








Danube River Cruise Easygoing E-bike Tour
Dolce Tempo Journey from Prague to Budapest through Five Countries
Couples, Friends & Solos
8 days 7 nights
Activity Level: 1-2
Small Luxury Ship
From: $7,699 - $10,299 pp dbl occ
($3,850 - $10,299 for sgl occ)
The Danube has stories to tell. From the armies of Alexander the Great to World War II battles, these waters have seen plenty. Let them be your guide to Central Europe. Pass through wild landscapes into the one-time capitals of western civilization. See the world through the eyes of the traders, pirates and kings who sailed this river before you. Enjoy contemporary comfort as you journey into the past.
Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia & Hungary
Start Prague, Czech Republic / End Budapest, Hungary
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
Refreshingly Active Adventures
Explore the contrasting landscapes of five countries on this epic adventure, from forests to vineyards to rolling hills, and enjoy e-biking on gentle bike paths and quiet country roads.
Immersive Travel
Discover the diverse cultures of Central Europe with wine-tastings, guided tours, local lunches and more—and visit the major cities of old-world Europe as we make our way down the Danube.
Unique Lodging & Delectable Dining
Enjoy the ever-changing view from your well-appointed stateroom as we cruise in comfort, stopping to enjoy the best of the countryside and traveling at night for maximum convenience.
Itinerary
8 Days Small Luxury Ship
DAYS 1-2 Cycle through the peaceful Bavarian Forest to the Danube River on our way to the ship | Enjoy some oompah music and an Oktoberfest-style celebration before we embark | Discover the pleasures of bicycle travel in Bavaria, with stunning views and quiet routes | Explore 2,000-year-old Passau, the City of Three Rivers.
DAY 3 E-bike along the Danube on the famed Donauradweg (Danube bike path | Enjoy a guided walk through Linz | Choose your own adventure with a visit to Salzburg or Český Krumlov—two spectacular World Heritage Sites.
DAYS 4-5 Experience one of the Danube’s most scenic stretches through the Wachau Valley’s vineyards and peaceful villages | Wander the grounds of the impressive Melk Abbey, the inspiration for Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose | Smell the fragrant air of the Wachau Valley, scented by orchards and vineyards | Pause for a taste of Grüner Veltliner to fully appreciate the land of Austrian wine | Arrive in Vienna and see why it’s consistently rated the most livable city in the world.
DAY 6 Take advantage of Donau-Auen National Park’s gentle bike paths to explore one of the last remaining wetlands in Europe | Stop off at a traditional biergarten to sate your thirst | Enjoy a leisurely lunch at Hof Castle, once owned by Empress Maria Theresa | Learn the fascinating history of Bratislava on a guided tour.
DAYS 7-8 Discover the gritty history and gilded monuments of remarkable Budapest on a guided walking tour | Take time to explore the city’s thermal hot springs, museums and hip "ruin pubs", or simply people-watch over a coffee | Toast to your voyage beneath the Budapest skyline during a golden-hour city cruise.

A luxurious custom-designed ship featuring stylish private staterooms, panoramic windows, full balconies, an onboard team of classically trained chefs and inviting areas to socialize with fellow passengers. (pool)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Note: You may only reserve one Stateroom Category at this time. Your stateroom will be assigned based on availability. Please contact us if you are interested in booking multiple Stateroom Categories for your party, selecting a specific stateroom, or Single Supplement pricing.
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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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From our Guests
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Activity Level: 1-2
Our Dolce Tempo e-biking activities allow you to leisurely explore local hidden gems and to get away from the crowds, experiencing the essence of your location on your own terms and at your own pace. Easier than our other trips, but still wonderfully active, route options typically include 2-4 hours of e-biking per day. Our custom electric-assist bikes allow you to pedal effortlessly. Your trip is fully supported with dedicated Trip Leaders, vans, meticulously selected routes and downloadable GPS files available for use on your own device.
Route notes
The terrain on this trip varies from relatively level to some rolling hills with a few steeper climbs. While we avoid car traffic by traveling along quiet country roads and bike paths during many of our routes, these paths are popular with other cyclists. The road quality is variable in each country, so some sections may be bumpy. We also ride through urban areas, using both city streets and dedicated biking lanes. Know that these European cities are well-suited for cyclists.
Daily Activity Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
On this Dolce Tempo trip, most travelers choose to ride one of our custom titanium e-bikes. If you prefer to enjoy the daily rides without electric assistance, you can select another bike. See all options below. (click the arrow to see all available options)
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 7 dinners, 7 lunches
- Expert Backroads Trip Leaders, on ship and on shore
- Off-the-beaten path exploration
- Access to all ship amenities
- Impeccable and personalized service from ship staff and Backroads Leaders
- Exclusive activities that amplify your appreciation and understanding of the local culture
- Exclusive biking routes with multiple options at varied paces
- Custom Titanium bike
- Gratuities on ship and on shore handled by your Backroads Leaders
- Exploring lesser known routes away from busy ports
- Dedicated support vans
- Easy-to-use route directions so you're free to explore independently
- Private walking tours with expert guides
- Access to all ship activities and excursions
- Wine included with all onboard meals
- Private cocktail/wine receptions
- Off-ship lunches in genuine settings
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Ships
The ships we sail on are like a floating luxury hotel, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips.
Backroads Support on Board and on Shore
We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests per group. Occasionally there may be more than one Backroads group onboard and you may cross paths with the other group on routes or at restaurants. When this occurs, each group will have their own dedicated onboard Backroads leaders.
Backroads Cruising Life
If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Our cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences, shaped by both our Backroads group and the larger ship community. Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don't mind a set schedule of port departure times, you'll love our approach to active river and ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.
Meals
On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and inventive meals for onshore lunches and the occasional onshore dinner. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.
Itinerary Flexibility: Going with the Flow
Every river has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and agriculture. High water levels may mean the ship cannot pass under a bridge, low water levels result in slower sailing, and a disabled lock can also lead to some extra cruising time. Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, we will work closely with AmaWaterways' captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow.
Stateroom Categories
In contrast to our usual land-based trips, which have similar room categories, the AmaWaterways ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast so book as early as possible if this is important to you.
Double-Docking
Most port conditions require that ships tie up alongside each other, in which case you may need to walk through another ship to access our ship. This is a part of river cruising due to its popularity. You may experience obstructed views from your stateroom when the ship is double-docked, but rest assured that as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
The ships we sail on are like a floating luxury hotel, so you can visit a new destination each day without touching your suitcase once you've settled in. Our ships are custom‐designed with a variety of inviting spaces that offer plenty of room for both relaxing and socializing. These ships are vastly smaller than most cruise ships, with up to just 150 passengers on our river trips and up to only 250 on our ocean trips.
We sail with up to 30 Backroads guests per group. Occasionally there may be more than one Backroads group onboard and you may cross paths with the other group on routes or at restaurants. When this occurs, each group will have their own dedicated onboard Backroads leaders.
If you're new to Backroads active cruise trips, there are a few things you need to know. Our cruises are smaller, and much more intimate than a typical cruise. They are also quite lively, social experiences, shaped by both our Backroads group and the larger ship community. Additionally, even with an itinerary subject to fixed nautical schedules that may occasionally limit our time on shore, we get out and explore far beyond the cruise norm. If you love meeting new people, enjoy the ease of unpacking once, and don't mind a set schedule of port departure times, you'll love our approach to active river and ocean cruising. Nobody does it like we do.
On our active cruises, we seek out diversity by including regionally authentic and inventive meals for onshore lunches and the occasional onshore dinner. On-ship meals, though delightful, are meant to appeal to a wide cross section of passengers and may at times feel more conventional for some, and less reflective of the region than on Backroads hotel trips.
Every river has its own unique temperament and for centuries water levels have shifted due to rain, temperature and agriculture. High water levels may mean the ship cannot pass under a bridge, low water levels result in slower sailing, and a disabled lock can also lead to some extra cruising time. Should any unforeseen change happen during your river cruise, we will work closely with AmaWaterways' captain and staff, who are very experienced in going with the flow.
In contrast to our usual land-based trips, which have similar room categories, the AmaWaterways ships offer a wide range of stateroom categories. The top-tier staterooms often fill fast so book as early as possible if this is important to you.
Most port conditions require that ships tie up alongside each other, in which case you may need to walk through another ship to access our ship. This is a part of river cruising due to its popularity. You may experience obstructed views from your stateroom when the ship is double-docked, but rest assured that as soon as we set sail again your beautiful views will be restored.
Featured article
While biking and hiking and kayaking trips are at the core of popular adventure travel offerings, they are not for everyone. So Backroads, a company that has long been the leader in active travel trips, has come up with an array of softer adventures for 2021.