BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Magic of Moravia Cycling

Your tour starts in the former Liechtenstein estate of the Lednice-Valtice, in southern Moravia. Here, the cultural landscape is dotted with hunting lodges, chapels, and numerous follies - romantic structures blended in a harmonious way into the surrounding landscape. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is dominated by the Neo-Gothic Lednice Château and the Baroque Valtice Château.

Then, cycle on through the protected Pálava Hills, brimming with unique flora and fauna, and an excellent place for bird spotting before arriving in Mikulov, a magical border town, wreathed by vineyards. From here you cross the border into the Wienviertel (wine growing) region of Austria. Here, surrounding Laa an der Thaya, you’ll discover a multitude of small wine growing villages whose cellars form entire streets! You’ll finish your cycling in Retz, an ancient walled town with the largest network of underground cellars in Austria.

Tour Details

Day 1: Arrive at Lednice
Fly into Vienna and take the train to Breclav (1hr), where a tour representative will meet you and take you (15 mins) to your modern château-style hotel in Lednice. The aim is to fit you out with your bike before dinner.

Day 2: At Lednice 22km/14mi
Spend the morning in Lednice exploring the wonderful Neo-Gothic château, once the Seat of Liechtensteins, and gardens. After lunch, head out on peaceful forest trails through the UNESCO-listed 200km of cultural landscapes scattered with “follies” such as chapels, artificial ruins, arches, and colonnades. Be sure to visit the National Wine Salon in the Baroque palace in Valtice - you can sample from among the top 100 finest, award-winning Czech wines!

Day 3: Lednice to Mikulov 30km/19mi
The fertile slopes of the Pálava Hills - a protected landscape area and Biosphere Reserve - will provide the main backdrop to today’s cycling. You’ll pedal first through forests by the River Dyje and soon arrive at the archaeological Mecca of Dolní Vestonice. The oldest fragment of ceramic in the world, the Venus of Vestonice statuette, dated at 27,000 years, was discovered in this village. Continue through the wine growing village of Bavory and then a paved road, with little traffic, takes you to Mikulov with it’s imposing castle, historic square, synagogue, and Jewish cemetery.

Day 4: At Mikulov
Mikulov is, in the words of the poet Jan Skácel, “a piece of Italy moved to Moravia by God’s hand.” Enjoy your morning coffee on the pastel-colored town square with superb views to the Holy Hill: crowned by the pilgrimage church of St. Sebastian. Explore the former Dietrichstein residence of Mikulov Château - this 13th century complex dominates the town and contains a giant Renaissance wine barrel from 1643 (101,000 litres). West of the castle is the once thriving Jewish quarter, with its historic synagogue and atmospheric cemetery.

Day 5: Mikulov to Laa an der Thaya 28km/17mi
Today you cross the border from the Czech Republic into Austria and you cannot fail to appreciate the differences between the two countries - the most obvious being the bucolic farming landscape. As you pedal, the huge Czech fields, a legacy of Communist agriculture techniques, give way to smaller fields and vineyards containing abundant wildlife and game. Cycle through the vintner’s village of Galgenberg where wine cellars constitute entire streets before ending your day in the charming border town of Laa an der Thaya.

Day 6: At Laa an der Thaya
Being a border town, Laa an der Thaya has experienced mixed fortunes throughout history. The "Southern Moravian's Homeland Museum" details the incredible history of this town. Follow the walking trail to see the castle, Gothic pillory, local churches, old Brewery, and Plague Column on the main square. After lunch, perhaps you'll choose to pamper yourself at Therme Laa thermal baths and spa, where you can soothe any aching muscles in the indoor and outdoor pools, float in the salt pool, and steam away in the saunas. Massages and beauty treatments are also available.

Day 7: Laa an der Thaya to Retz 42km/26mi
This morning, after breakfast, you (and your bike) are taken to the wine village of Hadres where you will find the longest wine cellar lane in Austria! Feel free to sample a glass before starting your cycle! It then feels like stepping back in time as you pedal effortlessly through fertile, open farmland where you’re more likely to see grouse and game than fellow tourists! Be sure to stop off at the many picturesque parish churches en-route. You’ll soon arrive at your gorgeous four-star hotel with sauna, steam bath and solarium, in the beautiful 13th century walled town of Retz.

Day 8: At Retz
Throughout the centuries, Retz has been a significant wine metropolis. This is evident in its Hauptplatz, a beautifully proportioned, sloping cobbled rectangle, lined with pastel-colored buildings. However, the real wealth of the town lies beneath the streets. Take a tour of the huge network of multi-level wine cellars, the largest in Austria at 21km long and 30m deep. During the highest peak of the wine trade, in the middle of the 18th century, the Mössmer company alone stored an excess of 2 million litres of wine in these cellars!

Day 9: Leave Retz
You'll be taken to Retz station for you train to Vienna. Fly straight home or choose to stay on for a few extra nights in this beautiful city.

• Fairytale picture-postcard châteaux, impressive Baroque palaces, and ancient archaelogical treasures.
• Pastel-colored squares, beautiful walled towns, and rustic wine villages.
• Unique flora and fauna; wildlife in abundance.
• Peaceful forest trails, fertile vineyards, and the sun-baked slopes of the Pálava Hills.
• Excellent bird spotting, including: Sea Eagles, Great Horned Owls, and Bee-eaters.
• Charming four-star hotels throughout; with optional city add-ons in Vienna.

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.