Day 1 Prague - Cesky Krumlov
The day starts with a 2.5 hour transfer to the town of Hluboka Nad Vltavou. Here we will have a chance to see an impressive copy of England’s Windsor Castle, called Hluboka nad Vltavou. We will bike through the South Bohemian countryside with numerous ponds, forests and several picturesque South Bohemian villages. The traffic should be very light. Our destination is Cesky Krumlov – a beautiful town of Renaissance and Baroque houses on the double “S” curve of Vltava River. (Music lovers will know this river under the name of the “Moldau”). This town looks as if nothing has changed since the medieval times. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is dominated by a grand castle, the second largest in the Czech Republic.
Terrain: rolling hills
Miles: 26
Overnight: Cesky Krumlov
Meals: L, D
Day 2 Along Vltava River
Today we’ll follow the most famous Czech river, the Vltava, and ride along Lake Lipno. The scenery is beautiful and much of the way is downhill. We will bike in Sumava National Park and make a stop in the little town of Vyssi Brod which boasts a 13th century monastery with a world-famous 17th century library. As an afternoon option you can tour Cesky Krumlov Castle or you can stroll through the tiny streets of this lovely town often called “Little Prague” by tourists.
Terrain: first part rolling terrain then mostly downhill
Miles: 40
Overnight: Cesky Krumlov
Meals: B, L
Day 3 Cesky Krumlov - Trebon
Today we start biking directly from the hotel riding on local roads with light traffic. We will have splendid views over rural Southern Bohemia. In Rimov, we recommend a visit to the church. Near this church there is one of the oldest trees in the country, a 650 year-old lime tree. Trebon is a tiny medieval spa town with Renaissance chateau and the country’s oldest brewery that offers tours with beer tasting. This town is also the centre of South Bohemian Lake District with numerous man-made ponds dating back to the 1600s. Another tip: carp, a traditional Czech Christmas dish, is a local specialty and is featured in many restaurants. Our overnight is in Trebon, a charming little town with a well-preserved collection of Renaissance and Baroque houses.
Terrain: The terrain is rolling, with several short but steep hills.
Miles: 27
Overnight: Trebon
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4 Trebon - Telc
Today we will enter rural Moravia, the eastern region of the country. We will ride along regular roads with mostly light traffic, cycle by several beautiful ponds (built by the Rosenbergs), meadows and forests. The scenery and mild terrain makes this area very popular among cyclists. Make sure you have your camera at hand. Telc is a UNESCO protected site: One of the best preserved medieval towns in the country. You’ll feel you are stepping straight into a fairy tale when you are surrounded by the village’s Renaissance arcades, and the pastel, gabled “gingerbread” houses.
Terrain: first part flat then rolling
Miles: 35
Overnight: Telc
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5 Circle day trip out of Telc
Today’s ride takes us through rolling hills and forests in the vicinity of Telc. The apple and cherry trees along the sides of the road are public property and we are free to nibble at our hearts content. In the morning we can visit the castle in Telc and for lunch we can stop at the village of Trest.
There is no automobile transportation today; it’s all exploration on two wheels.
Terrain: rolling hills
Miles: 25
Overnight: Telc
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6 Telc – Hlohovec
As we continue our exploration of rural Moravia we will have a chance to see a small Jewish cemetery in the village of Jirice, and a museum in Dolni Věstonice (where “Věstonice Venus“, a pagan goddess of fertility was found at the site of a Stone Age settlement). At the end of our bike ride we will enter a region of vineyards and good Moravian wine. We will ride along Pavlov Hills, a limestone ridge that sharply rises from the flat land along the border between Moravia and Austria decorated with the romantic ruins of a medieval castle. Our overnight is on a former Lichtenstein estate.
Terrain: gentle to rolling
Miles: 35
Overnight: Hlohovec/Valtice
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7 Day trip from Hlohovec/ Valtice Circle
Today we will enjoy the Moravian countryside of vineyards, neat little villages, and friendly local people. We will explore the UNESCO protected region of Lednice and Valtice, which belonged for centuries to the noble family of Lichtensteins. We will ride among vineyards and experience the chateau complex of Lednice with its gorgeous gardens and trails winding along statues, chapels, peaceful ponds and other romantic structures. We will stop in one of the most beautiful towns in this wine-growing region - Mikulov - a well preserved medieval town with a castle and Renesaince houses. It is also known for its its Jewish history. We can visit the local Jewish cemetery (one of the largest in the country) or just enjoy the architecture of this beautiful town.
Terrain: flat with occasional few hills
Miles: 31
Overnight: Hlohovec/ Valtice
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8 Hlohovec/ Valtice - Vienna
We start riding straight from the hotel. This ride takes us through the countryside of vineyards, forests and well-kept Austrian villages with neat houses richly decorated with flowers. Little wine cellars are scattered through the countryside along the way. We will cross the border between the Czech Republic and Austria on bike so make sure you have your passport on you. The van will pick us up in the village of Schrick in the afternoon. From here we will be driven to Vienna, which will take about an hour.
Terrain: rolling
Meals: B, L
Miles: 22
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Itinerary is based on 20-45 miles per day of moderate biking (additional miles can be added on some days). The terrain for most of this itinerary is flat and rolling hills. This itinerary can be customized to by mileage or destinations to your needs. Inclusions: lodging 7 nights in 3-star properties; bicycles; meals as indicated, van transportation and driver; English speaking guide; entrance fees. Itinerary is available for groups as small as 2 persons. Pricing and number of drivers & guides vary depending on size of group and length of trip. Hotels vary depending on availability.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Czech Republic
Austria
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Bicycle Touring
Cultural Journey
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