Explore Bohemia, the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech lands in the present-day Czech Republic as of 1918. Bohemia is one of the prominent parts of the Holy Roman Empire and one of the richest parts of the Austrian Empire as you’ll notice while cycling through its thick forests dotted with castles, chateaux and picturesque towns. This tour is all about pedaling off the beaten track.
* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.
Crossing the border into Czech Republic, Visit to the original Budweiser Budvar Brewery, Cycling along the Moldau river, Prague
Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven't been needed traditionally. Read more on the use of air conditioning in Europe here.
Separated twin beds are rare in many places; instead there will be two mattresses together that sit on the same base.
Includes
9 days, 8 nights accommodation; meals as noted in itinerary; guided visits as described in itinerary.
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
Arrive / Depart
Vienna International Airport (VIE)/Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Your tour begins this evening with a welcome drink and a special dinner together. Arrive early to explore this amazing cultural capital. Vienna is the largest city in Austria and one of Europe's leading musical centers. It was first a Roman and Celtic settlement, but as the Austro-Hungarian Empire rose to prominence, magnificent Medieval and Baroque architecture became especially prevalent. Vienna is one of the great imperial cities of Europe.
Vienna has been home to legendary artistic and intellectual residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. Vienna is also known for its imperial palaces as well as mix of historic and contemporary buildings. We’ll have a guided tour of this fabulous city to explore its artistic and architectural grandeur and to gain extra insight to the city's impressive history. This afternoon, we’ll meet for a safety talk and you’ll test your bikes with a ride along the Danube.
Highlights: Crossing into the Czech Republic, clock tower of Trebon, visit one of the oldest breweries in the Czech Republic
We begin the day with a shuttle to the Austrian town of Gmünd. Pick up lunch in the charming town center before you pedal across the border into the Czech Republic! The ride takes you through gentle farmland passing through tiny Czech villages and dense forests. Our hotel tonight is located inside the ancient city walls of Trebon. Trebon is famous for its brewery which dates back to 1379. Take a spin around some of the Trebon pond system, a part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, climb the 16th century clock tower, or visit the majestic Trebon Castle. Be sure to enjoy the local specialty, a sweet wafer, but save room for dinner together tonight at our favorite local restaurant.
Highlights: Guided tour of Cesky Krumlov, UNESCO World Heritage castle
Today we will make our way to Cesky Krumlov, one of the Czech Republic’s most beautiful cities. Cesky Krumlov is situated in a meander of the longest river in the Czech Republic, the Vltava River. Our hotel is in the main square of this historic city center, structured around the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cesky castle. The castle was originally built in the 1200’s by the main branch of the Bohemian noble Rosenberg family, a hugely influential family in Czech medieval history from the 13th century until 1611. This evening we’ll enjoy a guided walk through town.
Highlights: Scenic bike path along the river; Visit to the original Budvar Brewery
Today we will leave Cesky Krumlov and enjoy pedaling through scenic rural pastures before we connect with the Vltava river. We will follow a bike path along this tranquil river to our destination for the evening, Ceske Budejovice, the capital city of Bohemia. Famous for its beer first brewed in the 13th century, brewing remains a major industry in Ceske Budejovice. We will visit the Budvar Brewery which some say Budweiser beer was brewed to imitate.
We will follow the bike path along the Vltava River out of Ceske Budejovice today and then pedal through lush green forests and small villages on our way to Tabor, which earned its notoriety as home to the most radical wing of the Hussite movement in the 15th century. Perched on a steep hillside surrounded by dense forest, the streets of Tabor are beautiful and vibrant. Take a stroll through the stunning main square.
Highlights: Wonderful ride through the countryside, spa hotel
Today we pedal through peaceful pastureland. Take a break under the shade of wild apple trees for a quick snack or to capture a picture of the scenic back country roads leading us to our destination for the night near the Konopiste Castle. Play some golf at the largest golf resort in the Czech Republic or enjoy the many amenities of the hotel spa this evening before seeing the Konopiste Castle tomorrow, famous for having been the last residence of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered World War I.
Highlights: Cycling along the Moldau river, Prague
A stunning start to the day as we pedal through Konopiste Castle’s park where you’ll have a chance to visit this impressive castle if you wish. Then we will pedal until our route converges with the Moldau river. A riverside bike path will take us peacefully right into the Czech Republic’s capital city of Prague, and the final destination for the tour. Prague, sometimes called “the City of a Hundred Spires,” is known for its Old Town Square in the heart of its historic center. Take a stroll around the city and enjoy its colorful Baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated show hourly.
We'll say good-bye after our guided tour of Prague this morning. Stick around though because Prague deserves a few extra days to visit sites, shop, and hear some great music. No matter what you decide to do next, thanks for cycling with us!
Meeting time around 6 p.m. (refer to the welcome note at the hotel's front desk) - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on your itinerary.
Note:
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into the Vienna Airport (VIE).
CAT directly to Wien Mitte (16 min/EUR 11). Continue by metro U3 bound for Ottakring as described in point below (metro cost is separate, around EUR 4/5 min)
Commuter train S7 (to Wien Mitte) and Metro U3 bound for Ottakring. Exit at Volkstheater and walk 1 min (40 min/EUR 5).
Day 9: Departure Information
Farewell!
Your trip ends on the final day after a guided tour of Prague, around 12 noon back at the hotel.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying out of Prague (PRG)
Taxi from the Ending Hotel to the Airport (35 min/EUR 30)
Keep in Mind
We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.
We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven't been needed traditionally. Read more on the use of air conditioning in Europe here.
Separated twin beds are rare in many places; instead there will be two mattresses together that sit on the same base.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To do right after you booked!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation and After you Book Information (link sent to you by e-mail), it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country.
Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
Begin your chosen training program.
Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.
We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).
Day of Your Flight
Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
What to Expect on Tour
Classic Tour Style
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic page.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Hilly
Very hilly
Mountainous
Bicycling the Danube Passau to Vienna
Bicycling the Danube Plus! Czech Republic and Prague
Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia
