A challenging eight-day ride from the banks of the Danube through the back bone of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the Royal City of Krakow. Visit six UNESCO world heritage sites. Supported with GPS.
Slovakia – the Czech Republic’s poorer partner in the days of Czechoslovakia - came out of the Velvet Revolution, quiet and mysterious. She removed the Eastern bloc uniform to reveal a refreshingly sincere, kind place, so far unencumbered by many trappings of the Western World. There are many high alpine medieval villages, and the cultural heritage is unique.
You will begin in Hungary, just outside Budapest. After visiting Esztergom’s massive cathedral, the historic seat of the Hungarian church, you will cross the Danube River and enter Slovakia, stopping at Banska Stiavnica to fathom its legacy of mining and minting. You will visit Kremnica, with its castle and seven peaks, and the village of Vlkolinec to see the most undisturbed collection of traditional architecture in Slovakia. You will climb from there into the thrilling terrain of the Low Tatras, before an unforgettable descent to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, where the Stations of the Cross end at an imposing Bernardine monastery. The final stop before Krakow is the awe-inspiring salt mine at Wilitchka, where an intricately sculptured salt cathedral attests to generations of workers who toiled and worshipped underground. This is a land where folk traditions have survived foreign attempts at dominance, to which a plethora of castles and watchtowers pay testament, but whose people have maintained their welcoming spirit!
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Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Budapest - Szentendre You will be met just outside of Budapest at your inn in the beautiful town of Szentendre. Szentendre has a unique atmosphere with two dozen museums, seven churches, 13 galleries, and countless coffee shops and little pubs. The nearby open air museum offers visitors a look at traditional Hungarian village architecture. There may be time to get acquainted with your bicycle with a short ride away from traffic on Szentendre Island before dinner. Dinner is included.
Lodging: Centrum Panzion, Szentendre, or Hotel Kentaur, Szentendre
Day 2: Szentendre - Esztergom (40 km/24 miles) Your destination, Esztergom lies 38 km away, just around a bend in the river. This challenging route through the hills rewards you with fantastic views of the Danube valley. Esztergom is the historic seat of the Hungarian bishops. Its massive castle and Cathedral are the climax of the Hungarian leg of your trip. BL
Lodging: Alabardos Panzio, Esztergom, or Hotel Thermal, Strovo
Day 3: Esztergom/Sturovo - Dudince (60 km/36 miles) As you cross the Danube between Esztergom and Sturovo, you enter Slovakia. The route follows the Ipel River Valley and the Slovakia/Hungary border north, a relatively easy route, through rolling terrain. The spa town of Dudince as you see it today is a monument to the true spirit of Socialist Realism, a glimpse into times not so long ago. The healing springs have been popular for centuries; Marcus Aureliu’s legions carved bathtubs out of the travertine rock in the times of the Roman Empire to treat their battle wounds. BLD
Lodging: Hotel Smaragd or Hotel Rubin, Dudince
Day 4: Dudince - Banska Stiavnica (40 km/25 miles) Today’s route follows a gorgeous little path through the forest, running parallel to a small river. The cycling will get more challenging after lunch as you climb into the Stiavnica Hills. Banska Stiavnica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an extraordinarily well-preserved historical center once key to the Austro-Hungarian Empire with an ancient legacy of mining and minting. BLD
Lodging: Hotel Grand Matej, Banska Stiavnica
Day 5: Banska Stiavnica - Kremnica - Banska Bystrica (40 km/25 miles) Kremnica with its castle sits in a valley at the center of the Kremnica Hills, a spectacular setting surrounded by seven peaks. To get there you will follow an exciting and sometime difficult route (two long climbs). There is an easier alternative available, involving an enchanting train ride. You will be transferred by van to your inn, stopping along the way to see the wooden church in Hronsek. Banska Bystrica, the governmental and cultural center of Central Slovakia, has a tremendous central plaza surrounded by marvellously restored historic buildings. BLD
Lodging: Hotel Kuria, Banska Bystrica
Day 6: Banska Bystrica - Liptovska Osada - Dolny Kubin (75 km/45 miles) After stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market in front of your inn, you will then transfer by van to Liptovska Osada (30 minutes) bypassing a busy highway through the valley. You will stop on the way at the village of Vlkolinec, the most undisturbed and complete collection of traditional architecture in Slovakia (UNESCO site). You’ll climb up from Liptovska Osada into the thrilling terrain of the Low Tatras. The seven-mile ascent is well worth it, rewarded with spectacular views on the way up and a relaxing descent. A fairly flat section by the Liptovska Mara reservoir is followed by the undulating terrain of the Chocsky and Oravsky Hills, one of the prettiest rides on your route. This takes you to the town of Malatina, where you may be able watch rugs being hand-made on an original wooden loom and the village of Lestiny with its rare wooden church built without a single nail. Your inn is on the square at the centre of town. BD
Lodging: Penzion Marina, Dolny Kubin
Day 7: Dolny Kubin - Trstena - Sucha Beskidzka (55 km/ 35 miles) The ride today is a little bit easier than the last few. The gently rolling route is dramatically punctuated with an imposing view of massive Orava Castle, a huge Gothic fortress, towering high above the river in the village of Oravsky Podzamok. The view from the castle tower is unforgettable. This day's ride ends in Trstene, a small town on the Slovak-Polish border. Transport is arranged to the village of Sucha Beskidzka. BD
Lodging: Hotel Kasper Suski, Sucha Beskidzka
Day 8: Sucha Beskidzka - Kalwaria Zebrzydowska - Wielizcka - Krakow The last day of cycling takes you through picturesque village of Lanckorona. Today’s destination is the famous town of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, another UNESCO site, where the Stations of the Cross consisting of 32 chapels and chaplets end at an imposing Bernardine monastery. From here you will be taken by van for a moving tour of the famous salt mine in Wieliczka, yet another UNESCO site and finally into Krakow by 4:00pm. BL
Notes
Highlights: Six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the open air museum at Szentendre, panoramic views of the Danube Valley, Hungary’s largest church, Socialist Spa town of Dudince, Banska Stiavnica, the castle at Kremnica, the pedestrian market at Banska Bystrica, Vlkolinec historic village, Orava Castle, the stations of the cross at Kalwaria Zebrzydowska.
Route Notes: This ride begins easy, and becomes more challenging on Days 4-6. There are level stretches along the Danube, then several long climbs as you approach Poland. More relaxed options are available with van support on guided trips, or train support on both guided and self-guided trips. 40 to 60 km/day with options. There are two unpaved sections on forest trails.
Reservation Policy
Pricing is in Canadian dollars. Payments can be made in US dollars, based on exchange rates at time of payment. US$ pricing is shown as a guide. Reservations can be made with VISA or MasterCard by fax, mail, email, or phone, or with a cheque or money order by mail. A deposit of 30% is required to reserve your space, and the balance is due 30 days before the adventure begins.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received in writing at least 60 days in advance of start date will receive a 50% refund of any deposit paid. Cancellations received between 60 and 30 days ahead will forfeit deposit. Cancellations within 30 days require full payment of the tour cost.
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