Danube cycle path passing the Mauthausen concentration camp. It is possible to visit the camp which has an interesting museum, although the detour requires a steep uphill climb. Meandering away from the river the route takes you through fields of wheat, corn and sunflowers. Detour to nearby Enns, to visit the main square with it’s 60 m high tower built in the 16th century! The cycle route continues through the "Strudengau" region, until you reach the old town of Grein, dominated by the castle of “Greinburg”. In Grein you will find the oldest Austrian theatre which is open to visitors.

The trail takes you through the Strudengau region to Ybbs, a former trading centre on the Danube, and past Maria Taferl to Melk with its imposing Benedictine Monastery. Well before you reach the town you can see the huge monastery and there will be ample time in the afternoon to explore the museum, abbey and absorb the sweeping view from its balcony. Overnight in a delightful 4 star hotel in Melk.

Today, you pedal through the renowned Wachau, with its truly romantic scenery of vineyards and quaint villages, enroute to Durnstein. You will pass several fantastic sights (abbeys, castles, ruins). Alongside the cycle path and in Durnstein you will find the so called “Heurigen” (typical Austrian wine taverns) where you can taste wine or regional foods. Overnight you are in for a treat staying at the 5 star Schloss Durnstein (if unavailable at the time you book a hotel of similar standard will be used).

Leaving the vineyards behind you, you cycle through the expanse of the “Tullnerfeld” at a leisurely pace. You arrive at the Roman town Tulln in the afternoon. Enjoy this small city and wander through its' parks to see why it is known as the city of flowers.

Leaving Tulln you come closer to Vienna. As soon as you can see the edge of the Vienna Woods (Wiener Wald) and it’s rolling foothills, look and you will find the castle of Greifenstein and the sharply pointed spires of the Klosterneuburg monastery. Just after Klosterneuburg, you will reach the Austrian capital city and city of Waltz, Vienna, a metropolis with a heart full of charm. Overnight in a superb historic hotel in the heart of Vienna.

Make sure you visit the famous sights such as the ‘Naschmarkt’ and the beautiful castle Schönbrunn. Trip concludes after breakfast.