Welcome to Passau, Germany’s City of Three Rivers. Embark the luxurious Riverside Mozart and settle into your suite, then take advantage of our shuttle into Passau for the chance to explore a bit on your own. CYCLISTS will gather for an orientation and try out the bikes. Tonight, enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.

Cycling distance: 18.5 miles (30 km). Rise and begin your amazing day with our RIVERSIDE CHOICE menu of excursions. How about a guided walk
through Old Town Passau to admire the work-of-art Town Hall and other highlights? At the end, a frothy mug of Bavarian beer will reward your efforts! Return to the ship for lunch, then CYCLISTS head out for the first time on the Danube Cycle Path, riding on to Engelhartszell, Austria. Back on the ship tonight, relax over a gourmet dinner.

Cycling distance: 34 miles (55 km). After breakfast on board, CRUISERS depart for a full-day outing to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. CYCLISTS remain on board for an early lunch, then make the 2-wheel trek to Linz. During the ride, pass the Schlögen Loop, one of the Danube Cycle Path’s true highlights. This 180-degree natural loop of the river is particularly scenic and the largest forced meander in Europe. All aboard the ship for dinner, followed by an atmospheric evening walk through Old Town Linz.

Cycling distances: 16 miles (26 km) & 40 miles (65 km). Start the day with a hearty breakfast—cooked to order! Then, CYCLISTS depart for the first of two rides, meeting back up with the ship in the market town of Mauthausen. Here, a visit to the Baroque jewel of St. Florian Monastery is a possibility, as well as other exciting excursion options. As the ship departs in the late afternoon, CYCLISTS will begin their second ride of the day to the quaint village of Grein.

Cycling distances: 32 miles (52 km) & 22 miles (35 km). An up-and-at-’em day as CYCLISTS disembark after breakfast and make the way to Melk. Lunch is back on the ship before a special guided tour through Melk Abbey. This world-famous Benedictine monastery is one of Europe’s finest examples of Baroque architecture and home to a library overflowing with rare, ancient manuscripts. Return to the ship for scenic cruising through the castle-dotted Wachau Valley and a relaxing late dinner on the way to Dürnstein.

Cycling distance: 28 miles (45 km). After a delicious breakfast, set off to explore Dürnstein, the “Pearl of the Wachau”. This is where England’s King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned on his way home from the Crusades. You can hike up to his castle prison, or join a Wachau Valley wine experience. Return to the ship for lunch, then CYCLISTS ride to the next stop in Tulln. There, you’ll dine al fresco on the ship’s Vista Deck—right in Nature’s “finest restaurant”, surrounded by the prettiest part of the Wachau.

Cycling distance today: 22 miles (35 km). The 2,000-year-old Garden City of Tulln awaits with excursion options galore! Consider wine tasting at Gobelsburg Castle, a visit to ancient Klosterneuburg Abbey, or the floral masterpieces of Tulln Gardens. After lunch on board, CYCLISTS depart for Vienna, Austria’s inimitable capital. Tonight, you’ll be treated to our RIVERSIDE SIGNATURE EVENT at Belvedere Palace, with champagne, a private musical performance, and a crowd-free viewing of Klimt’s “The Kiss”.

Enjoy a full day devoted to the impeccable City of Music. With RIVERSIDE CHOICE, consider a panoramic city tour and walk through the historical district or visit the Habsburgs’ mighty Schönbrunn Palace. Alternatively, you could head out on your own to spend time at one of the many world-class museums or soak up the atmosphere in an authentic Viennese coffee house.

Cycling distance: 59 miles (95 km). An easy morning—perfect for steaming coffee and a relaxed breakfast. As the ship departs Vienna, CYCLISTS head out on the Danube Cycle Path, pausing along the way for an included lunch at a local restaurant. Later, meet up with the ship in Bratislava for enriching RIVERSIDE CHOICE excursions, like time at the Danubiana Art Museum, the chance to visit a Slovakian family home, or a guided walk through the Old Town to search for cannonballs left behind by Napoleon!

Cycling distance: 62 miles (100 km). CYCLISTS depart early for the longest ride of the cruise, which today involves a river crossing by ferry and lunch at a local restaurant. Meanwhile, CRUISERS will enjoy scenic cruising and time for a workout, swim, or pampering spa treatment. Afternoon arrival is in Komárom, where part of the city belongs to Hungary and part to Slovakia. An exceptional outing is available to ancient Pannonhalma Archabbey with its centuries-old wine-making tradition!

Cycling distance: 34 miles (55 km). Another day, another chance to explore Komárom. How about a tour to better understand this divided city, or an outing to Gyr with its Old-World architecture? Return to the ship for lunch, then CYCLISTS take off for a ride that zigzags across the river—and the border between Slovakia and Hungary. Later, arrive in Esztergom, capital of Hungary from the 10th to 13th centuries. With RIVERSIDE CHOICE, visit Esztergom Basilica, or take a fun foodie walk to sample the local fare.

Cycling distance: 17 miles (28 km). More time in Esztergom means more exploring! Then, the ship—and the CYCLISTS—depart after lunch. CYCLISTS will cross back over to the Slovakian side of the river via ferry. During the ride, marvel at the mountain-fringed Danube Bend, a loop of the river likely caused by a volcanic eruption some 15 million years ago. Next stop is Visegrád, former royal seat of Hungary, for an exhilarating hike up to the castle ruins or a visit to the medieval fortress.

Cycling distance: 18.5 miles (30 km). A relaxed morning affords time for a delicious made-to-order breakfast and one more steaming cup of coffee. Around mid-morning CYCLISTS will disembark for the final leg of the trip, crossing along the way onto Szentendre Island for a lovely included lunch. Rejoin the ship this afternoon in Budapest.

After breakfast, your day is devoted to the wonders of Budapest. Explore the vast Hungarian Parliament Building, Austrian Empress Sisi’s beloved Gödöll Palace, or the Buda side of the river with Fishermen’s Bastion and the Castle District. Back on the ship tonight, head up to the Vista Deck and prepare to be impressed as your ship glides past the grand cityscape’s many illuminated monuments lining both sides of the river.

After breakfast, disembark your ship with your unforgettable memories.