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The Danube Bicycle Path was developed from the old towpath, where earlier 60 horses towed laden ships up the river. Today, easygoing holidaymakers pedal the 313 km along this path from the three—rivers city of Passau to the waltz capital of Vienna. From 290 m above sea level to the goal, at 183 m, the route always follows the Danube — flat, traffic—free, and gently downhill. |
You will be impressed by the landscape. The longest hillside and gorge forests in middle Europe are found from the Bavarian woods to Landshaag near Linz. The Schlögener Schlinge, a loop in the river, is one of the highlights along the ride. At kilometer 10, the unsettled Danube valley is at its narrowest point in Austria. Fertile plains, romantic gorges, and solitary lowland forests are interspersed with the lovely hillside vineyards found in the Wachau valley and in Vienna.
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The "Treasure Row" of the Danube valley boasts a long line of first—class sights. The immense cloisters at Melk, Göttweig, and St. Florian are symbols of the splendor displayed by the Catholic faith. 60 castles and palaces lie on this route and are each worthy of a visit. Add to this a whole succession of rich trading cities — like Passau, Linz, and Krems — while not forgetting the smaller and charming towns, like Grein and Dürnstein.
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Die sonnigen Terrassen der Wachau, deren
The sunny terraces of the Wachau valley, whose beginnings are watched over by Melk cloister, and the castles bordered by mountains (Aggstein, Dürnstein, etc.) are mentioned as UNESCO world heritage sites. Around Spitz, the best white wine producing grapes in Austria ripen in the sun. The "Heuringe" — one of the tax—free wine bars allowed to be open maximum three months out of the year — counts as one of the main attractions along this route.
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In the following wide valley around Tulln, a wine/agriculture area, the cyclist has all the foothills of the Viennese woods laid out before their eyes. Arriving in Vienna on the banks of the Danube, you will ride to the ship station Nussdorf, where you can return the hired bicycles and journey to your hotel by underground.
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Blaue Donau Professor Marcel Prawy once said, that on a warm, dry, windy, day that is preceded by 5—6 weeks of no rain, the Danube can actually be blue. It's really possible! Actually, the water quality in the meantime is excellent and fish taken from its waters can be eaten.
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Sights
**Passau: Capital of a small state until 1803. Cathedral, Studienkirche, monasteries, and more.
*Engelszell: Trappist monastery.
Eferding: cathedral, castle, town square.
**Wilhering: : Church of the Thousand Angels — main Rococo work in Austria.
**Linz: vibrant EU Culture Capital 2009 city, Cathedral of St. Mary, castle, main square, old town, Lentos modern art museum, ARS Electronica Museum of the Future, Pöstlingberg — medieval fort with basilica of rare beauty, home of the Linzer Torte.
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**St. Florian: abbey 6 km from the Danube with 800 rooms, vault of Anton Bruckner.
**Enns: oldest city of Austria with magnificent town square.
*Perg plain 5 km from Danube, soap boiler house, Gothic town church, charnel house.
*Grein: Grein castle (knights' room, stone theatre, Fridays from June to August for all our holidaymakers at 11:55 — a champagne welcome and piano concert "25 Years of the Danube Bicycle Path", Baroque city theatre.
**Melk: dominant symbol of the beginning of the Wachau valley; library, imperial rooms, and more. *Spitz: wine—growing town with "Tausendeimerberg" (Mountain of a Thousand Buckets), two castles, palace, Pastoren Tower.
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*Dürnstein: : Baroque city view, cloister church, pretty walk to the castle.
**Krems: : one of the richest cities in Europe during the middle ages, "Kremser Penny", UNESCO World Culture Site.
*Tulln: Roman city with charnel house, fountain, Baroque old town, site of the 2008 national garden show. Stockerau: festival city near Vienna. *Klosterneuburg: "Austria's Escorial" with enamel/gold altar.
***Wien: music capital of Europe whose description cannot fit on this page.
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*Schlosshof: 39 km east of Vienna, pompous palace of Kaiserin Maria Theresia. Hainburg: most important city gate in the southern German—speaking area.
**Bratislava: castle, coronation church, beautiful old town, Baroque town hall, various palaces (Schönborn, Palffy), Café Mayer. Wonderful day trip from Vienna.
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Dates
Daily arrival from June 7 to/including June 28 and from August 23 to/including October 18.
Low Season: October 11 to October 18
High Season: June 7 to June 28, August 23 to October 10
The program takes place only on the weekdays stated. Minimum stay is 4 nights/5 days.
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Parking
For a surcharge, you are able to park in the parking garage in Passau near the train station/city center (unguarded). Price at Booking: €19,00/week; price on site: €84,00/week. Please inform us upon Booking.
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