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 13th century mansion formerly occupied by the Knights Templar or stay near Lednice/Valtice on a former Lichtenstein estate, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage status. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 30 - 35 miles; Terrain: rolling.

• Day 3

  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. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 25-40 miles; Terrain: rolling

• Day 4

  Before our 45-minute van transfer to the town of Strmilov, we take time to visit the Telc Castle. Once in Strmilov, we start cycling to the fortified 13th 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. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 30-38 miles: Terrain: rolling to gentle; hard-packed dirt road around lake.

• Day 5

  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. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.
  
  Cycling: 40 miles; Terrain: rolling.

• Day 6

  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. Pass by the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Overnight in the charming medieval town of Cesky Krumlov. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 35 miles; Terrain: rolling.

• Day 7

  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 13th century monastery and world famous 17th century library. The river Vltava (Moldau) becomes our guide as we head back to spend a 2nd 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. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.
  
  Cycling: 40 miles; Terrain: rolling to flat.

• Day 8

  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 16th – 18th 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. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.
  
  Cycling: 18-22 miles; Terrain: rolling.

• Day 9

  Enjoy breakfast this morning at our hotel before departing to the airport on your own. 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.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate. 

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 quite 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 at the time of your initial reservation, 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.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Austria and the Czech Republic typically experiences mild temperatures in the spring and fall, warming up by 15-20 degrees in the mid-summer months. May temperatures range from the high 40s to the mid-60s F, with a limited chance of rain. June through September, expect temperatures from the low 50s at night to the mid-80s during the day. High humidity can compound the challenge of mid-summer heat.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Always pack essential items such as your passport, REI Adventures trip final bulletin, money, eyewear, medications and a change of clothes in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• We recommend bright-colored bicycle clothing for visibility and safety.
• Always test your clothing layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding.
• If you are not bringing a shoe and pedal system (optional), you will need a shoe designed for cycling or cross training to be used with the provided flat pedals (toe clips are optional). Consider these features: lightweight, closed toe, designed with stiffer soles to provide more efficient energy transfer as you pedal. Stiff soles protect your feet while riding and support the full length of your foot to reduce cramping and fatigue.
• If you bring your own saddle, please bring only the seat and not the seat post. Seat posts are not universal and will likely not fit the bike you'll be riding. You are welcome to bring a gel seat cover for use on the provided saddle.
• Formal attire is not required at restaurants. Comfortable, casual clothes are appropriate for sit-down meals. We suggest bringing slacks, shorts that are mid-thigh or longer, skirts, or summer dresses in fabrics that are easy to wash and wear.