Dates 2009 Danube River Valley Bicycle Tours begin on the following dates: June 18th, 26th July 5th, 13th September 3rd, 28th Itinerary Day 1 - We begin our journey in Passau, perhaps the most spectacular setting of any German city. It is situated at the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers, and is the gateway to Austria. Our hotel for the evening is the Hotel Konig, situated right on the waterfront of the Danube. Tonight we enjoy our first gourmet meal in the restaurant of the hotel overlooking the Danube. We will also have a brief orientation. Please contact us to help you with directions to the hotel. We suggest the best way to get to Passau is to fly to Munich, where we can pick you up and take you to Passau to begin our journey. Day 2 - Passau to Schlogen, 40 km (25 miles). After a relaxing breakfast, we'll meet to get fitted with our bikes and gear, then we're on our way! As we cross over the Danube we get a wonderful panorama of the city. Our ride today is all on the north bank through beautiful forest. Arrival in Schlogen is by ferry. You won't believe the spectacular setting of our resort for the rest of the day. It is wunderbar!

Start Dates: June 18th, 26th, July 5th, 13th, September 3rd & 28th (2009)   Price: $3495.00 per person*   Duration: 7 days / 7 nights   Level of Difficulty: Very Easy   Mileage: 177 miles    *Prices based on double occupancy Single supplement $400

Day 3 - Schlogen to Linz, 51 km (31,6 miles). Don't let this distance scare you! This is all very easy, flat riding, and we are in no hurry. Today’s scenery is thick forest next to the water’s edge, with quaint villages all on wide-open bike path. Tonight’s hotel finds us on the main square in Linz, so that we can truly enjoy the flavor of this charming town. This evening we climb up one of those secret staircases to a restaurant that only the locals, and we, know about. There an Austrian feast awaits us. The atmosphere is very cultural and lively.

Day 4 - Linz to Grein, 55 km (34 miles). Today we ride through scenic, pastoral countryside, crossing the river several times to end up in Grein. Grein is a delightful village on the water’s edge, and we will be the special guests at a private bed and breakfast run by Maria Anibas. It's so special, we're spending two nights here! Maria and her chef will take special care of us!

Day 5 - Grein, Congratulations, you have made it to the halfway point of the ride. After breakfast, we have a very special hike planned for you along a very secret and hidden forest trail to the wonderful castle of Burg Klam. We will take an English guided tour of the 11th century castle, which may even be led by the count himself. In the afternoon, you have the choice of simply relaxing by the river, visiting Grein's castle, or exploring the quaint village. Tonight's dinner will be at our wonderful bed and breakfast on the terrace overlooking the Danube.

Day 6 - Grein to Melk, 44 km (27.3 miles). Our travels start out through an area called the Strudengau, then through the cobblestoned streets of Ybbs. We pass the Maria Terfl, an abbey high on the north bank, winding up in the village of Melk. Our arrival is early afternoon, in time to visit the Stift Melk. The Stift is one of Europe’s finest abbeys, completely restored in the Baroque fashion. The streets of Melk are a delight to stroll through, and we will have plenty of time to do just that.

Day 7 - Melk to Durnstein, 28 km (17.4 miles). Melk is the official start of the breathtaking Wachau Valley. If you are a wine lover, this will be paradise for you! Today’s ride is an 11 on a scale of 10. Charming villages, vineyards, wineries, ruins, castles, the whole 9 yards. The shorter ride today means we have more time to stop at the local weinstubs, and taste the Reisling wines, that have made this valley world-renowned. This is a tough job, but we’ll give it our all. Our destination of Durnstein, is a village frozen in time about 300 years ago. You will love its cobblestone streets and romantic ambiance. We are staying directly in the center of town at a lovely inn with its own flowered wine garden. Tonight’s dinner is at another one of those very special restaurants that only the locals know about. What a day!

Day 8 - We will have previously arranged with you about your transportation back to either Passau, Salzburg, Munich, or Vienna.