Visit Melk Abbey, a hilltop Benedictine masterpiece overlooking the Danube. Inside, gilded staircases lead to the famed marble hall and library, culminating in a radiant baroque church alive with frescoes and organ music.

Gardens and terraces frame commanding valley views that link monastic scholarship to river trade routes. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; opening hours and guided tour availability may vary by season.

Explore the baroque Old Town of Passau where pastel facades lead to Domplatz and the monumental St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Step inside to admire stuccoed chapels and experience the resonance of one of the world’s largest church organs, famed for its layered sound.

Feel the city’s unique geography at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz as river breezes meet cobbled lanes. Cafés and riverside promenades invite you to pause and soak up Passau’s Bavarian-Austrian border character.

Cycle through riverside woodland to the Schlogener Loop (Schlogener Schlinge), where the Danube swings in a dramatic U-turn around a granite spur. The broad waterway narrows, curves, and reappears, creating a natural amphitheatre ideal to pause for photos and reflection.

Short, signed footpaths lead to classic viewpoints such as the Schlogener Blick. Ravine forests, birdsong and passing barges create an ever-changing river panorama that captures the wild beauty of Upper Austria’s valley.

Roll into Linz and wander the grand Hauptplatz, framed by pastel townhouses and the gleaming Trinity Column (Dreifaltigkeitssäule). Cafés spill onto cobbles, the Danube riverfront is a short stroll away, and streetcar bells set an easy rhythm to explore boutiques and courtyards.

As a former European Capital of Culture 2009, Linz blends heritage with creativity. Cross the bridges for skyline views and modern architecture, or delve into the cathedral lanes to sense the city’s timeless mercantile spirit.

Visit Enns, Austria’s oldest town, and admire the 16th-century Enns Town Tower soaring over a handsome square of gabled houses. Roman echoes from nearby Lauriacum mingle with medieval trade routes along the Danube.

Ride via the stately St. Florian Abbey, an Augustinian Baroque complex known for its grand basilica and musical heritage. Its scale and serenity provide a contemplative counterpoint to the gentle cadence of your cycling day.

Pedal through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO cultural landscape of terraced vineyards, castle ruins and apricot orchards. Villages like Spitz, Weißenkirchen and Durnstein unfold in a rhythm of church spires, cellar doors and river views.

Pause to sample regional wines—notably Gruner Veltliner and Riesling—during an included tasting that reveals the region’s mineral-rich soils and long monastic tradition of winemaking. Heuriger taverns and vine-shaded lanes add gentle, lived-in charm to the ride.

Stroll Durnstein, where an azure blue tower rises above stone lanes lined with wine taverns and apricot products. The Danube glints below as terraced vines wrap the hillsides in tidy green rows.

Follow a short, steep path to the castle ruins tied to Richard the Lionheart. From the crag, panoramic views sweep across the river and Wachau vineyards, rewarding the effort with drama and a deep sense of place.

Discover St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), wander courtyards of the Hofburg Palace, and trace the arc of the Ringstrasse past grand facades and tramlines. Gothic spires, imperial squares and chandeliered cafés sketch an atmosphere of enduring imperial grandeur.

Slip between boutique arcades and venerable coffeehouses to see how Vienna’s cultural life hums between opera posters and pastry counters. This flexible self-guided walk places the highlights within easy reach of your hotel and bike drop-off.

Explore Greinburg Castle, a Renaissance residence with arcaded courtyards and noble rooms. In town, step behind the curtain at the oldest municipal theatre in Austria, where timber galleries and painted backdrops evoke centuries of local performance.

Museums and exhibits trace Danube shipping lore and regional life at this historic bend of the river. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; seasonal schedules and venues can vary.

Visit the august Klosterneuburg Monastery, founded in the 12th century and famed for the shimmering Verdun Altar. Cloisters and chapels reveal centuries of art and learning at the threshold of Vienna.

Descend to the cool monastic wine cellars to learn about centuries of viticulture and taste select estate bottlings. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; tastings and tour formats vary by day.

Tour Kreuzenstein Castle, a romantic hilltop fortress assembled in the 19th century from authentic medieval elements. Courtyards, armories and chapels conjure Central Europe’s chivalric past.

From battlements, enjoy panoramic views of the Danube and Vienna’s wooded fringes before continuing your riverside ride. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; access and showpiece displays may vary seasonally.

Spend an evening at a Viennese classical concert, where the music of Mozart and Strauss unfolds in resonant salons. Think gilded balconies, polished parquet and crisp strings carrying familiar waltz rhythms.

Venues range from historic salas like the Kursalon to larger halls renowned for opulent halls and warm acoustics. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; program and seating vary by date.

Savour Viennese coffeehouse culture by settling into velvet nooks, marble-topped tables and newspaper racks close at hand. Order a creamy melange and the city’s iconic Sachertorte, letting conversation and clinking teaspoons set the tempo.

These salons—celebrated on Austria’s cultural heritage lists—blend literary history with everyday ritual. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; recommendations span grand cafés and neighbourhood institutions.

Meet your local representative for a bike fitting and welcome briefing to ensure your cycle is perfectly adjusted and your kit set for the ride ahead. Get practical tips for riding the dedicated Danube cycle path and a walkthrough of the navigation app so each day’s route feels simple and stress-free.

Set in Passau, the “city of three rivers,” this session also shares local insights on waymarking and road etiquette. It typically takes place early in the tour to give you confidence from the first pedal stroke.

All breakfasts and one wine tasting included.Breakfast: Buffet style breakfast will usually consist of fresh bread, cheese, ham, croissants, butter, jam, tea or coffee.Lunch and Dinner (not included): there are numerous restaurants along the route with a selection of menus of two or more courses and the route notes will provide more details to help you decide. Self-guided cycling also lends itself really well to picnics. You can stop wherever you please, in a spot that suits you and eat your lunch taking in your chosen view.