From Engelhartszell (Passau) to Wachau, Vienna, Bratislava and Linz to Engelhartszell (Passau).
In the Schlögener Loop, the Danube makes two spectacular U-turns before finally deciding to take the most beautiful route to Vienna: through the narrow Wachau valley, where castle ruins and icing-sugar monasteries peep out from terraced vineyards and apricot orchards. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the home of great wines and beguilingly beautiful. You’ll be spoiled for choice in Vienna. There’s just so much to see: historical buildings and museums, naturally, but also unexpected delights like a café that sells furniture, crazy second-hand shops and a tiny basement where you can listen to the finest jazz music. Linz will captivate you with its exciting stylistic contrasts, from Baroque to contemporary. Alone the Lentos Art Museum, which features works from the 20th and 21st centuries, and the Ars Electronica Center, with its high-tech exhibits, will keep you busy for hours.
This is a real highlight of your Danube cruise: Vienna, the capital of Austria with that extra-special something. The locals sound as though they are singing when they speak, and it is customary for certain business owners to address their regular customers with their full title. That’s just the way things are done here. With its wealth of museums, galleries, palaces and castles, plus the state opera and many theatres, the city enjoys a lively cultural scene all year-round. The Viennese are proud of their city – and rightly so!
Baroque facades, numerous churches and, at the centre, the river. As you can see, it’s possible to describe Linz, Austria’s largest port city, in a single sentence. But that would be doing it an injustice, since there’s a whole lot more to Linz than buildings and water. In recent years, this former industrial hub has morphed into a European cultural stronghold. No matter whether it’s theatre, cinema, art or music, there’s both great demand and great support for culture here. The city also provides magnificent views – particularly in the evening – from the pilgrimage church on the Pöstlingberg hill.
Around 80 kilometres west of Vienna is the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This valley is lined with steep slopes on which some of Europe’s best grape varieties grow. In the midst of all this, you’ll keep spotting castles, palaces and Romantic ruins on the hills, which bear witness to a distant past. With such an enchanted landscape, it’s not surprising that there are many legends about the Wachau, dealing with both mythical phenomena and real-life events, including the Napoleonic Wars. Authors such as Josef Wichner and Hans Plöckinger published collections of these legends – the ideal thing to read while you are visiting the area.
This is the departure point for your Danube cruise. Our tip: to ensure that you get off to a relaxed start, travel the day before the cruise begins and spend the night at one of our partner hotels. This will allow you to explore the region around Passau, too. And when your ship sets sail for an exciting Danube cruise, you will have already enjoyed your first few adventures.
You are about to enjoy a real treat for the senses as you experience the Wachau up close. You will be mesmerised by the famous Danube valley between Melk and Krems. Taking in this fascinating river landscape as you stand on the sun deck of one of the A-ROSA Danube fleet is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is no wonder that the Wachau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This really is an absolute must-see.
This is a real highlight of your Danube cruise: Vienna, the capital of Austria with that extra-special something. The locals sound as though they are singing when they speak, and it is customary for certain business owners to address their regular customers with their full title. That’s just the way things are done here. With its wealth of museums, galleries, palaces and castles, plus the state opera and many theatres, the city enjoys a lively cultural scene all year-round. The Viennese are proud of their city – and rightly so!
Bratislava, home to approximately 450,000 inhabitants and located on the left bank of the Danube, is a young capital city – the youngest in Europe, in fact. Throughout the old town, you’ll see traces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire wherever you go. This leisurely city of baroque and rococo, palaces and palisades, and art and coffee houses is a perfect place to wander around, marvel at impressive sights, relax and unwind.
Your Danube cruise is the perfect opportunity to get to know the Austrian city of Linz. It offers an exciting mix of cultural attractions and true works of art. You’ll discover a modern, cosmopolitan city whose diversity, design and creativity really make it stand out. And no visit to Linz would be complete without a trip to a cafe to sample its specialities, such as the famous Linzer Torte.
This is the departure point for your Danube cruise. Our tip: to ensure that you get off to a relaxed start, travel the day before the cruise begins and spend the night at one of our partner hotels. This will allow you to explore the region around Passau, too. And when your ship sets sail for an exciting Danube cruise, you will have already enjoyed your first few adventures.
Enjoy your most beautiful time with maximum comfort and with the all-round carefree package: A-ROSA Premium all inclusive.
Your desired cabin? Voilà! Sauna, fitness area, pool? Always at your service! Top culinary menus? Enjoy your meal! Attractive discounts on all massage and beauty treatments? Of course! Plus all transfers and many other benefits that will always put a smile on your face, while you have nothing to do but think about your next wish.
¹ Guests receive an extra voucher, valid for day of embarkation or disembarkation in Cologne and Engelhartszell. The transfer in Paris and Lyon is only included when booking the train tickets through A-ROSA.
² The transfer is included when booking the flight through A-ROSA. You will receive an extra voucher with your travel documents.
Book now your trip with the "Premium all inclusive" package until 30 Nov 2023 and you will benefit from our attractive Super Early Booking Discount (limited contingent).
Choose exactly the cabin you like. If available, we will book your desired cabin with cabin number.
From various German airports and Zurich to Vienna, incl. transfer Airport – Ship – Airport (incl. taxes).
Flights from € 329 per person
Train operated by Deutsche Bahn from all German train stations to Passau.
Train from € 179 per person (Return / 2nd Class).
Train operated by Deutsche Bahn from all German train stations to Vienna.
Train from € 189 per person (Return / 2nd Class).
If you plan your arrival individually, we offer you a parking space in a guarded car park for the length of your cruise.
Price from € 51 per car (Passau)
Price from € 51 per car (Engelhartszell)
The hotel is located in the ‘Innstadt‘, which is part of the newly developed district ‘InnViertel‘ of Passau. The hotel offers two and three-room appartments. You can reach within walking distance (approx. 10 minutes) the pedestrian area and the old town with the university and Stephen’s cathedral. A parking lot in the underground car park can be booked additionally for a surcharge per night. Each appartments is equipped with the following facilities: air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, kitchenette, spacious bathroom with underfloor heating, towel dryer, shower (some rooms with a bathtub), hairdryer, make-up mirror, toilet. The hotel has also a lift.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Size ca.
63 sqm
for up to 2 persons
Double occupancy
€ 99 pp
Size ca.
73 sqm
with 2 bedrooms
for up to 4 persons
Double occupancy
€ 119 pp
3-person occupancy
€ 89 pp
4-person occupancy
€ 79 pp
Located in a historical building dating back to the 14th century, Hotel Passauer Wolf has a very special atmosphere. Yet the hotel also meets state-of-the-art standards from extensive refurbishment in 2009. The fantastic location in the middle of the old town, right between the cathedral and the pedestrian zone, makes the hotel a perfect starting point for sightseeing and shopping. Enjoy your complimentary welcome drink at the bar or in your comfortably furnished room. Then relax in the hotel spa’s whirlpool and sauna. Use of the spa is included in the booking price. Free Internet access and a bottle of mineral water are available in each room. For luggage and passenger transfers to / from the A-ROSA transfer in Passau (distance from / to hotel approx. 1–2 km) we recommend a taxi.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 69pp
Single occupancy
€ 99 pp
Double occupancy
€ 79 pp
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
Single occupancy
€ 119 pp
This modern hotel in Passau is located in quiet green surroundings just 200 m from the Danube and 500 m from the town centre on the other side of the river. Enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival in the light-filled lobby, by the palms on the terrace or in your comfortable hotel room. The hotel bar is open in the evenings. Alternatively, you can enjoy complete relaxation in the spa, which offers a Finnish sauna, a steam room, a whirlpool and an infrared sauna. Free Internet access and a bottle of mineral water are available in each room. For luggage and passenger transfers to / from the A-ROSA transfer in Passau (distance from / to hotel approx. 1–2 km) we recommend a taxi.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
Single occupancy
€ 99 pp
Double occupancy
€ 79pp
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
Single occupancy
€ 119 pp
The Hotel Spitzberg is ideally located just 500 metres from the main railway station and the centre of Passau. The historic part of the house was built in the 19th century and has rooms with art nouveau stucco ceilings. In 2010, the hotel was reopened with completely new furnishings, new bathrooms, new reception, hotel bar and breakfast room to 4-star standard. The rooms are equipped with bathtub or shower/WC, satellite TV, minibar, safe and free WLAN.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
Single occupancy
€ 99 pp
Double occupancy
€ 79pp
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
Single occupancy
€ 119 pp
Hotel Wesenufer is located right by the Danube in Wesenufer, which is near Engelhartszell (7 km) and Waldkirchen am Wesen (4 km). The nearest train station is Passau (37 km). The hotel building itself is more than 300 years old and was carefully renovated in 2008 and 2013. All rooms feature a modern interior design to make you feel at ease. The rooms – some of which have a balcony or terrace looking on to the Danube – are equipped with a flatscreen TV, free Wi-Fi, a phone, a safe, a minibar and a bathroom with a shower, toilet and hairdryer. The hotel also has three wheelchair-accessible rooms. Enjoy the view of the Danube from your terrace, the seasonal and regional meals in the Schloss restaurant, and the sauna and steam bath in the spa. Free parking is available on request. Guest and luggage transfer to and from the ship is available for a fee payable at the hotel. When booking, please inform the hotel of your requirements.
Note: Check-in on Sunday is only possible until 17:00. The restaurant is closed on Sunday evening.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
Double occupancy
€ 79pp
Single occupancy
€ 99 pp
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
Double occupancy
€ 109 pp
Single occupancy
€ 129 pp
Hotel Residenz stands out with one of Passau’s top locations: right by the Danube, in the heart of Passau’s old town. All attractions are within easy walking distance. Rooms are modern and comfortable, the “Comfort” category and above have air conditioning. The hotel has five exclusive Suites or Junior Suites that are designed very differently. For prices and availability, please enquire when making your reservation. Soak up the hotel’s calm atmosphere by either relaxing in the small but comfortable sauna or listening to classical music with a glass of wine in the hotel’s very well-stocked library.
Included services
Overnight stay incl. breakfast, extended stay possible
FRI - SAT
Double occupancy
€ 79 pp
SUN - THU
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
FRI - SAT
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
FRI - SAT
Single occupancy
€ 119 pp
SUN - THU
Double occupancy
€ 69 pp
SUN - THU
Single occupancy
€ 109 pp
FRI - SAT
Double occupancy
€ 89 pp
SUN - THU
Double occupancy
€ 79 pp
