From the Old World charm of Prague and the Czech Republic, our journey will include the Unesco World Heritage site of Cesky-Krumlov and idyllic countryside of southern Bohemia; in Austria, we’ll follow the Danube River, where you can choose between gentle bike paths or venture into the nearby moderate hills where vineyards tempt. Our trip finishes in Vienna, one of Europe’s most important artistic centers.
Only Great Explorations:
Prague, Czech Republic
Pre-trip Extension
Tabor, Czechia
Day 1
Cesky-Krumlov
Days 2+3
Maria Taferl
Day 4
Dürnstein, Austria
Days 5+6
Vienna, Austria
Post-trip Extension
| 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|
| May 7-13 | May 6-12 |
| Jun 4-10 | Jun 3-9 |
| Jun 18-24 | Jun 17-23 |
| Sep 3-9 | Sep 2-8 |
| Sep 17-23 | Sep 16-22 |
| Oct 1-7 | Sep 30- Oct 6 |
| Oct 15-21 | Oct 14-20 |
Trip can start at any date. Custom and self-guided trips also available. Call or email for details.
Trip Size
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity LevelModerate
30-55 km daily (20-40 miles)
Van supported
TerrainMix with some rewarding (moderate) hills in the Czech Republic. The Danube bike paths are flat, so 3 of the 6 days are easy-going.
CostLand Cost:
US $3,950
Includes 6B/2L/5D
Single Supplement:
USD $1000
Bike Rental:
Hybrid Bikes: US $320
Racing Bikes: USD $420
E-Bike Rental*:
USD $480
*E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.
Pre-trip Extension in Prague
US $695
Single supplement US $295
Post-trip Extension in Vienna
US $695
Single supplement US $295
| Level | Moderate |
|---|
Getting There
The trip begins in Tabor, near Prague in the Czech Republic, and ends in Durnstein, near Vienna, Austria. We suggest that you fly into Prague’s Ruzyne Airport. You can return to Prague after the trip ends or fly out of Vienna. Consider our extensions in Prague and Vienna as both of these cities are worth spending additional time in.
Tabor
Our trip starts in Tabor, a short train ride from Prague, where we will fit bikes and begin cycling. You will have different distance options as you explore the countryside here. Tabor is a Hussite village with Renaissance buildings and a beautiful historic center. If time permits, visit a labyrinthe of tunnels dating from the 15th century, used by defenders of the town. We’re staying at the Hotel Nautilus, a 4-star boutique hotel in the historical center.
Distance: 24 km, elevation gain 247m or 34 km, gain 437m or 67 km, gain 422m
Cesky-Krumlov
Avid riders can cycle all the way from Tabor to Cesky-Krumlov, or for those preffering a more moderate day, transfer first to Cesky-Budejovice, which has a fascinating center. Arrive to Cesky-Krumlov, the most exquisite town in the Czech Republic.
Distance: 31 up to 71 km, elevation gain up to 344 m
Cesky-Krumlov
Today, we ride south to Lake Lipno in Sumava National Park returning along the Vltava River. Back in Cesky-Krumlov, we’ll take a walking tour with a local historian including a visit to the castle of Krumlov Hrad. We’ll enjoy dinner at a favourite local restaurant.
Distance: 34 km, elevation gain 653 m or 42 km, gain 686 m
Maria Taferl
We will transfer from Cesky-Krumlov to Enns, the oldest city in Austria and situated on the Danube. From here, cycle downstream through the fertile Machland, crossing Europe’s oldest wooden bridge and the villages of Ardagger Markt, with its many museums and the pretty village of Grein. We’ll cross the Danube at Ybbs and at Marbach, climb up to Maria Taferl where our hotel boasts an exquisite view over the valley. Those wishing a longer ride, can challenge themselves with a loop to the village of Artstetten nearby.
Distance: 43 up to 74 km, elevation gain up to 1405 m
Durnstein
Following the Danube east through the Wachau, a region of abbeys, churches and castles we’ll reach Melk Abbey, a magnificent Baroque building still used by Benedictine monks to Weissenkirchen, gateway to the World Cultural Heritage Wachau Valley. The luxe trip stays in Durnstein at a 5-star hotel that has been in the same family since 1884, with the romantically-situated ruins of Durnstein castle above town. England’s King Richard the Lionhearted was held hostage for a king’s ransom in the castle in the 12th century.
Distance: 44 km, elevation gain 194 m or 64 km, gain 778 m
Durnstein
Today, our cycling route continues through more of the Wachau. In Krems, visit the Weinstadt Museum, in a restored 13th century Dominican monastery, and for those interested in more wine knowledge (and tastings), the Winzer Krems, a prominent winery. The short option loops back to the hotel and the moderate ride continues on to Tulln, the ‘flower town’ on the Danube. There is also a long (and hilly) option to the castle at Schloss Rosenburg. We will have a festive final night dinner, as we always do, toasting our time in this fascinating and beautiful region.
Distance: 34 km, elevation gain 428 m or 54 km, gain 1012 m
Depart
Transfer to Krems for train connections into Vienna for flights or extended stay.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
This 4-star boutique hotel was renovated from a former townhouse and is located on the central plaza of Tabor, with comfortable rooms and an exquisite restaurant. Frommers notes, "Easily the most sytlish and comfortable in town."
We have stayed in every hotel in CK and this is our favourite 4-star hotel. It's got a fabulous location and the superior rooms are comfortable and the service is excellent. The restaurant here, Le Jardin is one of the best in the city.
This 4-star hotel is located in the village of Maria Taferl, with views of the Danube. The restaurant here is excellent and there is a pool and spa facilities. Panorama Room booked when available.
This 4-star hotel located in Durnstein on the banks of the Danube has large guest rooms, and a lovely, heated swimming pool and beautiful cloister gardens. “The ambiance is one of a dignified hunting lodge, with heavy furniture, and trophies on the walls. The bedrooms are pleasantly spacious, modern in their décor, and comfortably appointed.” (Karen Brown Guides).
Tour Reviews
“It was a lovely area to visit. The food was great.”
“Great routes and accommodations. Interesting tours. Exceptional guide. All hotels during the tour were excellent”
“Enjoyed spending time with friends and learning from the guides about living in these areas. Excellent guides, especially Dama and Alex. Great hotel locations.”
“The days were all special in their own way and everything was taken care of. We had very high expectations given the feedback we got from friends, and they were met. The local guides were super helpful in getting the most from the places we visited. The hotels were better than we expected… Great location, historical significance and/or great amenities. I personally found the historical walking tour with very knowledgeable guide in Prague very informative. The gps app worked well; I didn’t use paper maps. I like how the guides were gauging everyone’s fitness level and motivation on how hard to push and how they gauged this every day. The level of difficulty and duration was what I expected and hoped for. Van & mechanical support were very good. Good quality bikes in good working order.”
“I enjoyed biking places that cars can’t go to, feeling like I’d exercised, the accommodations were very nice: we enjoyed the Richard the LionHeart Hotel in Dernstein. I loved the antiques and the fact that it was quiet. The pool area and courtyard are really nice. Really liked the meal at the hotel on top of the steep hill beside the church in Austria and the meals in Durnstein. The guided tours of the cities were good. We love wineries and have been to many.”
“Cycling along the Danube along the Wachau Valley vineyards – we loved the variety of riding both Czech Rep and Austria. Great bikes! We also walked through the Melk Abbey and the Gottweig one and both were really good. We loved the last dinner in Durnstein, the best. We highly recommend Great Explorations – great variety of trips, excellent guides and well organized.”
“Great trip, we had a very good guide! Nice variety of climbing and riding along the Danube River. The trip exceeded our expectations: Cesky Kumolov was amazing and we really enjoyed visiting it and the rafting down the Vlatava River at the end of the ride.”
“The guides were beyond description for every aspect of their roles.”
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