Vienna to Prague Cycling

Vienna to Prague Cycling Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins by arriving at any time today in Vienna, Austria.  Transfer on your own to our hotel for the evening.  Meals on your own.

• Day 2

  Dressed in our cycling clothes, packed and ready to go, we enjoy an early breakfast followed by a group meeting with our guides in the hotel lobby.  After introductions and a short briefing we travel by van for about 1 hour to the spectacular Austrian countryside to begin cycling.  Our route takes us towards the border of the Czech Republic and into Moravia along quiet backcountry roads.  Tonight we overnight at a Knights of the Templar 13^th century mansion or near Lednice / Valtice on a former Lichtenstein estate, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage status.  Cycling: 30 - 35 miles; Terrain: rolling.  All meals included.

• Day 3

  Today’s cycling route takes us to through Lednice Park to view the impressive 18^th century Lednice Castle.  We journey through a region of neatly harvested vineyards, beautiful lakes, and fields of sunflowers (seasonal).  In the town of Mikulov there may be time to visit the historical Jewish cemetery; or there is the option of putting more miles on our bikes and continuing our ride through the lovely countryside.  At day’s end, we find ourselves back in our accommodations, where we spend the evening tasting regional wines at a private wine cellar.  A 2^nd night is spent in same lodging as Day 2.  Cycling:  26-60 miles;  Terrain: rolling with some off-road and small section of single track.  All meals included.

• Day 4

  After a hearty breakfast we transfer by van to Vranov nad Dyji where we visit the spectacular Vranov Castle built high on a cliff overlooking the town and the Dyji River.  After a picnic lunch and a short van transfer, we cycle through Dyji canyon and onto the picturesque Bohemian villages of Slavonice, Dacice and Telc.  Among its Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque buildings, we make the charming UNESCO town of Telc our home for tonight.  Cycling:  25-40 miles;  Terrain: rolling.  All meals included.

• Day 5

  Before our 45-minute van transfer to the town of Strimilov, we take time to visit the Telc Castle.  Once in Strimilov, we start cycling to the fortified 13^th century town of Jindrichuv Hradec and continue to the walled city of Trebon near the spectacular Lake Svet.  Trebon is a lovely town with an exceptionally well preserved historical core.  Enjoy local beer, fresh fish and overnight in a quaint hotel located on the town square.  (There may be time to enjoy an optional massage; Trebon is known for its “spas”).  You have the option for a longer ride around Rozmberk Lake.  Cycling:  30-38 miles: Terrain: rolling to gentle; hard-packed dirt road around lake.  All meals included.

• Day 6

  We have a full day of relaxed cycling through the pastoral Bohemian landscape surrounding Trebon.  Today we cycle past ponds with jumping fish, forests of old gnarled trees and along winding roads with little traffic.  After our ride, relaxing and sipping an icy cold Czech beer sounds great!  Overnight in Trebon.  Cycling:  40 miles.  Terrain: rolling. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.

• Day 7

  Today we cycle to the UNESCO town of Cesky Krumlov.  Not enough can be said for the magical quality of this ancient town; archaeological findings indicate a settlement existed here as early as 1500 BC!  Today, the city is capped with the second largest chateau in the Czech Republic and is a maze of narrow, cobblestone lanes lined with richly decorated Renaissance buildings.  Our route takes us alongside the serpentine wanderings of lovely rivers and sparkling lakes, providing an idyllic background for our picnic lunch and much of the day’s journey.  (Check with your guides before you begin today’s ride about the possibility of a swim in the river en route!).  Pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Overnight in the charming medieval town of Cesky Krumlov.  Cycling:  35 miles; Terrain: rolling.  All meals included.

• Day 8

  Our day begins with a van transfer (1/2 hour) to the village of Cerna v Posumavi.  Our route takes us to Lipno Lake and includes a downhill ride into the village of Vyssi Brod.  We visit a 13^th century monastery and world famous 17^th century library.  The river Vltava (Moldau) becomes our guide as we head back to spend a 2^nd night in Cesky Krumlov.  There are many options for the afternoon including a tour of the Krumlov Castle, rafting the Vltava as it winds through town, shopping and more.  Enjoy dinner in one of the cool (both literally and figuratively speaking!) catacombs below the city.  Cycling:  40 miles; Terrain:  rolling to flat.  Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.

• Day 9

  Heading out directly from Cesky Krumlov for our final leg of the journey, we cycle to the village of Hluboka.  Here a romantic castle sits high above the river.  Built in the spirit of the English Gothic style, based on the royal Windsor Castle, the castle is decorated with gargoyles, precious wood paneling with unusually rich workmanship and carving decoration, paintings by European masters of the 16^th – 18^th centuries, beautiful chandeliers and late Renaissance window panes.  Enjoy a celebratory early afternoon meal before we say our formal good-byes to the guides as they will not be staying in Prague with us tonight.  Cycling:  18-22 miles; Terrain:  rolling.  Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.

• Day 10

  Breakfast this morning at our hotel before departing to the airport on your own.  Or, if your departure plans allow, we’ve arranged a morning guided tour of the city.  Beginning at 9 a.m. we will tour the historical Old Town, winding along twisted cobblestone streets, past the famous astronomical clock tower, over the Charles Bridge (built in 1357)…discovery at every turn.  The tour takes 2-1/2 to 3 hours.  Independent transfer from our hotel to the Prague airport.  Breakfast included.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

All accommodations; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; cycling guides and support staff; support vehicle; bikes (24 speed hybrid touring bikes, equipped with a small handlebar bag for your camera / map and a water bottle rack); sightseeing as noted in the itinerary.

Round-trip airfare; airport/hotel transfers; 3 dinners, travel insurance, excess baggage charges, alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature.  Please bring your own bike helmet.

This trip is rated Moderate [3] with many rolling hills in this region, and most days we keep you on the go the entire day. This trip is for active people in good health.  The Bohemian countryside is rarely flat, so regular conditioning prior to the trip is essential.  Most days also involve a van transfer ranging in length from a 1/2 hour up to 2 hours; please refer to the daily itinerary for approximate cycling times and distances.

Daytime temperatures can be quiet warm (75°-85°F). Early May and September temperatures can be cooler. The evening temperatures range from 50°-60°F. Rain is also a possibility, so please come prepared with your rain gear.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

Weather

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider