8-day trip itinerary:
Length: Version
A: 275 km / 172 miles
Version
B: 410 km / 257 miles
In
the following itinerary there are two alternative versions
of the bicycle route
from Vienna to Prague. Version A is favored by those who like historical monuments
and
adds the unique Lednice-Valtice area and
Cesky Krumlov (both have been declared
UNESCO World Heritage Sites). Version B is for cyclists who really want to cycle
the whole
way from Vienna to Prague.
Version
A
Day
1)
Vienna - Valtice
Transfer by train from Vienna to Breclav where you meet your contact person,
who will drive you to your hotel and introduce you to the program. You will
also
get all necessary materials.
Overnight in Valtice.
Day
2)
Valtice - Lednice - Mikulov (30 km / 19 miles)
You will start your biking trip in Lednice-Valtice area (UNESCO World Heritage
Site),
where you will ride on forest and field trails. The area is graced by two magnificent
chateaux and numerous 'follies', romantic structures set in a harmonious way
into
the surrounding landscape. A third class road with little traffic then leads
you to
Mikulov with its imposing castle, historic square, the tomb of the Dietrichstein
family, as
well as the synagogue and Jewish Cemetery, where the oldest tombstones date
back to
1605.
Overnight in Mikulov.
Day
3)
Mikulov - Znojmo Vranov nad Dyji
(41 km / 25 miles)
Morning transfer by van from Mikulov to Znojmo, a royal town with a lovely
historical
center. Here the most naturally scenic part of the trip begins, with the National
Park
Podyji, the river canyon and viewpoints that will reward you for enduring the
very
challenging, hilly terrain. The last remnants of the Iron Curtain in the village
of Cizov are
one of the highlights. The other highlight is the most fairy-tale-like castle
of Vranov
perched on a cliff high above the riverbed.
Overnight in Vranov nad Dyji.
Day
4)
Vranov nad Dyji Slavonice Telc
(46 km / 29 miles)
From Vranov we skim the Austrian border past the village of Safov with a quaint
old Jewish cemetery, then past Uhercice, with a Renaissance chateau where a
massive
conservation effort is underway and can be toured, and a lovely pottery workshop
on the
pond in the village green. After arrival to Slavonice, we travel by local train
to the
town of Telc, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its perfectly preserved
Renaissance town center.
Overnight in Telc.
Day
5)
Telc Jindrichuv Hradec
(42 km / 26 miles)
Today you will cycle through the Czech/Moravian Highlands, through fields and
forests.
A unique stop on the way is the memorial of Jewish painter called Frantisek
Moritz Nagl in Kostelni Myslova. He died in Auschwitz extermination camp in
Poland, but loved to paint in the surrounding landscape here. The border areas
have a complicated, modern history. The
destination of today is the old town of Jindrichuv Hradec, containing the third
biggest
castle complex in the Czech Republic.
Overnight in Jindrichuv Hradec.
Day
6)
Jindrichuv Hradec Trebon
(30 km / 19 miles)
First, take in the historic town and castle of Jindrichuv Hradec, then start
cycling
through the mosaic of ponds, woods and meadows of the Bohemia Lake District
to the town of Trebon, a medieval city whose walls are still largely intact.
The only way
to enter the historical core is through a gate in the old fortifications, across
a moat
which is a part of a unique water regulation system dating back to the 16th
century.
Overnight in Trebon.
Day
7)
Trebon Cesky Krumlov
(63 km / 33 miles)
The last day of cycling leads through hilly terrain to the jewel of South Bohemia,
the town of Cesky Krumlov (a UNESCO Heritage Site), situated on the banks of
the
meandering upper course of the Vltava River. The old town preserves, virtually
intact
and still vital, an unparalled ensemble of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque
structures.
Among the attractions are the second largest castle complex in the Czech Republic
and
the oldest working Baroque theatre in Europe.
Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.
Day
8)
Cesky Krumlov - Prague
The recommended program gives you ample time to enjoy all that Cesky Krumlov
has
to offer within one day.
Late afternoon transfer by bus from Cesky Krumlov to Prague.
Version
B
Day
1)
Vienna - Stockerau
Travelers arrive in Vienna and make their way to Stockerau (18 km, by bike,
U-Bahn train,
or Autobahn) individually, where they will spend the night. Next morning your
contact
person will await you with information package and bicycles.
Overnight in Stockerau.
Day
2)
Stockerau - Drnholec
(64 km / 40 miles)
Over hilly terrain along the "Leiserberweg" bicycle
trail to Ernstbrunn (Leiser Berge
naturalpark). Border crossing at Laa an der Thaya, then over 8 level miles
of South
Moravia to Drnholec.
Overnight in Drnholec.
Day
3)
Drnholec - Znojmo Vranov nad Dyji
(41 km / 25 miles)
Morning transfer by van from Drnholec to Znojmo, a royal town with a lovely
historical
center. Here the most naturally scenic part of the trip begins, with the National
Park
Podyji, the river canyon and viewpoints that will reward you for enduring the
very
challenging, hilly terrain. The last remnants of the Iron Curtain in the village
of Cizov are
one of the highlights. The other highlight is the most fairy-tale-like castle
of Vranov
perched on a cliff high above the riverbed.
Overnight in Vranov nad Dyji.
Day
4)
Vranov nad Dyji Slavonice Telc
(46 km / 29 miles)
From Vranov we skim the Austrian border past the village of Safov with a quaint
old Jewish cemetery, then past Uhercice, with a Renaissance chateau where a
massive
conservation effort is underway and can be toured, and a lovely pottery workshop
on the pond in the village green. After arrival to Slavonice, we travel by
local train
to the town of Telc, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its perfectly
preserved
Renaissance town center.
Overnight in Telc.
Day
5)
Telc Jindrichuv Hradec
(42 km / 26 miles)
Today you will cycle through the Czech/Moravian Highlands, through fields and
forests.
A unique stop on the way is the memorial of Jewish painter called Frantisek Moritz
Nagl in Kostelni Myslova. He died in Auschwitz extermination camp in Poland,
but loved to paint in the surrounding landscape here. The border areas have a
complicated, modern history. The destination of today is the old town of Jindrichuv
Hradec, containing the third biggest castle complex in the Czech Republic.
Overnight in Jindrichuv Hradec.
Day
6)
Jindrichuv Hradec - Tabor
(52 km / 32 miles)
This route leads through a tapestry of woods and ponds to Cervena Lhota,
with a beautiful little chateau built on a rocky island in the middle of a
lake. Afternoon
arrival in Tabor leaves enough time for a tour of this historic town founded
by the
Hussites.
Overnight in Tabor.
Day
7)
Tabor - Benesov
(69 km / 43 miles)
From Tabor ride through a region of highlands with woods and pastures, an
area
known as Czech Siberia for its rough weather and unspoiled environment. There
is a beautiful view of the River Luznice from the bridge in the town of Sedlec-Prcice,
the destination of the annual Prague-Prcice walk.
Overnight in Benesov.
Day
8)
Benesov - Pruhonice - Prague
(37 km / 23 miles)
The last leg of the journey leads through Pruhonice Park on the way to Prague,
the capital
of the Czech Republic. You have the rest of the day and most of the next day
to explore this magic city.
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