Czech Castles Cycle

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8 Days From

~~$1360~~

$1317

Czech Castles Cycle

8 Days Starting and ending in Prague, Czech Republic

Visiting: Cesky Krumlov, Písek, Příbram, Brdy, Karlstejn, Prague

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

CZC

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, History

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing, Walking

From: $1360 $1317 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$43

NB: Prices correct on 31-Oct-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on the "Czech Castles Cycle" tour and explore the enchanting landscapes and historical treasures of the Czech Republic. Starting in Prague, this self-guided cycling adventure takes you through the medieval town of Ceský Krumlov, the birthplace of the original Budweiser beer in Ceské Budejovice, and the picturesque town of Písek. Pedal along scenic routes through forests and along rivers, visiting stunning castles like Ceský Krumlov Castle and the Neo-gothic Chateau Hluboká nad Vltavou. Experience the rich history of Orlík Castle and the 14th-century ruins of Tocník Castle. Conclude your journey by cycling along the Vltava River into the heart of Prague, where you can explore iconic sites such as Prague Castle and the Old Town Square. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and the convenience of luggage transfers, making this an unforgettable cycling holiday.

Highlights

Exploring the well-preserved medieval town of Ceský Krumlov and Ceské Budejovice, home of the original Budweiser beer
Pedalling along paved cycle paths through forests and along rivers
Arriving in Prague along the Vltava River by bike
Absorbing the vistas and sites en route including castles, monasteries, mines, and old prison camps
Visiting Ceský Krumlov Castle and the Neo-gothic Chateau Hluboká nad Vltavou
Cycling to the picturesque town of Písek on the Otava River
Passing by Orlík Castle and the impressive 14th-century ruins of Tocník Castle
Exploring Prague, including Prague Castle, the Golden Lane, and the Old Town Square

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Transfer From Prague To Cesky Krumlov

Location: Cesky Krumlov

Accommodation Name: hotel

This morning you will be collected from your pre tour hotel in Prague and driven 170km/110mi to Ceský Krumlov, a medieval town registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After adjusting bicycles and a test ride you will have free time to see the world-renowned medieval and Renaissance town with its famous castle gardens.

Day 2 : Visit Cesky Krumlov Castle, Cycle To Hluboka Nad Vltavou (42-57Km/25-34Mi)

Location: Cesky Krumlov

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

It's possible this morning to take an optional visit of Ceský Krumlov Castle before you begin your cycling along the scenic valley of the Vltava River. The first site to visit on the way is the monastery Zlata Koruna (the Golden Crown), set on a bend in the river. The route continues to Ceské Budejovice (Budweis), where you can take an optional tour with beer tasting. The town has one of the largest squares in Europe and being home to the real Budweiser beer, has numerous beer halls. The final stage takes you to Hluboká nad Vltavou. Its' Neo-gothic Chateau Hluboká nad Vltavou is perhaps the most romantic chateau in the Czech Republic. It's possible to extend your cycle day to visit Holašovice village (UNESCO Heritage site).

Day 3 : To The Picturesque Town Of Pisek On The Otava River (53Km/32Mi)

Location: Písek

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Todays cycle takes you past the nuclear power station Temelin and on to Písek, a picturesque town on the Otava River. The main attraction of Písek is a stone bridge from 13th century - the oldest stone bridge in central Europe.

Day 4 : Choice Of Routes Via Orlik Castle To Pribam (58, 68 Or 72Km/35, 41 Or 43Mi)

Location: Příbram

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This is the longest cycle day of the trip. You can choose between a paved path or a partly off-road route. Enroute you pass by Orlik castle, where you can take a tour to see its splendidly decorated rooms. At the end of the day's ride, you will arrive in Príbram. The town has been an important mining centre since the Middle Ages. However, the more recent history of the town is rather chilling. Many political prisoners were forced to work at the Príbram uranium mines during the Communist regime.

Day 5 : Visit The Pilgrimage Church, Svata Hora, Then Cycle To Zebrak Or Zbiroh (35Km/22Mi

Location: Brdy

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, there is the option to visit a 14th - 17th century pilgrimage church with a monastery, Svata Hora (Holy Mountain), working camp and mine museum. Following this, you cycle through an extensive former military area in the beautiful forested hills of Brdy. You will cycle "in the middle of nowhere" on 9m wide
paved roads used by the army in the past. The premium accommodation option ends at Zbiroh chateau from 13th century where you will stay overnight, whilst if you are staying in regular accommodation you will overnight in Zebrak.

Day 6 : Cycle Via Tocnik Castle And Through Forests To Karlstejn (40 Or 49Km/24 Or 30Mi)

Location: Karlstejn

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

The cycle continues this morning from Žebrák to the impressive 14th century ruins of Tocnik Castle. The middle part of the day leads through forested rolling hills to Beroun. This is a medieval town in the heart of the Karstejn district with romantic valleys, caves, pits and localities where pre-historic fossils can still be found. The remaining part of the day follows the Berounka River through a picturesque valley all the way to Karlštejn village.
Note: The premium option starts in Zbiroh and joins the standard route after 11km/6.8mi at Tocnik Castle.

Day 7 : Follow The Berounka And Vltava Rivers To Prague (45Km/28Mi)

Location: Prague

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning you have the option to visit Karlštejn castle, which was built by the Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV as an impregnable fortress housing the imperial crown jewels and the most sacred relics. The cycle route that follows is very easy as it leads along the Berounka River and the Vltava River banks to the centre of Prague. The rest of the day is free to explore Prague which, according to Goethe, is "the prettiest gem in the stone crown of the world." You could visit Prague Castle with the Golden Lane, the Powder Tower or just meander along the streets or watch the lively goings-on sitting in one of the cafes on the Old Town Square. There are countless possibilities!

Day 8 : Trip Concludes

Accommodation Name: hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Following breakfast at the hotel, the trip concludes.

What's Included

Accommodation
hotels
7 breakfasts

Continental breakfasts are served and will often consist of breads, spreads, yoghurt, cheese, tea, coffee, and juices.
7 nights in 3 star hotels

Accommodation will be on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities. There is an optional upgrade to mainly 4 star hotels for a supplement.
24 or 27 speed hybrid bike

The bike comes with panniers, handlebar bag, lock, helmet, and one repair kit per room.
Luggage Transfer

One piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg is included. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
Pick-up from any hotel in Prague

Transfer to Cesky Krumlov on day 1 (self guided).
Information pack

Includes route notes and maps (per room).
GPX data and off-line maps for smartphones

Available in final documents for self-guided tours.
Emergency hotline

An emergency hotline is available for assistance.

What's Not Included

Travel to and from Prague

Travel to and from Prague is not included.
Meals not listed as included, drinks

Meals and drinks not listed as included are excluded.
Travel insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory but not included.
Entrance fees not listed as included

Entrance fees not listed as included are excluded.
GPS device with the recommended route

Available for hire, must be booked and paid in advance.
Guide

This is a self-guided cycling holiday.
A supplement for solo travelers or single rooms

A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
Transfers not listed included

Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage are not included.
Items of a personal nature

Items of a personal nature are excluded.
Guided departures

Guided departures are available for a supplement with additional inclusions such as a guide, welcome briefing, 3 dinners, and a support vehicle with refreshments.
Lunch, dinners and beverages

It is possible to include dinners for a supplement.
Items of a personal nature including entrance fees, laundry, phone calls

Personal items such as entrance fees, laundry, and phone calls are excluded.
Reusable water bottle

A reusable water bottle is not included.

Grading

This cycle trip is graded moderate (3). The cycling distances range from 37 to 72km / 23 to 45mi over flat terrain to rolling hills. The rides follow paved and unpaved sections without traffic through forests as well as special paved cycle paths alongside the rivers. Inevitably, near the larger towns there is more traffic. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with road cycling in light traffic in order to participate comfortably. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets are worn whilst cycling.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be in 3 star hotels on a twinshare basis with ensuite facilities, or mainly 4 star hotels with a supplement.

What You Carry

During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

Mode of Transport

Pick-up from any hotel in Prague and transfer to Cesky Krumlov on day 1. The tour includes cycling along scenic routes with luggage transfer and emergency hotline support.

Check out our Q&As

What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

Accommodation will be in 3-star hotels on a twin-share basis with ensuite facilities. There is an optional upgrade to mainly 4-star hotels for a supplement.
What meals are included in the tour?

The tour includes 7 continental breakfasts, which often consist of breads, spreads, yoghurt, cheese, tea, coffee, and juices.
What kind of bike is provided for the tour?

A 24 or 27-speed hybrid bike is provided, which comes with panniers, a handlebar bag, a lock, a helmet, and one repair kit per room.
Is luggage transfer included in the tour?

Yes, luggage transfer is included. One piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg is allowed. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
Is there any emergency support available during the tour?

Yes, an emergency hotline is available for assistance during the tour.

Are there any guided options available for this tour?

Yes, guided departures are available for a supplement. These include additional inclusions such as a guide, a welcome briefing, 3 dinners, and a support vehicle with refreshments.
What should I carry during the cycling days?

During the cycle day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes?

The cycle trip is graded moderate (3). The cycling distances range from 37 to 72km (23 to 45mi) over flat terrain to rolling hills. The rides follow paved and unpaved sections without traffic through forests as well as special paved cycle paths alongside the rivers. Near larger towns, there is more traffic. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness.
Is travel insurance included in the tour package?

No, travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the tour package.
Are entrance fees included in the tour?

Entrance fees not listed as included are excluded from the tour package.
What happens on the first day of the tour?

On the first day, you will be collected from your pre-tour hotel in Prague and driven 170km/110mi to Český Krumlov, a medieval town registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After adjusting bicycles and a test ride, you will have free time to see the world-renowned medieval and Renaissance town with its famous castle gardens.
What are the highlights of the tour?

Highlights include exploring the medieval town of Český Krumlov, pedalling along paved cycle paths through forests and along rivers, arriving in Prague along the Vltava River by bike, and visiting various castles, monasteries, and old prison camps along the route.
How fit do I have to be?

Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
What happens if something goes wrong?

On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews of this operator

Katharine McLennan (Google Reviewer)

UTracks is awesome. My...

13-Jun-2024

UTracks is awesome. My Assisi trip was one of the most beautiful trips I have taken in my 56 years. I wanted to walk by myself, and Utracks teamed up with a local Italian travel company to do everything for me—book the hotels and move my bags from hotel to hotel as I walked the track. The app was AMAZING. It showed the daily itinerary, and the interactive map told me metre by metre where I needed to go and whether I was on track or not. It was far more accurate than Google Maps, and I loved all the commentary on what to look for and what not to. The places I stayed were known as "agriturismo places." They are hosted by families on working farms. Those gorgeous families had farms and accommodations that sometimes dated back to 800!!! But all of them had done a fantastic job updating them to be modern, beautiful rooms. I loved how warm the hosts were and how much they appreciated my stay. There were seldom more than 5 people staying each night. The walk was fabulous -- and incredibly well-researched and noted. I was often the only one on the trails, but I always felt safe and looked after by UTracks in their 24-hour cover. I never had to use it - but as a single woman walking on her own through the Italian hills -- it is great to know that people know where I am. The preparation pack sent to me was also incredibly organised with equipment lists, hotel directions-- with all the contacts, and the contacts of the lovely fellow who would be taking my bag from place to place. He was fantastic -- and I also felt supported by him if things were to go wrong. I will definitely be working with Utracks again and can't wait to plan my next adventure.

Addy K (Google Reviewer)

Great hike to sample some...

04-Oct-2023

Great hike to sample some of the best locations along the Tour Du Mont Blanc. Our guide Sara was great at maintaining pace and knew the route very well. The scenery was amazing especially the tall mountains close to our accomodation. The accomodation provided great 3 course dinners, and we got to sample French, Swiss and Italian food. This is not an easy hike, but as long as you are able to do 1000 mtr elevation gain hikes, this is thoroughly enjoyable.

Mike Burke (Google Reviewer)

UTracks did everything they promised,...

23-Oct-2024

UTracks did everything they promised, but it is what they did above & beyond that stands them apart. We were caught in the fires in Portugal & they arranged transport to get us out of danger, changed hotel bookings to accommodate the new circumstances & made us feel very safe. We were more than impressed with the level of communication & service. I won't be looking anywhere else when I book my next trip.

Lisa Kibeiks (Google Reviewer)

Fantastic trip! Well organised and...

18-Oct-2024

Fantastic trip! Well organised and everything went smoothly. Would probably split the two big 30+ days if I were to have my time again. The heat adds another level of difficulty. Accommodations were all different but all clean and welcoming. Meals were varied as we walked into different regions the food changed to what was local. We never had a bad meal or a bad stay anywhere. Highly recommend this trip through France. A nice quiet Camino compared to the Frances but far more challenging. Very enjoyable.

Patrick Shum (Google Reviewer)

Hassle free self guided tour...

26-Jul-2023

Hassle free self guided tour around the most scenic Austrian hills and lakes. All our heavy baggage taken care of from hotel to hotel. Hiking not difficult at all, instructions are v clear. I recommend use online GPS map. In case someone want to shorten the walking, various options (bus / boat) provided.

Amanda Liddell (Google Reviewer)

300km in 12 days from...

15-Jun-2023

300km in 12 days from Porto to Santiago de Compostela where a Cathedral stands as the most beautiful ‘Welcome’ imaginable. The accomodation arranged by UTRACKS was consistently excellent & the ease of only having to worry about carrying your backpack and what you’ll have for lunch is perfect. Yes, most days at breakfast you can make up your own bread roll and filling. Notes and directions were included but once you arrive in Spain you just need to look for the ‘shell’ and ‘yellow arrow’ to find your ‘way’. I am 67 years old & consciously chose to walk alone however I met some fabulous people along the way and finally had hours on end with ‘no headchatter’. There’s healing which catches you unaware & makes every step very worthwhile.

Kerry Andersen (Google Reviewer)

We used UTracks to organise...

13-Jul-2023

We used UTracks to organise our self guided Portugal Coastal Camino walk. We were very happy with information provided for our walk and accommodation picked.

Ian Freestone (Google Reviewer)

Recently two trips with utracks....

26-Aug-2024

Recently two trips with utracks. Mont Blanc self-guided and Austrian hike-bike. In summary, the experience is only as good as the local partner. In Austria, Helmut was amazing! Met with us prior - went over every detail of the trip, answered his phone if we had a concern. Mont Blanc, the partner would only communicate by text, did not meet us on arrival, and would not return calls even when we had an emergency. Other concerns we raised with utracks staff were not responded to adequately leaving the feeling that they had our money, job done.

Amanda Fairley (Google Reviewer)

Self-guided Hadrian’s Wall Walk. The local...

24-Sep-2024

Self-guided Hadrian’s Wall Walk. The local agent’s documentation needs immediate updating to include current accommodation used and their locations. I also had to uncover (it was not proactively disclosed to me) a double up in accommodation location booking (same town over two nights but different accommodation 160 metres apart) by the same local agent which resulted in me having to walk two days of distance in one day, back track for accommodation on the second night and be charged for a 160m bag transfer! UTracks did apologise and the local agent covered my dinner one night as compensation, but the situation would not have happened if either UTracks or their local agent had reviewed their itinerary which would have called out quite loudly to them the messy issue, before finalising it and providing it to me. I was later contacted by UTracks to acknowledge my post trip feedback, but stating that both UTracks and their local agent had been in contact with me THROUGHOUT my walk. To be clear - I had one phone call initiated by UTracks after I had identified the issues and emailed them, and the only contact with the local agent were two emails and one phone call that I initiated to inform them of the issues they created, that I had to uncover. I wouldn’t describe that as anyone from UTracks or their local agent being in contact with me throughout my trip. It is important to not over state the service or support that people provide to a client.

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