TOURS
HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY - Vienna to Budapest
PASSAU TO BUDAPEST - Cycle and Cruise Along The Danube
HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY- Vienna to Budapest
8 Day Independent Tour
This 3-country tour from Vienna to Budapest is very diverse, and at its high points, magestic. Your tour starts in Vienna, the world's city of charm. Bratislava invites you to make shopping tours in the picturesque old town, while the metropolis of Budapest is the crowning conclusion of your journey. You cycle in the Hungarian lowlands, enjoying contact with the friendly locals, and fine Hungarian hospitality.
Day to Day Schedule
Day 1: Vienna
Individual arrival in Vienna.
Day 2: Vienna - Bad Deutsch-Altenburg (approx. 46 km/28 miles)
On the Danube-Cycle-Path you bike through the idyllic meadows along the Danube, passing the castle of "Orth" to Petronell-Carnuntum (significant Roman excavations).
Day 3: Bad Deutsch-Altenburg - Mosonmagyárovár (approx. 61 km/38 miles)
Still following the Danube-Cycle-Path you will reach Bratislava. Shortly after, you reach Hungary where you bike through small typical villages using the dam cycle path (gravel) and country roads.
This section can be divided by an additional night in Bratislava (Day 3: 21 km/15 miles, Day 4: 42 km/25 miles)
Day 4: Mosonmagyárovár/Halaszi - Györ (approx. 45 km/28 miles)
You bike through the former marsh region of the "Little Alföld". Taking side roads you pass through delightful villages and arrive at the provincial capital of Györ.
Day 5: Györ - Tata (approx. 61 km/38 miles)
Today you bike through a landscape of rolling hills and reach the picturesque town of Tata, situated on two lakes.
Day 6: Tata - Sturovo/Esztergom (approx. 55 km/34 miles)
Leaving Tata you travel over the densely wooded hills of the "Gerecse" range. Some uphill stretches are rewarded with wonderful descents. In Esztergom you can admire the imposing cathedral.
Day 7: Sturovo/Esztergom - Budapest (approx. 58 km/36 miles)
Steep mountain-slopes frame the picturesque landscape of the Danube Bend up to Szentendre island. Go by bike or boat to Budapest (not incl.). On the boat, the view from the sun deck is overwhelming.
Day 8: Budapest
Individual departure.
|
 |
Tour Rating: easy to moderate
Mostly rather flat, but with a few stretches of small hills. Suitable for all levels. Expect some traffic on the roads in/out of the cities.
Austria: on the Danube Cycle Path.
Hungary: cycle paths, field paths and country roads.
Airport / Transfers
Fly into Vienna, and depart from Budapest.
Regular public shuttles and/or train service is available at both these major international airports.
Schedule & Price
| Departure Dates 2010 |
| Independent tours depart every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from mid April to early October |
| Price per person |
CAD |
$1045 |
| April & October departure reduction |
|
$50 |
| July & August departure surcharge |
|
$50 |
| Single Supplement |
$250 |
| Half-board supplement (6 dinners) |
$170 |
| Extra nights pre/post per person |
|
$100 |
This tour includes: |
• 7 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run guesthouses and hotels of very good 3 and 4 star standard.
• breakfast daily.
• luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• return bus ride from Budapest to Vienna (if required)
• modern hybrid bicycle with 21 gears & pannier
• 7 days service hotline
• Detailed travel material, maps, and route descriptions of places of interest
Top of Page |
PASSAU TO BUDAPEST
CYCLE & CRUISE ALONG THE DANUBE
Semi-Escorted - 7 nights / 8 days
The most famous bike tour in Europe, along the beautiful Blue Danube, however this time we enjoy our travelling hotel, the MS Theodor Körner, as we start in Passau, Germany, cruise and cycle through the Austrian countryside, into Slovakia and Hungary, before returning to Germany.This journey takes you to the highlights along Europe´s second largest river. The impressive spectacle of nature of the Schlögener Donauschlinge (Great Loop”), the fascinating landscape of the Wachau with its vineyards, castles and palaces, the untouched alluvial forests of the National Park Donauauen as well as the picturesque Hungarian Danube Bend, alternating with metropolises such as Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest.
The wide stream of the Danube flows like a silver belt through Budapest separating the hilly Buda and the flat Pest. The imposant cupola of the basilica in Esztergom salutes from a distance. At the foot of the Carpathian Mountains the Slovak capitol of Bratislava (former Pressburg) invites us for as troll in its charming Old Town. How about a
small flirt with Vienna, City of Waltz? Small dreamy coffee bars and cosy wine taverns are awaiting you.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Passau
Where the rivers Inn, Ilz and Danube unite, the bishop's town Passau is located at the Bavarian/Austrian border. Embarkation 05:00 p.m. The MV Theodor Körner is waiting for you in the harbour of Passau and the crew bids you welcome onboard. Dinner onboard.
Departure: approx. 09:00 p.m. Cruise to the Austrian resort town Engelhartszell, which is the former summer residence of the bishops of Passau
PASSAU
"Great Loop" at Schlögen
BRATISLAVA
MS Theodor Körner
|
Day 2: Donauschlinge =“Great Loop“ (40 km)
In Engelhartszell the bicycle tour continues through the romantic fluvial topography of the “Great Loop” which is one of the most beautiful and original sectors of the Danube with its small villages and cosy taverns. You reboard at the charming village of Aschach and then you “sail” into the night.
Day 3: Vienna - Bratislava (55 – 75 km)
Walk through the Old Town(optional) Near Vienna you can experience pure nature, wild and untamed at the National Park Donauauen, which is one of the last big unspoilt floodplains in Europe.
Bratislava is an attractive destination and during a walkabout in the evening (optional) you can discover hidden alleys, places and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis .
Day 4: Budapest (day of rest). Sight-seeing tour at night (optional)
In the morning you may enjoy the panoramic view of the Danube bend´s gorgeous landscape. The gateway to Budapest is overwhelming: many of the famous tourist features are situated directly on the shore. Nearby you find Margarethen Island which is outstanding for short bike tours. The market hall – called “the stomach of Budapest” – is attractive with Hungarian pleasures and handcrafts. During a city tour at night (optional) you can experience an illuminated Budapest.
Day 5: Danube bend (57-84,5 km)
Sporty cyclists may leave Budapest by bike, those who are biking just for pleasure can shorten the distance by ship or by train (optional). North of
Budapest, at the bow of the Danube, is the picturesque and slightly hilly landscape of the Danube bend, also called Hungarian Wachau. The small artistic town Szentendre is a paradise for bikers with its open-air museum. The landmark of Esztergom is the basilica, situated at the end of the Danube knee, it is the biggest church in Hungary.
Day 6: Vienna (day of rest). City tours by bike or bus, Waltz Concert (optional)
You can discover this city of vitality during a sight-seeing tour by bike or bus. The most famous places of interest are the Prater Amusement Park, St. Stephens Cathedral and the Royal Hofburg. The gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraße” with its Burgtheater, State Opera House and Town Hall reminds one of Vienna's imperial past. There is enough time in the afternoon to stroll or visit one of the famous Viennese coffee bars. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz and Opera Concert at the Wiener Kursalon (optional) or at a local wine tavern.
|
Day 7: Wachau: (40 km)
Surrounded by small quaint towns, apricot orchards, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins, this hilly landscape is enchanting for everybody. This is pure biking enjoyment! In Spitz you may find comfy wine taverns
directly besides the bike path. Take a break - you owe it to yourself!
You have to walk your bike through Dürnstein´s narrow alleys. King Richard
Lionheart was not a voluntary guest here during mediaeval times.
At the end of this stage there is Melk with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine monkhood. After a ceremonial gala dinner lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced on board during a folklore show.
Day 8: Passau (departure)
Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy the sunrise on deck and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last sight of the Schlögener Schlinge before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Disembarkation: 2:30 p.m.
Rating: Easy
Flat paved cycle paths along both sides of the Danube, suitable for beginners, children, and experienced cyclists alike.
Your Ship: MV Theodor Körner
Spacious middle-class cruiser with comfortable interior.
Restaurant, Panoramabar, Wiener Café, 2 Sun Terraces, spacious Sun Deck with comfortable deck-chairs. Library with books, magazines and games.
Your cruise through various countries is also a culinary expedition through the diversity of national and regional cuisines.
A local musician will perform in the evening for dancing!!
All 65 cabins are external, centrally air-conditioned and have one big window, private facilities, sink, TV/radio. The cabins measure 9-10 sqm, are furnished and equipped according to contemporary standards. Most of them have two lower beds (2-bed-cabins). One of these two beds can be folded into the wall during daytime, while the other one is transformed into a sofa. Some cabins have an elevated bunk bed (Doublecabins), five cabins have a third bed (third bed = bunk bed).
 
Cabin interior Lounge
Airport / Transfers
We suggest flying into Munich. We can supply semi-private transfers from Munich Airport to Passau for $100.00 per person each way (min. 2 persons).
Schedule & Price
| Departure Dates 2010 |
May 29 June 17 July 3 & 24 August 14 September 4 & 18
October 2, 9 & 16 |
| Price per person |
CAD |
$1025 |
| Single cabin supplement |
|
$750 |
| High Season surcharge (May 29 to August 14 departures) |
|
$175 |
| Double bed cabins and higher deck upgrades are available |
|
Enquire |
This tour includes: |
- 7 nights in an outside cabin on the Passau deck with 2 bunk style beds
- Full board (breakfast, lunch/packed lunch, coffee and cake, dinner)
- Welcome drink
- Gala Dinner with farewell cocktail
- Folklore show
- Daily live music aboard ship
- Maps and info package per cabin
- 7 speed KTM touring bike with panniers
- Shipboard multilingual tour guide
- Docking and harbour fees
NOTE:
- entrance and sightseeing fees, and ships gratuities are not included
- optional extra nights in Passau are available
- add $70 for optional 21 speed hybrid bike rental
- add $175 for optional "electro" bike rental
Top of Page |
|
