Bicycle the Danube and the Czech Republic

Highlights: Old Town Passau, a spectacular part of the Danube valley, welcome dinner.

Welcome to Passau, a beautiful German city located near the Austrian border and at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, Inn and Ilz. Settle into your hotel and stretch your legs by walking through Old Town’s baroque architecture and paying a visit to Passau’s Saint Stephan’s Cathedral, home to the largest organ outside of the United States. This afternoon we will meet for a bike fitting and test ride. Then we will gather again for a welcome drink and our first dinner together.

Highlights: Crossing the border to Austria, the spectacular Danube valley

The Danube River and the valley it has formed shape the central transportation artery of Austria. Today and tomorrow you’ll ride through the heartland of Austria featuring impressive castles perched above the Danube river. Take time to explore the Ars Electronica Museum in Linz, also known as the museum of the future, as it tries to bridge the gap between art, science and technology.

Highlights: Diverse and stunning cycling through farmland, vineyards and Danube bike paths

You’ll leave the river valley to reach Grein. Those who wish can take time to visit the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. The experience is powerful and sobering as you walk up and down the 186 “death stairs.” Over 130,000 people were killed here including Jews, Italians, Russian POWs, criminals, and political prisoners.

Highlights: Cycling along bike path near a thick forest, 12th Century Melk Abbey

Enjoy a downhill coast on a smooth bike path into the town of Melk, home to the spectacular baroque Melk Abbey. Built at the beginning of the 12th century the abbey was a monastic school. Unpack your bags at our hotel just down the street from the abbey and stroll through the charming town to photograph the gold statuary adorning this domed Abbey Church. Venture inside the church to admire the ceiling fresco and its red marble walls before enjoying one of the suggested restaurants for dinner on your own this evening.

Highlights: Vineyards of the Danube, wine tasting

Today you pedal into the heartland of Austrian wine country. This beautiful ride leads you through the medieval villages of the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arriving in Dürnstein you’ll visit the cellar and vineyards of one of the area’s best producers, and taste some of their traditional white wines.

Highlights: Vienna!

Enjoy an easy day along the Danube today. You’ll reach Vienna via a complex system of bicycle paths that lead directly to your hotel. 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.

Highlights: Imperial Vienna, Hofburg palace, Guided tour of Vienna

Today we’ll enjoy an optional rest day in Austria’s capital, Vienna. This city 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 its 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, feel free to stretch your legs with a ride along the Danube.

Highlights: Crossing into the Czech Republic, 13th-century castle of Nové Hrady, Ceske Budejovice

We begin the day with a shuttle to the Czech town of Nova Hrady. Pick up lunch in the charming town center before you cross the border into the Czech Republic! Your ride takes you through gentle farmland, tiny Czech villages and dense forests to Cesky Budejovice. Pedal through scenic rural pastures before reaching the Vltava river. We follow a bike path along this tranquil waterway to Ceske Budejovice, the capital city of Bohemia and our destination for the evening. Beer production dates back to the 13th century in Cesky Budejovice, which is home to the Budvar Brewery – the inspiration for the Budweiser beer empire.

Highlights: Scenic bike path along the Vltava river; guided tour of Cesky Krumlov

Today’s loop ride takes us to Cesky Kumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Situated in a meander of the Vltava, the longest river in the Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov is one of the Czech Republic’s most beautiful cities, replete with a castle originally built in the 1200’s by the main branch of the Bohemian noble Rosenberg family and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll take a guided walk through town before continuing our loop back to Cesky Budejovice.

Highlights: Hluboká Castle, Bohemian lower hills, brewery visit

Leaving České Budejovice along a riverside bike path, we make our way to Hluboká and Vltavou and its eponymous 19th-century castle. You may stop to visit this former home of the Schwarzenberg family who were among Europe’s most wealthy and powerful during the Habsburg monarch or appreciate if from the saddle and continue riding the region’s plentiful ponds and calming scenery that characterizes Southern Bohemia. Our destination is Strakonice, where felted wool hat production boomed in the 19th century. This evening, we visit a local craft brewery followed by a special meal by one of the Czech Republic’s top chefs.

Highlights: Bohemian architecture in Plzeň, Pilsener Urquell Brewery

Our route leaving Strakonice heads to the rolling highlands of western Bohemia along small roads that pass by Nepomuk, the home of St. John of Nepomuk, a famous Czech saint and symbol of national revival. Green fields and streams accompany you to Plzeň, home of the world-famous beer, Pilsner Urquell, whose style is widely imitated by modern brewers. Plzeň annually celebrates its liberation from Nazi Germany in 1945 at the hands of the U.S. Third Army led by the controversial General George Patton.

Highlights: Dobřív hammer mill, Beroun

Depart Plzeň on bike paths and head into a countryside dotted with typical baroque farming villages celebrating centuries of history and green forests. Past and present meld on this route. Stop for a visit to one of the oldest surviving hammer mills still working in Europe. Arriving in the medieval city of Beroun, enjoy a coffee on the square before heading out for dinner on your own.

Highlights: Majestic Karlštejn Castle, Cycling along the Berounka River, Prague

Not long after we start our day, the majestic medieval castle of Karlštejn looms over the river valley. Karlštejn looks every inch dedicated to its original purpose of the 14th century: to protect the crown jewels of the Holy Roman Empire and Kingdom of Bohemia. Tour the castle or stop to admire its strategic location. Our route travels above the castle and then descends back to the river valley where towns with cafes and elegant villas announce our approach to Prague. A bike path leads you into the heart of the capital city. Often called “The Paris of the East,” “The City of 100 Spires,” or even, “Mater Urbium,” Prague is sure to delight!

Highlights: Guided tour of Prague

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!