All Tours > Czech Republic Tours > 4 Countries of Old Europe

4 Countries of Old Europe Cycling Tour


There are few places in Europe where you can cycle through four countries in just 8 days. Cycling through this magical part of Old Europe will allow you to experience both the bygone and recent history of these four countries that all once belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire of the Hapsburg dynasty. Other venerable noble families built their glamorous palaces and estates in this corner of Europe. You will travel through the Lednice-Valtice Area, a composed landscape created by the Liechtenstein family, dotted with follies, ponds and chateaux. The powerful Esterhazy family settled in Austria’s Eisenstadt and Hungary’s Fertöd where they employed the famous composer Joseph Haydn. Lake Neusiedl is a highlight in the lowlands of Burgenland, ideal for leisurely biking, birdwatching and refreshing swims. This tour, with the exquisite wines of Burgenland and the hearty cuisine of Hungary, makes for a perfect mix of history, architecture, nature preserves, and easy cycling.

5 Reasons to Cycle the Czech Republic

 


Tour Details



General Tour Information

4 Countries in 8 days
Cycling Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia.

Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Self-guided or guided biking trip on specific dates - please inquire
Total length: Length: 363 km / 227 miles
Trip rating: Moderate Level 2

Dates: April through October; this is a self-guided and supported tour. You can go any date subject to hotel availability. See a list of events at the right to help you choose some dates. We can also organize guided trips for any group size and accommodate custom requests; please inquire

Enjoy this undeveloped former communist controled area to discover castles, artisans, and charming people.

Self guided, supported: available on request from April through October.
What is self-guided cycling?

Level 2 - Moderate; terrain is flat to rolling; itineraries can be adapted for longer ride options.

Events
Valtice Wine Fair (11-12 May 2012)
Vienna Festival: May - June
Mikulov: Wine Harvest September; International Guitar Festival July
Jindrichuv Hradec - Rose Festival July
Palava Wine Harvest Festival (7-14 September 2012)-a grand event with a historical
fair and wine market, historical and folk costume parades, wine tasting, a program of
events for all ages and local culinary specialties.
The Vienna Festival (May-June 2012)
Jazz-Fest Wien (June-July 2012)
Coronation Ceremony (September 2012), is the largest cultural event in Slovakia.
Bratislava returns back to the time of Renaissance.

Customer Comments

"I have just returned home from our wonderful trip to Eastern Europe and wanted to tell you how pleased we were with all your arrangements. The service on the ground was really amazing. Tom was always easy to reach with the cell phone that was part of our gear, and more than accommodating. The hotels that we stayed at surpassed our expectations in every case. And the breadth of exposure to Czech history and culture was lovely. And best of all, the GPS kept us on the straight and narrow most of the time. "
- Paula S./Canada

"Fantastic Trip! You folks really have this bike trip thing down. Every aspect of the trip was great..."
- Tom M./USA

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8

cycling central europe czech republicDay 1 | Valtice - Mikulov (30 km / 19 miles)

Morning transfer on your own by train from either Vienna or Prague to Breclav where you meet your contact person, who will drive you to Valtice and introduce you to the program. You will start your biking trip from Valtice to Mikulov over forest and field trails in the Lednice-Valtice area (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Two magnificent chateaux grace the area, along numerous 'follies', romantic structures set in a harmonious way into the surrounding landscape. A paved road with little traffic then leads you to Mikulov with its imposing castle, historic square, the tomb of the Dietrichstein family, as well as the synagogue and Jewish cemetery, where the oldest tombstone dates back to 1605. Overnight in Mikulov in a very nice 3 star hotel in central Mikulov. Dinner on your own.

Hotel Templ

3

Mikulov

Hotel Templ Mikulov offers the possibility of accommodation in 17 rooms, each of which has its own s...

vienna austria cycling toursDay 2 | Mikulov – Vienna (56 km / 35 miles)

Morning transfer by car from Mikulov to Ladendorf. You start your cycling day in the Wienviertel winegrowing region north of Vienna. Cycling through fertile farmland and vinyards gives you a view into traditional life centered around winemaking. You will finish the day in Vienna with its unmatched beauty of historical buildings, green parks, and the coffee and Sachertorte culture. Overnight in Vienna. (Breakfast included - B)

Hotel Austria

3

Vienna

Experience Vienna in its most personal ambiance! Courtyard terrace, Hotel Austria Look forward...


PA-central-europe-cycling2

cycling hungary central europeDay 3 | Vienna – Eisenstadt (73 km / 46 miles)

Leaving the city of Vienna you will cycle along the Euro-velo 9 south through Trumau. In Winpassing you start curving around the Leitha Highlands to arrive in Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland, and the former main seat of the Esterhazy noble family. Employed by the nobles was the composer Joseph Haydn. To shorten the distance it is possible to take a local train to Himberg and then cycle to Eisenstadt (45 km / 28 miles) Overnight in Eisenstadt. (B)

Hotel Burgenland

4

Eisenstadt

Hotel Burgenland is located centrally in Eisenstadt. It is only a few minutes walk from Eisenstadt s...

pa-central-europe-cycling3

cycling tours central europe hungary sopronDay 4 | Eisenstadt – Sopron (57 km / 35 miles)

The first half of this day you will cycle south to view the stunning castle of Forchtenstein, another former Esterhazy estate. This historic site with a truly magnificient view of Burgenland, and a unique treasury and collection of arms is well worth a visit. In the afternoon you will continue east and cross the state border in the spot where the Iron Curtain started to crumble back in 1989. You will arrive in Sopron, one of Hungary’s most outstanding destinations. You can enjoy the history and culture of this town, listed as a World Heritage Site, and sample its world-famous local wines and spicy Hungarian cuisine. (B)
Overnight in Sopron.

Hotel Wollner

4

Sopron

The Wollner Hotel is a four star family run hotel, which has the charm of the 19th century. The Hote...


pa-central-europe-cycling4

cycling slovakia central europeDay 5 | Sopron – Illmitz (58 km / 35 miles)

You will go mostly downhill or level on this easy day. After leaving Sopron a number of small villages on the edge of the National Park of Lake Neusiedl will be on your way to a real gem of architecture and landscape design. Fertod, formerly called Eszterhaza, is nicknamed the ‘Hungarian Versailles’ for its grand chateau park. This World Heritage Site is worth exploring before you continue on through the national park. If you like birds don’t forget to bring your binoculars, as Lake Neusiedl is famous as a paradise for bird watchers. You will cross the border back into Austria and continue to Illmitz, the centre of the National Park, and by ferry to Rust, another World Heritage Site, where you will stay overnight. Before you board the ferry, or after you arrive to Rust, you can enjoy a refreshing swim. This charming little town has a unique atmosphere with dozens of white storks watching you from their nests on the chimneys as you sample the excellent local wines and food. (B)
Overnight in Illmitz.

Pension Rosenhof

3

Illmitz

Come in! We, the Haiders, would be happy to have you as our guests! Rest yourself! Aperitif? 3 g...


PA-central-europe-cycling5

central europe bike toursDay 6 | Illmitz – Neusiedl (51 km / 32 miles)

You will start another easy cycling day going west and north to arrive shortly at the Neusiedl lakeside. On your way, there is for example St. Margarethen where famous open-air opera performances in a two-thousand-year-old Roman quarry take place regularly. Afterwards you will skim the shallow shores of the Neusiedl Lake and cycle through many vineyards and little villages, such as Purbach with an alley of more than 50 historical cellars. Today’s destination is Neusiedl. And again, the local public swimming area invites you to dip in the salty waters of Neusiedl Lake.
Overnight in Neusiedl. (B)

Hotel Wende

4

Neusiedl am See

The quiet hotel with its spacious facilities is in the centre of Neusiedl am See. The award-winning ...

PA-central-europe-cycling6

bratislava cycling tours europeDay 7 | Neusiedl – Bratislava (44 km / 24 miles)

You can start your day by visiting the Neusiedl Calvary before heading through more level terrain towards the Slovak capital of Bratislava. You will cross the border shortly after Kitsee and continue to Bratislava along the famous Danube trail. Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, has everything any European city can offer: an imposing castle on a hill overlooking the city, the grand Danube River with its embankment inviting romantic strolls, and the historical center with its coronation cathedral, museums, restaurants, opera, and concerts. (B)
Overnight in Bratislava.

 

Hotel Avance

4

Bratislava

The newly built luxury Hotel Avance, set in the historical centre of Bratislava, offers accommodatio...

PA-central-europe-cycling7

 

vienna cycling bike toursDay 8 | Bratislava

Today you can spend more time exploring the charming historic downtown of this city, or you can take a local bus to the outskirts of Bratislava and visit the medival Devin Castle high on a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Morava and Danube Rivers. (B)
Afternoon departure.

PA-central-europe-cycling8


What's Included

mikulov cyclingAll lodging, breakfast daily, luggage transfers, local emergency support, cell phone rental (for local calls only), transportation as in program, orientation, riding routes with maps and cue sheets, suggestions for visitation and dining, bike delivery, pickup, fitting, and fully equipped rental for the duration with GPS (1/group or couple).

A guided tour can be arranged along this same itinerary with a minimum of 4 persons. The price is slightly higher per person at 1940 euros, based on double occupancy and includes all the same items plus guide, support van, and some guided visites at selected sites. July 15-22 and August 26-September 2 are the dates to join a guided departure.

Accommodation: 7 nights in charming 3 star guest houses and small charming hotels. A number of dining options exist in or within short walk of each property. All accommodations include private bathroom and a variety of other amenities. Websites and links available, please contact us.

Local Support: Our local guides and experts are available by phone to assist during your trip with any kind of emergency, breakdown (except flats), and if due to weather or other reason you need to arrange a transfer.

You will get a complete set of cycling maps for your self-guided bicycle tour. We highlight your daily cycling route into the map with a highlighter. Wherever you cycle in Central Europe, the maps are accurate, topographical maps by national map publishers such as the Czech Tourist Club (Czech Republic) and VKU Harmanec (Slovakia). The scales of all maps are 1:50 000 or 1:75 000. Most maps are based on military maps.

 

Tour Rates

1290 Euros per person, double occupancy.

Single Supplement when 2 or more travelers: 350 euros; subject to currency fluctuation.

Added Solo supplement of 15% when only 1 traveler.

Occassionally triple rooms are available, please inquire.

Bike rentals are included in the tour price.

(convert)

 

Bike Info
Czech trek 7300 bicycle

Bike rentals are available for all participants and are included in the tour price.

Bike: [Click for image] Included; Trek 7300 FX hybrid; Bikes come equipped with handlebar bag, lock, water bottle, gps navigation (1 per couple or group), tire repair kit, computer, panniers. Moderate terrain with some rolling hills and easy to moderate distances. Tandem and child trailers also available - please inquire. Helmet included.

 

 

 

 


Photos & Videos

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Tour Profile

profile Central Europe 4 Countries Cycling