BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Best of Bohemia Cycling

This nine-day independent cycling holiday explores southern Bohemia, the westernmost province of the Czech Republic, an area of outstanding natural beauty and a Mecca for touring on bikes. The region is small, cars are sparse, and with 2000+ châteaux and castles, it is brimming in architectural and historic interest. You’ll pass soft pastel-colored houses dripping with stepped gables, stop off at beautiful fountains that adorn village squares, and cycle alongside medieval walls harboring dramatic gateways.

Away from the towns, it’s easy cycling along rivers, undulating barley fields, and through forests that surround the tiny villages. Some days you will be in the midst of tree-shaded lanes in a unique fishpond landscape, others will find you along ridges skirting a valley as you discover the protected natural landscape of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Tour Details

Day 1: Arrive in Tábor
Fly into Prague and then take the train to Tábor where a tour representative will meet you and take you to a gorgeous boutique hotel, located right in the historic heart of the city. The local agent will aim to fit you out with your bike before dinner.

Day 2: At Tábor
The historical center of Tábor is a truly venerable maze of cobblestone streets, perfect for exploring on foot. You can potter happily for a couple of hours, admiring the architecture and beauty of this 15th century town. Have lunch in Zizka Square, dominated by a monument of the famous Captain of the Hussite movement, Jan Zizka, then visit the Hussite Museum to learn about the history of the movement of which Tábor was a stronghold. Explore the medieval cellars that once connected underground passages used in the defense of the town and for storing goods.

Day 3: Tábor to Hluboká nad Vltavou (38km/23mi)
A morning transfer by train takes you from Tábor to Veseli nad Luznici (30 minutes), before you head off into the Bohemian Lake District. This semi-natural landscape containing literally hundreds of lakes has been managed for centuries by humans and is now the center of the Czech fish farming industry. It is also protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is listed under the RAMSAR Convention as a wetland of international importance. Your route ends in Hluboká nad Vltavou, one of the most beautiful towns in southern Bohemia.

Day 4: At Hluboká nad Vltavou
Hluboká nad Vltavou is best known for its château - just a few steps from your hotel - which is without doubt one of the most beautiful châteaux in the Czech Republic. It has been rebuilt by many different royal familes and gets its present day English Tudor Gothic style from the Schwarzenberg family. There are superb views too over the surrounding countryside - and this is a favorite holiday area for many Czech families.

Day 5: Hluboká nad Vltavou to Trebon (33km/21mi)
Today you’ll cycle through lush forests and past fish ponds in this lakeland area. This area is rich in wildlife, including nesting and migratory birds (white tailed eagles, kingfishers, storks and terns), and it forms the core national habitat for otters - don’t forget your binoculars! Enter Trebon’s old town via a gate in the old fortifications and cross a moat - part of a unique water regulation system dating back to the 16th century. Your four-star renovated Renaissance hotel offers a lovely summer garden in the middle of the town square, and an open air terrace for pre-dinner drinks.

Day 6: At Trebon
In the morning it is suggested that you explore the tiny medieval centre of Trebon, which is dominated by its huge Renaissance castle. Then, take a taxi to the perfectly preserved medieval town of Ceský Krumlov - a UNESCO Heritage Site. Huddled around a tight bend of the meandering Vltava River, the cobbled squares and narrow winding streets of the old town preserve an unparalleled ensemble of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque splendors. The resplendent pink and green Bohemian palace and citadel, with a fabulous Baroque theatre, sgraffitoed courtyards and exquisite gardens, are the highlights. Back at the hotel there’s a sauna and whirlpool bath, with massages (pay locally) also available.

Day 7: Trebon to Jindrichuv Hradec (30km/19mi)
Today’s cycling takes you through the mosaic of ancient fish ponds - carp farming has taken place here since the 15th century - and woods and meadows that make up Bohemia’s Lake District. You’ll pedal past ancient oaks and beech trees and past the hunting château of Jencina, dating to 1348. Soon after crossing the meandering Nezáka River, you will arrive in the magnificent royal town of Jindrichuv Hradec. This town translates into English as “ George’s Castle” and, to the west of the old town, is the third largest castle in the Czech Republic. Your family run four-star hotel here is again in the historic center and is renowned locally for it’s fine dining.

Day 8: At Jindrichuv Hradec
You’ll have the day free to explore one of the most beautiful towns in southern Bohemia. Founded in the 13th century by the Lords of Hradec, Jindrichuv Hradec centers on the main square, lined with vividly colored houses, many of which were rebuilt after a fire in 1801. Northwest of the square are cobbled alleys leading to the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, with a tower offering excellent views.

Day 9: Leave Jindrichuv Hradec
You are taken to Veseli nad Luznici station for your return train to Prague. Here you have the option to fly straight home or stay on for extra nights in this remarkable capital city.

• Easy, relaxed cycling: extensive forests, rivers, lakes and idyllic villages.
• Ornate Renaissance châteaux, colorful squares, and "sgraffitoed" courtyards.
• Fairytale Cesky Krumlov, the "jewel in the crown" of southern Bohemia.
• Stylish four-star boutique hotels in the most amazing historic centers.
• Option to spend extra nights in Prague.

Independent Tours:
Independent tours allow you to follow any route you choose using maps and detailed notes. Breakaway Adventures suggests routes using quiet country lanes, and going by the places they think are most interesting. There are route options for avoiding hills, and suggestions for detours and off-road explorations.

"Independent" doesn't mean unsupported, though. Local staff will greet you at the train station and take you by mini-van to the first hotel. You'll attend a briefing session, where your Breakaway Adventures representative will fit you with your bike, tell you all about the things to see and do, and help you map out a route if you have a special side trip you'd like to make. During the briefing session, you'll also have a chance to meet any other travelers who are booked on the tour. Although the tours are not intended as a group experience, people often make friends on these independent tours and enjoy the opportunity to meet others - but if you’re not so inclined you're free to travel at your own pace. There are rarely more than six or eight people on any independent cycling tour, so you can be as sociable, or otherwise, as you choose.

On independent tours, you move on between hotels every two days: your luggage is transported for you, so you don't need to carry a lot in your panniers (provided). In-between days are an opportunity for exploring locally, with the help of detailed maps and notes. You can cycle on the off days, or just opt for relaxation!

On independent tours Breakaway Adventure’s staff clean and carefully check every bike before it goes out, so don't expect many problems. If anything does go wrong, your rep come out to your hotel and put it right. And your Breakaway Adventure reps are only a phone call away if you have any problems! They’ll also give you a puncture repair kit. Due to hygiene and safety concerns, cycling helmets are not provided. However, it is strongly recommended that you bring your own cycling helmet.