Czech Republic Family

Czech Republic & Austria Family Biking

From Prague to Vienna: Old World Charms & the Danube River

Open up and dive in! To the pages of a Bohemian storybook adventure. Complete with spires, turrets and onion-shaped domes. Medieval castles, sword fighting, Schuhplattler dancers and goulash. Opening scene: Prague. Captivating. Emerging. It’s just the start. Bike rides through gentle countryside. The chance to stump Czech Professor Nechlebová, a walking encyclopedia. Kids get a taste of the Renaissance in magical Český Krumlov and wield Iron Age-style tools in Mitterkirchen. Pedal by the Danube. Taste Wachau Valley wine and grape juice. Final scene: Vienna. Intriguing. Let’s get started!

Trip Highlights
  • Discover two intriguing countries and cultures in one trip
  • Český Krumlov, a 13th-century Bohemian town with storybook castles and charming squares
  • Crisscross the Danube River amid timeless villages and onion-domed churches
  • A theatrical sword-fighting display performed exclusively for us
  • Dig into hearty Czech and Austrian specialties at local family-friendly restaurants
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The Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 1 Český Krumlov, a charming 13th-century town with twisting lanes and red-tile roofs From the shores of beautiful Lake Lipno, bike to the World Heritage Site of Ceský Krumlov, the best-preserved town in Bohemia, where the majority of buildings are designated cultural monuments En garde! Get ready for a theatrical sword fighting display, courtesy of the Brothers Ruže.

Day 2 Discover two intriguing countries and cultures in one trip Take a spin into the countryside for a panoramic view of rolling hills and traditional farmsteads  The Renaissance comes alive during a kids-only scavenger hunt With our local guide, learn about the rich history of the Český Krumlov Castle.

Day 3 Dig into hearty Czech and Austrian delicacies at family-friendly restaurants Leaving historic Czech treasures behind, we set our sights on Austria’s famed Danube Valley Pedal over rolling green hills through the famous Mostviertel (cider district), where a distinctive most (hard apple cider) is made Kids visit the Mitterkirchen open-air museum, where a re-created Celtic village offers a realistic glimpse into the past During dinner, Schuhplattler dancers give a rousing performance.

Day 4 Step back in time on a visit to the glorious Melk Abbey, a World Heritage site Ride through the countryside, then pick up the Donauradweg (the famous Danube bike path) in the quaint village of Ybbs The impressive Melk Abbey, towering on a bluff above the Danube, comes into view as you approach the charming town of Dürnstein.

Days 5-6 Austria's picture-perfect villages with onion-shaped church steeples Adults ride through the Kamptal wine region while the younger set heads to a Renaissance castle for a fun and fascinating falconry demonstration Pedal past the castle where Richard the Lionheart was captured.

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I'm a great fan of Backroads, and your Trip Leaders are what differentiates you from other active travel companies.
Barbara Sidor - Palo Alto, CA All Guest Reviews

For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.

Czech Republic & Austria Family Biking

Casual Inns

Hotel Zlaty Andel
Hotel Zlaty Andel

Český Krumlov (2 nights) Three buildings in the Gothic style compose this unique hotel set on the town’s main historic square.

Hotel Kothmühle
Hotel Kothmühle

Neuhofen an der Ybbs (1 night) A charming family-owned country inn, set amid rolling green hills in the "cradle of Austria." (tennis, sauna)

Zum Kirchenwirt
Zum Kirchenwirt

Weissenkirchen (2 nights) Austrian hospitality and Danube views abound at this comfortable guest house.

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Czech Republic & Austria Family Biking

Routes For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Biking Average Walking Average
1 2-3 hours 10-20 miles 2-5 miles
2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
Kid-Friendly Routes
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
  • 11, 26 miles
  • 600 - 1200 feet elevation gain
Day 2
  • Levels 1 to 2  2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 13, 28 miles
  • 310 - 1600 feet elevation gain
  • Walking Tour of Ceský Krumlov (Adults) 45 minutes 
Day 3
  • Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
  • 20, 27, 35 miles
  • 300 - 1400 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 3 to 5 3 Route Options Available
  • Biking 32, 50, 67 miles
  • 100 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 2 to 5  4 Route Options Available
  • 25, 44, 55 miles
  • 250 - 2100 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 1 2 Route Options Available
  • Walking 1.9 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Biking 13 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

You are viewing the Family Casual Inn itinerary.