Hungarian Rhapsody

Make your way to the hotel in Vienna where you will receive your travel pack. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy. Take a stroll through the grand imperial streets, uncovering hidden courtyards and cosy cafés, or head to a local Heurigen – a rustic wine tavern – to sample regional wines and traditional bites. Whether it’s art, music or food, the City of Waltz has something unforgettable around every corner.

This morning you’ll meet our local representative to collect your bike. Leaving Vienna, you follow the Danube Cycle Path into the heart of the Donau-Auen National Park – a protected haven of wetlands teeming with plant and birdlife. Along the way, cycle past the elegant castles of Orth and Eckartsau, before arriving in the historic spa town of Bad Deutsch Altenburg. Just nearby, you can explore the Roman ruins of Petronell-Carnuntum, once a thriving hub of the Roman Empire. Overnight in Bad Deutsch Altenburg or nearby.

Tucked between the hills of Hainburg and the edge of the Carpathian Mountains, today’s ride leads you to Bratislava, Slovakia’s captivating capital. Explore its charming old town, full of winding laneways and pastel facades, alongside striking modern architecture that adds a bold contrast to this riverside gem.

Today’s ride takes you into the lush, marshy landscapes of the Szigetköz region – a haven for birdlife and freshwater fish. This untouched wilderness, dotted with over 500 small islands, is criss-crossed by a maze of Danube creeks and hidden canals, with quiet farming villages tucked throughout the lowlands. Your journey ends in the riverside city of Gyor, where the Danube, Rába and Rábca Rivers meet. With its cobbled streets and beautifully restored baroque old town, it’s a city that invites you to slow down and explore. Option to shorten the cycling: take the train from Mosonmagyarovar to Györ. Tickets are available at ticket machines at the train station and cost approx. € 1,- per ride. This shortens the cycling stage to approx. 44 km/27mi

Leaving Gyor, you’ll need to stay focused as you navigate your way out of the city. Soon, the route opens up into the peaceful countryside of western Transdanubia, where quiet roads guide you through rural landscapes. Your destination is Komárom (Komárno), a historic town that straddles the Hungarian–Slovak border and was once a favourite of King Matthias.

Today’s ride follows the Slovakian side of the Danube, along quiet, low-traffic roads that weave through charming local villages. Along the way, pass the ruins of Kelemantia, a former Roman fort, before continuing to Esztergom – often called the ‘Rome of Hungary’. Once the capital of medieval Hungary, Esztergom is home to the country’s largest Catholic church – the majestic Basilica – which towers over the Danube and offers sweeping views of the region.

You’ll cycle through the picturesque hills of the Danube Bend, where the river splits to form Szentendre Island. A short ferry ride takes you and your bike across to explore this peaceful slice of countryside, passing through traditional Hungarian villages along quiet rural roads. Arriving in the artistic town of Szentendre, take time to browse its handicraft boutiques or visit the renowned Skanzen Open-Air Museum, a showcase of Hungary’s rural heritage. From here, continue towards Budapest, with sweeping views of the capital’s iconic skyline as you approach. Note: A scenic boat ride is included at the start or end of today’s stage (a train ticket is provided when boats aren't operating).