Czech Republic & Austria Biking
From the pastoral beauty of the Czech Republic to the legendary Danube River in Austria, this dual-country trip brings together two fascinating regions rich in history, culture and tradition. The well-preserved Baroque city of Český Krumlov provides a warm welcome as you wander its cobblestone streets and relax over pints of locally brewed beer. In the heartland of Austria, rolling hills reveal fertile vineyards and farms. Set your sights on Vienna and follow the path of the Danube, riding in the shadow of the imposing Melk Abbey. And along the way, enjoy the hospitality of hotels brimming with European tradition, the perfect complement to a magical two-wheeled journey.
Day 1 Hluboka
Gather in Prague 
Shuttle south into the heart of Bohemia Pedal pastoral rolling hills to the majestic 13th-century Hluboká Castle.
Days 2-3 cesky krumlov
Spin through the impeccably preserved 13th-century village of Holasovice Explore the World Heritage site of Český Krumlov, where most buildings are designated cultural monuments Take a spin into the countryside for a panoramic view of the rolling hills and traditional farmsteads Visit Krumlov Hrad, a 13th century Gothic castle Bring your questions to a Q&A session with a Czech historian.
Days 4-6 durnstein
Leaving historic Czech treasures behind, make your way over rolling terrain into the heart of the Waldviertel, Austria's Forest Quarter Known as the country’s "grain basket," the area is awash in a sea of corn and wheat fields Bike a rolling route lined with picturesque villages and churches Visit Melk, home to a magnificent Baroque abbey perched high on a promontory above the water Pedal along the Danube River picking up the Donauradweg (the Danube’s famous bike path) to Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned Ride through the scenic Wachau wine region 
Tour the private estate of a local wine expert and sample the region’s famous reisling and gruner veltliner wines Arrive in historic Vienna, where our trip ends.
OLD-WORLD WARMTH: Premiere Inns
Hotel Stekl (1 night): Built to house the servants of nearby Hluboká Castle, this Gothic chateau is now a welcoming four-star hotel with pool and sauna.
Hotel Ruze (2 nights): Italian Renaissance style and Czech hospitality abound at this 16th-century hotel on the bank of the Vltava River, which features an indoor pool and sauna.
Hotel Schloss Durnstein (2 nights): A Relais & Châteaux member set in a former castle with elegant furnishings, a library, swimming pools and spectacular views of the Danube River.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 13, 18 miles
- 500 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 13, 18, 33 miles
- 500 - 800 feet elevation gain
- Walking Tour of Ceský Krumlov 1 hour
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 13, 28, 51 miles
- 100 - 3400 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 3 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 35, 42 miles
- 1300 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 24, 48, 62 miles
- 300 - 3100 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 1.5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 7/11-16Price: $3598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
- 7/25-30Price: $3398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/8-13Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/22-27Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/5-10Price: $3398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/26-10/1Price: $3498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/3-8Price: $3298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $590 for sgl. occ.)
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Late-fall savings of $600 per person; mention code PC02 when booking.
Guest Trip Reviews
This was another excellent Backroads trip and measured up to what we have come to expect based on our prior trips. The leaders continue to have no peer when it comes to client care - not only are they fun to be with, but they are well organized and dedicated to making it fun for the guests. The exposure to local cultural and historial resources and cities provides a learning enrichment that we appreciate.- Golden, CO
This was a terrific trip with great biking, challenging and social with many options each day, cultural educational experiences and a fun social dynamic. My son and I very much enjoyed the trip and both want to go on more trips. Palo Alto, CA