Cycle Central Europe & the Danube
Price- $3,928
16 Days | Get active on an fifteen-day European cycling adventure from Prague to Budapest
Get your wheels moving on a cycling adventure through the Central European countryside, all the way from picturesque Prague to classic Budapest. This fifteen-day active trip meanders its way past medieval villages perched on the hillside and hugs the mighty Danube River. With delicious regional food, great wine, and a knowledgeable leader to guide you along the way, you’ll be seeing the best of the region with the wind blowing through your hair.
Trip overview
StartPrague, Czech Republic
EndBudapest, Hungary
DestinationsHungary, Czech Republic, Austria
StyleOriginal
AgesMin 14
Group SizeMin 1 - Max 15
ThemeCycling
Trip CodeZMXDC
Itinerary
Dobry den! Welcome to Prague. There is an important welcome meeting scheduled for 6 pm this evening, where you will meet your group leader and fellow travellers. With not much time spent in Prague, we recommend you spend at least a day or two to get to know this wonderful Bohemian city. With its Baroque buildings, cobblestoned streets and beer – oh so much beer – there’s something for every explorer. If you want to spend more time in Prague, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). After your important meeting, how about get a group of you together and head to one of the beer halls to get acquainted?
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This morning the cycling part of your adventure begins! Have a bike fitting then explore the fascinating street and lanes of Prague on a leader-led orientation ride. You’ll learn about the history of the city, plus have time to take in the Old Town square, looking up at the surrounding spires – there are a lot of spires – as well as the historic building besides the Vltava River. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this eclectic city at your leisure. Perhaps visit one of the many museums that dot the city, or wander the cobbled Charles Bridge in the evening when most of the tourist are long gone.
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Today is an early morning start, as you head to Ceske Budejovice by local transport (either vehicle or train depending on group size), taking around 2.5 hours. Once arrived, have a bike fitting and take a short ride (approximately 20 kilometres) around Budejovice and surrounds. If you have time, there’s the option to head on a brewery tour, as Cesky Budejovice (or Budweis in German) is the home of Budweiser! Learn the beer’s history and have the perfectly drawn brew in the onsite bar.
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Rise and shine, as it’s off for another day of cycling, leaving nice and early. Ride along the Vltava River from Cesky Krumlov through the countryside then over the plateau and down to the wooded shores of the beautiful Lipno Lake near the Czech-Austrian border. You’ll arrive at the small town of Lipno and Vltavou on the southern banks of the lake.
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Get back on your bike and cycle alongside the mighty Danube River on a mostly flat course from Kollmitzberg to Melk (approximately 53 kilometres). You know you're getting close when you can see the towers and dome of the famed Melk Abbey high above the town. Once arrived, you could head on an optional tour of Melk Abbey, where you’ll discover the colourful Baroque structure perched on top of a rock overlooking the Danube, plus its parks and bastions.
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From Melk, cycle along the northern banks of the Danube – mostly on dedicated cycle paths – past small riverside towns and villages (and the occasional sand beach), and to the UNESCO-listed terraces of the Wachau vineyards, where wine has been produced since the Middle Ages. Riding up the steep hillsides is definitely a challenge, but there’s some stunning scenery to see along the way. Your final destination for today is Herzogenburg – a thriving town on a small tributary of the Danube. If you have time why not check out the imposing Herzogenburg Monastery before a hearty Austrian dinner.
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Hop on your bike to ride back along the Danube cycle path all the way into Vienna, skirting the river’s southern banks. Today is the longest ride of the tour at around 70 kilometres/43 miles and is mostly slightly downhill. When you arrive in Vienna, be sure to relax and perhaps tuck into a well-earned coffee and sacher torte. Vienna is a classical hub of arts, culture and food, and a perfect place to hop off the bike and explore on foot. If you haven’t discussed it already, why not organise dinner in Vienna with your group tonight – it’s definitely cause for celebration.
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Today is a free day in Vienna until the evening when you meet some new fellow travellers at a welcome meeting at 6pm. There is so much to see and do in Vienna, best explored on a walk around this beautiful city. A popular highlight is a spin on the famous old Prater Ferris Wheel. This evening perhaps enjoy an optional dinner at a Viennese Heurigen (wine tavern). Heuriger means "this year's wine", and the Heurigen originated as a way for winemakers to offer samples of their new wine with a few snacks. Fortunately this now also includes a hearty meal, which will be much needed for the days of cycling ahead.
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Then take a tour of Vienna by bike (approximately 3 hours). Follow the path of the Habsburg and explore the rich artistic and cultural icons like the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Hofburg Palace and all that the Ringstrasse has to offer.
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Leave Vienna’s city centre and ride along the mighty Danube to the tiny hamlet of Hasslau an der Donau. From here, journey east along the riverbanks to one of Austria's most important archaeological sites, Carnuntum, and its eclectic mixture of Roman ruins and modern reconstructions. Spend some time wandering among the remains of Roman life on the Danube before climbing back onto your bike and slowly winding along the riverside bike paths to the Slovak border. In the afternoon arrive in the Slovak capital, the cosmopolitan Bratislava. See firsthand how bordering two independent countries has left its mark on Bratislava with an introductory walk.
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Follow the flowing waters of the Danube as it turns south. Pass by picturesque villages, lowland forests and across lush farmland to the historic Hungarian city of Gyor. This vibrant Baroque city - highlighted by Káptalan Hill, Bécsi kapu tér square, and the picturesque Király Street - has been inhabited by varying cultures since ancient times and offers a fascinating contrast to the slow pace of the river and its surrounds.
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Leaving Gyor behind, track back to the banks of the Danube and on to the city of Komarom, which straddles the borders of Hungary and Slovakia. While Komarom is known for its forts and strategic position on the Danube River, it is also a beautiful city housing many museums and historical sites. Take part in an introductory walk with a stroll across the Elizabeth Bridge, the pathway between two counties. To add some pampering at the end of a long day why not try an optional spa visit to soothe those leg muscles.
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Today there is an early departure to ensure a timely arrival into Esztergom (approximately 55 kilometres). The former capital city of Hungary, Esztergom is the seat of the Hungarian Catholic Church and boasts an amazing array of architectural gems such as Royal Palace, and Watertown, which is built on the banks of the Danube itself. The crowning glory of Esztergom is undoubtbly the Esztergom Basilica, a stunning example of Classicism and the third largest church in Europe. Reflected in the still waters of the Danube Bend, the Basilica is a sight to behold from outside and within. Take part on an introductory orientation walk of this beguiling city.
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Cycle the famous ‘Danube Bend’ beneath the wooded hills of Visegrád. Here the river turns south towards the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. Today is our lat but longest day in the saddle but be sure to enjoy a stop half way for a picnic lunch on the river bank. After cycling through the city itself end the day on a high with an afternoon visit to one of Budapest's famous spas is included. There is ample free time in the evening to explore at your leisure.
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Your cycling adventure comes to an end today. There are no planned activities or rides, so you're free to depart anytime before noon. If you want to spend some extra time in Budapest or require a later checkout, we strongly recommend booking extra accommodation at the time of booking.
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Inclusions
Meals
Meals 13 breakfasts, 1 lunchTransport
Transport Bicycle, Support vehicle, Train/Local Bus (e-bike option available, subject to availability)Accommodation
Accommodation Hotel (13 nights), guesthouse (1 night)
Activities
- 7 days bike hire
- Prague guided cycling
- Ceske Budejovice to Cesky Krumlov Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Cesky Krumlov to Lipno Lake Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Kollmitzberg to Melk Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Melk to Herzogenburg Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Orientation walk - Vienna
- Tulln to Vienna Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Vienna Guided Cycling
- 6 Days included bike hire
- Carnuntum entrance
- Vienna to Bratislava Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Bratislava to Gyor Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Gyor to Komarom Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Esztergom Basilica entrance
- Komarom to Esztergom Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Budapest - Szechenyi Baths
- Esztergom to Budapest Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Add On Activities
- Prague - Castle Visit - CZK350
- Prague - John Lennon Wall - Free
- Prague - Town Hall Clock Tower - CZK250
- Prague - Kafka Museum - CZK260
- Charles Bridge - Free
- Cesky Krumlov - Brewery Tour - CZK200
- Cesky Krumlov - Canoe Trip - CZK700
- Cesky Krumlov - Egon Schiele Art Centrum - CZK200
- Cesky Krumlov - Guided Castle Tour - CZK300
- Budweiser Brewery Tour - CZK150
- Black Tower - CZK30
- Melk Abbey - EUR12
- Vienna - Belvedere Gallery (Upper & Lower Gallery Combined Ticket) - EUR26
- Vienna - Hofburg Palace & Sisi Museum - EUR16
- Vienna - Prater Ferris Wheel - EUR14
- Vienna - Food, Coffee & Market Tour Urban Adventure - EUR115
- Vienna - Schoenbrunn Palace - EUR22
- Vienna - Belvedere Gallery (Lower Gallery) - EUR15
- Vienna - Leopold Museum - EUR15
- Vienna - Albertina Museum - EUR19
- The Slavin War Memorial - Free
- Bratislava - Kamzik TV Tower - Free
- Bratislava - Blue Church Bratislava - Free
- Fort Monostor - HUF1600
- Bálint Balassi Museum - HUF100
- Esztergom Castle Museum - HUF1800
- Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF7000
- Budapest - Danube Boat Trip - EUR15
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