CYCLING THE DANUBE - VIENNA TO BUDAPEST

Day 1
Make your own way to the hotel, where hire bikes will be waiting. The rest of the day is left free to explore Vienna at your leisure. It is a metropolis with unique charm, vibrancy and flair. It boasts outstanding infrastructure, is clean and safe, and has all of the culture, architecture and inspiration that you could wish for in this wonderful part of Europe. Highlights that you may consider include visits to the grand Schonbrunn Palace, Sigmund Freud Museum and a tour in the Vienna State Opera House.

Day 2
Cycle to Petronell-Carnuntum (Ride approx 47km)
Follow the Donauinsel, a long, thin island and continue to one of Austria's most important archaeological sites, the Roman remains at Petronell-Carnuntum. Much of the track is gravel/grit but is comfortable to ride on.

Day 3
Cycle to Halaszi (Ride approx 63km)
Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, not bad for a day's ride! It is worth making a short detour into the old city of Bratislava. The route moves away from the water to follow roads through villages and woods on the way to Halaszi, which is close to the attractive old town of Mosanmagyarovar, a good introduction to the complexities of the Hungarian language.

Day 4
Cycle to Gyor (Ride approx 39km)
The route continues through rural villages, then from Dunaszeg a riverside gravel track leads to the historic city of Gyor (you may prefer the longer road route).

Day 5
Cycle to Tata (Ride approx 60km)
Follow a rural route to Tata and the first hills on the described route. The ascent is not too difficult, and affords better views across the countryside. There are longer routes via Komarom or Pannonhalma. Tata is an attractive old town set around a small lake.

Day 6
Cycle to Esztergom (Ride approx 53km)
Cycle towards the beginnings of the famous Danube Bend at historic Esztergom with a longer variant heading north to rejoin the river or a more direct route passing over the hills (2 notable climbs and long descents). Esztergom has a magnificent palace and a fine cathedral close to our hotel

Day 7
Cycle to Budapest (Ride approx 70km)
Ride around the Danube Bend past Visegrad, once the corner of the Roman empire, to the artists' town of Szentendre. The route crosses the river by ferry at Vac, and includes a short section on an island in the middle of the Danube. Arriving in Budapest, you are greeted by the impressive parliament building. Try to arrive in time to return your bike and have a few hours to explore the city.

Day 8
End Budapest.