Passau-Vienna-Passau 8-day Bike & Barge Tour

It was in Passau that Sisi began her journey along the Danube as a young bride to Vienna, where she was eagerly awaited by her Emperor Franz. Follow in the footsteps of the Austrian empress by bicycle and on a nostalgia ship as you discover breathtakingly beautiful river scenery with small sleepy villages, castles and palaces set in gorgeous countryside and enjoy warm Austrian hospitality at every stage of your cycling tour. The region is a gourmand’s paradise and famous for its cakes, pastries and other irresistible culinary treats. After Wiener Schnitzel, Sachertorte and apricot dumplings it’ll be much easier to burn up the miles. Wines from the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Landscape Wachau enjoy an international reputation, Linz, the capital of Upper Austria is home to the biggest church in Austria. And then there’s Vienna. Enchanting, charming and perhaps slightly eccentric, the City of Waltz will capture your heart in an instant. Magnificent buildings from the imperial age bear witness to the impressive history of times gone by.

Ship:

Stylish, elegant and timelessly beautiful - this is how the 4* SUPERIOR ship presents itself as it glides gently along the Danube river. You will immediately feel at home on board as soon as you enter the spectacular foyer. Designed in warm wood tones, the ship radiates a comfort and leaves nothing to be desired. The simple elegance of the timelessly beautiful staterooms, which are decorated with great attention to detail, will inspire you. Sit back, enjoy the serene, relaxed atmosphere, the fantastic views of breathtakingly beautiful natural landscapes, sometimes from the bicycle seat, sometimes from the inviting, partially covered sun deck. Let yourself be pampered by the friendly, accommodating crew and create on board relationships alongside memories to last a lifetime. Renovated 2018/2019. 

3 passenger-decks:

• Main deck (lower deck) - cabins STANDARD (small windows - can not be opened)
• Middle deck - cabins COMFORT (panorama window - can be opened), 1x MINISUITE (panorama window - can be opened)
• Upper deck - cabins SUPERIOR (balcony)

Cabins:

The 68 outward-facing cabins are spacious 14 m² (single cabin 12 m2) and convince with elegant, comfortable interior.
The cabins have a double bed (can be separated to 2 single beds), shower/WC, hairdryer, SAT TV, safe, coffee maker and individually adjustable air conditioning.

Standard : the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the main deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart) and smaller, raised windows (NOT openable).

Comfort: the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the middle deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart). The panoramic window can be opened.

Superior:the approx. 14 m² cabins are located on the upper deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart) and private balcony.

Minisuite: the approx. 16 m² cabin is located on the middle deck, equipped with a double bed (which can be moved apart), panoramic window, minibar and coffee station

• Prices quoted are for standard cabins on main deck. Please send an email if you would like to book upgraded cabins [email protected] 

Tour Character:

The cycle path is completely flat, at times on a gentle downhill slope and is ideal for bikers with less experience and children. The tour is rated easy on mostly flat terrain. 

Excursion program:

Optional excursions (not included in the price of your tour) can be booked individually or as a package on board only.

• Vienna: City tour by bike or HOP ON HOP OFF bus Waltz & operetta concert in the Schönbrunn Palais
• Linz: City Tour by Linz City Express
• Wachau: Wine tasting with a local winegrower
• Grein: Visit of Austria’s oldest theatre

Included in the Tour:

• 7 nights in outside cabins with private facilities and air conditioning
• Port charges
• Program according to itinerary from/to Passau
• Captains greeting and Welcome cocktail
• Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linen
• Full board: breakfast buffet, lunch on board (non-cyclists) or packed lunch (cyclists),
• Afternoon coffee break, (2/3 dishes to choose from)
• 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

Not included in the tour:

• Transfers to/from the ship
• Other transfers
• Rental bicycle
• Entrance fees & excursions
• Parking fee
• Drinks on board
• Personal (travel) insurances
• Gratuities (at your discretion)
• Fuel surcharges (50 EUR p.p)

Guided tour includes: Available June 10, July 8, Sept 23 2023 (+209 EUR). Available June 8, July 6, Sept 21 2024 (+209 EUR)

• Cycling tour guide
• Ferry rides
• Rental helmet (adults only)

Please book your bike (89 EUR) or e-bike (189 EUR) when you book the tour: [email protected]

Additional Information:

• The cycling tours are individual and self-guided. A guided tour is at extra cost. The bike tours vary between 29 and 50 km in length. All quoted distances are “approximate distances” for the recommended cycling tours.
• Luggage: we advise you to bring good shoes (for example sport shoes), bike helmet, a warm sweater, rainwear, sun hat & sun lotion.
• Travel document: Nationals of EU member states will need a valid identity card or passport for this trip.
• Diet: (for example lactose or gluten free diet) on request possible. Has to be requested at least 14 days before the departure date. Please bring your own special diet products.
• Route description/disclaimer: Itinerary and program barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons
• Cabins: Standard cabins are quoted, upgraded cabins are available for an extra charge, subject to availabilty. Please email us for confirmation.

On one hand, a riverboat is a “holiday hotel”, while on the other, it is also a means of transport that moves with motor power and must always be operated, even at night (partially with lock and bridge passages and the retractions and extensions of the structures caused as a result). Mistakes can happen with lock passages. This is the case for all Danube journeys and cannot be avoided. Please bear in mind that riverboats are restricted (bridge passages, locks) in size (length, height, width) and therefore cannot be compared with cruise liners in the sea.

Slow Tours offers a number of other Bike & Barge Tours in Europe

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