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Czech Republic Bicycle Tours: Prague to Vienna Along the Danube
Day 1: Southern Bohemia
Gather
in Prague. Travel south where we set you on the bikes to
begin the tour. It's a short, easy day to get
you comfortable on the bikes and get into town with time
to wander.
The route today meanders through centuries-old villages,
ponds and cool forests before arriving at the rebellious
fortress town that started the Hussite movement. A private
tour of the town will give you a chance to explore the
ancient battlements and sgraffitoed buildings. For spelunking-types, take an optional tour of the underground tunnels that honeycomb
the town and were used in time of siege, fire and most
importantly, to store beer! Dinner is at our favourite
Tex/Czech/Mex restaurant. Beware the giant portions! Your
lodging for the night is an "Adams Family" Gothic mansion.
Distance: 52km/28miles.
Day 2: Historic squares and the real Budweiser
A
short climb from the valley floor takes you into a landscape
of open, rolling farmland villages
and gentle riding on quiet roads. This is the Czech Republic
at its best. If it's spring the fields will be glowing
bright yellow from all the canola crop. A picnic lunch
will fortify you for the afternoon before you descend toward
the river valley through a 5km track into a gorgeous blue-misted
forest. Soon the stunning Gothic castle of Hluboká looms into view; a good stop for a
cappuccino and chocolate before an easy arrival at the
exquisite central square of České Budějovice, the second
largest preserved town square in Europe. The merchant houses
and town hall are breathtaking and best viewed as you languish
over the
real "Bud" at one of the outdoor cafes. A private tour of the old quarter will get your
appetite up before a sumptious meal at a restaurant specializing
in authentic Czech dishes.
Distance:
60km/37miles
Day 3: UNESCO and the Jewel of Southern Bohemia
After a leisurely cycle along bike-only
paths, we leave town and reach higher pastures with stunning
views of the Šumava hills. The road is quiet as you pedal
silently through quaint villages before a thrilling descent
through a pine forest drops you at the foot of Zlatá
Koruna, a 16th century fortified monastery. This is excellent fly
fishing country so don't be surprised to see anglers
about. After a coffee stop you'll ride the ridge with great views to the east
before negotiating a beech-forested jeep track and the final descent
into Český Krumlov, the most exquisite medieval town
in Southern Bohemia. The old town harks back to
the 12th century and is surrounded by a hangman's noose
of river. Buildings lean precariously out into the cobbled
maze of streets which beckon to be explored on foot. After
a leisurely lunch, a private guided tour of the town is
on offer.
Distance: 39km/23miles
Day 4: Loop Day in Český Krumlov to cycle or relax
Spend
the day wandering on foot along narrow cobbled lanes in
town. Český Krumlov is a
small town right out of a fabled story with 80% of its
old quarter listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We highly recommend taking a tour of the castle and candy-cane-colored bell tower.
The castle, the second largest in the land, dominates the
town and the serpentine river virtually surrounds the town
in a tight grip. There's gentle river rafting,
walking or optional cycling to the perfectly preserved
Baroque peasant village of Holašovice. You're spoilt for
choice for dinner as Český Krumlov empties of the day-trippers
and goes back to its sleepy former self. Dinner is at
one of our favourite restaurants.
Day 5: Along
the Danube valley
Leaving Bohemia behind we transfer
into Austria where you'll begin cycling along the fabled
Danube River path, the most famous cycle route in Europe,
awash in castle ruins and 16th century villages. Ride through
the "eye of the needle", enjoy the ever changing scenery
of tiny hamlets along the shores or just pull over for
a famous
wheat beer or strudel in a shady sidewalk café. Your home
for the night is a typical Austrian family-run guesthouse,
nestled above the valley
in a village near the ancestral home of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, whose assassination was the flashpoint that
started World War I. His home is now a museum and is worth
seeing.
Distance: 61km/36miles
Day 6: Melk, Duernstein & Krems
You'll
cycle to the most celebrated church in all Austria with
great views of the valley below before a thrilling
descent leads you to the valley floor again. The day
is relaxed cycling on the bike-only path as we get closer
to the heart of the Wachau, the Danube's most idyllic
and historic wine producing region. The golden twin spires
of the superb Benedictine Monastery of Melk beckon for
a closer look as we cycle under the knife edge cliff.
After lunch, the route takes you through 1000 year old
vineyards terraced onto the hillsides where the cafes
invite you for frequent stops or wine tasting. Come in September when the locals are harvesting the grapes and wine festivals
are in abundance. There's plenty of wine on offer so take
it slow before you arrive at the stunning riverside town
of Duernstein where Richard the Lion Hearted was imprisoned.
Distance:
41km/26miles
Day 7: Bound for Vienna
After a relaxing breakfast you will
be tranferred by minivan to Vienna where you can make
arrangements for your onward journey.
Back
to Prague to Vienna along the Danube tour
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