Compare Passau to Vienna Cycling by Exodus Travels vs A Grand Rail Adventure: Milan, The Alps & Vienna - Eastbound 2022 by Tauck
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 11 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 2,900 | $ 12,690 |
| Price Per Day | $ 264 | $ 1,586 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | No |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts included | N/A |
| Description |
The route from Passau, on Germany's eastern border, to Vienna is one of the most popular cycle paths in Europe, and it's no wonder! This stretch of the Danube carves its way through a thousand years of history; 60 dramatic castles and palaces lie along the river and the ever-changing landscape is a kaleidoscope of fertile plains, narrow gorges, lowland forests, bird-rich marshland and acres of picturesque vines.Cycle through a thousand years of history |
A Tauck Exclusive private train, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains' Danube Express, takes you through Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein in search of art, castles, wine, and cuisines, along some of the most scenic mountain railways in Europe. For Tauck guests only – limited departures with only 56 Tauck guests aboard, accompanied by two Tauck Directors for the utmost in personalized service. |
Day 1 Arrive in Passau
Arrive at your riverfront hotel and then enjoy dinner in the heart of the old town tonight. You stay at the Hotel Residenz (breakfast included)
Day 2 Passau to Schlogen
After receiving your bike and welcome brief, pedal east to Obernzell, famous for pottery, before popping into the Keramicmuseum in a riverside castle. The scent of wood smoke and grilled trout may tempt you into lunch as you cross into Austria where the valley is steeper and cloaked with oak woods. On reaching the hotel, relax in the pool before dinner on the terrace watching passenger boats sparkling with fairy lights cruise past. Cycling distance either 23km/14.5mi or 47km/29.5mi You stay at the Hotel Donauschlinge (breakfast included)
Day 3 Schlogen to Aschach (Linz)
Spot kingfishers today in the Donauschlinge Nature Reserve. Stop and enjoy the views at the picnic tables that dot the waterfront before you reach Aschach's frescoed waterfront. Catch the Linz ferry, or follow the towpath through reed marshes to Ottensheim beach for a swim. Hop on the train here and in no time you'll arrive at your hotel, an ancient convent, in Linz's extravagant town square. Cycling disctance either 27km/17mi or 46km/29mi You stay at the Hotel Wolfinger (breakfast included)
Day 4 Linz to Ardagger/Grein
The route leads you away from the Danube to 12th Century Enns. Austria's oldest city, before returning to the Danube and an onward ride to the beautiful little village of Ardagger. Cycling disctance either 56km/35mi or 61km/38mi You stay at the Hotel Schiffmeisterhaus (breakfast included)
Day 5 Ardagger/Grein to Melk
Explore the small baroque town of Grein before cycling through the fertile Danube Valley for a lunch stop in Ybbs, home to a quirky collection of penny-farthings bicycles. The hilltop twin towers of Maria Taferl appear and Melk's monastery looms high above as you pedal towards Margaret Ebner's welcoming family hotel in Melk. You stay at the Hotel Zur Post (breakfast included) Cycling distance either 55km/34mi
Day 6 At Melk
Melk's massive Benedictine monastery was rebuilt in 1683, and the interior abbey is as breathtaking as the countryside views from the rooftop terrace. For a day trip, cycle to Schloss Schallaburg (8km return), one of the finest Renaissance castles north of the Alps, where you can stroll in the magnificent rose gardens and enjoy acclaimed cultural exhibitions. You stay at the Hotel Zur Post (breakfast included)
Day 7 Melk to Krems
Today you coast along the UNESCO Wachau Valley, a necklace of villages and vineyards, anchored by pretty churches along the north bank. Each is charming, especially Durnstein where Richard the Lionheart was held for ransom in the craggy hilltop castle. Admire the statuette, Venus of Willendorf, dating back to 23,000BC, before arriving in Krems for a splash in the pool, and candlelit dinner on the terrace overlooking the valley. You stay at the Steigenberger Hotel & Spa (breakfast included)
Day 8 At Krems
Krems has one of the most beautiful historic centres in Europe and is packed with interest, from the Wine Museum housed in a restored Dominican monastery to the 13th century abbey that exhibits paintings of Martin Johann Schmidt. You can cycle out to Schloss Grafenegg (14km away), a gargoyle-encrusted Gothic castle set in 85 acres of parkland, perfect for picnics, or just relax in the fabulous hotel spa and pool. You stay at the Steigenberger Hotel & Spa (breakfast included)
Day 9 Krems to Tulln
Freewheel down river to Tulln, known as the 'Town of Roses'. Pop into the Roman museum, which is packed with artefacts, and dine out tonight amid the fountains, statues and ornate buildings that crowd the pretty centre before returning to your waterfront hotel. You stay at the Hotel Nibelungenhof (breakfast included)
Day 10 Tulln to Vienna
Coast along the last stretch and relax over lunch in imperial Klosterneuburg. Then cycle along Danube Island before continuing to your hotel, right in the heart of the city. Enjoy dinner out in Vienna's lively centre which is breathtakingly floodlit at night! You stay at the Hotel Austria (breakfast included) Cycling distance either 22km/13.5mi or 41km/26mi
Day 11 Leave Vienna
The tour ends after breakfast in Vienna.
Day 1 Arrive Milan
Tour begins: 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Milan Malpensa Airport to the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan in the heart of the city, opposite the Central Station and close to the fashion district. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
MEALS : D
LODGING : Excelsior Hotel Gallia
PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy
Day 2 A Taste of Milan
Discover the historic center of this modern metropolis known for sophistication, cutting-edge fashion, and art. Begin the day with a visit to the awe-inspiring Milan Cathedral (the Duomo). Built with Candoglia marble shipped from quarries around Lake Maggiore, the immense Duomo took 600 years to build and is still a work in progress, adorned with thousands of gargoyles and sculpted figures, soaring columns, vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and flying buttresses, and a rooftop terrace with breathtaking views. From the Duomo it's a short walk to a no-less impressive commercial cathedral, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th-century shopping arcade under a monumental glass and ironwork ceiling, housing a busy warren of boutiques, restaurants, bars and cafes. Or take a walking tour of the Brera District, a romantic bohemian neighborhood of narrow cobbled streets, galleries, and artisans' shops known as the Milanese Montmartre. Drive outside the city for a visit to a working farm, or cascina, where you'll get a tour and a hands-on cooking lesson in local cuisine, followed by lunch. Return to the city for free time on your own, then join us for dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Excelsior Hotel Gallia
PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy
Day 3 A Rail Journey to Remember
Depart for Como for a walking tour of its charming narrow streets and pastel houses beside enchanting Lake Como, lined with stately villas, terraces and promenades, against a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Visit the 14th-century marble Duomo, decorated with tapestries, frescoes, and paintings, for an exclusive organ concert. Depart for Chiasso, Switzerland and board the Danube Express, your hotel on wheels for the next three nights. Have lunch aboard the train as you head for the St. Gotthard Pass en route to Zurich. A spectacular landscape of rugged granite mountains, plunging valleys, and mountain lakes, the St. Gotthard Pass links northern and southern Switzerland, making it historically and culturally significant as well as a breathtaking scenic journey. You'll also glide past stunning Lake Lucerne, where alpine mountains, meadows and forests roll down to meet its wandering shores. Dine aboard the Danube Express tonight.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express
PORTOFCALL : Milan, Italy
Day 4 Zurich & Vaduz
Today a walking tour of Zurich begins with a visit to the Kunsthaus Museum of Art, whose collections of 4,000 paintings, sculptures, and installations include works by Monet, Munch, Picasso, and Van Gogh, as well as works dating back to the Middle Ages, with an emphasis on Swiss masters. Then explore Zurich's captivating Old Town with a local guide. Lunch on the train as you ride through scenic landscapes of mountains, farms, and villages to Vaduz in Liechtenstein. Nestled beside the Rhine, Vaduz, the nation's capital, is a fascinating city of art, eclectic architecture, and vantage points for panoramic views. A walking tour of the town's historic center is followed by an opportunity to view the clifftop medieval castle that is still the residence of the royal family; trails and overlooks on the grounds offer stunning, princely views of the valley, the imposing mountain range, and the entire city. Dine on board the train this evening.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express
Day 5 Innsbruck & Lake Achen
Beside the striking Nordkette mountain range, Innsbruck is known as the Capital of the Alps, once a favorite retreat of the Habsburgs, who kept a lavish imperial residence here. Take a walking tour of Innsbruck's medieval old town with a local guide; after lunch the Danube Express travels the Semmering Pass through some of the most scenic landscapes in central Austria to Jenbach, where you'll travel up 1400 feet to fjord-like Lake Achen – so large it's sometimes called an inland sea – a popular destination for Austrians on summer holiday. Cruise the lake to a spit of land that can only be reached by boat or on foot; here you'll find a traditional Austrian tavern, beaches, a forest with hiking trails, and an alpine pasture – feel like a local and enjoy the natural surroundings. Return to the Danube Express for a farewell dinner and depart for Vienna.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Golden Eagle Danube Express
PORTOFCALL : Innsbruck, Austria
Day 6 A Grand Day in Vienna
Begin your day in Vienna with an exclusive concert with sparkling wine (or soft drinks) in an intimate setting, then return to the train for lunch. This afternoon you'll check into your premier hotel in the heart of the city, an Art Deco gem built in 1892, directly opposite the Vienna State Opera House. Later, join us for a private, after-hours tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the opulent Habsburg summer residence inspired by Versailles; your guided tour starts at the Gloriette, a hilltop Roman-style pavilion with a viewing platform overlooking the vast landscaped gardens, then continues on to the magnificent Imperial apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth. Dinner tonight is at the Cafe Residenz, a classic Viennese cafe in the eastern wing of the palace.
MEALS : B, L, D
LODGING : Hotel Bristol
PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria
Day 7 The Hofburg & Belvedere Palace
Get a tour of city sights today, featuring views of the Hofburg, the former Imperial Palace. Now the official home of the Austrian President and government offices, the Hofburg was a royal residence for over 600 years, begun as a medieval castle and expanded by each emperor to its imposing layout today, with 18 wings, 19 courtyards, and 2,600 rooms; your tour includes the lavishly restored apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. Late this morning, visit the Belvedere Palace, former residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, now a museum housing collections of Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present, masterpieces by Impressionists including Monet and Van Gogh, and the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings. Enjoy free time to explore Vienna on your own, then join us for a farewell reception and dinner at your hotel.
MEALS : B, D
LODGING : Hotel Bristol
PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria
Day 8 Journey Home
Tour ends: Vienna. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Hotel Bristol to Vienna International Airport. Allow at least three hours for flight check-in.
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Vienna, Austria
