The Passau-to-Vienna stretch of the Danube cycle path is Europe's great beginner classic: 300 largely flat, car-free kilometres downstream past abbeys, vineyards and the apricot villages of the Wachau valley. A week covers it at pastry pace, and self-guided operators shuttle your bags between hotels so you carry nothing but snacks. Ride west to east — the wind and the river both agree with you. Dürnstein's wine terraces demand a long lunch; comply.
Featured in Ten cycling holidays for completely normal legs · Adventure