Escorted  Tours - Czech Republic & Hungary

Bicycling Through History – Sep 2 – 19, 2004

Itinerary:  Prague to Budapest (Czech Republic to Hungary)

Trip Leader Audrey Wass, Asst Leader Steve Estvanik

Last revised 16 sep 2003

We’ll spend 12 days bicycling from Prague to Budapest, covering about 35-50 miles per day, staying at hotels along the way.  We have 2 additional days to explore the fascinating and beautiful cities of Prague and Budapest.  We visit medieval and Renaissance villages such as Cesky Kremlov and Telc, a UNESCO World Heritage site.   On bicycle we visit and explore less traveled roads and villages, with time to meet local people.  Leaving Prague for some cycling in South Bohemia, two castles await you, Orlik and Hluboka.  Discover Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO protected town.  Surrounded by hills and forests and winding roads, you will be cycling to this area's various points of interest; Lipno Dam, along the Vltava River, to the monastery at Vyssi Brod, or to the castle town of Rozmberk.  The spa town of Trebon offers relaxing cycling among its lakes and canal system.  Binoculars are recommended, as the area is a wetland attracting a large variety of water fowl. As you cycle along, consider that this entire area was transformed from swampland into a productive and sustainable habitat, back in the 16th century.   Telc is another UNESCO town we explore.  From here, cycle to the less well-preserved town of Slavonice, whose renaissance architecture remains.  There are more cycling opportunities in the empty, rolling, forested hills of Cesky Canada, the least populated and wildest area in the Czech Republic.

Moving east to Moravia, you will cycle in and around the Pavlov Highlands, a UNESCO protected Biosphere Reserve.  The area also offers opportunities to explore two enormous baroque estates, Lednice and Valtice, and the well-preserved town of Mikulov.  Cycling along the Morava River eventually leads us to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.  You will enjoy the wonderful Hungarian cuisine when we stay at a spa town near the border.  Along the Danube our journey continues, through Gyor and Estergom, finally arriving at the ancient and enduring city of Budapest.   All luggage is carried by an accompanying vehicle.  Bicycling is on relatively traffic free roads, and is of moderate difficulty. 

Price: $2680 (based on double occupancy, minimum group of 8.)  Price decreases with additional members, with a low of $2260 for full signup of 12.  A $500 deposit is required per person to reserve a place. Remaining payment is due April 15.

For questions email audrey@cascoly.com  or call 206 523 6135.     

PRICE INCLUDES 

3 or 4 star hotel accommodation in double occupancy 

Bicycle provided (members should bring their own helmets)

Transportation as required.

R/T transfers to and from airport

Most meals (all but 5 lunches, 2 dinners)

Most meals: 3 meals a day on bike portion (days 4-15) ( 1 dinner in Cesky Krumlov and 1 dinner in Mossonmagyarovar on own).   Breakfast only in Prague and Budapest.

Entrance fees for sites indicated.

English speaking guide

Group tips for hotel staff, porters

PRICE EXCLUDES

International airfare Portland/Seattle to Prague, return from Budapest (estimated at $900-1200).

Beverages at lunch and dinner ($1-3 per day)

Single Supplement $380  

Trip insurance (estimated about $100)

Tips to guide & driver

Personal expenses  (Phone, internet, laundry, and similar items)

Cancellation: Refunds for cancellations depend on the date a written cancellation letter  is received.  If more than 120 days before departure date, a $100 fee is assessed.  After that date, cancellation penalty is $200 plus any un-recoverable funds.  If operator cancels the trip, all payments will be refunded. If, after tour departure, the services included in the tour cannot be supplied, or there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond the control of the Tour Operator, the Tour Operator will arrange for the provision of comparable services

Day 1  (Sep 2) Leave home fly to Prague.  

Day 2  Arrive in Prague, Czech Republic.  Clear customs and meet guide for transfer to hotel.  Afternoon free to explore Prague.   Overnight in Prague.

.

Day 3 Walking tour of Prague.

Day 4  Leave Prague in the morning, transfer about 1 hour south from Prague, bike

towards Orlik castle. Visit the castle and continue to Pisek. After lunch, transfer to Talin, bike to Hluboka castle. Transfer to Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overnight.

Day 5 Transfer to Cerna v Posumavi, bike by Lipno dam and then down by the

Vltava river through Vyssi Brod and Rozmberk back to Cesky Krumlov.

Overnight.

Day 6 Bike through Rimov and Trocnov to Trebon. Overnight in this spa town.

Day 7 Bike around Trebon lakes. Ponds were built in 16th. century, Trebon is

known for its fresh fish and great beer. Overnight in Trebon.

Day 8 Bike to Straz nad Nezarkou, Jindrichuv Hradec and Telc. Telc is protected by UNESCO, and retains its 16th century architecture. Overnight.

Day 9 Bike to Dacice, Slavonice and around Ceska Kanada ( Czech Canada). Land

of endless forests on the border with Austria, explore where "iron curtain" used to be. Return to Telc for overnight.

Day 10 Bike through Jemnice, Bitov, Vranov nad Dyji towards Mikulov and Valtice. End up in wine country tasting good wine and exploring little villages. Overnight near Valtice.

Day 11 Explore Pavlov highland, Mikulov old town, Valtice and Lednice parks and

gardens ( UNESCO). Overnight near Valtice.

Day 12 Bike along Morava river to Slovakia where Morava river forms border with

Austria. It is protected land for its variety of birds and plants. Bike to Bratislava, explore the town and transfer to Mossonmagyarovar, a spa town in Hungary. Overnight.

Day 13 Return to Bratislava for exploration or simply just the day off

in local spa. Overnight.

Day 14  Bike through Gyor and by Danube river to Estergom. Town famous

for its fights against Turks, most famous cathedral of Hungary, seat of archbishop. Overnight.

Day 15 Bike by Danube river to Sentendre and end the trip in Budapest.

Day 16 Free day in Budapest

Day 17 Fly home