Day 1: Belgrade
After arriving in Belgrade, we took a cab directly to the ship, the MS Swiss Crown. With our local guide Dima, we cycled (despite a small bike breakdown) through the old town to the magnificent Cathedral of St. Sava. The mixture of history and architecture was a dream! The smaller church next to the cathedral was particularly impressive. The painting and decoration inside was incredibly detailed. After the bike tour, we walked to Kalamegdan Park. Everywhere we looked, there was something fascinating to discover. Statues such as Pobednik (a man with a sword and an eagle in his hand), a bastion, the Belgrade Fortress, a military museum that was open to the public, a zoo and an amusement park.
Day 2: Iron Gate
Today was dedicated entirely to the overwhelming beauty of the cataract route to the Iron Gate. We were accompanied by fantastic weather. We were busy taking photos of the 55-metre-high statue of Decebalus, the Mraconia monastery and the breathtaking nature around us. On this day, we also introduced ourselves to the customers as employees of Rad + Reisen so that we could take photos of the guests and the enchanting landscape. Special thanks again to everyone who stepped in front of the camera.
Day 3: Novi Sad - Ilok
After our ship docked in Novi Sad, we first cycled up to the Petrovaradin fortress. We were rewarded with a magnificent view over the city and the Danube. The old town of Ilok enchanted us with its beautiful main square and pedestrian avenue. Musicians played in the small side streets and small bistros and coffee houses invited us to take a break. We then cycled along the Danube cycle path towards Ilok. After a short bike break, we took the ferry to get to the other side of the Danube. You should definitely have some small change with you for this (forints) so that there are no problems with the crossing. This section was the most strenuous of the trip so far, as it was uphill for us a few times. Fortunately, we had an e-bike, which made the ride a lot easier. However, there was a small mishap before the border control, as the seat of Carina’s bike came loose. With the repair kit and the help of two charming gentlemen who were traveling with our guided group, the problem was fixed and we were able to continue our journey. After the passport control (border towards Croatia), we still had about 10 kilometers to go until we reached the Ilok jetty.
After this exciting ride, we definitely deserved a refreshing beer. In the evening, the slow train took us to a wine tasting with tamburica music in Ilok. We were greeted with a Tramin wine, then we visited the wine cellar and took a walk with a guide to the church. Wine tasting followed in the wine bar, including homemade pogatschen, and back on the ship we enjoyed the evening atmosphere on the sun deck.
Day 4: Batina - Mohács
Today we set off from Batina to Mohács after breakfast. However, we did not take the planned main route on the left bank of the Danube, but tested the alternative route on the right bank. The 2 km climb right at the start was a bit of a challenge, as the road was being renovated at the time and was covered in gravel. After that, however, we were rewarded with a consistently flat route. The route was very quiet and took us past small villages. We cycled as far as the "Memorial to the Battle of Mohács" monument and had a short photo shoot. Then we made our way to the village of Kölked, where the White Stork Museum is located. When we arrived in the village, we were greeted by a few storks. After a short break, we were already on our way to Mohács. On board, we swapped our cycling gear for everyday clothes and made our way into the town. A delightful pedestrian zone awaited us in Mohács, leading us towards the town hall square with its cathedral. In the evening we enjoyed a delicious wine with an excellent 3-course menu.
Day 5: Kalocsa - Solt
Paprika, puszta and horses! Today the Danube cycle path took us through the picturesque Puszta from Kalocsa to Solt. We made our first stop at the Paprika Museum in Kalocsa to buy some souvenirs for our loved ones at home. We continued through charming villages, forest and embankment paths until we reached a bathing spot on the Danube in Harta. Here we took a short break from cycling and treated ourselves to a delicious fish and bean soup. Our destination was the landing stage in Solt.
After freshening up, some of us gathered in front of the landing stage as we were picked up by the Puszta riders in horse-drawn carriages and taken to the horse ranch. Everyone was greeted with a pepper schnapps and then the guided tour of the grounds began, followed by a spectacular horse show. Cracking whips, traditional games and exciting rides were presented. Eva was even caught with a whip. Afterwards, there was a tasting of wine and fresh homemade flatbread. Souvenir stores tempted us with delicious treats and handmade works of art. We also returned to the ship by carriage.
Day 6: Vác - Esztergom
Today was the last cycling day of our business trip. The cycle tour started from the pier in Vác and led us towards the city center, where we visited the main square and the cathedral. We cycled along the Danube cycle path, past beautiful green countryside and dreamy farming villages, towards Esztergom. The castle of Visegrad on the other side of the Danube could be admired from afar. We made a short stop by the Danube for a photo.
After a short bike break in Szob, there were not many kilometers left to the stage finish. The majestic basilica was enthroned on a hill high above the city and offered a wonderful panorama along the bridge between Sturovo and Esztergom. We enjoyed our last dinner on board the MS Swiss Crown, as our business trip ended in Vienna the next day.
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You can find the tour from the story here: Danube experience by bike + boat - from Passau to the Iron Gate
