Vienna-Budapest: Biking Along The Blue Danube

Photo credit: pest: Biking Along the Blue DanubeTrip No. 2227, August 4-14, 2022Leaders: Janis Stahlhut, Merri FoxThis is an easygoing cycling tour along the Danube River, visitingAustria, Slovakia and Hungary. From the musical city of Vienna,we will ride through the towns and villages of Europe's mostfamous waterway, finishing in the fairy tale city of Budapest. Alongthe way we will see Slovakia’s capital city, Bratislava, wheremedieval castles meet head on with socialist-era architecture, andof course take time to sample the local dishes. Gentle countrylanes take us to the famous panoramic ‘Danube Bend,’ then to thefairy tale castlesof Budapest.Here EasternEurope meetsWestern, andthere is plenty tosee and do,includingheading to oneof the city’s hotsprings andenjoying a long hot soak! We have built extra time into Vienna andBudapest so you don’t have to miss a thing!

Daily ItineraryYour trip begins on August 4, 2022, the first hotel night in our country of travel. Toarrive in Vienna no later than the afternoon of August 4, please ensure that you departthe US on a flight that will deposit you at this destination on the designated date. TheAMC Leaders will assist you in choosing flights that will work for your travel plans.DAY 1 – Thurs, Aug 4: ArriveVienna. Today we will arrive inthe morning or early afternoonon our flights from the States.You will have time to check in,relax a bit to shake off the jetlag. We will have a groupbriefing at 7:00 p.m., and thenyou are free to choose a nearby restaurant to enjoy a quiet dinner on your own.Vienna is the “City of Music” and today and tomorrow we will visit some of its famousattractions, such as the giant Ferris Wheel Riesenrad and the fabulous Hofburg Palace.The stunning architecture and interiors of the Cathedral of St Stephen, the State OperaHouse and the Votifkirche should not be missed.Overnight: ViennaDAY 2 – Fri, Aug 5: ViennaToday we have a full day to explore Vienna. We’ve leftenough time for arelaxing drink andsnack in a famousViennese coffee bar or enjoy local foods and sampleVienna’s craft beers in a typical Viennese tavern.Overnight: ViennaDAY 3 – Sat, Aug 6: Vienna to Bad DeutschAltenburg, 45km. Today’s theme is peace andrelaxation, although we will still be cycling for a few hours! Not far from Vienna we’lldiscover an off-the-beaten-tracklandscape and a Nature Reserveboasting a stunning and diversecollection of flora and fauna. Thisis your chance to revel in thewonderful peace and tranquility ofthe region. At the town of BadDeutsch Altenburg, we can visitthe Archaeological Park ofCarnuntum, offering a fascinatingjourney back to ancient Romantimes. Overnight: Bad Deutsch Altenburg

DAY 4 – Sun, Aug 7: Bad Deutsch Altenburg to Bratislava, 25-30km. This morning, cycleon to the city of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia and Europe’s youngest capital city.Located between the Danube plains, hills and vineyards, Bratislava enchants with itsdreamy old quarter and walled castle, which sits above modernist influences of recentdecades. Overnight: BratislavaDAY 5 – Mon, Aug 8: Bratislava to Sziegetköz to Györ, 50km. The wild and untouchedland and waterscape of the island plain Szigetköz is an idyllic paradise for birds and fish.Cycling from Bratislava, we will relish the tranquility and the stunning sceneryencompassing 500 tiny islands, boasting numerous farming villages and a labyrinth ofcountless Danube creeks. A train journey takes us to Györ, with its beautiful Baroquestyle old town. Overnight: GyörDAY 6 – Tues, Aug 9: Györ to Komarom, 5560km. Did you know that the National Studof Babolna is world famous for breeding trulymagnificent Arabian horses? On a visit to thestud farm and museum, we’ll catch a glimpseof some of the secrets of Hungarian horsebreeding techniques. Today’s cycling takes usthrough lush, rolling hills on mainly quietcountry road into the village of Komarom,which was much favored by the renownedKing Matthias. Overnight: KomaromDAY 7 – Weds, Aug 10: Komarom to Danube Bend, 55-60km. The Magical scenery andquaint villages accompany us on our cycle today, first along the banks of the SlovakianDanube and then via small, quiet roads. On our way to Esztergom – known as HungarianRome and the Town of Bishops and Kings – we’ll pass the impressive Roman fort ofKelemantia. Another highlight is the magnificent Hungarian Danube Bend located justpast Esztergom. Acclaimed as one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube, theriver here winds through the Visegrad Mountains and then makes an abrupt turn southbetween Esztergom andSzentendre. In the Basilica ofEsztergom, we’ll findHungary’s largest Catholicchurch and all kinds ofattractions to explore.Overnight: Esztergom.DAY 8 – Thurs, Aug 11:Danube Bend to Budapest,55-60km. Amid the hillylandscape of Hungary, theRiver Danube divides into parts and gives form to the Szentendrei Sziget island. A shortferry trip brings us to the island where we can cycle through traditional Hungarian

villages and settlements, including Szigetmonostor. A highlight town is Szentendre,which is famed for its numerous handicraft boutiques and the Open Air Museum ofSkanzen. The final destination on our cycling tour is Budapest, where we’ll welcome thechance to experience the atmosphere and attractions of this wonderfully cosmopolitancapital. It’s a city where Eastern Europe meets Western and there is so much to see.Overnight: BudapestDAY 9 – Fri, Aug 12: Budapest. Budapest is such a vibrant and worthy city that we haveadded an additional day to our itinerary so we can explore all there is to see. Overnight:BudapestDay 10 – Sat, Aug 13: Budapest to Vienna.After a leisurely breakfast we board ourprivate bus that will take us back to Vienna.After check-in, we will have time for any lastminute shopping or sightseeing. We will havea farewell group dinner and celebrate our255-kilometer biking adventure! Overnight:ViennaDay 11 – Sun, Aug 14: Vienna to home. Afterbreakfast we head to Vienna Airport to beginour journey “across the pond” unless you are lingering in Vienna or heading to anotherdestination in Europe.Fitness Level, Equipment and Activities: The trip is rated easy-moderate fordaily bike rides of 40-60 km (25-40 miles), for six consecutive days, on a mixture ofcycle paths, country roads and routes that take us through villages, towns, and cities.Routes are predominantly flat with some gentle hills toward the week’s end.Applicants should have basic-intermediate bike riding skills including the ability to ridewith confidence at intersections, in light traffic with cars and other bicycles, safelynavigate traffic circles, and mount/dismount with ease. AMC’s activity rating systemcan be found at r bikes will be hybrids with gearing and brake systems appropriate to theconditions and terrain. You will need sturdy biking shoes with or without cleats. (Clipin pedals or cages are not provided with our rental bikes. Should you desire to usespecial pedals, you may be able to bring them with you and swap out the pedals onthe rentals. This will be confirmed at a later date.) E-bikes may be available onrequest for an upgrade charge.Please bring your own ANSI rated or equivalent bike helmet. Without a helmet youwill not be allowed to ride.Each participant should carry with them at all times an appropriate water supply forthe day, a rain jacket, and a personal first aid kit. Bikes will be equipped with ahandlebar bag or a side pannier (to be confirmed at a later date). There will be a fewbasic road repair kits supplied for the group for flat tires or minor maintenance.Participants should be familiar with basic road repair techniques.

TRIP PRICE: US 3,550The trip price for AMC members is 3,550. The non-member price is 3,650. To join theAMC go to www.outdoors.org/join . If applicable, please include the 100 surcharge withyour application deposit.THIS TRIP INCLUDES: 10 nights in 4 star hotels, en suite facilities, double occupancy All meals from dinner on Day 2 through breakfast on Day 12 Handlebar bag with information pack including detailed route maps and notes Ferry to Szentendrei Sziget Island Train from Mosonmagyarovar to Gyor Bus transfer from Budapest to Vienna (Day 11) Daily baggage transfer (1 medium size bag/suitcase per person)Also included: 2 AMC-AT leaders certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid, medicalevacuation travel insurance (limits), 24x7 emergency world wide assistance, 24x7 AMCAT emergency telephone access, 24x7 in theater technical assistance.PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfare, which will be purchased independently by participants Meals and snacks not listed above Airport transfers Any entrance fees to museums, gardens, or other attractions not specified on theDaily Itinerary Personal expenses such as laundry, phone and internet charges, single supplementupgrade, etc.Additionally: tips, special order or alcoholic beverages at group dinner(s), cancellationcharges, lost or damaged baggage, medical and evacuation insurance beyond thatprovided in AMC-AT trip price, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.APPLICATION AND DEPOSITS: To apply, you must complete and submit a ParticipantApplication, Confidential Health Questionnaire, and Acknowledgement and Assumptionof Risk and Release form, enclosing a registration deposit of 1,500. Your applicationwill be subject to a full screening, including contacting your references and conducting abrief phone interview. A spot on the roster is not assured until this process has beencompleted and you have been notified. Once your roster spot is confirmed, your checkwill be deposited into the trip account for safekeeping. Please make payments by checkpayable to the “Appalachian Mountain Club” and mail to the address shown on theParticipant Application.Payment schedule: 1500 with application ( 100 non-member surcharge, ifapplicable). 1500 due July 1, 2021. Balance of 1000 due January 1, 2022.CANCELLATION POLICY: A participant’s cancellation cannot affect the price of otherparticipatns or leaders. See our full cancellation policy in the AMCAT Terms andConditions at 7/21142139/ATC-Terms-Conditions-7.21.2021.pdf. By joining this trip you agree to fully abide by theseterms and conditions.

YOUR AMC LEADERSJanis Stahlhut, a lifelong outdoors enthusiast, has been anAMC-AT leader since 2009 and a CT Chapter hike & bikeleader since 2007. She has led AT hiking, biking, kayakingand cultural trips in New Hampshire, Cape Cod, Alaska,Italy, Spain, France, England, Finland, Norway, Europe,Argentina, Peru, Chile, Fiji, and New Zealand. Retired fromcareers in arts administration, telecommunications andfitness, Janis now enjoys retirement; honing her golf andwriting skills while pursuing interests in spirituality andmind-body practices. Included in her 15 minutes of fame,Janis boasts a walk-on tryout for the 2002 US OlympicWomen’s Bobsled Team. She also competed for a briefwhile in short-middle distance triathlons. You can readsome of her writing at www.jasjourneys.wordpress.com.Merri Fox retired from Pratt & Whitney after 35 years,where she worked as a Digital Technology projectmanager and Financial business systemsanalyst. Because she loves sharing her favorite outdoordestinations, over the past 22 years she has led hiking,snorkeling and cultural excursions in Belize, Paris,Hawaii, Arizona, the Tetons, Switzerland, California,Utah, New Zealand, and the Virgin Islands. Merri leadsAMC hikes in CT, weekend trips, and is a volunteermanager at AMC Fire Is camp. She lives with husbandRance in NW Connecticut, where she enjoys gardening,cooking, and entertaining guests.For more information or an application package please contact: Janis Stahlhutjstahlhut@me.com, 203-820-9275 or Merri Fox, fmerri99@gmail.com, 860-485-1697. Iftelephoning, please call between the hours of 9am and 9pm Eastern Time.

attractions, such as the giant Ferris Wheel Riesenrad and the fabulous Hofburg Palace. The stunning architecture and interiors of the Cathedral of St Stephen, the State Opera House and the Votifkirche should not be missed. Overnight: Vienna DAY 2 - Fri, Aug 5: Vienna Today we have a full day to explore Vienna. We've left enough time for a