A Premium River Cruise & Cycling Adventure Through the Heart of Europe
Step into the grandeur of the Habsburg Empire on this unforgettable Danube Bike & Boat journey from Passau to Budapest. Travel through four countries — Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary — as you explore Europe’s most iconic river by bicycle and boutique river ship.
For more than 20 years, terranova Touristik has perfected the Bike & Boat concept — a seamless blend of guided cycling and relaxed river cruising. Your comfortable small river ship serves as your floating hotel, eliminating the need to pack and unpack. Simply ride, explore, and return each afternoon to your private cabin.
After a scenic day along the Danube’s dedicated bike paths unwind on deck with a glass of wine. In the evening, enjoy freshly prepared regional cuisine in the onboard restaurant as medieval towns and vineyard-covered hills glide past.
Along the way, castles crown the hillsides, abbeys rise above the riverbanks, and centuries of European history unfold before you.
Tour Highlights
- Six fully guided Danube cycling tours on scenic, mostly flat bike paths — perfect for leisure riders
- Fairytale Salzburg und "Sound of Music" bike tour
- Imperial capitals & storybook towns: Passau, Vienna, Bratislava, Dürnstein, Esztergom & Budapest
- Europe’s most breathtaking river scenery: the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley, the untouched Danube floodplains, and Hungary’s dramatic Danube Bend
- Seven nights aboard an Amadeus River Cruise Ship, your elegant floating hotel with panoramic lounge, sun deck, and comfortable cabins
- Bavarian and Hungarian folklore show aboard
- E-bikes or Gravel bikes included & full support vehicle backup for a relaxed, worry-free riding experience
____________________________________________________________________
Itinerary
- Day 1: Passau/Germany
- Day 2: Passau – Schärding – Passau | 22.5 mi. (36 km)
- Day 3: Linz – Salzburg - Linz | 31 mi. (50 km)
- Day 4: Emmersdorf/Melk - Dürnstein | 25 mi. (40 km)
- Day 5: Vienna – Lobau – Vienna | 30 mi. (48 km)
- Day 6: Bratislava – Hainburg - Bratislava | 29 mi. (46 km)
- Day 7: Esztergom – Visegrad – Szentendre - Budapest | 22 mi. (35 km)
- Day 8: Departure in Budapest/Hungary
______________________________________________________________
Day 1: Welcome in Passau – The Charming Bavarian City!
Arrive in the storybook Bavarian town of Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers,” where the rivers Danube, Inn, and Ilz converge. Winding alleyways, colorful façades, and magnificent baroque architecture tell the story of the city’s rich and fascinating past.
Step aboard your Amadeus River Cruise Ship — your elegant floating hotel for the week ahead. At 4:30 PM your terranova tour guide will warmly welcome you on board and present the upcoming tour program. Enjoy a welcome cocktail followed by a delicious welcome dinner.
Day 2: Borderlands Along the River “Inn”
Today’s cycling adventure begins not on the Danube itself, but along the River Inn, which forms the natural border between Germany and Austria. Following the riverside bike path on the German bank, we ride through a picturesque valley of rolling hills, green meadows, and charming villages. Our destination is the enchanting Austrian town of Schärding, one of the Inn region’s true hidden gems. With its colorful baroque façades, medieval gates, towers, and fortified walls, the town exudes historic charm and invites you to stroll through its atmospheric streets and lively town square. From Schärding, we cycle back to Passau along the Austrian bank of the river. Back on board, an authentic Bavarian evening awaits you with live music, regional specialties, and a festive atmosphere as the ship glides downstream toward Linz.
Day 3: Fairytale Salzburg & The Sound of Music Tour
This morning, we leave the Danube behind and travel through the breathtaking alpine scenery of the Salzkammergut, one of Austria’s most picturesque regions (transfer: 120 km). Our special cycling excursion begins at St. Michael’s Church in Mondsee, famous as the wedding church of Maria and Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music. From here, we start a scenic bike ride toward Salzburg, following in the footsteps of the beloved musical.
A local bike guide will lead us through the magnificent “City of Mozart,” visiting famous filming locations while sharing fascinating stories about both Salzburg’s rich history and the making of The Sound of Music. Discover the timeless charm that makes Salzburg one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. In the evening, we return to the ship, filled with unforgettable impressions of Austria’s musical and cultural heritage.
Day 4: Through the beautiful Wachau Valley
While you enjoy breakfast on board, the ship enters the breathtaking Wachau Valley, one of Austria’s most beautiful river landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our cycling tour begins directly opposite the magnificent Melk Abbey. Perched high above the Danube, this baroque masterpiece is one of Europe’s most impressive monasteries and offers a spectacular backdrop for the start of today’s ride. We follow the Danube through idyllic wine villages and picturesque riverside scenery toward Dürnstein, the romantic heart of the Wachau. Along the way, we pass through charming towns such as Spitz, St. Michael, and Weißenkirchen. Terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, and cozy taverns line our route, creating the perfect Wachau atmosphere.
Our destination is the charming wine town of Dürnstein, crowned by the dramatic ruins of the castle where King Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned. After some free time to explore and enjoy the atmosphere, we return to the ship and continue our journey along the Danube to Vienna.
Day 5: Vienna – Nature & City by Bike
After a delightful breakfast, it's time to hop on your e-bike and explore! Your adventure begins as you cross the iconic Reichsbrücke, leading you to the sprawling Danube Island, a beloved oasis for Viennese recreation. On the northern banks, discover the lush Lobau floodplain, a protected haven within the Donau-Auen National Park. Through Vienna’s largest park, we cycle back to the ship for a relaxing lunch break. We continue by bike into the heart of the Austrian capital for a guided “Vienna by Bike” tour. Cycle safely through the historic center and along the famous Ringstrasse, passing landmarks such as the State Opera, Hofburg Palace, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Return to your ship in the late afternoon where you can reflect on a day that perfectly blended nature and imperial grandeur.
Day 6: Cycling Between Austria & Slovakia
In the morning, our journey brings us to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. While the cityscape still retains hints of its socialist past, the old town has undergone a splendid renovation, reminiscent of the grandeur of the Habsburg Empire, much like Vienna and Budapest. From the city, we ride through scenic riverside landscapes toward the Austrian border and the historic town of Hainburg, beautifully situated at the “Hainburger Pforte,” the narrow gateway where the Danube passes between the Little Carpathians and the Austrian hills.
From here we cross the Danube and cycle around the vast grounds of Schloss Hof before returning to Slovakia by crossing the small March River. Our route leads back toward Bratislava via the impressive ruins of Devín Castle, dramatically perched high above the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. After this memorable cycling excursion, we return to Bratislava, where the ship awaits for departure later in the evening.
Day 7: The Danube Bend & Illuminated Budapest
Start your day with a breakfast buffet as we approach the captivating town of Esztergom. Rising above the skyline is the magnificent Esztergom Castle Hill, crowned by Hungary's largest basilica, where Hungarian kings were once crowned!
Step ashore and explore this storied landmark, then enjoy a short transfer to Visegrad Castle, perched high above the breathtaking Danube Bend – one of the river's most scenic spots. From this vantage point, you'll witness the Danube's dramatic turn as it carves its way through the landscape.
After visiting the fortress, enjoy a scenic descent back to the Danube. A short ferry ride then takes you to the enchanting Szentendrei-sziget Island, where you'll cycle through a peaceful rural region for over 20 kilometers. Your journey concludes in Szentendre with its charming old town and riverside setting. A short bus ride brings you back to the ship in Budapest.
An unforgettable highlight awaits on your final evening on board: a magical nighttime cruise through brilliantly illuminated Budapest, accompanied by a festive gala dinner and an exciting Hungarian folklore show.
Day 8: Farewell to the Danube – Disembarkation in Passau
This wonderful journey comes to an end after breakfast in Budapest. Disembarkation begins around 9:00 AM.
If time allows, consider extending your stay in Budapest, the charming and majestic Capital of Hungary.
You may conveniently book your airport transfer through Terranova.
Safe travels — and we hope to welcome you back on another Bike & Boat journey soon.
_________________________________________________________________
E-Bike Tour – Route Overview & Activity Level
Total cycling distance: approx. 159 mi. (255 km)
• Primarily flat riverside bike paths
• Low-traffic secondary roads
• Occasional short unpaved sections
• Moderate climb on Day 3 (approx. 975 ft / 300 m to Leopoldsberg)
Ideal for active travelers seeking relaxed cycling with cultural highlights.
_________________________________________________________________
Itinerary Flexibility
The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather, water levels, or navigational conditions. The captain reserves the right to modify the route as necessary to ensure safe navigation.
Your safety and comfort remain our highest priorities.
