Danube River Drive

Rising in the misty heights of Germany’s Black Forest, the Danube winds its way more than 1700 miles through the heart of Central Europe before reaching the black sea. The river’s course through Austria is the best known, and for good reason—it is here that the Danube is at its most magnificent. The route begins along the Danube in Linz and hugs the river’s southern bank as it crosses into Germany at Passau, one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. From Passau, the route turns north into the rolling hills of the Bavarian Forest.Passing into the Czech Republic, the route skirts the Vltava River and the fairytale landscape of southern Bohemia. The route reconnects with the Danube at Krems an der Donau and passes into the narrow Wachau Valley, by far the most picturesque segment along the river. Exiting the valley at Melk, the route follows the river as it return to Linz.