Just to the east of the Austria/Germany border lays the world famous city of Salzburg. It’s Old Town, brimming with some of the worlds finest examples of Baroque architecture, attracts tourists from far and wide and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Also the setting for five time Tony Award winning musical ‘The Sound of Music’, this breath-taking, nostalgic city is a magical starting point from where our tour begins.

Cycling out of Salzburg, this enchanting tour will take you through some of Austria’s most famous cultural towns and cities, climaxing at the capital metropolis of Vienna. Dipping in and out of some of the countries many historical sites – like Oberndorf – home of the world famous ‘Silent Night’ carol – and Schärding – an inviting, colourful, baroque town with many paths and lanes for you to explore – this route will leave you pining for more time in this magnificently diverse and cultural region.

With most of your cycle riding alongside the blue waters of the Danube River, this route is certainly not short of scenic beauty either. The final leg of your tour takes you through the Wachau region (wine country), where the vast, inviting vineyards provide the perfect backdrop (and tipple!) for your journey towards Vienna. We like to think that the beautiful, winding nature of this route encapsulates the charming sounds of the Viennese Walz.

Day 1: Arrival in Salzburg

When you arrive in Salzburg you are invited to your bike fitting where you will also be provided will all the information you need about your cycle tour. This beautiful city is filled with cultural highlights; the house where Mozart was born, Mirabell Palace, and the castle and fortress at Hohensalzburg – all available at your disposal.

Day 2: Salzburg – Burghausen: 60km

The first stage of your tour sees you cycle to the famous ‘Silent Night’ chapel in Oberndorf. From here you’ll peddle through an expanse of enchanting forests to Tittomoning, and on to Burghausen via the Unterer Inn Nature trail. In Burghausen the old town is well revered and a jaunt to the largest castle site in Middle Europe comes highly recommended.

Day 3: Burghausen – Scharding: 70km

Today’s route starts with a gentle cycle through the Gothic town of Braunau and the numerous bird colonies that flank the cycle path to Obernberg. The monastery in Reichersberg is worth a visit before continuing along the River Inn and passing through the quaint little towns that line its banks. Arriving in Schärding, take some time this evening to walk the paths and lanes of this wonderfully colourful, Baroque town.

Day 4: Scharding – Donauschlinge: 55km

From Schärding you’ll cycle into the town of Passau (also known as the City of Three Rivers), where a guided tour is highly recommended. One of the highlights of the tour is a visit to the town’s magnificent cathedral, home to the largest church organ in the world! Following the Danube via Oberzell and Engelhartszell (the only Trappist monastery in Austria) and the beautiful nature reserve at Danauleiten, you’ll final arrive in the Schlögener Schlinge, where you’ll transfer across the river by ferry to your hotel (not included).

Day 5: Donauschlinge – Enns/Surroundings: 70km

This well-known stretch of the Danube is one of the many highlights of this fantastic cycle tour. Paving the way for your arrival in Linz (the county capital) are the cultural towns of Aschach, Ottensheim and Wilhering. Wondering around Linz is a perfect way to spend your afternoon, with numerous café’s and inns dotted around the historic part of town. Finally, on to Enns, the oldest town in Vienna and home to the striking 60 metre tower in the old town square, and the fascinating archaeology museum of Lauricum.

Day 6: Enns/Surroundings – Marnach/Maria Taferl: 65km

Today’s stage follows the Danube into the pretty little baroque town of Grein where you’ll find the stunning 13th century Greinburg castle. Cycling on via Strudengau (once feared for its unforgiving whirlpools!) on into Austria’s famous wine regions you’ll finally arrive Maria Taferl where pilgrimage church sits impressively, high above the Danube.

Day 7: Marbach/Maria Taferl – Krems (+ train ride to Vienna)

This last stage of the tour first visits the stunning monastery of Melk, then sees you cycle through the romantic towns of the Wachau wine region. This culminates in with a stop in the 1000-year-old town of Krems, from where a train to the capital city of Vienna sees out this wonderful tour. Vienna’s traditional coffee houses offer a Viennese-style Americano (yum!) and slice of the delicious local delicacy – Sachertorte. There is so much to see in this vast city that we recommend you follow your feet and your nose and we guarantee wherever you end up you wont be disappointed.

Day 8: Departure or Extension