Best of South Moravia and South Bohemia

• 13-day / 12-night
• Self-guided bicycle trip
• Distance: from 565 km (353 miles) upto 594 km (372 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderate - Experienced
• Included: Boat trip on the Vltava river, Guided tour of Eggenberg brewery

Day 1: Mikulov - 26 km / 16 miles

Transfer from Prague (or Vienna or Linz) to Mikulov, a town of wine and history. Meet your travel guide, prepare the bicycles, get acquainted with the program, receive the information material and maps. Enjoy your introductory ride through the Mikulovs´vineyards! Overnight in Mikulov

Day 2: Mikulov – Valtice - Lednice – Mikulov - 47 km / 30 miles

This day of biking sets out through the flat and gently rolling hills around Valtice-Lednice area with breath-taking castles set into the romantic landscape. The route enters the hilly area of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area with its archeological areas in Dolní Věstonice, past vineyards and orchards, and back to Mikulov. The day offers several opportunities to taste excellent local wines. Overnight in Mikulov.

Day 3: Mikulov – Znojmo - 76 km / 48 miles

This day takes us along flat terrain along the Austrian border and the Dyje (Thaya) River. The route leads along the Greenways route to Znojmo, another wine-making region with a rich history. Another possibility is to cross the border in Mikulov and continue along the Austrian wine route „Weinviertlradweg“ with occasional wine-tasting stops. Overnight in Znojmo.

Day 4: Znojmo – Vranov nad Dyjí - 42 km / 26 miles

In the midst of vineyards and wine cellars, enter the Podyjí National Park. This relatively short but interesting route leads through the picturesque Dyje River valley with magnificent views into the countryside. En route you can stop off at the Nový Hrádek (New Castle) ruins and enjoy the atmosphere here. The trip finishes in Vranov nad Dyjí with its dominant castle perched above the Vranovská Lake. Overnight in Vranov nad Dyjí.

Day 5: Vranov nad Dyjí - Slavonice - Telč - 77 km / 48 miles

We leave the Dyje river and ride through an open, slightly hilly landscape to the edge of the Czech-Moravian Highlands to Slavonice, a small town full of Renaissance homes with rich sgrafitto and finely decorated interiors. Then you continue to another of UNESCO´s pearls - Telč with its renaissance castle. Overnight in Telč.

Day 6: Telč – Jindřichův Hradec - 45 km / 28 miles

This magnificent route leads you through the wilderness of „Czech Canada“, with challenging , hilly terrain and beautiful villages nestled in the forest. You will finish in Jindřichův Hradec, a historical town with a renaissance castle which was the home of the powerful Rožmberk family. Overnight in Jindřichův Hradec.

Day 7: Jindřichův Hradec – Třeboň - 32-54 km / 20-34 miles

This day you can choose between several routes of diferent lenghts. On each roue you ride through countryside featuring lakes and pine groves. This picturesque landscape is filled with romantic hideaways, meadows surrounded by forests, and ponds, founded in medieval period by famous hydro engineer Jakub Krčín. In the afternoon you ride to Třeboň, the center of Czech fishing as well as a town rich in Renaissance architecture with its own castle and spa. Overnight in Třeboň.

Day 8: Třeboň - České Budějovice - 45 km / 28 miles

Today several highlights await you! Quite and easy ride, leading firstly through pine forests and ponds to Hluboka nad Vltavou, arguably the most beautiful castle of Czech Republic. Don´t miss the castle tour! After lunch, continue on a new smooth cycle track Greenway RD ( Eurovelo 7 ) along the Vltava river to České Budejovice, the city, that gave the name to the famous Czech beer Budweisser Budvar. We reccommend you to taste the local beer specialities at Masne Kramy restaurant, the flag ship of Budvar Brewery or in the small private brewery Krajinská 27 . Overnight in České Budejovice.

Day 9: České Budějovice - Český Krumlov - 29 km / 18 miles or 52 km / 32 miles

Today there are two options. A shorter relaxing route leads on the main cycle track Greenway RD ( Eurovelo 7 ), folowing the Vltava river valley through the picturesque villages including Zlata Koruna, with its famous 13th. century monastery and ending in Cesky Krumlov, the pearl of Czech Republic. You can spend the afternoon wandering through the narrow streets, visiting castle museum or just relaxing on the boat trip on the Vltava river. If 30km of cycling is not enough for you, choose the second option. The route leads through rolling terrain to Holasovice (UNESCO), village famous for its "village baroque style" houses and then climbes through Blansky Forest to Cesky Krumlov. If you feel tired, you can use the chairlift in Krasetin which takes you and your bike to Kleť, the highest peak of Blansky forest park. At the top you can take in the views from the stone lookout and then enjoy 11km of downhill riding to Cesky Krumlov. Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

Day 10: Lipno - Vyšší Brod - Dolní Vltavice - 30 km / 19 miles or 48 km / 30 miles

First we take you by van to lake Lipno, where you will start your cycling day. You can choose from three basic routes. The first relaxing route leads along a flat, smooth cycle path around the lake. The second route takes you through the Vltava River valley, through the Devil´s Wall Nature Park with its impressive rock formations to Vyssi Brod, with its magnificent monastery. Route continues along the right bank of Lipno lake to Kyselov, where the ferry takes you directly to your hotel in Dolni Vltavice. There are many oportunities for swimming in the lake along the way on these two trails. If you feeel like a longer ride, from Vyssi Brod you can continue through more hilly terrain along the Czech - Austrian border through abandoned villages Kaplicky and Krasne Pole to Svaty Tomas and Vitkuv Kamen, from where is amazing view of the whole southern part of Sumava National Park and the Lipno lake. From here it is only 11 km descent to the ferry. Overnight in Dolni Vltavice.

Day 11: Dolní Vltavice - Schwarzenberg Canal - Dolní Vltavice - 44 km / 28 miles

You can tailor this day to your own preferences. The route leads through the typical Sumava Forest countryside of deep forests and pastures, along the Schwarzenberg Canal, a technical monument to lumber transport. You can decide for yourself how long you wish to cycle and what you would like to see. Either you climb the highest peak of Sumava National Park, Plechy (1348m), or after swimming in the Lipno lake you wander down to the caffe, it will be a memorable day. Overnight in Dolni Vltavice.

Day 12: Dolní Vltavice - Český Krumlov - 38 km / 24 miles

Today you have the option to say Na shledanou to the virgin landscape of Šumava by relaxing for a few hours aboard a catamaran on Lipno lake. Then continue by bike through the protected area of Boletice, stop off at the newly reconstructed church of Svatý Mikuláš, and continue to Český Krumlov, where you spend the last night of your trip. Overnight in Cesky Krumlov.

Day 13: Český Krumlov

Enjoy your last day in Český Krumlov - take a free boat trip on the Vltava river, take a walking tour of the city, discover the city from a wooden raft or visit the castle. There are many things to do here! Transfer by coach to Prague depending on your requirements.