Waltz & Czardas - Bike & Ship on Ms Theodor Korner - 8D/7N

Biking along the Danube ship - photo courtesy of Rad & RaisenThis 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 alternate with pulsative 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 already from the distance. At the foot of the Carpathian Mountains the slovak capitol Bratislava (former Pressburg) invites with its charming Old Town to a vast stroll. What about a small flirt with Vienna, City of Waltz? A firework of sightseeings, small dreamy coffee bars and cozy wine taverns are expecting you.

The Ship: The MS THEODOR KÖRNER is very spacious of traditional shipbuilding skill with a comfy and nostalgic atmosphere. On board, the guest is king! Our crew members will anticipate your every wish and therefore, make a contribution to the unbelievable success of this voyage. Your bike-cruise through various countries is also a culinary expedition through the diversity of the national and the regional cuisine; a committed musician will perform in the evening for dance! The ship offers a restaurant, a panorama-bar, a Viennese coffee bar with sunny patio as well as a broad sun deck with comfortable deck-chairs. Books and magazines of our library provide relaxation and reading pleasure, parlour games offer all kinds of disport. Our dignified furnished cabins are cosy, rustic, approx. 9-10 sqm big and equipped with either 2 adjoined beds (2-Bed-Cabin) or with bunk beds (Double-Cabin), en suite (shower and toilet), TV, radio and air condition. 3-Bed-Cabin: 2 adjoined beds and 1 upper bed.
Technical details: year of manufacture: 1965, general renovation: 1998, length 87 m, breadth 17 m, draft 1,7 m, speed 25 km/h, 65 cabins, 135 passengers maximum

Services included:  7 nights in external cabins with air condition  Welcome cocktail  Full board (breakfast, lunch,/packed lunch, dinner)  1 Gala Dinner with farewell cocktail  Folklore show  Daily live music  Bike rental (modern 7-gear-roadster with backflow and saddlebags))  1x detailed map and information material per cabin  Daily review of the tours  Shipborne tour guide

Not included: Arrival and departure, entrance fees, sightseeing fees, insurances, tips and expenses for personal needs. Parking lot in Passau

Departures from Passau: May 30; June 20; July 4, 25; August 1, 15; September 5, 26; October 10

Itinerary from Passau:

  • Day 1 Passau - Arrival at “the city of three rivers”. Passau attracts with the world’s greatest church organ located at the Stephansdom and with its charming Old Town. Embarkment: 5 pm; Departure: approx. 9 pm. Cruise to the Asutrian resort town Engelhartszell, which is the former summer residence of the bishops of Passau.
  • Day 2 Donauschlinge =“Great Loop“ (45 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 secotrs of the Danube, with its small villages and cozy taverns. You are boarding at the charming village Aschach and then you “sail” into the night.
  • Day 3 Vienna - Bratislava (55 – 75 km) - In front of Vienna you can experience pure nature, wild and untamed, at the National Park Donauauen; one of the last big unspoilt floodplains in Europe. Bratislava attracts at the destination and during a walkabout in the evening (optional) you can discover hidden alleys, places and all the sights of this
    ambitious metropolis

    • Budapest - photo courtesy of Rad & Raisen

  • Day 4: Budapest (day of rest), Sightseeing tour at night (optional) - In the morning you 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 next to the shore. Nearby you find the Margaretheninsel which is outstandingly qualified for small bike tours. The market hall – called “the stomach of Budapest” – is attracting with hungarian pleasures and handcraft. During a city tours at night (optional) you can experience the illuminated Budapest.
  • Day 5 Danube bend (57-84,5 km) - Sporty cyclists are leaving 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, 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 it is also a popular destination.
  • Day 6 Vienna (day of rest), Sightseeing tour by bike or bus - Evening Waltz concert (optional) - Discover Vienna´s most beautiful points. During a city tours by bike you will experience pretty closely the most famous examples of architecture: the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous boulevard “Ringstraße” with the State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall as well as the colorful “Hunderwasserhaus” and the Ferry wheel, which is situtated directly at the Prater. Relaxation can be found at one of the numberless small coffee bars. The evening ends impressively with a Waltz- and Opera Concert at the Wiener Kursalon (optional) or at a wine tavern.
  • Day 7 Wachau: (40 km) - Affected by small dreamy towns, apricot trees, vineyards, castles, monasteries and ruins this hilly landscape is enchanting everybody. This is pure biking enjoyment! In Spitz you will find comfy wine taverns directly besides the bike path. Take a break - you should owe it to yourself! You have to walk your bike through Dürnstein´s narrow alleys. King Richard Lionheart was not really voluntary a 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 - Relaxed, rested, and definitely in good spirits you will return to Passau in the late morning. Disembarkment: 2:30 p.m.

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Also tagged with: Biking, Europe, Austria, Hungary, Active Travel, Join-In Tour


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