Czech Republic + Austria Bike Tour

From Prague to Vienna Along the Danube

6 days / 5 nights Level: 2Price From: $5,395Collection: Classic

Tour Highlights

  • Discover castle ruins hidden in the green hills of Vysočina and pick fresh fruit from route-side trees
  • Stroll the UNESCO-protected Pálava Hills that look out over three countries, then bike the former Iron Curtain patrol roads for a pointed lesson in Cold War history
  • Visit the red-roofed artist enclave of Mikulov, at one time an important center of Judaism in Central Europe
  • Ride to important vineyards in the Wachau Valley and sample ultimate expressions of Grüner Veltliner and Austrian Riesling

Eat

Fusion cuisine, sweet and savory dumplings, regional cheeses like hermelín, pečená kachna (roast duck), and strudel

Drink

Outstanding pilsners, local wine including Grüner Veltliner and Blaufränkisch, and non-alcoholic št’ávas (fresh drinks from regional fruits)

As featured in:
Print Itinerary
  • Day 1

    Welcome to the Czech Highlands

    Meet your guides in Prague for a transfer to the fabulous Chateau Herálec, where we’re treated to a brief tour of the castle upon arrival. We’ll get to know each other over a light lunch, followed by a bike fitting and safety talk. Hop on your bike for a warm-up ride on the tree-lined country roads of the Highlands region and through small villages clustered within the wide-open landscape. Your guides will get to know your riding level and bike comfortability with mixed-surface riding, adjusting your routes accordingly. Back at the hotel, stroll the grounds or stake out a place by the swimming pool. Tonight’s dinner at our hotel’s gourmet restaurant is served on the region’s famous handmade crystal—a perfect primer for tomorrow!

    Meals: Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, Herálec
    Accomplished: 15 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 1,086 feet / 331 meters
    Accommodations: Chateau Herálec

  • Day 2

    Castles and Glassblowers

    This morning, ride into the rolling countryside while marveling at ever-changing views of the iconic 14th-century Lipnice fortress. After a breathtaking descent to the romantic Sázava River, we’ll join up with a newly built bike trail that snakes all the way through this beautiful region. Following the river, we arrive in Světlá nad Sázavou, the epicenter of the Czech glassmaking industry. Meet a local artisan who shows us how much finesse it takes to work with world-famous Bohemia crystal, then enjoy a picnic lunch of cheeses, cured meats, and local beers at Chateau Světlá nad Sázavou. Finish the day with a climb back to our hotel, then reward yourself with a treatment at the hotel’s L’Occitane spa. This evening, we dine in a castle lovingly restored by the owner and chef.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, Lipnice, Humpolec, Světlá
    Accomplished: 28 miles / 45 km, elevation gain: 2,989 feet / 911 meters
    Accommodations: Chateau Herálec

  • Day 3

    Iron Curtain Roads + UNESCO Palaces

    Today we head south to Moravia, the vinous heart of the Czech Republic. Get comfortable in the van for a scenic transfer of roughly one hour and fifty minutes. Then a chance to stretch our legs with a short walk into the UNESCO-protected Palava Hills, leading us to the dramatic Orphan’s Castle ruins. Here we’ll take in spectacular views overlooking three countries’ borders: the Czech Republic, Austria, and Slovakia. From here, we begin a downhill ride past the late Renaissance town of Mikulov and onto the former patrol roads of the Iron Curtain—a poignant reminder of life under communist rule. Weave through vineyard roads to the original lands of the royal Lichtenstein family in Lednice and pause to visit UNESCO-protected royal palaces. Back in Mikulov, we’ll meet Petr, one of the Czech Republic’s foremost wine experts, for an exclusive dinner peppered with Czech winemaking history and a tasting right in the cellar.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Palava Hills, Mikulov, Lednice
    Accomplished: 25 miles / 40 km, elevation gain: 1,385 feet / 422 meters
    Longer Option: 34 miles / 55 km
    Accommodations: Hotel Volarik

  • Day 4

    Kamptal Palaces, Wines, and Heurigen

    This morning, hit the snooze button, have a leisurely breakfast, or join your guides for a visit to one of the most important Jewish cemeteries in Central Europe. It’s time to bid the Czech Republic farewell and transfer to Austria’s Kamptal region, famous for its Grüner Veltliner and Riesling wines. Beginning at the Kamptal’s Château Grafenegg—known for classical music concerts and festivals—we cycle through vineyards and villages en route to Langenlois, Austria’s largest wine-producing village and home of the modern Loisium wine center. Once we’ve visited the tasting rooms of renowned biodynamic wineries and family vintners, it’s time to pedal along the Danube to the ancient town of Krems. We’ll reach the medieval village of Dürnstein and our home for the next two nights, a luxuriously renovated 13th-century convent. Dine on your own tonight in Dürnstein—your guides are glad to make a restaurant recommendation.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
    Destinations: Grafenegg, Langenlois, Krems, Dürnstein
    Accomplished: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 590 feet / 180 meters
    Longer Option: 31 miles / 46 km
    Accommodations: Hotel Richard Löwenherz 

  • Day 5

    The UNESCO Wachau Valley

    Today we explore the breathtaking Wachau Valley, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our ride begins right from the hotel and travels through charming medieval villages and wineries where vines cascade off terraced mountains, almost tumbling into the river. Pause for a tasting of world-class Grüner Veltliners before arriving in Melk and visiting the remarkable monastery perched over the River Danube. We return via the Danube’s right bank for a quieter perspective and try some family-made Marillenschnaps on the final push. A scenic ferry ride brings us back to the hotel before one final dinner at a family-run gastronomic restaurant, one of the greatest in Austria.

    Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
    Destinations: Wachau Valley, Dürnstein, Spitz, Melk
    Accomplished: 36 miles / 58 km, elevation gain: 1,148 feet / 350 meters
    Accommodations: Hotel Richard Löwenherz

  • Day 6

    Krems to Vienna

    We cap off our adventure in Austria with a hike to the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner. At the top, we’re rewarded with a staggering view of the Danube River framed by cascading vineyards, red-roofed villages, and verdant countryside. There’s time for one last stroll through the fairytale streets back in Dürnstein before your guides transfer you to Austria’s capital of Vienna and see you off to enjoy the “City of Music.”

    Meals: Breakfast
    Destinations: Dürnstein, Vienna
    Accomplished: 2 miles / 3 km hiking

DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.



Arrival Details

Airport City: Prague, Czech Republic Pick-Up Location: The Augustine Hotel in Prague Pick-Up Time: 9:00 am
Departure Details

Airport City: Vienna, Austria Drop-Off Location: Your Vienna Hotel or Vienna International Airport Drop-Off Time: Between 12:00–1:00 pm
Travelers Take Note

To show you all our favorite parts of the Czech Republic and Austria, this tour includes transfers on multiple occasions. We like to think of it as an opportunity to see more of the country en route to your next ride.

As a country, the Czech Republic is focused on energy efficiency. As a result, air conditioning may not be standard in hotels.

Moisture-wicking clothing or daypacks are recommended, but not required.

To show you the most on your tour and to avoid high-traffic areas there is occasional gravel riding on tour. Gravel surfaces are not as uniform as a typical paved road, however, they are generally very smooth. The bikes on this tour are designed specifically for all the surfaces we encounter on tour.

Any scheduled tour can be made private. Your group, your dates. Go Private

2024Single Supplement From: $500

See our cancellation policy

Weather by Month
Average Temperature + Precipitation

Average Temperature + Precipitation

Month
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
High (°F)
36°
39°
46°
57°
64°
70°
73°
73°
66°
55°
43°
36°
Low (°F)
25°
27°
32°
39°
46°
52°
55°
54°
48°
41°
34°
28°
Rain (in)
125
125
125
125
251
251
376
251
251
125
125
125

Accommodations

  • Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
  • Luggage transfers

Meals

  • Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
  • 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
  • Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal

Activities

  • Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
  • Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
  • Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service

Gear

  • Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
  • Bike helmet
  • Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
  • GPS in most destinations

Support

  • Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
  • Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
  • Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
  • Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
NOT INCLUDED:
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

See our FAQs page for answers to common questions.

See FAQs

Synapse 2 RLE

Manufacturer: Cannondale

Type: Road

Included in trip price

Crono Pro

Manufacturer: Pells

Type: Hybrid

Included in trip price

Electric Assist

Type: Hybrid E-Bike

Included in trip price