Prague to Dresden – 7 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 2
Duration: 6 Nights
Distance: 28 Miles/day average
Dates:Guided: May 2; Jun 6; Jul 11; Aug 8, 29; Sep 19, 2015
Tour price: €816
Start city: Prague, Czech Republic
End city: Dresden, Germany
Tour Description
Come with us down the Vltava and Elbe Rivers to visit two important cultural centers in Europe. Prague, since ancient times the melting-pot of Czech, German and Jewish ethnic groups, and Dresden, seat of the Saxon dukes and Florence of the North.
Both towns have a very long history and visiting them will fill you up with very strong cultural memories for a long time. We will ride along the Vlatava and Elbe rivers through a beautiful countryside full of picturesque towns such as Melnik, Litomerice, or Bad Schandau.
The tour will take us through natural beauties of the Czech-Saxon Switzerland National Park, as well as through romantic region of former volcanoes of the Czech Middle Mountains. The last kilometers will take us through cultural regions under the auspices of the UNESCO – the Dresden Valley of the Elbe River.
Connecting these two European centers along the banks of the Vltava and Elbe rivers yields a very attractive, but not physically demanding tour. As a bonus you can enjoy a boat trip or half day hiking in the Czech Saxon Switzerland.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Arrival to Prague Day 2: Prague – Melnik (29.5 miles/48 km) Day 3: Melnik – Litomerice (27 miles/44 km) The most notable stop on today’s stage is the massive Terezin Fortress, which illustrates the military architecture of the time and was used as a Jewish concentration camp during World War II. You will conclude the day in an old town and spiritual center of this region – in the town of Litomerice. Day 4: Litomerice – Decin (31 miles/51 km) The Strekov Castle, which was built on top of a steep rock cliff, belongs among one of the most romantic castles in the Czech Republic. After a more strenuous climb, you will be rewarded by a magnificent view from its walls. The final point of this stage will be the Northern Gate of the Czech Republic and the town of Decin, the town with the lowest altitude in the Czech Republic. Day 5: Decin – Czech Saxon Switzerland – Hrensko/Bad Schandau (15 miles/25 km) You can also try sailing through the passes of Kamenice River, continue your bike tour from Prague to Dresden on one of many marked bike trails through this wonderful country, or combine a boat trip with ride through a romantic valley on a historical tram in Bad Schandau. After saying goodbye to Czech Republic, you will cross the border to Germany just on the edge of the historic spa town of Bad Schandau. Day 6: Bad Schandau – Dresden (24 miles/40 km) Day 7: Dresden Included Services: Guided All transportation of participants and their luggage and bicycles during the tour Note: Bike Rentals: Guided Bikes come equipped with: Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
Individual arrival in Prague. We strongly recommend extending your stay in the Czech Republic in order to be able to visit Prague and all its beauties. We can arrange accommodation and tour guiding services for you.
Overnight in Prague.
After a small climb, you will followsa nice trail to the heart of the Czech wine region – the town of Melnik. Just before leaving Prague, you pass the Troja Baroque Castle and continue north following the bank of the Vltava River. The river cuts into the ground here, which creates very interesting rock formations and deep valleys. Visits of the castles in Nelahozeves or Veltrusy are the biggest highlights of this day. You will end this stage in an old wine town at the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe Rivers with a glass of good wine.
Overnight in Melnik.
Today’s stage leads you through a calm Elbe region and is without significant altitude changes. This region is one of the most fertile regions in the Czech Republic. After passing the Libechov Castle, you will arrive at the town of Roudnice nad Labem and will have a chance to admire its old church and a castle.
Overnight in Litomerice.
This day is designed for exploration of the romantic countryside of the Czech Middle Mountains. You will follow the banks of the Elbe River through the mountains. This former volcanic region had always been an ideal terrain for building of castles and fortresses, many of which have unfortunately not been preserved until now.
Overnight in Decin.
You can choose how best to spend your day today. In the morning you can decide whether you prefer biking or sailing to Hrensko. This border town is situated in the heart of the Czech-Saxon Switzerland National Park and offers many hiking trails leading through rocky mesas, passes, deep gorges and hillsides. Make sure you stop to admire the Pravcicka Gate, the biggest natural rock bridge in Europe.
Overnight in Bad Schandau.
This day is packed with historical sights! Shortly after leaving Bad Schandau, you will pass the imposing Konigstein Fortress followed by a beautiful rock formation with a romantic rock bridge and Bastei Ruin. A few miles down the road, by the town of Pirna, we will enter the region of the Dresden Valley.
Overnight in Dresden.
There is probably no other town in Germany which better symbolizes the turbulent history of this country and shows many centuries of cultural and architectural boom combined with religious freedom and economic prosperity. A short stint of Nazism was followed by punishment in the form of the biggest bombing during World War II, which turned almost the entire city into ruins overnight. We can arrange tour guiding services for you or help you to extend your stay.
In Dresden, all visitors must pay a visitor tax at the hotel. The tax is per person, per night and not included in the cost of the tour. Please be prepared to pay €2-5 per person/per night at hotel reception upon check out.
Bikes available for rent on this tour (reserved in advance at the time of booking):
The bikes are equipped with flat pedals. You may bring your own pedals if desired.
Tour saddles are included, but you may bring your own seat. Please let us know if you intend to bring your own seat, so we can ensure the post will fit the bike.
Helmets are provided as part of the bike rental package, but we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
