Willkommen! Welcome to Austria. Your cycling adventure begins in Vienna with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, explore the city at your own pace – the best way to see Vienna is on your own two legs! After the meeting, maybe head out for an optional welcome dinner at a Viennese Heurigen (wine tavern). Heuriger means ‘this year's wine’ and it originated as a way for winemakers to offer samples of their new wines along with a few snacks. Fortunately, this now also includes a hearty meal, which will be much needed for the days of cycling ahead! It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. Please note that many shops, including bicycle shops, close at midday on Saturday and all of Sunday so it’s difficult to purchase a bike helmet before the cycling begins on Day 2. Please bring your own helmet with you.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll have a bike fitting for the group followed by a short test ride to check everything is in working order. Then, you’ll join with your leader and take a tour of Vienna on two wheels. Follow the path of the Habsburg and explore the rich artistic and cultural icons of the city like the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace and all that the Ringstrasse has to offer. Enjoy a special stop-off at a Vollpension cafe, a social enterprise that employs some of Vienna's elderly population to produce their own (delicious!) cakes and cookies. Apart from helping supplement their old age pension it offers elderly people a valuable chance to remain in contact with people of all generations and stay a vibrant part of the community. Tonight, you’re free to explore Vienna at your own pace – ask for dinner recommendations from your leader, they will always have the best suggestions! Your cycling time today will be approximately 3 hours or 10 km (6 mi) on mostly flat roads with about 180 m (590 ft) of elevation gain.

Leave Vienna’s city centre and ride along the mighty Danube to the tiny hamlet of Hasslau an der Donau. From here, you’ll journey east along the riverbanks passing by an eclectic mix of Roman ruins and modern reconstructions, slowly winding along the riverside bike paths to the Slovak border. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in the Slovak capital – cosmopolitan Bratislava. See firsthand how bordering two independent countries has left its mark on Bratislava with a leader-led orientation walk. Tonight, you’re free to rest and recharge. Please note that Bratislava Castle is closed on a Monday, so you cannot enter. Your cycling distance today will be approximately 76 km (47 mi) on mostly flat and lightly undulating roads with about 400 m (1310 ft) of elevation gain.

Follow the flowing waters of the Danube as it turns south today. Your ride today will pass by picturesque villages, lowland forests and across farmland to the Hungarian city of Gyor. This vibrant Baroque city – highlighted by Kaptalan Hill, Becsi Kapu Square and the picturesque Kiraly Street – has been inhabited by varying cultures since ancient times and now offers a fascinating contrast to the slow pace of the river and its surroundings. Your cycling distance today will be approximately 80 km (50 mi) travelling slightly downhill with about 50 m (165 ft) of elevation gain.

Leaving Gyor behind, track back to the banks of the Danube and on to the city of Komarno , which straddles the borders of Hungary and Slovakia. While Komarno is known for its forts and strategic position on the Danube River, it’s also a beautiful city housing many museums and historical sites. If you feel called to add some pampering to your afternoon, why not head to a local spa and soothe those leg muscles. Your cycling distance today will be approximately 55 km (35 mi) on mostly flat roads with about 40 m (130 ft) of elevation gain.

Today there’s an early departure to ride into your next stop – Esztergom. The former capital city of Hungary is the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church and boasts an amazing array of architectural gems such as the Royal Palace and Watertown, which is built on the banks of the Danube itself. When you arrive, take a leader led orientation walk of the city and see the crowning jewel at the Esztergom Basilica – a beautiful example of Classicism and the largest church in Hungary. Reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend, the Basilica is a sight to behold from both outside and from within. Your evening is free to find some delicious local cuisine and wander the city streets at your own pace. Your cycling distance today will be approximately 54 km (33 mi) on mostly flat roads with about 140 m (460 ft) of elevation gain.

Cycle the famous ‘Danube Bend’ today, beneath the wooded hills of Visegrad. Here, the river turns south towards the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. Today will be your longest day in the saddle, but you’ll break it up with a scenic a picnic lunch on the riverbank. After cycling through the city itself, end the day on a high with an afternoon visit to one of Budapest's famous spas! After indulging with your group, your night is free to explore at your own pace – maybe visit the ruin bars or walk along the river as the sun falls. Your cycling distance today will be approximately 82 km (51 mi) on mostly flat roads with about 100 m (330 ft) of elevation gain.

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.