Austria – Czech - Poland - Amber Trail from Vienna to Krakow Bike Tour 2021 Guided or Individual Self-Guided 10 days / 9 nights
This bicycle tour connects three countries: Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland and follows the ancient amber trading routes. Start by cycling through the winegrowing landscape of South Moravia, then north through the Moravian Karst, steep sided valleys riddled with caves. From here bike to Olomouc, second only to Prague in terms of impressive architecture. Bicycle past Hukvaldy, the birthplace of Czech composer Leoš Janáček. Skirting the Beskydy Mountains, you pass through the Moravian Gate, an ancient migration route over the European continental divide. Crossing the border into Poland, this bicycle tour brings you to the town of Osvetim (Auschwitz) and finally to the royal city of Krakow.
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Itinerary Day to Day
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 materials. On the 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 cemetery where the oldest tombstones date back to 1605. Overnight in Mikulov.
Day 2: Mikulov - Brno 67 km From Mikulov the cycle route goes through the wine-making region of South Moravia, past the Palava Hills, a Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere Reserve, which will serve as the main panorama during the trip today. You will pass the town of Zidlochovice with its chateau, where the division of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia was negotiated. Before arriving in Brno the journey goes through some less-relaxed landscape, around the new modern shopping malls and industrial outskirts of Brno, the Czech Republic’s second-largest city priorities. Overnight in Brno.
Day 3: Brno - Moravsky Kras 43 km The journey through Brno demands concentration and caution (Brno is a bit deficient with its cycling trails). Brno is famous for its architecture; historically it was closer both physically and even culturally to Vienna than to Prague. Brno is home of the famous Villa Tugendhat, a 20th century architectural treasure. The first village outside of Brno is the delightful Bilovice nad Svitavou, the scene of the famous opera ‘Lisky Bystrousky’ by Leos Janacek. By now you are climbing into the Moravian Karst, a region of limestone cliffs, deep valleys, and spectacular caves. You might finish today’s short stage with a journey down the underground river Punkva, and a view from the bottom of the deepest natural abyss in the Czech Republic, called Macocha (depth 187.5 m). Overnight in the Moravsky Kras area.
Day 4: Moravsky Kras - Olomouc 61 km This part of the trip is the most demanding not only in length but also elevation gain due to the Drahan Hills. Our reward will be a visit to Plumlov, a small town with a spectacular, if unfinished, Baroque castle on a rocky outcrop and the opportunity to bathe in the cool, refreshing Plumlov reservoir. Through Prostejov we get to Olomouc, the second most famous town for historic monuments in the Czech Republic after Prague. A trip to the Premyslid palace or St. Wenceslas Cathedral is an experience not to be missed; the ornate Trinity Column in the square is designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Overnight in Olomouc.
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Day 5: Olomouc - Teplice nad Becvou 50 km After sightseeing around Olomouc the route leads through the lowlands of the Morava River to the town of Prerov, and from there you begin to gradually climb towards Lipnik nad Becvou, with its old town walls, Jewish cemetery and synagogue. Lipnik nad Becvou lies at the southwestern end of the great pass known as the Moravian Gate. High above it lies imposing Helfstyn Castle, unique not only for its great size but also for its rich cultural calendar, dominated by the annual meeting of artistic blacksmiths, the Hefaiston, at the end of September. Then we ride on to the spa town of Teplice nad Becvou, where you have the opportunity to visit the Zbrasovska aragonite cave, or stroll the spa grounds and sip the invigorating waters. Overnight in Teplice nad Becvou.
Day 6: Teplice nad Becvou - Stramberk 40 km From the mineral rich spas of Teplice you travel on to Stary Jicin with its old castle ruins, then on to Novy Jicin with its arcades and Renaissance chateau. From here you journey just a short distance to the destination Stramberk, a small town famed for its spectacular tower, part of the old Gothic castle. Local culinary specialties include the famous Stramberk Ears, commemorating a bloody incursion by the Tatars in 1241. Stramberk also features a museum devoted to the work of Zdenek Burian, whose paintings depicting the Stone Age are commonly found in textbooks and museums around the world. Overnight in Stramberk.
Day 7: Stramberk - Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn 67 km The first stop of the day is in Koprivnice, home of the Tatra automobile works, which features an excellent technical museum displaying many interesting antique cars. Hukvaldy is another delightful stop on the route, a lovely small town famous for its ruined castle and also as the birthplace of the composer Leos Janacek. His original home, now a protected monument, houses an exhibition. The route then takes you through the larger town of Frydek-Mistek to and then on to Tesin, a town divided in two by the Czech - Polish border: Cesky Tesin on the Czech side, and Polsky Cieszyn on the Polish side. Overnight in Tesin/Cieszyn.
Panoramio.com
Day 8: Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn – Jasienica 43 km The cycle route on the Polish side leads through farmland and forests to the town of Jasienica. Transfer by car from Jasienica to Oswiecim (Auschwitz), the terrible concentration camp of WWII. Overnight in Oswiecim.
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Day 9: Cycling Oswiecim – Babice – Krakow 25 km This day allows you to spend more time in Oswiecim. The short ride is mainly flat and finishes in Babice at an interesting outdoor museum of traditional Polish architecture and crafts. Transfer by car from Babice to Krakow. Overnight in Krakow.
Pinterest.com
Day 10: Krakow In Krakow you will probably want to spend more than just one day: Wawel Castle, the Old Market Square, the Kazimierz Jewish quarter, or the town walls and Royal Way could easily take a day. To really soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city you must get into the cafes or pubs, theatres or clubs, and that takes more than a day too... Just outside of Krakow you could visit the salt mine in Wieliczka, which has been in constant operation since the middle Ages. It includes vast chambers ornately carved out of rock salt.
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Route
Technical Characteristics:
Tour Profile: Average
Distance: 468 km
Travel Season: Self-Guided Tours: Daily departures April 1 to October 31 Guided Tours: June 6-15
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Price per Person Guided Tour Self-Guided Tour Double Occupancy € 2880.00 € 1890.00 Single Supplement €450.00 €450.00 Surcharge Solo Traveler N/A +15%
Accommodation:
You will stay in smaller, charming hotels and pensions. They are all in a good central location and often in a historical building. A double room has one large bed for two people (usually queen size) and a twin room means that there will be two single beds in one room. All hotels have a private bathroom equipped with a bath or shower.
Included:
Guided Group Tour: • Professional bilingual guide • Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions • Support van • Buffet breakfast and dinner included • Luggage transfer • English route descriptions • Detailed cycling maps • Town maps • Global Positioning System (GPS) console • Quality TREK or Scott bike rental • Guided tours at chateaux, castles, museums and other selected attractions • Special events, including wine tasting and picnics
Self-Guided Individual Tour: • Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions • Buffet breakfast • Luggage transfer • English route descriptions • Detailed cycling maps • Town maps • Global Positioning System (GPS) console • Transportation by car according to the program • Welcome briefing upon arrival • Quality TREK or Scott bike rental • Stand-by support (cell phone and contact person)
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Bikes
TREK FX 3 hybrid bicycle
Trek FX 3 is a lightweight hybrid bike with a carbon fork which brings both speed and comfort to any of our routes you choose. It comes in all sizes to fit you perfectly and it is available also in Women’s Specific Design. Men's sizes: 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, and 25 inches Women's sizes: 15, 17, 20 inches.
SCOTT Sportster 40 Scott Sportster 40 hybrid bike features practicality and comfort. It handles all kinds of terrain. Its frame gives you plenty of stand over clearance when getting on and off your bike.
Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com
THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848