Prague-Vienna-Bratislava-Budapest – 20 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 3
Duration: 19 Nights
Distance: 29 Miles/day average
Dates: Aug 24, 2015 (minimum 6 participants)
Tour price: €2369
Start city: Prague, Czech Republic
End city: Budapest, Hungary
Tour Description
This unique cycle tour has been prepared particularly for North American clients. Its romantic route is designed to highlight the most significant landmarks of UNESCO heritage and the most beautiful places. The tour leads through 4 countries of Middle Europe – the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. We will visit 8 most renowned UNESCO landmarks, various urban listed preserves, and the southern part of the Czech Republic, which with its landscape and beautiful castles and chateaus is the most scenic area in the Czech Republic.
This tour includes 19 nights with 18 days of cycling without any van transfers. On the self-guided tour, your route can be altered with extra nights to give you enough time for landmarks, relaxing, and entertainment.
The tour can be shortened or extended at your request, or transfers in a van can replace some parts of the tour.
Please note the guided tour requires a minimum of 6 participants, with a maximum of 20.
The self-guided tour requires a minimum of 2 participants, with a maximum of 20.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Prague arrival day Day 2: Prague – Karlstejn – Dobris (41 miles/66 km) Day 3: Dobris – Zvikovske Podhradi (42 miles/67 km) Day 4: Zvikovske Podhradi – Pisek (18 miles/29 km) Day 5: Pisek – Hluboka – Ceske Budejovice (33 miles/53 km) Day 6: Ceske Budejovice – Cesky Krumlov (31 km/19 miles) Day 7: Cesky Krumlov – Trebon (33 miles/53 km) Day 8: Trebon – Jindrichuv Hradec (34 miles/52 km) Day 9: Jindrichuv Hradec – Slavonice (29 miles/47 km or 41 miles/66 km) If you travel to Slavonice via Landstejn Castle, you will travel through the stunning landscape of a national park known popularly as the Czech Canada. You will pass by the ruins leftover from Landstejn castle and will come to Slavonice, a city uniquely situated at the border of three lands, Bohemia, Moravia and Austria. If you travel to Slavonice via Telc, you will pedal through a rugged beautiful landscape to Telc, called the “Moravian Venice” or “Pearl of the Highlands”. Telc was probably founded in the mid 13th century, here you will find the 13th century Romanesque tower of St. Spirit. The historic city center was registered in 1992 in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage. After you tour the historic center of Telc and possibly Telc chateaux, you will continue to Slavonice, a city uniquely situated at the border of three lands, Bohemia, Moravia and Austria. After relaxing at the night’s accommodation, you can visit a wine cellar in the evening. Day 10: Slavonice – Zwettl, Austria (38 miles/61 km) Day 11: Zwettl – Melk (37 miles/60 km) Day 12: Melk – Krems (24 miles/38 km) Day 13: Krems – Vienna (51 miles/83 km) Day 14: Vienna – Bratislava, Slovak Republic (48 miles/78 km) Day 15: Bratislava – Mosonmagyarovar, Hungary (24 miles/39 km) Then you continue to Rajka, the first Hungarian town on your bike tour. After a short break you leave for spa town of Mosonmagyaovar. Above all things the town’s most valuable treasure is its thermal water, which is one of the five best medical thermal waters in Europe. Day 16: Mosonmagyarovar – Gyor (27 miles/43 km) Day 17: Gyor – Komarno, Slovakia (35 miles/57 km) Day 18: Komarno – Esztergom, Hungary (33 miles/53 km or 43 miles/69 km) If you choose to travel to Esztergom via Slovak, the route is very light and will lead you into Sturovo / Esztergom, a frontier city divided into two parts by the border – Slovakian and Hungarian. You will cross the border and spend the night on the Hungarian side. If you choose to cycle to Esztergom on the Hungarian side, you will breakfast on the Slovak side and then promptly cross the border to the Hungarian side through the city of Tata. This bike route is a little longer and you will be riding through a fragmented landscape. You will spend the night on the Hungarian side while not forgetting to visit the city centre with its famous basilica. Day 19: Esztergom – Budapest (46 miles/74 km) Day 20: Budapest departure Included Services: Guided The guided tour requires a minimum of 6 and maximum of 20 participants. Bike Rentals: Guided Bikes come equipped with: Pedals: Seats: Helmets:
This day begins with a welcome at the airport, then you will transfer to hotel and accommodation. You will devote the rest of the day to discovering the magic places of Prague. We recommend visiting the UNESCO historical center of the city. Following your exploration of Prague, you will enjoy a welcome dinner in a restaurant.
Overnight in Prague.
Our first day leads from your Prague hotel to the famous castle Karlstejn. After an optional visit of Karlstejn, the city of Dobris is awaiting you. In the 10th century, Dobris led the “Golden Path” from Prague to Bavaria. Once you check into your hotel, you can set out to visit the beautiful chateaux with a large French garden. Tonight will be an unforgettable experience for you in this beautiful chateaux.
Overnight in Dobris.
From Dobris, you will pedal to the Orlik dam, one of the dams of a Vltava-river cascade system which also protects Prague against floods. The dam is 33 km /22 miles long, and you will ride alongside it to reach 500m long Zdakovsky bridge, which is one of the longest bridges in the world. You can also visit a romantic water castle, Orlik, here. In the afternoon, you will head towards Zvikovske Podhradi and Zvikov castle at a junction of the river Vltava and the river Otava. You will be accommodated there. Optional visit of Zvikov castle is recommended.
Overnight in Zvikov.
Today you will ride from Zvikov through the romantic landscape and forests Pisek, a small town that was founded on the banks of the river Otava by Czech kings in the 13th century. From this period also comes the most significant sight of the day – the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic, which is older than the Charles Bridge in Prague. Thanks to gold-mining, Pisek became an important commercial center. This romantic city blossomed into beauty after 1989. Houses, parks and monuments are all newly revised and creates an unforgettable atmosphere for tourists’ well-being and relaxation.
Overnight in Pisek.
From Pisek, you will set out to Hluboka chateaux, also called the Pearl of Southern Bohemia. After an optional visit of the chateaux, you will finish today’s route in Ceske Budejovice, a city of the famous brewery Budvar / Budweiser. Ceske Budejovice is also home to a unique historical monument from 1825 – the first and biggest horse railroads in Europe, which once connected Austrian city of Linz and Ceske Budejovice. After a dinner with Budvar beer, we definitely recommend that you take a romantic evening walk round the city center.
Overnight in Ceske Budejovice.
You will say good-bye to Ceske Budejovice and then travel through a beautiful landscape to Cesky Krumlov, another UNESCO site in the Bohemia. Here you will spend unforgettable moments walking through historical lanes; you can visit the chateaux and its tower, a museum of medieval torture tools, and many other interesting things.
Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.
Today you depart Cesky Krumlov and cycle through a landscape of ponds to the spa city of Trebon. You will spend some relaxing moments in the historical center and can also visit a chateau and its romantic garden. You may also wish to enjoy spa treatments at the local spa.
Overnight in Trebon.
Today you leave Trebon and head towards the city of Jindrichuv Hradec. Its well-kept historical center will fascinate you with its beauty, and you will certainly be tempted by a visit to a museum and the biggest mechanical Bethlehem in the world. Or perhaps you would prefer a visit of one of the biggest chateauxs in Czechia.
Overnight in Jindrichuv Hradec.
Today you will choose from two route options, both of which end in Slavonice. You could travel to Slavonice through Landstejn Castle, or you could arrive at Slavonice by way of Telc, known as the “Moravian Venice”
Overnight in Slavonice.
You have spent your last night in the Czech Republic and will continue into the first Austrian city Zwettl. Your path leads you through a beautiful wooded landscape, “Green Waldviertel“, then over the border crossing into Austria called “Trojmezi”, a boundary of stone between three countries, Austria, Bohemia and Moravia. You spend your first night in Austria in Zwettl, which was founded by the knights of Kuenring and was first mentioned in a monastery record in 1139.
Overnight in Zwettl.
In the morning you leave Zwettl. This day’s route is a little more difficult, and it will lead you through a beautiful wooded and rugged landscape. You will have short breaks at picturesque points on your path to the Unesco heritage city Melk, which lies at the point where the Danube enters the region of the Wachau. Melk’s skyline is dominated by the impressive architecture of the Benedictine abbey, one of the best known and most splendid monastic houses in Austria. You will arrive in Melk in the afternoon and therefore you will have time to visit the famous Melk Benedictine abbey
Overnight in Melk.
This day’s route is very easy; it will lead you alongside the river Danube through Unesco Wachau valley to Krems an Donau. The Wachau valley begins just where the magnificent baroque Abbey Melk arises on the southern bank. It is also a pleasant and verdant garden, one of the most beautiful river valleys on the world. In 2000, the Wachau was declared part of the UNESCO World heritage. This garden, a unique work of art, extends up to the city of Krems 25 miles/40 km. Krems, whose history extends farther than 1000 years, is one of the oldest towns in Austria. The historical center of Krems is one of the most beautiful in Europe and in 2000 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Overnight in Krems.
The Danube remains your faithful companion again today. Today’s route is not difficult, and you will have a short break in the picturesque city of Klosterneuburg before you pedal towards Vienna, the capital of Austria. You will arrive in Vienna in the late afternoon, and therefore you have time for a short exploration of this fascinating city.
Overnight in Vienna.
Today’s highlight is your third capital city and a third country: Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Take advantage of some leisure time today by taking a walk through Bratislava´s historical center. We recommend that you also visit the Bratislava castle or castle Devín, high above the Danube. Tomorrow Hungary awaits your arrival.
Overnight in Bratislava.
You will depart from Bratislava and follow alongside the Danube. You will come to a large lake created the massively impressive dam of Gabcikovo, which was built during the period of socialism. Originally planned to be a joint Czechoslovak-Hungarian venture with the dual-purposes of preventing flooding in this area and improving navigability of the river.
Overnight in Mosonmagyarovar.
Today you will bike through small villages to one of the largest towns in Hungary, Gyor city. This ancient town hosts a vast array of architectural, cultural and natural treasures. Besides Budapest, no other cities in Hungary compare to the richness and qualtiy of historical buildings in Gyor, which has received multiple European awards for the protection of the historic buildings in acknowledgment of the reconstruction of the Baroque center of the town. Churches, palaces, museums, characteristic corner-balconies and narrow lanes, all reminders of a historic past, invite visitors to take a stroll through the center of town.
Overnight in Gyor.
Today you will cycle back to the Danube River. This day’s route is also very easy, and it will lead you again on the Slovak side of the city of Komarno. Komarno, situated at the confluence of the rivers Vah and Danube, is one of the oldest settlements in the Carpathian basin. It is a town with rich history. Its territory has been systematically inhabited since the Early Bronze Age. Most of the cultural and historical memorials are in the historical center. At the moment Komarno is a busy frontier town of the Slovak republic.
Overnight in Komarno.
Today you can choose between two different routes that lead to the same city, Esztergom. You could choose to travel on the Slovakian side or the Hungarian side on your way to Esztergom.
Overnight in Esztergom.
Today you will enjoy one of the most beautiful parts of the tour. Starting in Hungary, you will journey through Szentendre village, an open-air museum. Then you will pass through Szentendre city and draw nearer to Budapest, the final destination of your journey. You will reach your accommodation and enjoy dinner followed by a walk through nocturnal Budapest, the last UNESCO heritage city on our tour. If you choose to extend your visit, you will have more time to explore this vibrant city. You may want to visit Buda Castle Quarter, the Parliament, or you can recharge your batteries on top of Gelert in a spa.
Overnight in Budapest.
A van will take you from the hotel to the airport.
Bikes available to rent on this tour (must be reserved in advance at the time of booking):
The bikes are equipped with flat, strappy or SPD pedals. You may bring your own pedals if desired.
Tour saddles are included, but you may bring your own seat. Please make sure your seat has a universal seat post to ensure that it will fit the bike.
Although helmet rental is available, we recommend bringing your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
