Rescheduled TO 2022 due to covid-19

Cruise and cycle along the Danube River, visiting Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary

Cycle and cruise from the charming Bavarian "Three River City" of Passau straight into the heart of the once glorious Austro-Hungarian Empire, discover four fascinating countries and visit Europe’s most charming capitals on one glorious cycling holiday. The flat Danube Cycle Path offers easy going riding and a treasure trove of scenery, history and culture, all with the adventure of your overnight stays aboard an exclusive river cruise ship.

image (c) RAD + REISEN Afra Hämmerle-Loidl

Take time to explore Budapest’s imperial and art nouveau highlights, take a comprehensive tour through the coronation capital of Bratislava with its baroque and gothic buildings and fountains and discover why Vienna is called the ‘Metropolis of Waltz’. After a great day of cycling and exploring relax onboard the MS Carissima while listening to live music, or you could even head out to do more discovering on foot.

Trip Overview

The trip is from May 27, 2022 to June 6. We'll fly into Munich then bus transfer to Passau. We'll spend seven nights aboard the comfort plus MS Carissima, sailing 700 miles from Passau in Germany to Budapest in Hungary and back, cycling on five of the six days. At the end of the trip we'll have two nights in Munich before flying back to the US.

Trip Pricing

We've reserved 18 cabins, 9 on the upper deck and 9 on the middle deck. The rooms are essentially identical.

The following is 2021 pricing - we are awaiting the final 2022 pricing:

• Middle cabin: $3,978 per person
• Upper cabin: $4,128 per person
• Land only: (i.e. No air) $3,028/$3,178

What's Included:

• 2 person cabin
• Breakfast and dinner onboard with packed lunch
• Round trip air US-Munich
• All transfers
• Tour Guides (bike)
• Two nights in Munich including breakfast
• Farewell dinner at the world famous Hofbrauhaus (Munich)
• Pre-trip party
• Tips for transfers

Not included:

• Tips for the boat crew/cycle guides/hotel.
• Bike rental
• Other meals

Optional bike rental:

• Regular 21-speed bike: $100
• E-Bike: $225

Payment schedule

• $500 deposit (sign-up)
• Aug 1 2020 - $500
• Jan 1 2022 - $750
• Feb 1 2022 - Balance

Tour Profile

The cycle route is completely flat with only slightly gradients, ideal for cyclists with less experience and children. Do not feel like cycling? Stay on board and reach your destination by ship.

Day 0: Depart Florida (Fri May 27)

We'll fly overnight from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to Munich, Germany.

Day 1: Munich-Passau (Sat May 28)

We'll transfer by private bus roughly two hours from Munich to Passau, boarding the boat at 4:30 p.m. Located at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers, Passau has numerous interesting sites to visit. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestoned old town centre, listen to the bells of Passau’s Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world’s largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Cathedral. At 6.00 p.m. we cast off!

Day 2: Great Loop/Engelhartszell-Aschach 27 miles

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.

Day 3: Devin - Bratislava, 27m

You pedal along the former ‘Iron Curtain’, cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s ‘vegetable garden’ to the coronation city of Bratislava and the slopes of the little Carpathians and discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour.

Day 4: Budapest I Szentendre, approx. 33.5m

The entrance to Budapest, Hungary’s capital is stunning. Savor the beauty of Budapest during a coach tour or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the highlights of this handsome city. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. You will get a great experience of Hungarian culture at an evening show with traditional music and dance (optional).

Day 5: Danube bend - Esztergom, approx. 27m

The wooded hills of Pilis, Visegrád and Börzsöny together with the meandering Danube create a wonderful landscape that has become a nature lover’s paradise. Situated in the middle of the Danube River the idyllic isle of Szentendre exudes silent Puszta (Hungarian grassland)  romance. You cycle via the baroque village of Vác (influenced by the architects of Austria’s empress Maria Theresia) to the bishop town of Esztergom with its gorgeous basilica – Hungary’s largest Catholic Church.

Day 6: Vienna (day of rest, Thur 2 Jun)

Discover Vienna’s most beautiful attractions. During a city tour by bike or bus (optional) you will experience Vienna’s most famous examples of architecture: the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous ‘Ring’-boulevard and the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall and, of course, the colorful "Hundertwasserhaus". Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés, while the evening ends impressively at a classical concert (optional) in one of Vienna‘s most famous palaces.

Day 7: Wachau / Krems - Melk, 23m

Your last biking day is a special highlight! A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein, while the blue spire of the monastery church is a landmark of the renowned Wachau. Amidst dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards and castles, this hilly landscape enchants everybody who visits ... you will be biking on cloud nine! In Weißenkirchen (possibility to do a wine-tasting – optional) you will find comfortable wine taverns along the bike path. After the Captain’s farewell dinner, lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced during the popular crew show.

Day 8: Passau/Munich

As you cruise back up the Danube, enjoy the early morning sunshine as you wind your way to Passau, where you will disembark at about 10:00 am for our transfer to our 4-star hotel in Munich, the Eurostars Book Hotel

Day 9: Munich

A day to explore the city of Munich on your own.

Day 10: Munich-Florida (Mon Jun 6)

Our last day is a travel day back to the US.

Our boat: MS Carissima

On board our comfortable cruise ship you enjoy an exclusive atmosphere – in the spacious, convenient cabins as well as in the stylish outdoor area. Experience the fantastic view to breathtaking landscapes – on the bike, from the pool on the sun deck, in the comfy seats of the lounge, and even during your amazing meals in the first class restaurant.

We've reserved rooms on the middle and upper decks.  Each room sleeps two people and the beds can be separated for two singles sharing a cabin.  Due to high demand, we are not offering single supplements for this trip.

Flight Information

LH 463 27MAY MIA/FRA  450P  800A

LH 098 28MAY FRA/MUC  915A 1010A

LX1101 06JUN MUC/ZRH  910A 1010A

LX 064 06JUN ZRH/MIA  100P  545P