23 Set PVI – Austria: from Passau to Vienna by bike down the Danube

The Eden of cyclists of Europe: an itinerant holiday by bike down the most famous bicycle lane in Europe, a journey in time to Vienna.

If cycling is your passion, get ready to live an unforgettable and rewarding cycling experience. The Passau-Vienna bicycle lane is a cyclist’s paradise, free of traffic and safe for those that want to look at the scenery. Down this cycle lane, you will feel like going through a journey in time between history and nature: continually escorted by the Danube, you will go back to the Roman times when the Empire stretched itself to the Danube. You will then jump to the Middle ages when the Danube was a vital commercial route abundant in markets, towns, and castles. You will then slide into the Second World War, with testimonials of the tragic Holocaust times and the German occupation. Plunge yourself into an intensive route and discover Wachau’s fortresses and vineyards, known as Austria’s Chianti valley, passing through towns like Linz, Grein, Tulln to the majestic Vienna.

PROGRAM

MONDAY: arrival and check-in at the hotel, followed by an introduction to the holiday and delivery of equipment. Passau is known as the three-rivers pearl: here, the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers merge after having traveled for hundreds of kilometers through various territories. We take a stroll to get to know the town, while also taking part in one of its typical shows!
TUESDAY: Passau – Linz. We start our day by admiring the scenery from aboard the boat that takes us from Passau to Schlögen, a fascinating stretch of the Danube between Austria and Germany. Schlögen is a must-see stop and the heart of our route, exhibiting perfectly the valley carved out by the river. We then peacefully proceed with our bikes to Linz. After dinner, we take a stroll in the city, recognized as Europe’s Culture Capital in 2009. Distance: 54 km
Wednesday: Linz – Ardagger. After a few kilometers, we reach Mauthausen, infamous for its concentration camp established by Nazis during WW2. We have to stop and visit the shacks and the quarry to reflect on the lives lost. We continue our journey cycling down the Treppelweg, the ancient tracks used for towing barges down the Danube. We arrive at Ardagger, a small village in the middle of the silent Austrian countryside. The few lights of this village will let us admire the stars in the sky for an unforgettable night. Distance: 55 km
THURSDAY: Ardagger – Spitz. In the morning, we pass through Melk, a pleasant village that flaunts a perfectly conserved abbey. Walking down its alleys, we are immediately reminded of Name of the Rose and its intrigues. We hop back on our bike to cycle through the beautiful Wachau region, considered to be Austria’s Chianti due to its fine wines. We finally reach Spitz, a small village at the foot of the thousand vats mountain. To finish off the day, we taste some of the most exquisite wines of the region in a Heurige, a typical local pub. Distance: 75 km
FRIDAY: Spitz – Tulln. We cycle across the Wachau valley, delighted by its scenery of prestigious vineyards, historical fortresses and the constant stream of water. Throughout our tour, we come across Durnstein, a small town known for the legend of Richard the Lionheart, imprisoned by Duke Leopold V. After Krems, the scenery changes considerably because of widening of the Danube before Tulln. Fun fact: Tulln is the hometown of Egon Schiele, an artist of the Vienna Secession and a friend of Klimt’s. Distance: 66 km
SATURDAY: Tulln – Wien. We cycle for the last kilometers of our journey to get to Vienna, where a guided tour of the Austrian capital awaits us (by bike, obviously!). The afternoon is free for us to roam around the city’s center until night. Distance: 40 km
SUNDAY: after breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye. What’s the best souvenir to bring back from Vienna? The original Sacher Torte of course! Share it with your friends when you tell them about this trip!
Important: program may vary, based on closing times of visited locations and weather conditions.

INFO

Holiday code: PVI19
Where: Germany – Passau, Austria – Linz – Vienna
Accommodation: Hotels names and addresses provided after booking. 3-stars and 4-stars hotels.
Individual price: €720
Bike rental: €50
Electric bike rental: on request
Single room charge: €150
Includes: accommodation in double/triple rooms, half board, guided tours, guide, luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Vienna, tourist materials, Passau – Schlögen boat, health and luggage insurance.
Does not include: journey, drinks, eventual train ticket back to Passau, city tax when required, anything not listed in “Includes” section.
Guide: one of Jonas’ own will accompany and coordinate the group during the entirety of the trip and its guided tours. The guide knows the local language and area and will go the extra mile to ensure an unforgettable holiday

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Total km: approx. 290 km
1st excursion: 54 km
2nd excursion: 55 km
3rd excursion: 75 km
4th excursion: 66 km
5th excursion: 40 km
Difficulty: intermediate/high
Type of path: paved on bicycle lanes.
Training needed: good training.