Cycling the Danube from Passau to Budapest, Austria

The Danube is Europe's second largest river (behind the Volga), stretching from the Black Mountains in Germany, across central Europe before reaching the Black Sea in Romania and Ukraine. As the Danube snakes its way through the glorious Austrian countryside, it passes valleys and woodland, historic towns and many fascinating buildings and areas of historical importance. This makes it a really great option for a cycling holiday, and this fantastic 15-day trip has a little bit of everything.

You'll get to pass through the riverside woodland, green fields and quiet lanes as you cycle towards the famous Danube Bend, watch the sun rise and set along the banks of the Danube, and soak up the culture in a selection of towns and villages, from Linz and Melk to the wonderful Budapest. Here you could visit Buda Castle and the Royal Palace. As well as this two week route, you could also take on half during a one-week section.

Here's a brief overview of the itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrive in Passau
• Day 2: Cycle to Schlogen and rind the famous Schlogener loop
• Day 3: Ride on to Linz, past abbeys and castles
• Day 4: Cycle into Lower Austria and continue on to Grein
• Day 5: Explore wooded mountains and peaceful towns before passing the Benedictine Abbey on route to Melk
• Day 6: Through the Wachau vineyards to Krems
• Day 7: Past Greifenstein castle and Klosterneuburg as you approach Vienna
• Day 8: Soak up all the culture you can during a free day in Vienna
• Day 9: Follow the Dunauinsel as you head to Bad Deutsch Altenbur
• Day 10: Pass through Austria, Slovakia and Hungary as you make your way to Halaszi
• Day 11: Riverside tracks lead to Gyor
• Day 12: An easy trail to Tata
• Day 13: Cover the first hilly sections of the trip before reaching Esztergom
• Day 14: Circle the Danube Bend past Visegrad, then onto Budapest
• Day 15: Finish in Budapest