Czech Republic & Austria Bicycle Tour Itinerary

Day One: Prague - Lednice-Valtice Loop
Our guides will greet you in Prague, where you will meet and transfer to the south of Moravia. Upon arrival enjoy a welcome drink on the chateau terrace of our fairy-tale hotel Hranicni Zamecek before setting off to explore the unique Lednice-Valtice UNESCO Cultural Landscape.

After 700 years under the care of Lichtenstein noblemen, the swampy area was transformed into a carefully conceived landscape of castles and parks that combines both indigenous and exotic natural elements to create an outstanding work of human creativity. Since the complex is very large, bicycling is the recommended mode of transportation allowing easy access to an exceptional cultural site – and a good workout! A highlight of our day will be the Valtice Chateau. Besides it beautiful interiors, this imposing building conceals a wine cellar overflowing with the best wines of the Czech Republic. Here, we’ll savor our first wine tasting and enjoy an introduction to the region.

Meal: Dinner
Destinations visited: Prague, Lednice-Valtice cellars
Distance cycled: 23 km / 14.25 miles

Day Two: Valtice-Mikulov Via Iron Curtain
Today we will continue our explorations of this exceptional UNESCO area. At Lichtenstein’s “summer house,” the Lednice Chateau, we will find out why this area is called “The Garden of Europe” or “The Garden Paradise.” The English neogothic chateau, French gardens, a romantic minaret and Jans Castle ruins will transport you back to the 19th century. Here we find an extraordinary 800 year old castle wine cellar in the “Valtice underworld” where you will be treated to a wine tasting, and to say goodbye to the Lednice-Valtice region you will be treated to a romantic picnic lunch on the Promenade with wonderful views over this fairytale countryside!

We’ll commence our ride along the former Iron Curtain Road. While biking through this wonderful landscape it is hard to believe that less than 20 years ago this area was a “no man’s land,” a virtual dead zone separating East and West. We arrive in lovely Mikulov, a small gem hidden amidst the Palava Hills. We will end our day at the unique Hotel Templ, which was created from a former synagogue that was deserted during the tragic events of WW II. If you look carefully, you will find many details of its former use.

A highlight of the day will be our dinner in the formal synagogue room and a wine tasting in the cellar where the ritual mikva bath was held.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations visited: Lednice Chateau, Jans Castle, Oldest Synagogue and Cemetery in Mikulov
Distance cycled: 50 km / 31 miles

Day Three: Mikulov Vineyard loop
We will start our day with a visit to the old Jewish cemetery, the rare Polish synagogue and the second biggest European wine cask in the heart of the Mikulov castle. We will then bike through Palava’s UNESCO Biosphere Reservation. This small “Czech Mediterranea” or “Czech Provence” offers a great combination of biking through vineyards, karst rock formations, Old World villages and rich folklore, with good wine along the way! We continue to Pavlov, a small village with unique folklore and baroque architecture where we will stop for a wine tasting in a local winery representative of the modern trends found among local wine producers. Then we will visit the village of Dolni Vestonice, known for the rare archaeological discovery of a small, 23,000-year-old female statue. Back in Mikulov we will have dinner in a special Eat and Art Gallery, a unique place where you will eat with all your senses!

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Destinations visited: Dolni Vestonice, Pavlov, Mikulov wine museum
Distance cycled: 50 km / 31 miles

Day four: Mikulov – Laa an der Thaya
Today we follow the Veltliner Bike Path into Austria. Our route is named for the region’s most famous wine cultivator. It will take us through the rolling terrain of the Austrian countryside. We will have a wine tasting and picnic lunch in one of the nicest jewels of Austria, the picturesque village Falkenstein, hidden under the castle ruin of the same name. The vineyard-lined Veltliner route is the most beautiful byway in this area and it leads us all the way to Poysdorf, the Austrian capital of wine. Along the way, we may stop in Herrnbaumgarten Village, famous for its poetic museum of non-senses. You’ll appreciate the high quality of Austrian wines during a sampling in Poysdorf’s local wine market. After passing the Staatz Castle ruins, we arrive in the spa town of Laa an der Thaya. Here we will enjoy its two town halls, the remains of a castle and, most importantly, the relaxing treatments in our special hotel, Therme Laa.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations visited: Veltlinska Bike Path, Falkenstein Castle ruins, Poysdorf, Herrnbaumgarten Village,
Staatz Castle ruins
Distance cycled: 59 km / 37 miles

Day Five: Austria Loop - Spa day
Indulge yourself in the optional spa amenities and services today, or pedal your way into the rich mosaic of the Czech-Austrian border wine region. We start in Šatov, where we admire a uniquely painted wine cellar, well-preserved fortifications from World War II, and other curiosities. After a local wine sampling, we will bike through an old Celtic sanctuary to Retz. In this old wine town, lorded over by its famed white windmill, we have a chance to admire not only an interesting main square, but a 20 km-long labyrinth of wine cellars, which holds five million liters of this elixir! Afterwards you will bike through the village of Hadres, where we visit the most beautiful wine street of the entire region, 1.6 km long and lined with 400 cellars.

Meals: Breakfast/ Dinner
Destinations visited: Šatov, Retz, Hadres, or Spa day
Distance cycled: 62 km / 38 miles

Day Six: Vienna
In the morning, transfer by car to the city of opera, apfelstrudel, and the famous Viennese waltz. The capital city of Austria will be the final destination of our journey. We strongly recommend that you extend your stay in Vienna by at least one day, because the UNESCO protected city center, the Schönbrunn Castle and many other sights are too beautiful and unique to be missed. We can arrange accommodations and tour guiding services for you, as well as possible transport back to Prague.

Meal: Breakfast
Destinations visited: Vienna
Distance cycled: optional morning loop ride to the castle ruin of Statz

Accomplished: Total Satisfaction!

TRIP TOTAL: 244 km / 152 miles, averaging 49 km / 30 miles per day.
Optional longer rides available each day.