Today you arrive in the picture-postcard, baroque town of Schärding. Depending on flight times, you may have the chance to stretch your legs with a sightseeing wander around the city and admire the famous Silberzeile.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 260 Metres Approx.

You local representative will meet you at your hotel in the morning to fit you to your rental bikes (if renting) and to provide you with daily route information, including maps and notes. They will discuss your route and answer any questions you might have.

You’ll ride this morning just a short distance along the river Inn and soon reach Passau, well known as the city of three rivers. Take some time for a stroll through the city center or visit the cathedral which houses the world´s biggest church organ.

From Passau you’ll continue along the river Danube. Via Obernzell you’ll cycle through the ´Sauwald region´ to Engelhartszell, where the only Trappist monastery of Austria invites you in for a liqueur tasting. The route will then guide you through the nature Donauleiten nature reserve, from where you’ll reach the Schlögen Bend. This is where granite proved to be too much of an opponent and forced the Danube to change directions by 180 degrees. This natural spectacle is one not to be missed!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 270 Metres Approx.

Today you’ll be riding through the green Eferdinger Basin via the market towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering to the Upper Austrian capital, and the European Capital of Culture in 2009; The historic old town has many pubs and eateries for you to discover.

Austria’s third-largest city, you can take a walk through the Donaulände Park, or people watch in the historic market square, surrounded by Baroque buildings. From Linz it’s also possible to board Europe’s steepest mountain railway to climb the Pöstlingberg, a hill overlooking the city. The train, which still operates with its original 19th-Century cars, covers nearly 2 miles and about 825 vertical feet / 251 metres in 16 minutes and offers a fantastic view out over the river.

If travelling with little ones, check out the Grottenbahn Pöstlingberg (mini railway).

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 110 Metres Approx.

Today the route will lead you away from the course of the Danube via St. Florian (Augustinian monastery) to Enns. Here you can view the town square with its 60-meter-high tower, the landmark of the oldest town in Austria, or you can visit the archaeological collection in the municipal museum Lauriacum.

Back on the Danube and you’ll meander your way to the beautiful little baroque town of Grein. Here you’ll have the opportunity to visit the oldest municipal theater in Austria that is still being used. Additionally, you can visit the maritime museum or Greinburg castle.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 380 Metres Approx.

This section of the Danube, the Strudengau, was once feared by sailors, but where they used to fight against the Danube currents you can now enjoy a leisurely bike ride. In Maria Taferl, high above the Danube, you will find the magnificent pilgrimage church, which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. You should make a little stop in Melk and look up or you will miss the beautiful Melk monastery that overlooks the Danube.

Melk marks the official start of the Wachau, Austria’s most famous wine-growing region. Vineyards stretch up the sides of the valley and wine villages lie along the river as well as in the neighbouring hills. A wine tasting is almost a must in this area – and so we’ve included one for you!

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 70 Metres Approx.

Today you’ll ride through the little wine village of Durnstein, with its castle ruins, and through the 1000 year old town of Krems. The setting for today’s ride often feels more like remote wetlands (with ample wildlife) than one of the world’s mightiest rivers.

When you reach Tulln, known as the “Flower City,” you can enjoy a ride along the medieval town walls and look for relics from Roman times.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Ascent: 30 Metres Approx.

Today is your final day’s cycling but there’s still time for some highlights, like Klosterneuburg with its imposing monastery, before reaching Vienna for your final night.

If you still have the energy Vienna is a fantastic city which is well worth exploring. Treat yourself to a Viennese-style Americano coffee and a piece of the famous Sachertorte cake in one of Vienna’s typical coffee houses. Take a stroll along Vienna’s Parade shopping street, along Mariahilfer Strasse, visit St Stephen’s Cathedral or see the main sights and take a trip in one of the famous Fiaker cabs.

• Meals: Breakfast

The time has come to head home but not before some last minute sightseeing, a ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel, and a chance to get those souvenirs you promised everyone back home.

If you’d like to be transferred back to Schärding at the end of the holiday, our local team offer a van transfer service that leaves Vienna at 14.00 daily. Please see the travel options for prices. Train connections are also available.