Cycling at the Danube in Austria for Epicure

After your arrival, stroll through the tranquil alleyways of the almost Mediterranean-style town at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers. The city has a lot to offer for anyone interested in culture and history. Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, which dominates the cityscape, the Veste Oberhaus and the Mariahilf pilgrimage church. Or start your trip comfortably with a cup of coffee in the historic old town.

You start your tour on the northern bank of the Danube and cycle through the Upper Danube Valley to the small market town of Obernzell. A little later, you cross the border into Austria and reach Engelhartszell with its famous Trappist monastery. At the Schlögener Schlinge, the Danube winds in a tight loop around a huge granite hill on which the romantic Haichenbach ruins are enthroned. Cross over to the other bank by ferry from Au and reach your stage destination.

Through the bird paradise of the Eferding Basin and various small market towns, the route leads to Linz. The capital of Upper Austria was the European Capital of Culture in 2009 and is home to the Lentos, one of the most important museums of contemporary art in Austria. The Linz City Express takes you to all the city's major sights. You have a great view of the city from the Pöstlingberg.

You cycle through the Machland region, where Enns is the oldest settlement in Austria. A detour to the baroque monastery of St. Florian is worthwhile. A relic from one of the darkest chapters in history, the Mauthausen concentration camp, is also on today's route. The day's destination is Ardagger or Wallsee at the entrance to the Strudengau. This narrow and wooded valley of the Danube was once feared by Danube boatmen due to its numerous whirlpools.

Shortly after setting off, you will reach the baroque town of Grein. Take a stroll through the town and visit the historic town theater, a rococo building dating back to 1791, and Greinburg Castle. You then travel along the beautiful blue Danube to Lower Austria. Marbach is located on the very southern edge of the Waldviertel. With its parish church, Maria Taferl is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Austria.

The Benedictine monastery of Melk Abbey lies high above the right bank of the Danube and is an impressive baroque building that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Wachau cultural landscape, which stretches from here to Krems, is also on the UNESCO list. You cycle past orchards and vineyards, always following the course of Europe's second largest river. A wine tasting is also on the program today.

After five days of cycling behind you, you can treat yourself to a rest day in the Wachau. Take a walk and get to know the beauty of the region and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Small wine villages such as Spitz and Weißenkirchen nestle on the banks of the Danube. The blue and white tower of the Dürnstein collegiate church is a Wachau landmark. Enjoy this day to the full, because it's not far to Vienna.

The route continues through the Wachau fruit and wine region to Krems. Stroll through the 1000-year-old town with the Stone Gate and Gozzo Castle. Afterwards, a completely different landscape awaits you: the extensive Tullnerfeld opens up before you, with the Roman town of Tulln at its center. Numerous nurseries and borders characterize the townscape of this historically important city, which is why it is known as the city of flowers.

After you have hopefully not missed out on the city's numerous gardens, you make your way the last few kilometers to Vienna. The Danube metropolis will delight you with its magnificent historical buildings and modern, trendy culture. Treat yourself to a slice of Sachertorte in one of the typical coffee houses, stroll through the old town or take a horse-drawn carriage ride past the impressive sights.

After breakfast, your cycling at the Danube in Austria for Epicure comes to an end. We are happy to extend your stay in Vienna upon request.