Join us on a bicycle tour that follows the Danube River, from Germany to Vienna. Enjoy long, leisurely rides along the longest river in Europe. We'll bike through farm villages, picture-perfect Medieval German towns and the vineyards of the Danube in Austria. Along our bicycle route we'll have time to visit historic Abbeys and cathedrals in towns such as Regensburg, Passau, Linz, and Melk.
If this sounds great but you'd like a longer tour, check out our Bicycling the Danube from Germany to Vienna Plus! Budapest tour, which extends this itinerary by 5 days.
Day 1: Arrive in Medieval Regensburg
Highlights: Northernmost point of Danube River; Medieval center; welcome dinner together
Meet us today in Regensburg, easily reached by train from the nearby airports of Frankfurt and Munich. Our starting point was a Roman outpost under Marcus Aurelius in 179 AD and marks both the northernmost point of the Roman Empire in Germany and the northernmost extent of the Danube. Its Medieval center is wonderfully preserved. We'll enjoy a welcome dinner together tonight. Daily Mileage: Test ride in town only.Lodging: Hotel Muenchner Hof
Day 2: Regensburg to Deggendorf
Highlights: Walhalla Temple, and Benedectine Monasteries near Metten
Our first ride today takes us through more Roman settlements today along with Benedictine monasteries, including one near Metten. Bibliophiles will want to stop for a tour of the library in the Abbey of St. Michael of Metten as among the 160,000 volumes in this historic collection is one of the earliest bibles printed in Germany and a 1493 "Nuremberg Chronicle," one of the earliest printed world history books printed in German and Latin). Dinner on your own tonight. Daily Mileage: 96 km (59 miles)Lodging: Hotel-Gasthof Höttl
Day 3: Deggendorf to Passau
Highlights: Passau and the Inn River as we enter Austria
We pass Niederaltaich Benedictine Abbey as we leave Deggendorf this morning on our way to Passau, gateway to Austria. In Passau we see the Danube nearly double in size as it is joined by the Inn River, flowing out of Austria and Germany. Passau is the popular start for Europeans pedaling the Danube river; the section Passau to Vienna is the most pedaled route in Europe! Saint Stephan's Cathedral here also houses the largest organ outside of the United States so it might be worth taking a peek at the impressive instrument. We'll have a guided tour in Passau this afternoon and dinner together tonight. Daily Mileage: 59 km (36 miles)Lodging: Hotel Weisser Hase
Day 4: Crossing the border to Austria
Highlights: The Famous Danube Valley of Austria
The Danube River and the valley it has formed shape the central transportation artery of Austria. Today and tomorrow we ride through the heartland of Austria. Castles perch above the river as we ride one of the most famous bicycle routes in Europe. For those who have had too much history, the Ars Electronica Museum in Linz will be a welcome change - stop by this afternoon and visit this museum that tries to bridge the gap between art, science and technology. Dinner on your own this evening. Daily Mileage: 99 km (61 miles)Lodging: Hotel Wolfinger
Day 5: Linz to Grein an der Donau
Highlights: Farmland and vineyards, Danube bike paths, Mauthausen Concentration Camp
Our route after Linz will include more agriculture on alluvial farmland washed out of the Alps far to the south. Our destination today is a small town, Grein an der Donau. Those who wish can take time to visit the Mauthausen Concentration Camp a powerful and sobering experience as you walk up and down the 186 "death stairs". Over 130,000 people were killed here including Jews, Italians, Russian POWs, criminals and political prisoners. Dinner is together at the hotel. Daily mileage: 63 km (39 miles).Lodging: Hotel Goldenes Kreuz
Day 6: Grein an der Donau to Dürnstein
Highlights: Vineyards of the Danube, Abbey in Melk, wine tasting
On our way to Dürnstein we enter one of the most interesting Austrian wine regions. You'll want to stop, photograph and visit the spectacular baroque Abbey of Melk. We'll taste some of the unique white wines typical of this area before dinner together. Daily mileage: 76 km (47 miles).Lodging: Hotel Richard Löwenherz
Day 7: Dürnstein to Vienna
Highlights: Vienna, former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
We'll have an easy day along the Danube today though not without bicycle traffic since this stretch of the Danube Bicycle Path is one of the busiest in the world. We'll arrive tonight in Vienna, the largest city in Austria and one of Europe's leading musical centers. The city was first a Roman and Celtic settlement, but as the Austro-Hungarian Empire rose to prominence, magnificent Medieval and Baroque architecture became especially prevalent. We'll have dinner together tonight. Daily mileage: 102 km (63 miles)Lodging: Novotel Wien City
Day 8: Bicycle tour ends in Vienna
Highlights: Imperial Vienna; Viennese pastries
Our tour ends today, we hope you consider staying a few days to explore Vienna and find the perfect Viennese pastry!If this sounds great but you'd like a longer tour, check out our Bicycling the Danube from Germany to Vienna Plus! Budapest tour, which extends this itinerary by 5 days.
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Highlightsbicycling along Europe's largest river, Vienna, vineyards of the Danube, bike paths in Germany and Austria
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Includes"The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 8 days, 7 nights accommodation; 5 dinners with wine or beer, all breakfasts; wine tasting.
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CountriesAustria, Germany
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Begin/EndRegensburg, Germany / Vienna, Austria
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Arrive/DepartMunich Airport (MUC), Nüremberg (NUE), or Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA), Germany / Vienna Int'l Airport (VIE), Austria
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Total Distance495 km (306 miles)
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Daily DistanceAverage per day 82 km (51 miles)
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What to ExpectWonderful bicycle paths, picture-perfect villages and vineyards.
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Rating201-301
Mostly flat cycling (with optional short climbs) using a combination of cycling paths and roads. Some days have longer mileages of 80 km (50 miles). Due to long stretches on bike paths on certain days van support may be less than usual. -
Notes
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Terms
| Dates | Price | Single Supplement* |
Notes | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 19 - 26, 2013 | $3550 | $500 | Confirmed Departure | Book It |
| Aug 16 - 23, 2013 | $3550 | $500 | Book It | |
| Aug 30 - Sep 06, 2013 | $3550 | $500 | Sold Out - Wait List Available. | Book It |
| *We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour. | ||||
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Here on ExperiencePlus.com
- Austria Travel Information Page
Read up on country customs, airport information, culinary specialites, and more! - Book Review: The Beggar King
ExperiencePlus! traveler Jeff Berger reviews the third novel in the Hangman's Daughter series which is set in Regensburg, Germany. - Books set in Germany
ExperiencePlus! traveler Jeff Berger reviews a book series set in 17th century Bavaria. - Germany Trip Planner
Read up on country customs, what to expect while visiting Germany, and more! - History and Geography of the Danube River
The Danube River has been one of the most significant cultural and historic boundaries in Europe. - Recipe: Sachertorte
Many would argue that the Sachertorte is THE dessert of Vienna and we agree it is hard to go wrong when you combine chocolate, jam and whip cream.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Food Journal of Vienna
A lineup of mouthwater-inducing photos from meals in Vienna from the Culture-ist. - Nat Geo Traveler Tours of a Lifetime 2011
ExperiencePlus' Danube tour has received recognition from National Geographic Traveler Magazine, chosen as one of their top 50 tours! - Sachertorte in Vienna
Vienna, Austria is known for its decadent and flavorful cake called the Sachertorte. This article from Afar Magazine got our mouths watering. - Vienna's Neighborhoods
National Geographic Traveler compiled photos of Vienna's neighborhoods in this album
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
Map Key
Start
City (on route)
End
City (not part of route, provided for reference)Thanks for the great time! Loved the Danube!
Mary E., Des Moines, IA
I wish I had a Go-pro video camera. One of my favorite things about this trip was being the last rider of our group and watching as we all rode in sync along the country roads and through the towns. Each with our different colored jerseys, and the landscape as the background, it was beautiful. I have been home for a week and I am still higher than a kite from my experience. I tell my friends that it is hard to explain the experience in a few words. It truly was a memorable "experience plus".
Kristy S., Soquel, CA
We just returned from our trip and I feel compelled to tell you how pleased we were with the trip. The bicycling, scenery, weather, food were perfect. Most importantly, our tour leaders were outstanding. They made a wonderful trip perfect!
Lizz V., Sunny Vale, CA
