Germany

Czech Republic

Austria

Passau (D)
Approx 1 hour by car from Bayerisch Eisenstein
This historic 'town of the 3 rivers', where the Inn and Ilz rivers flow into the Danube. The old town is found on a pennisula between the merging Danube and Inn rivers
The old town is a collection of attractive narrow cobbled streets and alleyways with glimpses of the rivers on each side. St Stephens cathedral, contains the largest cathedral organ in world. Lunchtime and evening concerts are held in the cathedral between May and October and over the Christmas period.
The old town hall (Rathaus) - by the river, facing the castle, has marks showing where high water has reached at different times through the years. You can visit the Rathaus main hall.
There is a GlassMuseum in the Rathaus, which boasts the largest collection of Bohemian glass in the world, with 30,000 exhibits, dating from 1700 to 1950.
open daily 13:00-17:00
A shuttle bus runs from the town hall square, to the castle, Veste Oberhaus, on the opposite bank. The castle complex, built in 1219, is one of the largest in Europe and contains the historical and cultural museum of Passau.
On the west bank of the river Inn, is the old monastery, Kloster Marishilfe. It’s worth a climb either up the road or alternatively walk up the covered steps (wallfahrtskirche) (opposite the Innstadt brewery) for views over the old town and the castle.
Passau has an excellent opera house. Advance booking is essential to get good seats.
A variety of boats trips along the Danube as well as short trips around the point where the rivers meet, start from the quay outside the Rathaus. Click here for details
Click here for more details about the city, from its tourist office.

Regensburg (D)
Approx. 1 1/4 hours by car from Bayerisch Eisenstein
A World heritage site. The medieval city centre has Celtic and Roman origins. It is the home of the Thurn & Taxis family.
St.Peter's is considered the most important gothic cathedral in South Germany. Construction was started in 1250 and completed during King Ludwig’s reign in the early 19th century.
The old Sausage kitchen on the river front, by the old salt warehouse, has been in the same family’s hands since 1806. The menu is very limited. The only choice is the number of sausages you want to eat. A workers kitchen is said to have stood on this spot since the 1200’s.
About 6 miles outside the city, on the east bank of the Danube is Wallhalla. Built for Ludwig I of Bavaria between 1830 to 1842 as a hall of fame for writers, artists, musicians, and other notables from the German-speaking world.
Click here for more details of the city, from its tourist office

Munich (D)
Approx. 2 hours drive from Bayerisch Eisenstein or take the train
Capital of Bavaria and the 3rd largest city in Germany.
It boasts excellent art galleries, (including works by Kandinsky, Marc & Beuys), music, (the Bavarian state Opera are resident here), theatres and shops.
Home of the world Famous Oktoberfest (late September/early October).
There is an attractive pedestrianised old town.
Visit the Nymphenburg Palace & parks, as well as the Palaces Schleissheim and the EnglishGarden.
Opposite the 1972 olympic stadium and next to the company’s HQ (constructed in the shape of a 4 cyclinder engine), is the BMW museum.
Click here for more details of the city, from its tourist office

Nuremburg (D)
Approx. 2 hours by car from Bayerisch Eisenstein
Some of the medieval old town remains, although much was destroyed in World War II.
See the castle and fortifications, Albrecht Durer House, the Frauenkirche, Schoner Brunnen amongst other attractions
There are some interesting museums, from the DB railway museum to the Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgeleande, (Documentation Centre Party Rally Grounds) and the historic art shelter, were valuable works of art were hidden by the Nazis before wwII
Good shopping centre.
Click here for more details of the city, from its tourist office

Deggendorf (D)
Approx. 45 minutes from Bayerisch Eisenstein by car, or you can take the train via Zweisel.
Deggendorf has a pretty town square with a number of churches, museums and a daily market in its square. It is the closest point to catch a boat trip on the river Danube or to join the Donau Radweg, (cycle path)
The town has a good shopping area with plenty of places to eat and drink.
Click here for more details from the tourist office

Boat trips on the Danube (D & A)
You can take river boat trips along the Danube from Deggendorf to Passau and back as a day trip. Or if you prefer, from Passau to Linz (about 12 hours) and even onto Vienna, however even longer. There is the possibility of combining boat with bus/train trips to make a round trip. Alternatively from Passau, there are shorter trips, 45 minutes around the town or a couple of hours to Kasten (in Austria) and back.
For details click here.

Prague (CZ)
Approx. 2 hours by car from Bayerisch Eisenstein (it is possible to go by train but takes much longer, usually involving changing trains at Plzen). Use the park & rides as you reach the ring road surrounding the city (we can provide details if required). Parking within the city can be difficult. No visa is required, you just need your passport.
Capital of the Czech Republic.
The pedestrianised Old Town Square has beautiful houses painted in pastel colours with a mechanical clock.
Wander through the Jewish Quarter, between the Old Town Square and the river. Franz Kafka (1883 - 1924) is synonymous with this part of the city.
Cross the pedestrianised Charles Bridge to climb the hill to the castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. The castle is the most popular attraction in Prague and also the largest ancient castle in the world, covering 7.28 hectares. You can take tours of the castle interior, but the tours are divided to cover different areas & aspects of the castle, so choose carefully.
Click here for more details of the city, from its tourist office

Krumlov (CZ)
Approx. 2.5 hours by car from Bayerisch Eisenstein.
The second most visit place in the Czech republic after Prague. A world Heritage site. The town stands on a loop in the river Vltava. The castle with bears in its moat, dominates the town from the far bank. The castle complex is one of the largest in Europe, with a unique baroque theatre complete with original equipment and fittings. The old town has many renaissance and gothic buildings, sgraffito and town brewery.
Click here for more details of the town, from its tourist office.

Plsen (CZ)
Approx 1 hour from Bayerisch Eisenstein by car
Founded by King Wencelas II in 1295. Plzen is home to Pils beer. The city is dominated by the gothic church of St Bartholomews which dates from the late 13^th century.
Click here for more details of the city, from its tourist office.

Budejovice (CZ)
Approx. 3 hours by car from Bayerisch Eisenstein.
Home to the original Budweiser beer brewery. The town has an attractive town square with arcaded buildings and central fountain and plaque statue
Click here for more details of the city, from its tourist office

Klatovy & Domazlice (CZ)
Cross the border and head towards Plzen. Klatovy is about 40 minutes drive. It has an interesting town square, complete with old town chemist shop. Then head back to Germany via the signposted road to Domazlice, about another 20 minutes drive. The town is slightly shabby, but nevertheless very pretty, with is long narrow main street of painted arcaded baroque buildings. You can then follow the road crossing the border at Furth im Wald and then back along the border road to Bayerisch Eisenstein.

The Czech Spa Towns (CZ)
Approx 2 - 3 hours drive from Bayerisch Eisenstein by car
The spa towns of Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne and Frantiskovy Lazne, all have a faded elegance to them. Each one different to the next. At each you can try the waters.  The musical fountain at Frantiskovy Larne plays at midday. Take a short detour to
Soos, just outside Marianske Lazne. It’s an interesting, if smelly landscape of bubbling hot mud, sulphur springs and geysers.

Salzburg (A)
Just under 3 hours drive from Bayerisch Eisenstein.
This beautiful old city of narrow streets and elegant squares, is inevitably packed at all times of the year.
Take either the funicular railway or if you feel fit, the path up to the castle. The views are wonderful and there are several places serving food and drinks & a gift shop at the top.
Wandering along the narrow streets of the old town, you come across large open squares. There are plenty of places to eat & drink.Visit the cathedral, Mozart's birthplace, the cemetery at the bottom of the castle hill or take a tour of the famed Sound of music film locations.
A music festival takes place each year in July and August.
For views across the river to the old town and the castle, Cross the river by the main bridge, go up the Linzer Gasse directly in front of you, tthen ake the footpath up the hill to the right.
30 minutes drive from Salzburg, will bring you to the lakes of the Salzkammergut, which are worth a trip on their own.
Click here for more details of the city, from its tourist office.

Schärding (A)
Approx 1.25 hours by car from Bayerisch Eisenstein.
This small Austrian town, about 14 km from Passau, on the River inn, has colourful baroque guild houses, particularly around its central square.
The Inn radweg to Passau and back, makes easy cycling and is perhaps less busy than the more well-known Donau radweg.
Click here for more details of the town, from its tourist office

Boat trips on the Danube (D & A)
You can take river boat trips along the Danube from Deggendorf to Passau and back as a day trip. Or if you prefer, from Passau to Linz (about 12 hours) and even onto Vienna, however even longer. There is the possibility of combining boat with bus/train trips to make a round trip. Alternatively from Passau, there are shorter trips, 45 minutes around the town or a couple of hours to Kasten (in Austria) and back.
For details click here.