Day 1 – Traveling by Night Train from Vienna to Bucharest

The journey begins in the evening in a relaxed atmosphere at Vienna Central Station. Instead of an early start, you board the night train, which travels through Hungary toward Romania. In the darkness, the landscape glides by, while the steady clatter of the rails creates an almost meditative calm. The journey through the Carpathians is particularly impressive – a wild, mountainous landscape that appears majestic in the first light of dawn. A way of traveling that slows you down while remaining pleasantly efficient.

After arriving in Bucharest, there’s still time to take in your first impressions of the Romanian capital. The monumental Palace of Parliament is just as impressive as the lively old town around Strada Victorei. Amidst magnificent facades, socialist relics, and modern city life, an exciting contrast emerges that makes Bucharest special.

Day 2 – Onward Journey to Tulcea

Well-rested, we continue the next day toward the Danube Delta. The roughly five-hour bus ride from Bucharest to Tulcea takes us through increasingly unspoiled landscapes. Even though the roads are bumpy in places, the comfortable bus ensures a pleasant journey.

Upon arrival in Tulcea, we are warmly welcomed by the crew. A group dinner provides the perfect setting to get to know our fellow travelers and bring the group together. For some of the group, the evening winds down afterward in a small bar.

Day 3 – First Bike Tour & Embarkation in Sfântu Gheorghe

The first day of biking begins with a roughly 12-kilometer transfer along country roads until traffic noticeably thins out and the actual bike route begins. The ride is characterized by open spaces, nature, and tranquility—accompanied by an impressive array of birdlife along the road.

The hotel ship is already waiting at our destination in Sfântu Gheorghe. Dinner is served during an atmospheric cruise into the sunset—a special moment between the river, the light, and the landscape.

Day 4 – Journey to “Kilometer 0” of the Danube Delta

The day begins with a boat ride deep into the delta before we switch back to our bicycles. The landscape here appears almost untouched: a labyrinth of waterways, reeds, and canals. Pelicans, herons, and cormorants are constant companions, as are occasional wild horses.

Lunch is served on board, followed in the evening by a trip in the dinghy—our first venture out into the Black Sea. The vastness and open water form a striking contrast to the sheltered delta.

Day 6 – Gulf of Musura & Sulina

A varied leg of the journey takes us through a national park, partly via a so-called “safari bus,” to the beach at Sulina on the Gulf of Musura. There, we’ll take a short guided tour of the bustling fishing village, which offers fascinating insights into life at the mouth of the Danube where it meets the sea.

Day 7 – Rest Day on Board

A day to take a breather and observe. We’ll take the dinghy through small side channels of the delta, getting as close as possible to the flora and fauna. The diversity is impressive: countless bird species, floating islands of vegetation, and an almost silent natural backdrop.

Day 8 – Bike tour through Dobrogea & Orthodox cathedrals

Once again, we’ll cycle through the vast landscape of the Delta and the Dobrogea region. The routes are varied, partly quiet, partly marked by potholes – sometimes it almost feels like a mini “Roubaix version” through Eastern Europe.

Along the way, magnificent Orthodox churches impress, often richly decorated and surprisingly monumental even in small villages. After a picnic, we transfer back to Tulcea. A short stop for a wine tasting with smoked fish.

In the evening, a hilltop offers a sweeping view across the Delta all the way to the Ukrainian border. Binoculars and a telescope make it particularly easy to observe the enormous variety of birds. Overnight stay in a charming guesthouse with good food and spacious rooms.

Day 9 – Lagoon Tour from Tulcea

To conclude the trip, we travel by bus and bicycle to the vicinity of Cape Dolosman. The stage is windy but culturally very exciting: Greco-Roman excavations and ruins bear witness to the region’s long history.

After a picnic, the bike tour leads along the lagoons back to Tulcea – a final, peaceful stretch through an impressive landscape.

Conclusion

The combination of an overnight train journey, a city stay in Bucharest, a bus ride to the Delta, cycling stages, and boat trips makes this trip particularly diverse. The blend of activity, nature, and culture creates vivid impressions that linger long after the trip ends. The Danube Delta reveals itself as one of Europe’s last great natural paradises—quiet, vast, and teeming with life.

Have we caught your interest? Then learn more here about our → Bike and Boat Tour of the Danube Delta