Active Journeys Austria Czech Republic Poland Road Bike tour

Amber Trail

Vienna to Krakow

This bicycle tour connects three countries: Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland and follows the ancient, amber trading routes.

Cycle through the winegrowing region of South Moravia and on through steep-sided valleys, riddled with caves – the most beautiful in the Czech Re- public. From here bike to Olomouc, second only to Prague in terms of im- pressive architecture. Bicycle past Hukvaldy the birthplace of the Czech composer Janáček.

Skirting the Beskydy Mountains, you will get some fantastic views of the hillsides. Crossing the border into Poland, this bicycle tour brings you to the town of Osvetim (Auschwitz) and finally to the royal city of Krakow.

Come enjoy this incredible country with Active Journeys!

Tour Details Dates: 2009 Daily from April to October Length: 10 days / 9 nights Cost: $2675 per person Fast Facts Single Supplement: $675 • Bike/Equipment: $165 This trip offers the best of cycling on • Breakfast included, option available quiet country roads, and bike trails for dinners as well Grade: Moderate / Intermediate • Lovely accommodations through- • All equipment available for rentals Starts: Vienna out the journey hand-picked for charm and personality • Luggage transfers, route note and Ends: Krakow services of local office

Active Journeys Contact: 1-800-597-5594 or 416-236-5011 Email : [email protected] Itinerary:

Day 1 Stockerau - Drnholec (64 km / 40 miles) The beginning of the route is the town Stockerau, lying on the Danube cycle trails roughly18 km from Vienna (individual transport is possible by bike train or bus). Our own route leads through 'Lower Austria' around the start of the cycle trail 'Leiserbergweg' along undulating landscape to Ernstbrunn (Leiser Berge Naturalpark) and further through the border crossing to Hevlin in South Moravia, where there are just 13 km left to Drnholec.

Day 2 Drnholec - Brno (55 km / 34 miles) The cycle route goes through the wine-making region of South Moravia and around the contraversial dam 'Nove Mlyny' at the base of the commu- nism in the spirit of the saying—“we control the wind and rain”. The Palava Hills – a Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere Reserve, will serve as the main panorama during 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. Before arriving in Brno the journey goes through less relaxed landscape around hypermarkets and mega-parking lots that represent a change in social priorities.

Day 3 Brno - Moravsky Kras (45 km / 28 miles) 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 By- strousky’ by Leos Janacek. At the end of this stage is the famous cave sys- tem – the Moravian Karst, a popular nature destination in the Czech Re- public. 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 (63 km / 39 miles) 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 out- crop and the opportunity 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 (48 km / 30 miles) After sightseeing around Olomouc the trail brings you along the Amber Trail to Prerov and from there straight to Lipnik nad Becvou (jewish ceme- tery and synagogue). 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 calendar, 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 on to the spa town of Teplice nad Becvou, where you have the opportunity to visit the Zbrasovska aragonite Day 8 Cesky Tesin – Jasienica (42 km / 26 miles) cave. The cycle route on the Polish stage leads through farmland and forests to the town of Jasienica. Transfer by car from Day 6 Teplice nad Becvou - Stramberk (41 km / 25 miles) Jasienica to Oswiecim (Auschwitz), the famous yet terrible From the mineral rich spas of Teplice you travel on to Stary Jicin with its concentration camp of WWII. ancient ruins of the same name, on to Novy Jicin with its arcade and ren- aissance chateau. From here you journey just a short distance to the desti- Day 9 Cycling Oswiecim—Krakow (25 km/ 15 miles) nation Stramberk, a small town especially famous for its tower, part of a This day allows you to spend more time in Oswiecim. The gothic castle ruin. From this tower you have a beautiful view of the sur- short ride is mainly flat and finishes in Babice at an inter- roundings. You could taste the local specialities – the so-called Stramberk esting outdoor museum of traditional Polish architecture ears! You also have the opportunity to visit the museum of Zdenek Burian and crafts. Transfer by car from Babice to Krakow. – a famous painter whose paintings depict the Stone Age. Day 10 - Krakow Day 7 Stramberk - Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn (62 km / 39 miles) In Krakow you will probably want to spend more than just This day on the Czech part of this route brings you to Koprivnice, where it one day: Wawel Castle, the Old Market Square, the Kazim- is possible to visit the Technical museum of the old Czech car maker - Ta- ierz Jewish quarter, or the town walls and Royal Way could tra, displaying many interesting, antique cars. Hukvaldy is another delight- easily take a day. To really soak up the atmosphere of this ful stop on the route, which is famous for its ruined castle of the same vibrant city you must get into cafes or pubs, theatres or name and also as being the birthplace of the composer Leos Janacek. The clubs and that takes more than a day too...Just outside of route takes you through Frydek-Mistek to Tesin, where the Czech - Polish Krakow you could visit the salt mine in Wieliczka, which border separates Cesky Tesin and Polsky Cieszyn. has been in constant operation since the Middle Ages. It includes vast chambers ornately carved out of rock salt.

What to Expect Getting There What will the weather be like? The weather in this region is very similar to Vermont. So spring may be a • Fly into Vienna with many little cloudy and rainy. Summer will be cool mornings and evenings, and hot international airlines such as during the day. Austrian, KLM and Lufthansa. How many hours of cycling a day? Be prepared to be active between 3 to 6 hours daily, everything will be at a • At the end of the journey, we moderate level. This is a not supported tour, so you should be able to the minimums required each day. Keep in mind that you can opt out occasion- can organize a bus back to ally or take local transport en route. Vienna for your return flight. This option can also be used How fit do I need to be? at the beginning of the tour. The fitter the better, as you will enjoy the holiday more. This is an intermedi- ate 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 village 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.

Extra Info

This self-guided tour includes: • Accommodation specially selected How to book your holiday • Buffet breakfast • Luggage transfer • Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One • English route descriptions of our travel planners will walk you through the entire proc- • Detailed cycling and town maps ess. • Global Positioning System (GPS) console with programmed route • Download the reservation form from our site and send in • Transportation by car according to program completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space • Welcome briefing upon arrival is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent. • Quality TREK bike rental

• Stand-by support (cell phone & contact person) • A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & conditions are We have a small selection of hotels in for your outlined in our Reservation Form. arrival or departure. • Plan your air travel as soon as possible. Hotels in Vienna range from $70 per night to a deluxe 5* property at $300 per night. • We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either

through us or a travel insurance provider directly. This trip can be combined with Passau to Vi- enna. • Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact

us, for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and We have both cycling and hiking options, so fitness requirements. please feel free to contact us for more information.