8 day Independent or Escorted tours
Nature and culture on the rivers Vltava and Elbe - The combination of two cosmopolitan cities and the unique natural beauty of the rivers Elbe and Vltava make this tour both interesting and special. Prague is unique and full of vitality, with lot of places of interests and an impressive cityscape, while the bike-path along the rivers Vltava and Elbe meander through quaint, small villages. Your goal is the city Dresden, with its sights (e.g. Zwinger, Semperopera, and Church of our Lady). It is a fascinating journey of discovery to two world metropolises, lovely little Czech villages and enchanting east Germany.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Individual arrival in Prague. Issue of the rental bikes and tour information at your hotel in the early evening. Enjoy a stroll through the historical Old Town, admiring the squares, & fountains.
Day 2: Free day in Prague
This day is entirely devoted to the 'Golden City'. Visit the Hradschin with the old king palace, stroll over the famous bridge 'Karlsbrücke' or discover the nightlife of Prague with innumerable cultural events. Accommodation in Prague.
Day 3: Prag – Melnik, approx. 55 km
Today you cycle along the river Moldau. The strains of ascents are instantly rewarded by fast descents. Admire the mouth of the Moldau and Elbe from the palace hill of Melnik. Melnik is the heart of the Bohemian wine growing area.
Day 4: Melnik – Leitmeritz, approx. 50 km
Via Roudnice you reach the fortress of Terezin, infamously used by the Nazis to house Czech Jews before deportation. From Terezin only a few kilometres have to be covered to reach todays destination, Litomeritz with its beautiful houses.
Day 5: Leitmeritz – Decin, approx. 50 km
After only about 20 km you reach the city Usti nad Labem Aussig. On the way you can admire the ruin of the old fortress Schreckenstein (literally meaning 'horror-castle'). In the afternoon you reach Decin.
Day 6: Decin – Bad Schandau, approx. 21 km
Today you cross the boarder into Germany and soon you see the first rocks of the Elbe sandstone massive. Not far now and you reach the health-spa Bad Schandau.
Day 7: Bad Schandau – Dresden, approx. 43 km
Past bizarre rock formations the Elbe flows past the fortress Königstein (King Stone). Visit Europe's largest fortification and enjoy the spectacular view of the Elbe valley. Past Castle Pillnitz you cycle on to Dresden.
Day 8: End of tour.
You may extend your stay or depart at leisure. Trains may be arranged from dresden anywhere in Europe.
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Prague
Elbe Basteifelsen
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Rating: Mostly Easy
From Prague to Melnik some short ascents have to be managed, otherwise a flat easy route. Suitable for beginners and families.
Airport / Transfers
The nearest international airport is Prague. There are regular private shuttles into the city centre for $40 one way. A public bus/ tram combination costs only $10 one way.
Escorted Tour : Schedule & Price
| Departure Dates 2012 |
| May 12th, 26th July 14th August 11th, 18th |
| Price per person |
CAD |
$1525 |
| Single Supplement |
$300 |
| Optional Electro bike |
|
$160 |
This tour includes: |
• 7 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are superior 3 star quality
• breakfast and 3-course dinners daily.
• experienced multi lingual tour guide cycling with you.
• support van to transport tired cyclists and luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• visits to museums, wineries & castles (entrance fees and guided tours are optional)
• modern hybrid bicycle with 21 gears & pannier
• guided tour of Prague, Leitmeritz, Pirna and Dresden
• detailed travel material, guides, and route descriptions of places of interest |
Independent Tour Schedule & Price
| Departure Dates: |
| Independent tours depart every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from mid- April to mid-September |
| Price per person |
CAD |
$1085 |
| Single Supplement |
$300 |
| Optional Electro bike |
|
$160 |
This tour includes: |
• 7 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run guesthouses and hotels mostly of 3 star standard.
• breakfast daily.
• welcome meeting and tour orientation with our local representative
• luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• modern hybrid bicycle with 21 gears & pannier
• 7-Days Service hotline
• Detailed travel material, maps, and route descriptions of places of interest |
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SALZBURG TO PRAGUE
The Heart of Europe Trail
8 Day Independent OR Escorted tour
Start your bicycle tour in Salzburg with a
panorama of the Alps at your back, cycling through the spectacular Salzkammergut, to medieval Cesky Krumlov. Then on to Prague, city of a thousand spires. Between them you
will bike through country that epitomizes what most people think of when they hear
the word “Europe”: small towns watched
over by ancient castles, deep green forests and rolling hills, little villages with church steeples dotting the countryside. Enjoy an original Budweiser in Ceske Budejovice, then go with the flow of the Vltava River until you reach magnificent Prague. This trail has a
superb combination of landscape, chateaux, and three fabulous cities.
| DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 Salzburg - St. Gilgen (45 km / 28 miles)
Start in Salzburg. This impressive town, situated on the banks of the Salzach River, is where the composer Mozart was born and raised. On this first day cycle along the Mozart cycling path. This winds its way through beautiful Alpine countryside, the Salzkammergut region,
along the Mondsee and Wolfgangsee lakes to St. Gilgen. Overnight in St. Gilgen.
Day 2 St. Gilgen – Gmunden - Linz (59 km / 37 miles)
Today you will cycle to Bad Ischl at the foot of the 1450m high Katrin Mountain. Here you can visit the Imperial Villa, the summer residence of the Austrian Emperor. Continue along the river Traun to Lake Traunsee where you will see the major highlight of the day,
chateau Orth, situated on an island in the middle of the lake. Transfer by train from
Gmunden to Linz. Overnight in Linz.
Day 3 Linz – Cesky Krumlov (47 km / 30 miles)
Cycle from the Danube river valley up into the hills that form the border of the Czech
Republic and Austria. In Vyssi Brod is one of the most venerable monasteries in the Czech Republic, built in the late 13th century. Transfer by car from Vyssi Brod to Cesky Krumlov.
Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.
Day 4 Cesky Krumlov – Ceske Budejovice – Hluboka nad Vltavou (42 km / 26 miles)
Cesky Krumlov has an unparalleled medieval town center, and an ornate chateau and
tower overlooking the town. From here cycle to Ceske Budejovice, home of the real Budweiser beer where it has been brewed for the past 700 years. Finish by cycling to
Hluboka nad Vltavou. The Tudor Gothic chateau in Hluboka nad Vltavou is one of the most beautiful chateaux in Bohemia.
Overnight in Hluboka nad Vltavou.
Day 5 Hluboka nad Vltavou – Pisek (53 km / 33 miles)
Today you start out by cycling from Hluboka through Tyn nad Vltavou to the historical town of Pisek. The oldest bridge in Bohemia, built in the 13th century (older than Charles Bridge in Prague), crosses the river at Pisek.
Overnight in Pisek.
Day 6 Pisek – Pribram (69 km / 43 miles)
The highlight of this cycling day is Zvikov Castle on a rocky hill overlooking the confluence of the Otava and Vltava rivers. It is known as the “Queen of Bohemian castles” due to its majestic position. Next stop is Castle Orlik, on Orlik Reservoir. At Vysoka u Pribrame there
is the memorial to the Czech composer Dvorak. Continue on to Pribram, which has a longstanding legacy of mining. Silver, lead and other metals were mined here from the 12th
Century. Overnight in Pribram.
Day 7 Pribram – Prague ( 59 km / 37 miles)
The cycle from Pribram to Prague first takes you to the town of Horovice and its Baroque chateau, and then to the Gothic castle of Karlstejn atop a wooded hill. This sturdy castle,
founded by Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, once guarded the Czech crown
jewels.
Overnight in Prague.
Day 8 Prague
Prague is the “city of a thousand spires”. The Charles Bridge, the Old Town square and Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in Europe, are great places to visit.
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Departing Salzburg
Cesky Krumlov
Pisek
Orlik Castle |
Rating: Intermediate
Some ascents and rolling terrain have to be managed. Suitable for beginners and experienced cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness.
Airport / Transfers
The nearest international airport is Salzburg or Munich, with your return flight from Prague. There are regular buses into the city centre for approx $5 one way.
Escorted Tour : Schedule & Price
| Departure Dates 2012 |
July 16th August 27th
|
| Price per person |
CAD |
$2450 |
| Single Supplement |
$500 |
| Supplement if final group size is only 4-7 persons |
|
$300 |
This tour includes: |
• Professional bilingual guide
• Accommodation in selected hotels typically of 3 star standard, always with a private bathroom
• Support van to transport tired cyclists and luggage transport from hotel to hotel.
• Buffet breakfast and dinner included
• English route descriptions
• Detailed cycling maps
• Town maps
• Global Positioning System (GPS) console
• Quality TREK hybrid bike rental
• Guided tours at chateaux, castles,
museums and other select attractions
• Special events, including wine tasting and picnics
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Independent Tour Schedule & Price
| Departure Dates: |
Independent tours depart every day from April to end October
|
| Price per person |
CAD |
$1850 |
| Single Rider Supplement |
On request |
This tour includes: |
• Accommodation in selected hotels typically of 3 star standard, always with a private bathroom
• Buffet breakfast
• Luggage transfer
• English route descriptions
• Detailed cycling maps
• Town maps
• Global Positioning System (GPS) console
• Transportation by car according to program
• Welcome briefing upon arrival
• Quality TREK hybrid bike rental
• Stand-by support (cell phone and contact person)
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