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Special Event
Austria/Hungary - Sukkoth 2010
Last updated:May 15 2010.
The trip begins to take shape and here are the details and the prices:
- Leave Tel Aviv on El-Al for Vienna on 21 Sep. 2010
- Overnight in Vienna
- Start the bike trip on 22 Sep. See detailed itinerary below
- Arrive in Budapest by bike on 28 Sep. (7 days of riding – our butts will ache like you would not believe…)
- Overnight in Budapest
- Stay one more night in Budapest to recuperate and sightsee (there are no El-Al flights on the 30th due to Shmini Azeret holiday)
- Leave Budapest for Tel Aviv on El-Al late on the evening of 30 Sep 2010, arrive Tel Aviv on 1 Oct. at 03:30.
Most of the ride is easy and flat, there are two days with some hill climbing (but I am assured that climbing is followed by descent on the other side of the hill).
The biking part is priced at EUR 610 by the organizers (not including the 9th night). This price is for double-occupancy, 3-star accommodations, breakfast included.
The trip is designed by a local company, who provide all the accommodations, transport our luggage from one lodging to the next every day, plan and update the route, and provide maps and full route information. Also an emergency hotline is available.
Flights from Israel: Not surprisingly, the lower-cost ( I resisted the temptation to write "cheap") seats are getting scarce already. We should book as soon as possible (Sukkoth is a popular date). Right now there are still tickets for USD620 but they have to be ticketed immediately (by May 17th). Canceling after ticketing is at a penalty of $150. Another option is to add $45 to the price and ticket only in August (till then opting out is for free). However, this price may change due possible price increases by the airline, like fuel surcharge, etc. Ticket price includes all taxes, ground services, etc., and free transportation of the bikes to and fro.
Sample cost calculation:
The organizers' price is to EUR610/person, add EUR480 for flights, the fixed cost is EUR1,100 per person - based on double occupancy hotel lodging. Rental of bike for the duration of the trip, if you don't bring your own, is about EUR100. Single accommodation is an addition of EUR 195. The extra night in Budapest is another EUR60 approximately. Add EUR 40/day for meals and unexpected expenses, that's EUR400.
Total (estimated): EUR 1,550 per person (without bike rental and in double-occupancy rooms). (The fortune spent in duty free shopping is not included in this sum).
Here is the detailed trip itinerary (quoted from the organizers):
Danube bike tour – from Vienna to Budapest (364km)
During this tour you will visit three capitals along the Danube: Vienna(Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Budapest (Hungary) with many attraction cultural heritages of disappeared empires.
Day 1: Arrival Day
This day you will discover the fascinating cultural heritage of Austrian capital. Visit the historic places: Hofburg, Schönbrunn Palace, Stephansdom, Opera House, and Belvedere Palace and more.
Overnight in Vienna.
Day 2: Vienna - Hainburg (58km)
The first day on the tour takes you along the Danube river valley to the town Hainburg. On the road you can stop to visit the hunting castle of Eckerstau, the four tower baroque castle of Orth and the ancient roman settlement vicinity Petronell-Carnuntum. The route is almost entirely flat. You remain in Lower Austria but approach the Slovak border.
Overnight in Hainburg.(B)
Day 3: Hainburg - Bratislava - Dunakiliti (50km)
Today's ride brings you briefly through Slovakia via Bratislava with its historical old town centre. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. Do not miss to visit the castle and the old city center with many interesting sights of historical town, was called Pozsony during the centuries it was part of the Hungarian kingdom.
After leaving the town, you will cycle towards the border of Hungary at Rajka, and ride until Dunakiliti. This town is located in the meanders of a small river coming off and following the Danube. Overnight in Dunakiliti(B)
Day 4: Dunakiliti- Győr (52 km)
You will cycle through enchanting villages of sometime Danube Islands (Szigetköz) and proceed on the cycle paths to Győr, situated at the confluence of three rivers: Raba, Rabca and Danube.
The cycling route is broken up by small, farming towns, green fields, and forests. It’s worth to stop and visit the Castle with English park in Hédervár and famous thermal bath in Lipót. The destination of today‘s route is the city of Győr. This town, originally a Hungarian stronghold from A.D.900, has also a superb cathedral from the 12th century.
Overnight in Győr(B)
Day 5: Győr - Tata (60 km)
You will cycle today in this rustic, farming landscape, not far from the Danube's river flow. On the way you will reach Bábolna, this village is famous for its horses and the large concern which shares its name. The famous Shagya stallion, whose offspring are highly esteemed all over the world, was bought to Bábolna from Syria in 1836. The Bábolna Stud Farm won the Grand Prize at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. At the end of the section you reach Tata, the town of waters situated on Lake Tata with lovely atmosphere. Cycling paths around the lake make a nice add on.
Overnight in Tata. (B)
Day 6: Tata - Esztergom (55km)
Today the route goes through forested landscape with an ascent to cover but after that it is a straight run to Esztergom. You will need to gather your strength for this section. There are places where some hard pedalling is required, but the cycling is pleasant and the air on the hilly stretches refreshing, as you pass through forests and open woodland along minor roads with little traffic.
Driving into the city centre you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Esztergom environment, the river Danube and the nearby hill. You can admire the most monumental construction of Hungarian Classicism, the largest Basilica in Hungary, dating from 1822, which incorporates an earlier, renaissance church from the 16th century.
Overnight in Esztergom. (B)
Day 7: Esztergom - Visegrád (34 km)
Cycling along the Danube river valley gets you to the small town of Visegrád situated at the exit of a loop in the Danube in the Danube Bend. This historical town is a popular destination for excursions because of ruins of the royal palace and citadel and the scenery view of Danube Bend. You can take a trip up to the “Castle in the clouds” and enjoy the amazing panorama which unfolds your eyes.
Overnight in Visegrád (B)
Day 8: Visegrád – Budapest (55 km)
Cross the Danube by ferry to Nagymaros. On the other side you will cycle along the Danube Bank to the one-thousand-year-old Episcopal seat –city Vác. After crossing the Danube to the Szentendre Island, Continue on to the town of Szentendre with its many churches, galleries and arts. Finally you finish in Budapest. This magnificent city, once a centre of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, boasts incredible architecture and its thriving centre offers many things to do.
Overnight in Budapest. (B)
Day 9: Departure Day
You can depart on your own today or add some extra nights to have more time to explore Budapest. (B) . (This is what we do, stay 1 more night/2 days in Budapest).
