Austria Premium Czech Republic SelfSelf----guidedguided Poland Cycling
Amber Trail
Day 1 72 km Vienna - Stockerau to Mikulov Vienna to Krakow
Day 2 67 km To Brno This bicycle tour connects three countries: Austria, the Czech Republic and Po- Day 3 43 km land and follows the ancient, amber trading routes. To Moravsky Kras Day 4 61 km Cycle through the winegrowing region of South Moravia and on through steep- To Olomouc sided valleys, riddled with caves – the most beautiful in the Czech Republic. From here bike to Olomouc, second only to Prague in terms of impressive archi- Day 5 50 km tecture. Bicycle past Hukvaldy the birthplace of the Czech composer Janáček. Teplice nad Becvou Day 6 40 km Skirting the Beskydy Mountains, you will get some fantastic views of the To Stramberk hillsides as you pass through the Moravian Gate, an ancient migration route over the European continental divide. Crossing the border into Poland, this bicycle Day 7 67 km tour brings you to the town of Osvetim (Auschwitz) and finally to the royal city To Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn of Krakow. Day 8 43 km To Jasienica
Day 9 25 km To Babice - Krakow
Day 10 End of tour
Tour Details Daily from April to October Cost: $3550 per person Fast Facts Breakfast included E-Bike Info : Single Supplement: $795 Welcome briefing on Day 1 Bike rental: Included E-bike rental: $475 Luggage transfers, route notes and Limited supplies available, reservations Length: 10 days / 9 nights services of local office upon booking recommended Grade: Intermediate GPS system SCOTT E-Sub models
Starts: Vienna Transfers by car according to pro- Ends: Krakow gram
Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected] Itinerary
Day 1 Vienna - Stockerau - Mikulov 72 km Meet our representative who will transfer you from Vienna to Stockerau, introduce you to the tour and give you the bike and all information materi- als. On this first day of the route you will follow the rolling countryside of Weinviertel (Wine Quarter) past spa town of Laa an der Thaya to enter the Czech Republic soon after. Wrap up your day in Mikulov with its imposing caste, historic square, the Dietrichstein family tomb and the Jewish ceme- tery where the oldest tombstones date back to 1605.
Day 2 Mikulov - Brno 67 km The cycle route goes through the wine-making region of South Moravia and around the contraversial dam 'Nove Mlyny' at the base of the communism in the spirit of the saying—“we control the wind and rain”. The Palava Hills – a Protect- ed Landscape Area and Biosphere Reserve, will serve as the main panorama dur- ing the trip. You will pass the town of Zidlochovice with a chateau, which till the present day serves as a representative place for famous national meetings. Be- fore arriving in Brno the journey goes through less relaxed landscape around shopping malls and industrial lots that represent a change in social priorities.
Day 3 Brno - Moravsky Kras 43 km The journey through Brno demands concentration and caution (Brno tries to look similar to Vienna but unfortunately this is not apparent from the cycle trails). Despite this, the first village outside of Brno is the delightful Bilovice nad Svitavou, the scene of a famous Czech opera ‘Lisky Bystrousky’ by Leos Janacek. At the end of this stage is the famous cave system – the Moravian Karst, a popu- lar nature destination in the Czech Republic. Today’s short ride could finish in a journey down the underground river Punkva in one of the caves along with a trip to the bottom of the deepest Czech abyss called Macocha (depth 187.5 m).
Day 4 Moravsky Kras - Olomouc 61 km This part of the trip is the most demanding not only in length but also hills (550 m) due to the Drahan Hills. Our reward will be a visit to Plumlov, a small town with a dominant but unfinished, baroque castle on a rocky outcrop and the op- portunity to bathe in the cool, refreshing Plumlov reservoir. Through Prostejov we get to Olomouc, the second most famous town for monuments in the Czech Republic, after Prague. A trip to Premysl palace or St. Wenceslas Cathedral is an experience not to be missed as is seeing the Trinity Column in the square, which was designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Day 5 Olomouc - Teplice nad Becvou 50 km After sightseeing around Olomouc the trail brings you along the Amber Trail to Prerov and from there straight to Lipnik nad Becvou (jewish cemetery and syna- gogue). In Lipnika and Becvou, a short trip takes you up to the imposing Helfstyn Castle, which is unique not only in terms of area but also in its rich cultural calen- dar, dominated by the annual event of the meeting of artistic blacksmiths – Hefaiston, at the end of September. After the uphill journey to Helfstyn we ride Day 8 Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn - Jasienica 43 km on to the spa town of Teplice nad Becvou, where you have the opportunity to The cycle route on the Polish side leads through farmland and visit the Zbrasovska aragonite cave. forests to the town of Jasienica. Transfer by car from Jasienica to Oswiecim (Auschwitz), the terrible concentration camp of Day 6 Teplice nad Becvou - Stramberk 40 km WWII. From the mineral rich spas of Teplice you travel on to Stary Jicin with its ancient ruins of the same name, on to Novy Jicin with its arcade and renaissance chateau. Day 9 Oswiecim - Babice - Krakow 25 km From here you journey just a short distance to the destination Stramberk, a small This day allows you to spend more time in Oswiecim. The short town especially famous for its tower, part of a gothic castle ruin. From this tower ride is mainly flat and finishes in Babice at an interesting out- you have a beautiful view of the surroundings. You could taste the local speciali- door museum of traditional Polish architecture and crafts. ties – the so-called Stramberk ears! You also have the opportunity to visit the Transfer by car from Babice to Krakow. museum of Zdenek Burian – a famous painter whose paintings depict the Stone Age. Day 10 Krakow In Krakow you will probably want to spend more than just one Day 7 Stramberk - Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn 67 km day: Wawel Castle, the Old Market Square, the Kazimierz Jew- This day on the Czech part of this route brings you to Koprivnice, where it is pos- ish quarter, or the town walls and Royal Way could easily take sible to visit the Technical museum of the old Czech car maker - Tatra, displaying a day. To really soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city you many interesting, antique cars. Hukvaldy is another delightful stop on the route, must get into cafes or pubs, theatres or clubs and that takes which is famous for its ruined castle of the same name and also as being the more than a day too...Just outside of Krakow you could visit birthplace of the composer Leos Janacek. The route takes you through Frydek- the salt mine in Wieliczka, which has been in constant opera- Mistek to Tesin, where the Czech - Polish border separates Cesky Tesin and Pol- tion since the Middle Ages. It includes vast chambers ornately sky Cieszyn. carved out of rock salt.
What to Expect Getting There
What will the weather be like? Fly into Vienna with many inter- The weather in this region is very similar to Vermont. So spring may be a little cloudy and rainy. Summer will be cool mornings and evenings, and hot during national airlines such as Austri- the day. an, KLM and Lufthansa.
How many hours of cycling a day? Be prepared to be active between 4.5 to 6 hours daily, everything will be at an At the end of the journey, we intermediate level, it is a hilly region. This is a not supported tour, so you should can organize a bus back to Vi- be able to the minimums required each day. Keep in mind that you can opt out enna for your return flight. This occasionally or take local transport en route. option can also be used at the How fit do I need to be? beginning of the tour. The fitter the better, as you will enjoy the holiday more. This is an intermediate trips with challenging options.
What are the hotels like? We use a wide mixture of accommodations. Hotels and guesthouses are of tourist class standards with private facilities and hot water. Facilities in the vil- lage stays are obviously quite limited, but we make sure you have clean and charming accommodation. You can opt to take the half-board meal plan, this would include dinners at each destination.
How to book your holiday
Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the en re process.
Download the reserva on form from our website and send in completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent. Extra Info A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & condi ons are outlined We have a small selection of hotels in for your in our Reserva on Form. arrival or departure.
Hotels in Vienna range from $150 per night to a Plan your air travel as soon as possible. deluxe 5* property at $300 per night. We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through This trip can be combined with Passau to Vienna. us or a travel insurance provider directly.
We have both cycling and hiking options, so Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us, please feel free to contact us for more for more informa on on vaccina ons, inocula ons, and fitness information. requirements.