The Potomac Ski & Adventure Club &

The Ski Club of Washington DC Jointly Present

A Bike & Barge Cruise On the Beautiful Danube

Explore this Legendary and Historic River Cruising from Germany through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary on the

MS “Carissima”

Enjoy an Optional Extension in the 3-River City of Passau, Germany! August 26-Sep 3(or 5 with Extension), 2017

Price*: $2,700 (Top Deck); $2,585 (Middle Deck); $2,425 (Lower Deck – limited number)

* Price per person, double occupancy: Some Singles available at additional cost

* Includes Current Airline airport taxes and fuel surcharges (subject to change)

* Guaranteed Euro exchange up to $1.15 for the land portion

Trip Includes:

R/T Dulles to Munich

7 nights on the MS Carissima in choice of Upper, Middle or Lower Deck Cabins

Two nights in Passau with the optional Extension. Daily Breakfast

Daily Breakfast & Dinners on the Carissima; Picnic lunches daily for the bike tours

All ground transfers between the ship’s ports, hotels and airports

Not Included:

Bicycle Rentals: $75 for the week on 7 or 21-speed bikes. Electric bikes $175

Guided tours and entrance fees to attractions, Boat staff gratuities

Trip Insurance. Strongly recommended and available through our suggested providers.

Trip Leader: Frank Peñaranda (301) 593-6472. To register, download Registration Form.

Please scroll down to view additional information and link to various trip flyers

Blue Ridge Ski Council (BRSC) Members.

The Cruise and the Biking

Travel by bicycle and ship: A unique concept, where a bike holiday and a journey on a comfortable ship are combined.

Cycling cruises are ideal for those who like to cycle during the day and explore beautiful areas, without giving up a

comfortable way of travelling. During our tours you don’t have to pack and un-pack your suitcases every day to travel

from one beautiful place to the next!

By popular demand, we are again offering: The beautiful and legendary Danube!

Our eight-day tour will take us through four of Europe’s most enchanting countries: from the city of Passau, Germany, through capitals of Austria (Vienna), Slovakia (Bratislava) and Hungary (Budapest). The comfort and convenience of our “floating hotel” aboard the newly renovated and luxurious MS Carissima, combined

with the advantage of a very close and personal experience possible via a bicycle, is unbeatable. The splendid sights, magnificent culture, fantastic food and great exercise. All wrapped into a single trip! What more could we offer? If you enjoyed this trip a couple years ago, or missed it, join us on our encore!

The second longest (after the Volga) and most history-infused river in Europe, the Danube has been the principal waterway connecting many of the most prominent centers of ancient civilization and culture extending eastward from Germany through Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and ultimately the Black Sea.

During the day we’ll bike along the river, enjoying the spectacular landscape, vineyards, majestic castles and palaces, and the thrill of visiting the thriving metropolises of Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna plus the unparalleled charm of all the quaint villages in between. The MS Carissima will be our “safe harbor” and residence during the evenings and nights where we’ll dine in luxury, share a drink on the spacious lounge, or just relax under the stars on the open top deck. Our biking excursions will vary between 35 and 55 km, with one day of rest just cruising on the river.

At the tour’s conclusion we offer the option of remaining two additional nights in the “3-river” city of Passau, our point of origin and location of the world’s largest Church Organ.

River Cruise Ship - MS Carissima (4*)

The 4* MS Carissima is the newest river cruiser to the Danube Bike & Boat journeys.

There are three decks with 75 spacious cabins ready to accommodate singles, couples and families. All cabins are equipped with a private bathroom and shower, hair dryer, TV, safe and

full air-conditioning. The Standard Eco Cabins are located on the main (lower) deck, and comprise of split beds. Middle and upper deck cabins may have separate twin or double beds. The upper and middle decks have full size picture windows whereas the main deck cabins have half non-opening windows. Single occupancy cabins are available for a supplement. A large, yet cozy indoor lounge is always available for socializing, and the expansive dining room will host our breakfast and dinners in luxury and comfort.

After a day's cycling, the sundeck provides ample space for relaxation, and between the months of June and August the sundeck pool is available for a soothing dip. Or, a visit to our sauna and whirlpool are options year-round.

Our Cycling Tour Path and Schedule

Day 1: Arrive Passau

Boarding time is 4:30 p.m. with the boat located at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers. If you have time to spare before boarding (or do our post-trip extension), the historic Bavarian city of Passau is a delight to explore. The Old Town was created by Italian baroque masters in the 17th century and reveals soaring towers, picturesque palaces, promenades and romantic lanes. Use your free time and stroll through the cobblestoned old town center, listen to the bells of Passau’s Gothic Town Hall or have a look at the world’s largest Catholic Church organ in the Passau Stephansdom Cathedral. At 6.00 p.m. we cast off.

Day 2: Great Loop/Engelhartszell-Aschach approx. 42 km

Your first day’s cycling begins with a ride through the classic scenery of the ‘Great Loop’

Donauschlinge - one of the most beautiful sections of the Danube. Along the way you

will encounter tiny villages and cozy cider taverns. In Austria’s only Trappist monastery

at Engelhartszell you can taste their delicious liquors and cheese. The famous

‘Schlogener View’ provides a wonderful panorama of the surrounding Austrian

countryside. We’ll re-board the boat in the charming market town of Aschach, and sail

at night towards Bratislava and the boat port in Devin.

Day 3: Devin - Bratislava, approx. 43 km

Today you’ll cycle from Devin along the former ‘Iron Curtain’ to the Imperial Palace of Hof with its beautifully terraced gardens. Follow the bike path through Austria’s “vegetable garden” to the Slovakian capital city of Bratislava, which is stunningly located at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. In the evening, take an optional rail tour and walkabout in Bratislava or, alternatively, just relax in the comforts of your floating hotel.

Day 4: Budapest I Szentendre, approx. 40 km

The entrance to Budapest, Hungary’s capital is stunning. Take time to

enjoy panoramic views from the sundeck of the boat over the Danube’s

beautiful landscape and the gateway to Hungary’s capital city. Cited as

one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest’s extensive World

Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle

Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium

Underground Railway. Savor the beauty of Budapest during a coach tour

or a guided bike tour (optional) to discover many of the highlights of this

handsome city. You can also choose to cycle to the charming town of

Szentendre with its Mediterranean atmosphere and lively art scene.

Back on board, the evening entertainment is an optional traditional

Hungarian folklore show with music and dance at Csarda.

Day 5: Danube bend - Esztergom, approx. 25-60 km

The Danube bend is called the Hungarian Wachau and is definitely one of its most delightful and attractive segments.

Today's biking leg starts at Visegrad with its famous fortress and the ruins of the

former palace. You can choose from 2 different routes: the longer one includes

a side trip to the island of Szentendre and the baroque village of Vác, which has

been influenced by the architects of the Austrian empress Maria Theresia. The

other route leads you directly to the bishop-town of Esztergom, with its

gorgeous basilica – Hungary's largest Catholic Church – overlooking the village

(pictured on the left). Overnight we'll cruise to Vienna.

Day 6: Vienna (day of rest)

Discover Vienna’s most beautiful attractions during a city tour by foot, bike or bus

(optional) and you will experience Vienna’s most famous examples of architecture:

the imperial Hofburg, St. Stephens Cathedral, the gorgeous ‘Ring’-boulevard, the

State Opera House, the Burgtheater and town hall and, of course, the colorful

"Hundertwasserhaus". Take time to relax in one or more of Vienna’s famous cafés,

while the evening ends impressively at a classical concert (optional) in one of

Vienna‘s most famous palaces. On the left is St. Francis of Assisi Church.

Hungarian Parliament Building

Day 7: Wachau / Krems - Melk, approx. 42-52 km

Your last biking day is a special highlight! Amidst small dreamy villages, apricot trees,

vineyards, castles, monasteries, and ruins, this gentle hilly landscape enchants

everybody. A powerful ruin looms above the small Baroque town of Dürnstein, while

the blue tower of the monastery church is a landmark of Wachau. In Weißenkirchen

you will find comfy wine taverns right along the bike path, with optional wine

tastings. You owe it to yourself to take a break before you board again in the small

village Pöchlarn. After the Captain’s farewell dinner, lots of fun and entertainment

can be experienced during the popular crew show as the cruise back to Passau begins.

Day 8: Passau

Every journey draws to an end. From the deck enjoy the first sunbeams and the peaceful silence of the Danube Valley. Take one last look at the Schlögener Schlinge ("Great Loop") sunrise as we wind our way to Passau, where you will disembark at about 10:00 am. Connecting travel should not be booked earlier than 11.00 am.

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Grade & Terrain Although almost completely flat, this cycle tour is graded easy to moderate as the daily distance ranges from

18 - 49km. You will be cycling on the Danube Cycle Path which follows traffic free biking paths and some quiet roads, so it is particularly well suited to novice cyclists. There is also the option of staying on board any day you don’t feel like cycling.

The route is marked throughout and we supply you with a detailed route map, guidebook and information pack so you will have no problem following the route. The on board tour guide will also give you a briefing each evening about the route and highlights of the next day’s cycle.

Rental Bikes - 7/21-speed unisex hybrid bikes with coaster (back pedal)/caliper brakes: $75/week - Electric Assisted bikes: $175/week (limited supplies and must be reserved in advance) All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier (saddle bag), handlebar bag and a speedometer. Helmets may be required on some of the countries we cross and are not included as part of the rental package. You are asked to bring your own helmet or buy one onboard (€25).

Melk Abbey

Important Information & Disclaimer:

In case of flood or low tide the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages with buses. In extreme

case the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of

both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered – previously not announced – repair

work on locks or bridges or in case of unexpected breakdown of engine and power unit. Please be aware that your ship,

like all other ships on the Danube, is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power even at night;

especially crossing locks and bridges – and the reparation work – which might cause noises. If you are sensitive to noises

please bring your own earplugs.

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Passau. Called the "City of Three Rivers," Passau lies at the confluence of the Danube, Ilz and Inn rivers,

which may explain why the city has

been prone to flooding throughout

the centuries. Flood heights are

marked on the side of a former fish

market. You can also find Europe's

largest church organ -- with its

17,974 pipes and 233 stops -- in St.

Stephen's Cathedral. Concerts are

held noon daily May through

October, except Sundays and

holidays. Another impressive

structure is the Veste Oberhaus, a

fortress built in 1219 that overlooks

the city.

Vienna. It's nearly impossible to take in all that one of Europe's most romantic cities offers, especially

considering that Vienna is rich not only in music but also

art and museums. A good starting point is the

Ringstrasse, the pedestrian-friendly historic city center,

which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In

1857, the walls that once protected the city for centuries

were ordered to be torn down. The city then created a

loop just over three miles long, and it's along this grand

boulevard, Ringstrasse or Ring Road, where numerous

monumental buildings stand, including the Vienna State Opera, Parliament and Museum of Fine Arts. St.

Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic structure built in the 12th century, and the Hofburg Imperial Palace, center of

the Habsburg Empire, are other noteworthy attractions. Vienna is also known for its Boys Choir, Spanish

Riding School with Lipizzaner stallions and some of Europe's most famous coffee houses.

Budapest. The Danube splits Hungary's capital in two sections, Buda and Pest (pronounced pesht), which

used to be connected only by ferry. Throughout the years, several bridges were built; the Chain Bridge was the

first. In 1873, the two sides unified to officially become Budapest. They're vastly different in appearance and

geography, though. The hilly Buda side features historic buildings like the Castle Palace, Matthias Church and

the Fisherman's Bastion. Meanwhile, Pest, which lies on the flat side, sports a more modern feel. Parliament,

Central Market Hall, St. Stephen's Basilica and Andrassy Avenue are located on this side.

Bratislava is the capital and largest city in Slovakia. It has a population of almost 415,000 and is the

administrative, cultural and economic

center of the country. Before 1919, it

was known as Prešporok in Slovak.

Bratislava has a very quaint medieval

inner city with narrow, winding

streets, a hill-top castle next to the

river Danube, and many historic

churches and buildings worth visiting.

Today, Bratislava and its surroundings form the most prosperous region in Central and Eastern

Europe, and the fifth in all the EU.

After the fall of the Great Moravian Empire, Slovakia became part of the Kingdom of Hungary from

the 10th century until the end of the First World War when the Treaty of Trianon created

Czechoslovakia. Between 1939 and 1944, Slovakia became a German-controlled state. Then, it was

incorporated into the USSR as a new Czechoslovakia until the fall of Communist rule during the

Velvet Revolution of 1989. In 1993, peaceful differences between Czechs and Slovaks led to the

dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two separate and independent nations: the Czech Republic, and

Slovakia (Slovak Republic).

Airline Schedules

Bike & Barge Cruise Only TBD