Danube to the Iron Gates Bike and Boat
Danube to the Iron Gates Bike and Boat
15 Days Starting and ending in Passau
Visiting: Serbia, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary
Tour Overview
Our most extensive Danube cruise, taking in four capital cities; the Austrian capital of Vienna, the picturesque old town of Bratislava, the majestic city of Budapest, and the revived city of Belgrade. This journey by comfortable river cruiser and bike offers the opportunity to experience life along the Danube and the surrounding countryside at your own pace. Using our comfortable boat as a base, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Pannonian Plain, the Hungarian and Serbian countryside, the Slovakian capital at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and the highlight, the mighty canyon of the Iron Gates National Park on the Romanian border. You will visit charming wine villages, marvel at imposing fortifications that sit high above the river, and cycle through the Danube-Drava National Park. Alongside the scenic and cultural highlights that the Danube offers, the friendly crew will guarantee that you have an unforgettable experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Join Passau (Germany)
Meals Included: D
Boarding will begin at 4:00pm in Passau and the boat will depart at 5:00pm for the first cruise. 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. Stevens Cathedral with the world’s largest church organ. Cruise via a lock to the Jochenstein power plant on the border between Germany and Austria. As we cruise, information will be provided about the daily biking, sights and sightseeing trips. Dinner will follow.
Day 2 : Cycle Through The 'Great Loop' (42Km/26Mi)
Meals Included: B, L, D
This morning you will receive your bicycles from in front of the boat. Generally we provide bikes with 21 gears (or 7 gears if unavailable or requested). Enjoy a delightful day's cycling through the ruggedly romantic Danube Bend at Schlögen, one of the most beautiful sections of the river lined with sleepy farming villages and a natural landscape. Take a break at Austria's only Trappist monastery where you can taste their delicious liquors and cheese. On your way you will encounter tiny villages and cosy cider taverns. The famous “Schlogener View” provides a wonderful vista of the surrounding Austrian countryside. On arrival in the charming market town of Aschach, you reboard the boat.
Day 3 : Cycle To Bratislava (15-43Km/9-27Mi)
Meals Included: B, L, D
After a morning arrival in Devin, you cycle along the former "Iron Curtain", cross the green line and reach the imposing Imperial Palace of Hof with beautifully terraced gardens and idyllic manor farm. You continue along the bike path through Austria's "vegetable garden" to the vibrant city of Bratislava at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. You can discover the hidden alleyways and sights of Bratislava on an optional city tour before reboarding the boat this evening for an overnight cruise.
Day 4 : Arrive Budapest By Boat, Round Trip To Szentendre (27-54Km/17-33.5Mi) Or Free Time
Meals Included: B, L, D
Our boat arrives into Budapest in the morning and the panoramic view of the Danube bend is quite stunning. The day is free to explore the many sights of the city, with the vast majority located on the river banks, on your own or on an optional sightseeing tour by bus. You can also choose to cycle on a round trip to the charming town of Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene. In the evening, you can explore the Hungarian metropolis on your own or relax onboard.
Day 5 : Cycle Past Fields Of Sunflowers To Mohacs (37Km/23Mi)
Meals Included: B, L, D
From the quiet baroque town of Baja that is famous for its fish soup, you cycle along the flood protection dykes in the Gemenc floodplain, through sleepy river landscapes past fields of sunflowers. At the end of today's cycle stage, you take the ferry to the small town of Mohacs, Hungary's most southerly town on the Danube and the site of two historic battles with the Ottoman Empire.
Day At Leisure In Belgrade
Meals Included: B, L, D
Optional excursion: discover the vibrant Serbian metropolis by bike or bus on the confluence of the Save and Danube rivers, taking a small journey in time from the past to the present and discovering interesting facts about the rise and full of Yugoslavia. In the evening, Belgrade is bathed in a sea of light. Optional excursion: you visit a colourful folklore show with traditional dances from all parts of the country and then enjoy typical specialties of the country in the renowned artists’ district of “Skadarlija” with lively music from a Serbian band.
Day 7 : Cruise Through A Spectacular Landscape Of Deep Gorges And Impregnable Fortresses
Meals Included: B, L, D
Experience the stunning fjord-like landscape from the boat as we cruise through the Romanian Carpathian mountains and the foothills of the Balkan mountain range, or the "Iron Gates". The steep gorges, dark forests with historic monuments, impregnable fortresses and monasteries on the shores that are reflected in the blue waters of the river are spectacular.
Day 8 : Cycle From Novid Sad To Croatian Wine Town Ilok (48Km/30Mi)
Meals Included: B, L, D
Novid Sad, the provincial capital of Vojvodina, will capture your heart with its southern flair. The Petrovaradin fortress built in the 18th century by French architect Vauban as his masterpiece, one of the largest defensive structures in Europe, is the symbol of the city. You will cycle upstream along a flat cycle path then take a ferry to reach the gentle foothills of the Fruska Gora, with its orchards, vineyards and idyllic farming villages. Ilok, the eastern settlement of Croatia near the border of Serbia, is a wine kingdom of the Danube, known worldwide for its Traminer which the British royal family are fond of. Optional excursion: guided walk with Serbian wine tasting.
Day 9 : Cycle Along The Border And Explore The Nemzeti National Park (42Km/26Mi)
Meals Included: B, L, D
In the border triangle you will cycle through the never-ending "Backa" region. 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 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.
Day 10 : Cycle From Kalocsa, The Paprika Capital Of Hungary, To Solt (50Km/31Mi)
Meals Included: B, L, D
Kalocsa is the paprika capital of Hungary. Wreaths made of paprika peppers,
hand-painted, bright floral patterns on houses and wonderfully embroidered traditional dress shape the image of the town. The cathedral rises like a cliff from the Puszta, the Archbishop’s Palace houses a collection of 150,000 books and you can learn all about Hungary’s favourite spice in the paprika museum. You will cycle on the well defined cycle path along the flood protection dyke through the expansive puszta, corn fields and orchards until you reach the historic town of Solt. It is the birthplace of the renowned conductor Sir George Solti, and worth seeing are its Vecsey Castle and the library with some 34,000 books in its collection.
Day 11 : Cycle Through The Hungarian Countryside (43Km/27Mi)
Meals Included: B, L, D
The Danube is framed by steep wooded hills as it flows from the picturesque, hilly landscape of the "Hungarian Wachau". Setting off from Vac, you cycle past the island of Szentendre set in the middle of the Danube and continue on idyllic paths though the Hungarian countryside to Esztergom, the old royal residence and Hungary’s original capital city. The dome of the imposing basilica, Hungary’s largest Catholic church, that sits enthroned high over the Danube can be seen from far and wide and is well worth seeing with its Tuscan-style high altar and red marble walls.
Day 12 : Cruise To Vienna
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today is an opportunity to relax as we cruise to Vienna and enjoy the breath-taking view of the idyllic floodplain forest of the Donauauen National Park. The choice is yours: cycle on Vienna's favourite recreational area the Danube Island, cycle out to the nearby Klosterneuburg Abbey or wander through the idyllic vineyards on Kahlenberg with magnificent views over the city and the Danube. Optional evening excursion: Waltz and Operetta concert.
Day 13 : At Leisure In Vienna, Optional 3 Hour Cycle Tour Of City
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today is at leisure in Vienna. Optional day excursions: 3-hour guided bike tour, hop-on/hop-off bus tour. We will provide you with information to plan your sightseeing. You may choose to take a circuit through Hofburg with a visit to the Sisi museum or a short break in the antique bakery Demel. Or there is the middle ages area between Hafnersteig, Heiligenkreuzerhof and the Blut – and Domgasse. In the evening you may like to enjoy a glass of wine at a Viennese tavern. During the night we cruise to Krems.
Day 14 : Cycle Through The Wachau Valley To Melk (39Km/24Mi)
Meals Included: B, L, D
Today, one of the prettiest section of the trip, you pedal through the renowned Wachau, with its truly romantic scenery of vineyards and quaint villages, en route to Melk. Today’s cycle from Krems will take you past small dreamy villages, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Durnstein. In Weißenkirchen you will find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path where there is the possibility for wine tasting. Our last evening on board will include a gala dinner and crew show, while we cruise overnight back to Passau.
Day 15 : Morning Cruise Through The Danube Valley, Disembark Passau, Trip Concludes
Meals Included: B
Check-out from the cabins is by 9:00am. During breakfast the boat continues to Passau with estimated arrival time 9:30am and disembarkation at approximately 10:00. We recommend that you do not make any travel plans until after midday.
What's Included
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Accommodation
14 nights boat -
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners. The trip is based on full board which includes a buffet breakfast daily, packed lunches when cycling or lunch on board, and a 3 course dinner each night (2-3 choices for main course). Vegetarian or other dietary requ
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14 nights accommodation in a standard twin/double cabin on the Main deck on board MV Swiss Crown. A supplement applies for other cabin categories: Comfort or Mini suite on the middle deck, Superior on the upper deck. All cabins are air-conditioned with en
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21 or 24 speed bike rental with pannier and handlebar bar (7 speed bikes on request or if 21/24-speed is fully booked, children trailers (max 2 children, 40kgs) on request. A limited number of 8-speed electric bikes are available for hire, approx 12-15 pe
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Information pack including route notes & maps per cabin
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Welcome drink, crew show, daily live music, gala dinner on last evening with farewell cocktail
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Cruise director on board and daily briefing (does not cycle with group)
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Docking & harbour fees
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Emergency hotline
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Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linen
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from Passau. *Parking in Passau including transfer to and from the boat (reservation necessary, payable locally); Closed parking lot EUR114, Undercover parking EUR129 *Private or shuttle transfers from Munich Airport to Passau – price on req
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Drinks other than afternoon tea and coffee on board
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Optional activities such as side trips, booked and paid locally, detailed information will be provided on board:- *Bratislava: City tour with scenic train and walking tour *Budapest: city tour by bike or hop-on/hop-off bus; traditional folklore show in a
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Meals not detailed in the itinerary
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Entrance fees and sightseeing fees
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Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.
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Tips
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Travel insurance - mandatory *cruise cover may be required - check with your insurer
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Bike insurance is available for purchase locally - allow EUR15 for hybrid bike, EUR50 for electric bike (subject to change)
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Helmet - can be purchased on board for EUR29 paid locally (subject to change, advance reservation recommended)
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Tour guide - this is a self guided tour. A guided cycling package is available - supplement and additional inclusions apply. See below for details.
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Fee for bringing own bike - EUR60 or EUR80 (e-bike) - payable locally
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Helmet - optional rental or purchase available (must be pre-booked - please request with your consultant)
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Helmet. Optional rental (EUR15) or purchase (EUR32) available - payable locally but must be pre-booked - please request with your consultant
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Helmet. Optional rental (must be pre-booked & pre-paid) or purchase (EUR32 - payable locally but must be pre-booked) available - please request with your consultant
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Travel to and from Passau *Parking in Passau including transfer to and from the boat (reservation necessary, payable locally); Closed parking lot EUR119, Undercover parking EUR135 *Private or shuttle transfers from Munich Airport to Passau – price on requ
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Guide - this is a self guided tour. A guided cycling package is available - supplement and additional inclusions apply.
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Meals not listed as included, drinks other than afternoon tea and coffee on board
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Bike insurance is available for purchase locally - allow EUR18 for hybrid bike, EUR50 for e-bike (subject to change)
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Optional activities such as side trips, booked and paid locally, detailed information will be provided on board:- *Bratislava: City tour with scenic train and walking tour *Budapest: city tour by bike or hop-on/hop-off bus *Belgrade: city tour by bike or
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Entrance fees not listed included
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Items of a personal nature
Grading
This trip involves 10 days cycling usually along paved cycle paths across generally flat terrain with some lightly hill stages and up to 54km/33.5mi in a day. It is mostly on the Danube cycle path and also country roads with little traffic, generally following the Eurovelo 6 route. In and out of the cities there will be some traffic. You need only carry your camera
ain gear and water bottle. Your luggage remains on the boat. For this reason the trip is a Grade 2 cycle and is considered suitable for beginners and children. A limited number of children’s bikes are available (minimum height 120cm), as are bike seats (max 18kg) and trailers (2 children, maximum 40kg), and tag-a-long bikes (minimum height is 120cm/3ft 11.3in). *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
Accommodation
14 nights boat
Sample photos of the cabins and boat. See additional photos above.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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