Passau to Budapest by Bike and Boat “Superior”
The Danube Cycle Route is the father of all long distance cycling paths. This is the most famous bike tour in Europe, along the beautiful Blue Danube, however this time we enjoy our moving hotel as we cruise and cycle through the Austrian countryside to Vienna before returning to Passau, Germany.
The level, car-free bike paths lead you to untouched narrow valleys such as Schlögen, or to well-known attractions such as the Melk monastery. Depending upon desire and mood, you can spend each day either on board or on a bike.
The MS Primadonna is the second largest cruise ship on the Danube. Experience the elegance of the MS Primadonna with its spacious decks, wellness area, restaurant, bar, atrium and much more. The Primadonna is waiting for you daily at the end of your cycling trip. You can also enjoy the day on board – on the sun deck with whirlpool or in the wellness-area with whirlpool, sauna & Kneipp water-treading basin. In the restaurant we emphasise using regional Austrian products – all dishes are prepared fresh on board. The MS Primadonna is also the only cruise ship under the Austrian flag.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1, Passau – Friday
Individual arrival to Passau, with a 4.00pm arrival at the ship OR to the parking area at the Donau Touristik Info point. Shared transfers (persons & luggage) from the parking place to the ship are provided. Enjoy a welcome snack at approx. 4.00pm on the ship, followed later by a welcome dinner with presentation of the crew. Approx. 8.00pm “Cast off”!
Day 2, Schlögen, Linz – Saturday 55km
Collect you rental bikes for the first time this morning followed by individual cycling tour from the Schlögener Schlinge through the unsettled narrow valley near Kaiserau to Linz.
Day 3, Tulln to Vienna – Sunday 36 OR 52km
Individual visit of the Egon-Schiele museum & garden exhibition in Tulln. Bike tour from the flower-city Tulln, with nice views to the extensions of the Viennese forest, past Klosterneuburg (abbey – “Austria’s Escorial”) to Vienna. Individual visit of Vienna or “guided tour by bike” 95 % on bike paths/description available. After dinner from approx. 20.30 h a sightseeing tour by bus “Vienna by night”.
Day 4, Komárom, Štúrovo, Budapest – Monday 56km
On beautiful car-free bike paths on the Danube from Komárom on the left river bank through small, dreamy cities via Moča to Esztergom. Via the Gisela-bridge to Štúrovo, directly on the opposite site of Esztergom. Ride through the “Danube-knee and onwards to beautiful Budapest.
Day 5, Budapest – Tuesday 22km
Sightseeing tour of Budapest from the ship (3 h). In the afternoon on 100%-car-free bike paths into the pedestrian zone to stroll around and shop and further on to the Margarete’s island, the wonderful recreation zone in the middle of the city. Bike tour on the approx. 8 km car-free island. Back to the ship, maybe with a stop at the foot of the castle-district. (22 km flat, detailed description).
Day 6, Bratislava, Hainburg – Wednesday 33km
Guided sightseeing tour of Bratislava from the ship (1 h). Along the Danube-bikepath to Devin, the national memorial of Slovakia with a great view. On the carfree bike path to Schloss Hof and back.
Day 7, Krems, Polcharn – Thursday 48km
Along the Danube-bikepath from Krems (UNESCO) via Dürnstein (castle, old city) through the wine-villages Weißenkirchen and Spitz. Via Melk to Pöchlarn.
Day 8, Passau – Friday
Disembarkation. Arrival in Passau at ca. 8:00 am. Bus transfer to main train station departing at 09.00am.
YOUR SHIP: ms Primadonna, 4+ star
The lovely MS PRIMADONNA has an on-board theatre, the Primo Teatro for 160 guests, a glass floor in reception which gives an open view to the world underwater, really unique Danube arena, with its 9 m high glass wall and an unlimited view of the river landscape, as well as the 6o m long atrium Prima Vista (in the hotel lobby). Other features are the panorama bar Primavera and panorama restaurant Primo Gusto, as well as a sun deck on top.
CABINS
Main Deck Astern: 10 m2., Unopenable porthole or window; 1 lower and 1 upper level bed; SAT-TV; Bathroom with shower and toilet; Telephone; Hair dryer; Mini-bar; Roomy wardrobes; Air conditioner
Main Deck: Cabin size 11,5 m²; 1 large unopenable porthole; 2 single lower level beds (one is a sofabed); SAT-TV; Bathroom with shower and toilet; Telephone; Hair dryer; Mini-bar; Roomy wardrobes; Air conditioner
Upper / Promenade Deck: Cabin size 16.5 m²; Balcony with bench; 1 queen or 2 single lower level beds; SAT-TV; Bathroom with shower and toilet; Telephone; Hair dryer; Mini-bar; safe; Roomy wardrobes; Air conditioner
RATING: Easy
Flat paved cycle paths along both sides of the Danube, suitable for beginner cyclists, children and experienced cyclists alike!
AIRPORT / TRANSFERS
We suggest flying into Munich or Vienna. We can arrange train transfers to Passau from either airport.
SCHEDULE & PRICE – semi-guided tour
Departure Dates 2019: Sold out!
Departure Dates 2020: May 8, 15 July 3, 10, 31 Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28 Sep. 4, 11
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2020 Price per person, double occupancy, CAD$
| Main deck – 2 bunk bed Astern | $1520 |
| Main deck – 2 single beds | $1670 |
| Upper deck – 2 single beds or 1 queen; balcony | $2270 |
| Promenade deck – 2 single beds or 1 queen; balcony | $2460 |
| Single cabin supplement: Main deck Astern | 25% |
| Single cabin supplement: Main deck | 50% |
| Single cabin supplement: Upper or Promenade deck | 75% |
| Reduction for departure on May 8, 2020 | $200 |
| Optional electric bike | $160 |
| Optional beverage package: non-alcoholic beverages, coffee/tea, open wines, beer | $275 |
This tour includes:
- 7 nights in outside cabins with AC and private bathroom
- Programme according to itinerary from/to Passau
- Daily cabin cleaning, towels and bed linens
- Full board: breakfast; lunch on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch /lunch box for cyclists; afternoon coffee break or snack; 4-course dinner
- Daily midnight snack in the Panorama Bar
- Guided tour of cathedral Esztergom
- Sightseeing tour “Vienna by night”
- Sightseeing tour Budapest
- Sightseeing tour Bratislava
- Bike rental (modern 7 or 21-gear unisex hybrid bike with lock and pannier)
- 1 x detailed map and information pack per cabin
- Daily tour information meeting with tour guide
- Welcome evening with the crew incl. a welcome drink
- 1x partial body massage (20 min.), OR 1 x Hydrojet massage and 1x traditional beard-shave per cabin
- Cruise director/tour guide on board (does not accompany cyclists)
- Harbour fees and port taxes
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Optional Services:
- Additional nights in Passau
- Ships gratuities are not included.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Your tour guide provides daily route notes, maps, advice etc each morning however the daily bike tours are unescorted.
All mileages are approximate distances of recommended routes.
Please notice that storage space in cabins is very limited.
Please be aware that your ship, like all other ships on the Danube, is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power often during night. Especially crossing locks and bridges, the preparation work may cause noise.
Schedule: In case of flood or low tide the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages with buses. In extreme cases the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered (previously not announced) repair work on locks or bridges or in case of undeserved breakdown of engine and power unit. We reserve the right to change the Schedule when low/high water bars the ship from passing through a certain area. Some parts can be negotiated by bus (free of charge).
