Czech Republic Self Guided Biking / Vienna to Prague

In the morning we will pick you up at your hotel in Prague (or Vienna) and drive you to Mikulov, a picturesque wine-growing historical town at the foot of the Pálava protected landscape area. Upon arrival at the hotel, a breefing will follow, when our representative will introduce you to the organization of the whole trip, hand over the bicycles to you and adjust them according to your requirements. On the first day, the route initially leads through the vineyards on the Pálava Protected Landscape Area through the wine-growing villages of Bavory, Perná and Dolní Věstonice, a famous archaeological site from the Early Palaeolithic period. Along the way, you will have many opportunities to taste local excellent (especially white) wines directly in the wine cellars. Don’t be afraid to ask the winemakers for a tasting if you see an open cellar. From Dolní Věstonice, a flat trail leads past the Novomlýnské reservoirs, which were built here in the 1970s. Novomlýské reservoirs are a breeding ground for many bird species and a nature reserve and Natura 2000 bird area. The church, preserved on one of the islands, still towers over the water from the extinct village of Mušov. You will return to Mikulov via another wine-growing village, Dolní Dunajovice. Overnight in Mikulov

Day 2 – Mikulov – Valtice – Lednice – Mikulov – (Distance: 54 km Elevation gain: 355 meters)

This day of biking sets out through the flat and gently rolling hills around Valtice-Lednice area with breath-taking castles set into the romantic landscape. The first third of the route leads through vineyards and brings you to Valtice, a small wine-growing town with a beautiful Baroque chateau. In the cellars of the chateau we recommend to visit the public tasting exhibition of wines awarded the title Salon of Wines of the Czech Republic. The journey then continues through forests and meadows with a number of small historical monuments to Lednice (UNESCO), the pearl of South Moravia, with its massive chateau, beautiful gardens and water canals. On the way back to Mikulov you can still visit the border castle of Hlohovec on the bank of the Hlohovec pond. Overnight in Mikulov.

On the third day we will leave the Mikulov wine region and change it for the Znojmo wine region. The fairly flat route leads through the agricultural region along the border with Austria, mostly on dirt and asphalt roads. As you approach Znojmo, fields and meadows are replaced by vineyards. Just before Znojmo you will pass several wine-growing villages such as Šatov with its painted cellars or Hnanice with its breathtaking view of the Šobes Vineyard and the Podyjí National Park. Then you will cross the river Dyje and find yourself in Znojmo, a town associated with history, religion, culture and most of all with wine. If today’s route seems long, you can shorten it by train from Mikulov. Overnight in Znojmo.

The route of the next day is not long, but it is definitely interesting. All day you will basically be wandering through the valley of the Podyjí National Park and enjoying the views of the surrounding countryside. You will stop at several breathtaking viewpoints on the Dyje River, visit Nový Hrádek (New Castle ) ruins with its mystical atmosphere or get to know what the “Iron Curtain” looked like when Europe was still divided. The trip finishes in Vranov nad Dyjí with its dominant castle perched above the Vranovská Lake. Overnight in Vranov nad Dyjí.

Day 6 – Slavonice – Jindřichův Hradec (Distance: 47 km Elevation gain: 568 meters)

Today we are waiting for a beautiful route leading through the wild nature of “Czech Canada”. First you will be able to explore the natural monument of Slavonice Ponds, with its protected flora and fauna. The trail then leads through hilly terrain to one of the oldest stone castles in Bohemia, Landštejn, and continues mostly on forest and farm roads to the South Bohemian town of Jindřichův Hradec, a historic Renaissance town with its own dominant castle. Overnight in Jindřichův Hradec.

Day 7- Jindřichův Hradec – Třeboň (Distance: 50 km Elevation gain: 256 meters)

This day you can choose between several routes of diferent lenghts. On each route you ride through countryside featuring lakes and pine groves. This picturesque landscape is filled with romantic hideaways, meadows surrounded by forests, and ponds, founded in medieval period by famous hydro engineer Jakub Krčín. In the afternoon you ride to Třeboň, the center of Czech fishing as well as a town rich in Renaissance architecture with its own castle and spa. Overnight in Třeboň

Day 9 – České Budějovice – Český Krumlov – (50 km or 31km Elevation gain: 644 meters or 377 meters)

Today there are two options. A shorter relaxing route leads on the main cycle track Greenway RD (Eurovelo 7 ), folowing the Vltava river valley through the picturesque villages including Zlata Koruna, with its famous 13th. century monastery and ending in Cesky Krumlov, the pearl of Czech Republic. You can spend the afternoon wandering through the narrow streets, visiting castle museum or just relaxing on the boat trip on the Vltava river. If 30km of cycling is not enough for you, choose the second option. The route leads through rolling terrain to Holasovice (UNESCO), village famous for its “village baroque style” houses and then climbes through Blansky Forest to Cesky Krumlov. If you feel tired, you can use the chairlift in Krasetin which takes you and your bike to Kleť, the highest peak of Blansky forest park. At the top you can take in the views from the stone lookout and then enjoy 11km of downhill riding to Cesky Krumlov. Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

Day 10 – Cesky Krumlov – Prague

Enjoy your last day in Český Krumlov – take a free boat trip on the Vltava river, take a walking tour of the city, discover the city from a wooden raft or visit the castle. There are many things to do here! Transfer by coach to Prague depending on your requirements.