Budapest to Prague via Bratislava and Vienna Itinerary

Overview

Join us for an odyssey on two wheels to experience four countries – Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic - and their capitals, the jewels of the former Austrian-Hungarian Empire – Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna and Prague.

After a boat tour of Budapest, we start our cycling adventure in the former royal seat of Esztergom. We cross the border to Slovakia and spend three days following the Danube River, first in Slovakia, and later on in Austria, arriving in the Austrian capital of Vienna. After leaving Vienna, we meander through fertile vineyards of the renowned Weinvertel wine region. We then head north on the Greenways of the Leiserberge towards the Czech Republic where we explore the beautiful region of Moravia -  the main wine region of the country - and Southern Bohemia - full of forests, meadows, and golden farmland, charming and fairy-like preserved medieval towns, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance cathedrals, churches, and monasteries, and dreamlike castles, chateaux, and palaces.

We end our cycling in Cesky Krumlov, a fairy-like town, the jewel of southern Bohemia and a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. You will not find another town like this anywhere else. After a night spent there we transfer to Prague where we have an introductory walking tour of the city center and our farewell diner scheduled.

We strongly recommend that you stay in Prague a few days after the tour in order to explore this beautiful city. There is plenty of accommodation available in Prague but for those interested we can reserve a room for you at Pension Alpin, where we stay the last day of our tour. The pension is conveniently located and is within walking distance of the historical center of Prague, and the staff speak English and are very bike-friendly.

What's Included

• 10 nights lodging in selected 3-star to 4-star hotels and pensions.
• Hearty breakfasts every morning and 8 wonderful dinners.
• Bilingual tour guide and ride leaders on route.
• Van support with snack stops along the route; luggage transport.
• Walking tours, including sightseeing in Prague and Bratislava.
• Excursion fees to selected castles and chateaux, one night of wine tasting or folk music, thermal spa visit.
• Option for extended stay in Prague.

Itinerary*

Day One: Budapest – sightseeing (boat tour) and transfer to Esztergom

After a boat tour of Budapest scheduled for 11 a.m., we transfer by bus to the ancient royal town of Esztergom where we spend our first night. Known as the pearl of the Danube bend for its extraordinary views of the river, Esztergom has a rich history dating back to 970 AD. One can easily spend a whole day in Esztergom exploring its Castle Hill, Water Town and the Danube riverbank. We will regroup at the hotel restaurant for our Welcome Dinner, followed by an orientation meeting.

Day Two: Esztergom – Velky Meder (100 km / 63 miles)

We cycle today following the Danube bends through the town of Komarno, one of the oldest settlements in the Carpathian Basin. Archaeological finds here place human settlement during the Bronze Age.

After Komarno, we join small roads cycling past enchanting Slovak farming villages until we reach the spa town of Velky Meder. We visit its thermal spa before dinner. Sauna and massages are also available (subject to availability).

Day Three: Velky Meder - Bratislava (86 km / 54 miles)

Leaving Velky Meder, we follow the Danube on the bike path. Several of the Danube's shoulders along the way provide "lakes" with crystal-clear water that serve as an ideal place for swimming. We enjoy the rich fauna and flora, if lucky we see rare bird species, such as the sea eagle, purple heron and little egret, as well as experience the countless quiet nooks that give the region a poetic magic.

After we arrive in the young nation's charming capital of Bratislava, we enjoy a guided tour of the historical center of the city.

Day Four: Bratislava - Vienna (74 km / 46 miles)

We follow the Danube River along flat, riparian woodlands that alternate with peaceful meadows. After crossing the border, we come to the city of Hainburg, the most easterly town of Lower Austria. We continue on the bike path until we arrive in the "Emperor's City" of Vienna. In the afternoon, you enjoy sightseeing Vienna! Once the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna has the reputation of being a thoroughly cosmopolitan city offering a friendly, laid back atmosphere, ornate buildings, funky nightspots, wondrous Viennese coffeehouses and lots of history.

Day Five: Day Off in Vienna

Today you enjoy sightseeing Vienna! Once the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vienna has the reputation of being a thoroughly cosmopolitan city offering a friendly, laid back atmosphere, ornate buildings, funky nightspots, wondrous Viennese coffeehouses and lots of history.

Day Six: Vienna - Znojmo (108 km / 67 miles)

We leave Vienna on the bike path towards the town of Stockerau. Here we leave the bike path and pedal for a while through the Weinviertel region famous for its vineyards until we arrive in Laa a.d. Thaya, an Austrian spa town on the border with the Czech Republic. We cross the border and eventually enter the major wine region of southern Moravia and arrive in its main town of Znojmo, a royal town, once again with beautiful Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture dating back to the 11th century.

The oldest and most precious of the many cultural monuments of this town is the Rotunda of St. Catherine, decorated with remarkable mural paintings unique in the Czech Republic.

We spend the rest of the afternoon walking through the city and exploring its treasures, then have a delectable meal at our 4-star hotel complete with pool, sauna and wine tasting.

Day Seven: Znojmo - Telc (83 km / 52 miles)

After breakfast we cycle through the moderately hilly and picturesque Czech-Moravian Highlands, with many enchanting villages and small towns along the way. For those who like old architecture (from Gothic, through Renaissance, to Baroque) there is plenty to see on the way.

Today's route ends at the remarkable 13^th century town of Telc. We have a guided tour of the splendid local Chateau scheduled for the afternoon. In the evening, you can take a stroll around the magnificent main square and have a beer or glass of wine in one of the charming restaurants or cafes.

Day Eight: Telc – Dacice – Slavonice - Nova Bystrice - Trebon (92 km / 58 miles)

Today offers so much to see... There are some climbs on the way but the rewards are more than worth it. First of all, we visit another Renaissance town on the way, Dacice, with its beautifully renovated chateau in the Empire style. Next we ride to Slavonice, one of the best preserved historical towns in Europe and nicknamed the Renaissance Pearl. We visit the town's main Renaissance square and have a coffee in a café whose building dates back to the 1500's. Very famous pieces of local pottery can be seen (and purchased) in the café itself or in the gallery adjoining the café.

After a short ride from Slavonice, we visit the Gothic Landstejn Castle built in the 12th century as a fort. The spectacular views of the area from the top of the castle's watchtower are worth the climb. If we are lucky, we may even be able to shoot some mediaeval crossbows on the castle ground. After visiting this ancient castle, we set out once again on small country roads, this time through the slightly hilly, pristine Czech countryside nicknamed "Czech Canada" for its beauty and sparse population. Cycling on the small roads, often lined with apple trees, birches, or cherry trees, we make our way to the center of this region, the town of Trebon, which dates back to the 11th century and was famous in the past for its fishing industry.

In the afternoon, you can either wander about this easy-to-navigate picturesque town and visit the beautiful Renaissance chateau gardens, then enjoy some beer at the town's 16th century brewery.

Day Nine: Trebon - Cesky Krumlov (56 km / 35 miles)

As we enter a wooded region abounding with sparkling lakes, artificially made for fish raising (mainly carp and trout) already in the 1500's, the terrain is at first flat. We continue on winding back roads through more beautiful hamlets and some of Europe's oldest nature reserves dating back to the 1800’s.We then ride to Cesky Krumlov, the jewel of southern Bohemia and a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. You will not find another town like this anywhere else. Cesky Krumlov was situated on the main trading route between Bavaria and Italy, which explains its splendor. We'll enjoy a guided tour of the Cesky Krumlov Castle, dinner, an evening stroll, and a night's stay in this unbelievably beautiful and preserved medieval town.

Day Ten: Cesky Krumlov - Prague

After a breakfast at our hotel, we load our bikes and board a bus that will take us to Prague where we have a walking tour scheduled for the afternoon. We meet in the evening for our farewell dinner.

Day Eleven: Prague

After breakfast, our trip is officially over. Those desiring to spend more time sightseeing this beautiful capital city will stay a few more days.

Trip Difficulty

For full enjoyment of the trip, you should come prepared to complete the 60-85 km / 40-60 mile days comfortably on rolling to moderately hilly terrain and a little longer stages on the flat. The route is completely flat at first, following the Danube River. Most of the hilly terrain occurs in the last five days of the trip in the Bohemia countryside.

We try to design our route along small, quiet, and picturesque roads with little car traffic and/or bike paths that enhance our sightseeing of the local areas. For the most part road surfaces will be of good quality, however we are to expect small sections, where the road is not as well maintained. We suggest a road or touring bike equipped with 23-28mm tires for this tour.

Transportation

Budapest is serviced by Ferihegy Airport located just southeast of the city center. There is ample, easy and fast public transportation as well as airport run shuttle services.

Prague is serviced by Ruzyne Airport, located just west of the city center. There is both public transportation and reasonably priced shuttle service available from Prague to the airport to.

Bike Rental

If you wish to rent a bike from us, we have the following fully serviced, light, quality, 2006 road/fitness bikes available:

Fuji Absolute 2, 3, and 4

Your rental bike comes with a rear luggage rack, bungie cord, extra tube and levers, water bottle cage, pump, lock, and odometer. The price for renting a bike for this tour is $200 ($225 AUD).

In addition, we also have available a limited number of 2007 Fuji Newest 1 and Fuji Newest 2 bikes. The price for renting these bikes for the tour is $260 USD ($290 AUD).

Additional Information

Please Contact Us if you should have any additional questions regarding our trips. When you register for the trip, we will send you a Welcome Letter containing lots of pre-trip details including information on airfare, requirements for traveling abroad, useful information on Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic, how and what to pack, transporting your bike, etc.

You can also check out pictures from our previous trips in the Photo Gallery to get a taste of the adventure!

* We reserve the right to change the itinerary without notice especially, but not only, for safety reasons.