Rating: Easy

Flat paved cycle paths, suitable for beginners and children! 

Passau
 
   
"Great Loop" at Schlögen

Benedictine Monastery of Melk

 Riverside Cycle Paths  

Vienna/Schönbrunn Castle

Ladies rental bike

Swiss Flier Electro bike

Battery assisted cycling!

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Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Passau
Individual arrival.

Day 2: Passau - Schlögen (approx. 44 km)

Ride to Schlögen; the "Schlögener Schlinge" offers a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.

Day 3: Schlögen - Linz

(approx. 53 km)
On the southern bank of the Danube you pass Aschach and the monastery Wilhering until you reach the capital of Upper Austria, Linz.

Day 4: Linz - Grein

(approx. 60 km)
In the afternoon you arrive at "Burg Clam". Your destination, Grein, is dominated by the castle of "Greinburg".

Day 5: Grein - Melk/Emmersdorf (approx. 51 km)
Through the "Strudengau" to Melk with its imposing Benedictine monastery.

Day 6: Melk/Emmersdorf - Krems/Traismauer (approx. 40km)
Through the renowned "Wachau", with its vineyards and romantic villages to Krems.

Day 7: Krems - Tulln - Vienna (approx. 80/65 km)
Passing the castle "Greifenstein" you reach the metropolis of Vienna. Alternatively: train from Tulln to Vienna (train-ticket not incl.).

Day 8: Vienna (departure)
Included train transfer back to Passau or extension nights in Vienna.

Another option is the extension on the Danube cycle path to Bratislava (additional 2 nights) or take a ship back to Passau.

Included:

- 7 nights in 3 star hotels, all with private facilities.

- daily breakfast.

- luggage transport to Vienna (1 piece p.p.)

- welcome drink

- 1 bottle of Austrian white wine

- Train ride Krems – Tulln (including bike)

- maps and info package

- 1 ticket for public transport in Vienna

- train ticket Vienna - Passau at the end of the trip (excl. bike).

- 7 or 21 speed KTM touring bike with panniers

- 24 hour service hotline

 
Independent Tour:  Cad$835

Price Notes:

- per person, double occupancy

- add $220 for single supplement

- deduct $120 for select Spring & Fall departures

- add $100 for departures during the European Soccer Championship (June 2008)

- add $100 for upgrade to 3 1/2 & 4 star hotels

- add $220 for upgrade to all 4 star hotels

- 6 x dinner packages are available from $160 per person.

- add $100 pp. for extra nights in Vienna or Passau.

- add $85 for "electro" bike rental

- we can arrange transfers, rail passes, and flights. Call 1-866-648-7757

Our independent tour may also be booked as :

Bike & Boat - evenings & meals are aboard the classic river ship MS Theodor Körner

Monastry Tour - tour many famous monastries enroute

Agritourismo Tour - stay each night at local family  farms, with a real emphasis on homestyle ccooking

Premium Escorted Tour:  Cad$1550

This superior escorted tour includes these extra features:

• Company of a trained tour guide very familiar with the surroundings
• Tour bus during the complete tour
• Overnights in carefully selected 4 star hotels
• Breakfast buffet
• 3-course dinners (mostly with menu options)
• Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel (no limitation)
• 1 ferry crossing (Au-Schlögen) incl. bicycle
• Guided city tour in Passau
• Guided tour of the theater Grein
• Visit of monastery Melk
• Detailed documentation

Airport / Transfers

We suggest flying into Munich or Salzburg, and departing from Vienna.

We can supply rail transfers from Munich Airport to Passau for approx. $55.00

Departure Dates - 2008

Unescorted tours- depart daily from mid-April to mid-October.

Escorted tours - depart 10th May, 21st June, 26th July, 16th August, & 6th September

Rating: Easy

Flat paved cycle paths along both sides of the Danube, suitable for beginners and children! 

PASSAU
 
 

"Great Loop" at Schlögen

BRATISLAVA

 Riverside Cycle Paths  

MS Theodor Körner

Your boat: 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 bike/ cruise through various countries is also a culinary expedition through the diversity of the 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

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).

Departure Dates - 2008

Still available dates - May 3rd & 31st    

June 14th;     July 12th;   August 9th & 23rd

September 20th;      October 4th

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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.

Day 2: Passau - Schlögen  - Linz (approx. 50 km)

Downstream, the river leads you through pretty villages amid a natural landscape. Need a boost? Try some of the special cordials and liquers in the Trappist monastery in Engelszell. Supposedly they have „special healing powers“. Let yourself relax on the sun deck after a successful day while the ship takes you through the romantic Schlögener loop, where the river makes a very abrupt 180 degree turn. And after dinner, ride on the bright yellow City-Express (optional) and discover Linz, the capital of upper Austria.    

Day 3: Linz - Mauthausen - Grein  (approx. 36 km)

Todays bike tour takes you directly along the Danube where you have enough time to enjoy the celtic town of Mitterkirchen, giving you an insight to the history of this area. The alternative route “Clam Castle” through the beautiful back country of the “Strudengau” is a little hilly, but a fantastic landscape. Grein is the destination of todays stage, the birthplace of Austria´s oldest city-theatre and the Castle of Grein (optional tour).

Day 4: Grein - Melk (approx. 50 km)
Todays stage is marked by a diverse landscape. At the beginning there is the Strudengau – a narrow point on the Danube which used to be notorious amongst skippers. The valley expands from Persenbeug and the bike tour leads you further to Melk with its gorgeous baroque monastery of the Benedictine monks. On deck you enjoy the sunset and the beautiful evening illumination of the Wachau. In the early morning you'll arrive at the City of Waltz.

Day 5: Vienna - Bratislava  (approx. 55 - 75 km)
At the Danube Floodplains National Park you can experience pure nature, wild and untamed. Accompanied by bird twitter you bike through alluvial forests and an unique natural paradise. More active cyclists will take the challenge and bike all way through. One can also shorten the distance by using the local train (optional). Bratislava is your attractive destination and during a walkabout in the evening (optional tour) you can discover the fondly restored Old Town and all the sights of this ambitious metropolis. At night the cruise ship takes you back to Vienna.

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 wine tavern.

Day 7: Washau - Krems - Emmersdorf   (approx. 36 km)
Your last bike touring day – a special highlight!  Surrounded by small towns, apricot orchards, vineyards, castles, monasteries and medievel ruins, this hilly landscape is simply enchanting. This is pure biking enjoyment!

In Spitz you will find comfy wine taverns directly besides the bike path. You owe it to yourself to take a break! After a ceremonial gala dinner this evening lots of fun and entertainment can be experienced during the folklore show.

Day 8: Passau  (departure)
Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy on deck the sunrise and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take a last sight at the Schlögener Schlinge before you arrive relaxed at Passau. Disembarkation: 2:30 p.m.

TOUR PRICE:  Cad $1235.00

Included:

- 7 nights in an outside cabin on the Passau deck.

- 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

- Port taxes of Euro 59.00

Price Notes:

- per person, double occupancy

- add $400 for single supplement

- triple cabins also available

- upgrades to either the

- deduct $100 for all September & Octoberl departures

- add $150 during the European Soccer Championship (July 12th)

- add $100 pp. for optional extra nights in Passau.

- add $85 for "electro" bike rental

Day by Day Itinerary

Day1:   Arrival Graz/Unterpremstätten

Information and distribution of bikes. The Cultural Capital 2003 invites you for an extraordinary city stroll.

Day 2:  Graz: Lippizan horse excursion

(approx. 40 km) 

By train to Köflach – (glass museum and new Thermal Spa Therme Nova), then by bike to stud farm Piber. For over 200 years the world famous white stallions of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna have been bred here. The “black foals” have to pass through a long training before they are able to perform in Vienna. Cycle on to Bärnbach (church by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Moses fountain) and Voitsberg and return to Graz.

Rating: Easy to Moderate

Paved or hardpack cycle paths; a few small hills through the vineyards; suitable for novice cyclists.

Sulmtal Vineyards

Bad Ratkersburg

Departures - 2008

Independent tours depart every Saturday from 9th May to 18th October.

Airport / Transfers

We suggest flying in/out Graz. Vienna is another option, 2 1/2 hours journey by train.

It takes 20 minutes by public bus (approx. € 4) to reach your first nights hotel in Unterpremstätten or by taxi (approx. € 15,-).

For the return transfer from Bad Radkersbrug to Graz: very good train connections or transfer by bus incl. bike; € 22,- per person, payable on spot

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Day 3:   Graz - Sulmtal

(approx. 55 km) 

Comfortable cycling past many pumpkin fields and through pleasant little towns e.g. Stainz (castle Stainz with museum Joaneum). Continue on the famous Schilcher Wine Street and “Ölspur-Cycle Path” into the valley of river Sulm.

Day 4:   Sulmtal – Gamlitz

(approx. 40 km) 
Plenty of wine! The most famous varieties cultivated here are: Riesling, Welschriesling and White Burgunder. There are some hills to ascend, but you will always be treated to a beautiful view of the “Styrian Tuscany” landscape and neighbouring Slovenia.

Day 5:   Gamlitz – Mureck (approx. 25 km) 

This stage is a short one to allow time for wine-tastings. Take your time to see the South Styrian Wine Street and the Volcano Wine-growing area of Kloech. Visit excellent vineyard estates Polz and Tement or Schuster with guided cellar tours, tasting and a hearty cold meal. End the day with a 5-course menu cooked by the “Cook of Royalties” at House Steirerland or in a secluded little wine-grower hut in the vineyards.

Day 6:   Mureck-Bad Radkersburg (approx. 25km)
The river Mur leads us to today’s destination. The thermal spa lures you to relaxation and lingering in the beautiful old town. Entrance to the thermal spa Parktherme is included!

Day 7:   Bad Radkersburg – Thermal Country

(approx. 35 km) 
From one spa to the next! Cycle along the Austrian-Slovenian border on tranquil cycle paths into the Volcano country around Bad Radkersburg or into Slovenia. Lovely scenic countryside, sleepy little wine-grower villages and in the evening, swim in thermal water, accessible directly from the hotel. Entrance to thermal spa Parktherme is included!

Day 8:  

Individual departure from Bad Radkersburg or extend your stay in Austria.

Price:  Cad $1195

Price Notes:

- per person, double occupancy.

- add $210 for single supplement.

- add $195 pp. for 7 evening dinners

- add $85 pp. for extra nights in Graz.

- we also arrange transfers, rail passes, and flights. Call 1-866-648-7757

INCLUDED:

• Detailed personal tour information
• Accommodation in 4**** and very good 3 ***guest houses
• Breakfast buffet
• Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
• Detailed route descriptions
• Detailed travel material (route maps, route descriptions, places of interest, important telephone numbers)
• 7-day service hotline
• entrance to the thermal springs in Bad Radkersburg

Rating: Easy to Moderate

Mostly on cycle paths in the river valleys. Bus transfer up the Resia Pass; suitable for novice cyclists!

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Arrival in Innsbruck

Individual arrival in Innsbruck (old part of town with town tower and “Goldenes Dachl”). Introductory presentation and distribution of bikes. City tour.

Day 2:   Innsbruck – Imst

(approx. 65 km)

On the former Treidelweg (Treidel Path) along the River Inn and through small villages (churches worth seeing, old aristocratic houses, fortress ruins) to Stams (baroque Cistercian convent, convent museum) on through Haiming to Imst.

Day 3:   Imst – Mals/Burgeis (approx. 50 km, + 40 km by bus)

Along the Inn, past Kloster Zams (monastery) to Landeck. From here a bus transfers you to Nauders. A further 100 metres of altitude takes you to the summit of the Reschenpaß/Resia Pass. Downhill into Italy to Reschensee (Resia Lake) and on side paths on to Malles Venosta or Burgeis at the foot of the Marienburg (a fortress).

Day 4: Mals/Burgeis – Meran (approx. 65 km)

First to Glurns, a fully preserved mediaeval city. Over the Montani ruins (discovery site of the Nibelungen – manuscript), through Schlanders/Silandro and past the St. Prokulus – church (the oldest frescos in the German-speaking area), downhill to Meran/Merano. Many fortresses and castles are located on the or above the route.

Day 5: Passeier Valley/Meran approx. 40 km

Options of biking to the Passeier Valley to wander on the famous Trappeiner path, or to go on a shopping tour under the bowers of Meran/Merano. Guided city tour and wine tasting.

Day 6:   Meran – Kaltern / Tramin/Auer

(approx. 45-50 km)

In the Àdige Valley to Lana and through numerous vineyards and orchards in the region of the South Tyrol. Past many fortresses, castles and ruins to the Kalterer Lake and then on to Tramin.

Day 7:   Kaltern/Tramin/Auer – Bolzano 

(approx. 35 km)

Flat through the Àdige Valley or (with an ascent) – through the beautiful Montiggler Lakes, past the Ruin Sigmundskron, into Bolzano.

Day 8: Bolzano

Indevidual departure, or extend your stay in Italy.

Independent Cad $1250

Included:

• 21 speed touring bike
• 7 overnight stays in quality 3 & 4 star hotels
• breakfast buffet each day
• luggage transport from hotel to hotel
• detailed travel documents (maps, route discription, places of interest, important telephone numbers)
• all admissions and tours according the program
• Bus transfer Landeck – Nauders

Price Notes:

- per person, double occupancy

- add $250 for single supplement

- add $80 for late July and all Aug. departures.

- add $150 for upgrade to 4 star hotels.

- add $240 for 7 evening dinners

- add $110 pp. for pre or post nights

Premium Escorted Cad $1650

Included: All of the above, plus

• Company of a skilled and trained tour guide who knows the countryside
• Back-up minibus present during the whole tour
• 7 nights in superior 3 & 4 star hotels
• 7 x evening dinner package
• all admissions and tours according the program
• City tour in Innsbruck and Meran
• Wine tasting in Meran or Tramin

Price Notes:

- per person, double occupancy

- add $250 for single supplement

- add $50 for late July and all August departures.

- add $110 pp. for pre or post nights.

- we also arrange transfers, rail passes, and flights. Call 1-866-648-7757 for details.     

Inn Valley

Churburg Castle

Departures - 2008

Independent tours

- depart every Saturday from May 3rd to September 30th

Escorted tours

- depart: May 17th, July 5th, & September 6th.

Airport / Transfers

We suggest flying directly into Innsbruck.

Regular transfers are also available from Munich (2 hours) for $55 per person.

From Bolzano to Innsbruck by train or by mini bus every Saturday (€ 40,- per person, bike included, payable on the spot, reservation necessary).

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SALZBURG

BAD ISCHL

LAKE MATTSEE

LAKE MOND SEE

Airport / Transfers

We suggest flying directly into Salzburg.

Rail transfers are also available from Munich (approx. 2 hours) or Vienna (approx. 2 1/2 hours).

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Rating: Moderate

Mostly on cycle paths, field paths, or quiest back roads; Terrain is reasonably hilly, with some longer uphill stretches.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Salzburg
Individual arrival.

Day 2: Salzburg - Lake Wolfgang (approx. 45 km/28 miles)
You start your bike tour in the home town of Mozart. From Salzburg you cycle over St. Gilgen to the southern shore of the Wolfgangsee.

Day 3: Lake Wolfgang - Lake Traun (approx. 42 km/26 miles)
On the trace of Kaiser Franz Josef and his wife Sisi, you are cycling from Bad Ischl to the Traunsee. On the route you can visit the confectionery Zauner, the official bakery of the former Austrian monarchy

Day 4: Lake Traun - Lake Atter /Attergau

(approx. 28 km/ 18 miles)
On your way to Lake Atter you will visit Gmuden, a picturesque village on the northern shore of lake Traun with it's world famous ceramic manufacture.

Day 5: Lake Atter/Attergau - Lake Mondsee

(approx. 32 km/ 20 miles)
Enjoy the cycle path along Lake Mondsee, one ot the best lakes for bathing. Explore the beautiful scenery which formed the backdrops for the painter Gustav Maler.

Day 6: Lake Mondsee - Lake Mattsee/Obertrum

(approx. 48 km/ 29 miles)
On the former stretch of the "Ischlerbahn" you are cycling into the Trumer lake-district with three lakes: Lake Obertrum, Lake Matt and Lake Graben.

Day 7: Lake Mattsee/Obertrum - Salzburg

(approx. 22 km/ 14 miles)
You will have enough time to explore the untuched nature of the lake-district. You may also visit the exhibition village "Schleedorf" where you can learn every thing about the country traditions and their handcraft.

Day 8: Salzburg
Individual departure or extension.

Independent Tour Cad $1025

Included in package:

- 7 nights in clean, family run 2 to 3 star hotels, all with private facilities.

- daily breakfast.

- luggage transport

- maps and info package

- 21 speed trekking bike with panniers

- service hotline

Optional Electro Bike available for an additional $140.00

Price Notes:

- per person, double occupancy

- add $160 for single supplement

- deduct $85 for all Spring and Fall departures.

- add $170 for upgrade to 4 star hotels.

- add $175 pp. for 6 evening dinners

- add $100 pp. for pre or post nights in Salzburg.

- we also arrange transfers, rail passes, and flights. Call 1-866-648-7757

Premium Escorted Cad $1725

All of the above is included, plus:

- experienced multilingual guide

- back-up bus available the whole tour

- all hotels are superior 3 or 4 star.

- 3 course dinners included each day

- various guided tours, ie. Salzburg, Kaiservilla Bad Ischl

- various entrance fees, train and lake steamer transfers

Price Notes for escorted tour:

- per person, double occupancy

- add $250 for single supplement

- add $85 for July and August departures.

- add $130 pp. for pre or post nights in Salzburg (4 star hotels).

- we can arrange transfers, rail passes, and flights. Call 1-866-648-7757

Departures - 2008

Independent tours depart daily from late April to mid-October.

Escorted tours depart Saturdays

- 31st May

- 28th June

- 2nd August

- 30th August