The Czech Republic, Germany & Austria

Depart from home for the Czech Republic. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.

Upon arrival at the Prague airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, you must fill out a PIR form before leaving the customs area. VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Also, make sure that your VBT luggage tags are attached to your bags so that your representative can identify you.

Upon leaving customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative, who will be holding a VBT sign. Your representative welcomes you to Prague and helps you transfer via taxi or van (approximately 30 minutes, depending upon traffic) to your Prague hotel. (Note: At this time, please verify with your VBT representative the time of your transfer from your Vienna hotel to the Vienna airport at the end of your trip.) If your VBT representative is not immediately in sight, there is a “Meeting Point Column” just outside of the Arrivals gate. Please wait there, as the VBT representative may be transferring with an earlier arrival. They should arrive within 30 minutes of your scheduled arrival.

Your hotel room may not be available until after 2:00 p.m. If you arrive early, you may store your luggage with the reception desk. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore the city with your included 1-day Prague Transportation Pass.

VBT provides you with City Information that includes information and recommendations on what to see and do during your stay in Prague. You may reach VBT’s local meet and greet representative, Barbra Zukalová, in advance by email at [email protected] to make guided tour reservations in Prague.

Hotel: Mamaison Hotel Riverside Prague

At 8:30 a.m., all guests meet the VBT representative at the hotel in Prague, the Mamaison Hotel Riverside Prague (address: Janáckovo nábreží 15, Prague 5; tel: +420 225 994 611), and transfer to Cesky Krumlov in the south of the Czech Republic (approximately 3½ hours, including a stop on the way).

Cesky Krumlov is a unique town in Bohemia, built at a curve of the River Vltava and dripping with medieval authenticity. Its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. You’ll arrive at approximately 12:00 p.m. Meet your Trip Leaders, who provide a quick introduction to the day’s schedule and the town, providing recommendations for lunch on your own.

At 3:00 p.m., return to the hotel and join your Trip Leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session, followed by a warm-up ride through town and into the countryside. Later, gather with the group for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your hotel’s restaurant.

Hotel: Hotel Bellevue
Meals: B (included for Air Package guests only), D
Daily Options: 9 miles (13.2 km)

After breakfast, meet our local guide, Standa, and follow him on a short walking tour and introduction to Czech life. Then, board the VBT shuttle for a short ride to Holašovice. This uniquely preserved village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its typical Baroque farm houses. After exploring the village, begin cycling through a beautiful and protected landscape to Plav, a tranquil Czech village on the banks of a small river. If you like, ride the VBT shuttle to avoid pedaling the few small hills this morning. Lunch today is hosted by a local family, allowing you to get a real feel for Czech daily life.

Return to the hotel with the shuttle, allowing more time to explore the city center or enjoy additional bicycling on a longer optional ride this afternoon.

In addition to strolling Cesky Krumlov’s narrow cobbled streets and enjoying its outdoor cafés, you may choose to visit the town’s gem, the Rosemberg family chateau, dating to 1240.

In the evening, find a cozy restaurant where you may enjoy dinner on your own.

Hotel: Hotel Bellevue
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 15.2 or 23 miles (24.6 or 37.2 km)

In the morning, shuttle to the Sumava National Park, the largest national park in the Czech Republic. You’ll start your ride in Cerná v Pošumaví, not far from the German border. An exhilarating bike ride takes you from lakeside scenery through a beautiful forest, far from traffic and villages. At Nove Udoli, you’ll walk into Germany. This unique border crossing was closed in 1945 and reopened some time ago for pedestrians and bicycles only.

Your first Bavarian reel follows a downhill stretch of a former railway track. Bavaria is among Europe’s most beautiful and serene cycling areas. On your way, stop at a beer garden for a typical lunch, prepared by the owner-family. Continue cycling to Waldkirchen, where you then shuttle to the historic Baroque city of Passau, situated at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant, overlooking the romantic Danube River.

Hotel: Altstadt Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 23 or 34 miles (44.8 or 62.9 km)

Enjoy a leisurely cycle along the River Inn, the frontier between Germany and Austria. Start by following the German bike route. At Neuhaus, cross the river to the Austrian town of Schärding with its colorful, Baroque-style burgher houses on two town squares. After exploring Schärding, return to Passau. En route, stop for a delicious picnic lunch on the river’s opposite bank, where the Neuburg fortress looms. Use the rest of the afternoon to explore Passau and shop the flea market and antique shops. You might choose to visit magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Dinner is on your own tonight; you’ll find that Passau offers many dining choices.

Hotel: Altstadt Hotel
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 15.6 or 22 miles (25.2 or 35 km)

Start your day with a boating adventure on the most popular river route in Europe. Cruise through the famous Schlögener Schlinge in Austria, where the Danube snakes through steep, forested mountains in a series of sharp and scenic bends. Silence surrounds you, except for the occasional hum of passing barges. (Note: For any tours departing after October 1, cruising is not available and is replaced by a coach transfer.)

Begin cycling at Schlögen and head toward Aschach through a beautiful forest, where you stop for lunch on your own. Follow the Danube bike route to Ottensheim, renowned for its hilltop castle, where you conclude your ride. Here, you’ll transfer by private coach to your hotel at Weissenkirchen, in Austria’s Wachau Valley wine region.

This charming village is dominated by St. Michael’s Church, which dates to 987. There are also many Renaissance buildings with romantic inner courtyards. One of them houses your inviting family-run hotel. Many of Weissenkirchen’s vinegut (winemakers) and wine cellars are located in beautiful, ancient manor houses. Perhaps you’ll savor a famous young heuriger wine in one of these taverns during dinner at your leisure tonight.

Hotel: Hotel Raffelsberger Hof
Alternate Hotel: Kirchenwirt Weissenkirchen
Meals: B
Daily Options: 16.2 or 29 miles (26.2 or 46.7 km)

In the morning, cycle through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Melk. The Wachau is one of Austria’s most striking landscapes, featuring a mix of hillside orchards and vineyards among ruined castles, abbeys and churches. In Melk, you may want to visit the spectacular Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. Eat lunch on your own here, before cycling along the Danube to the lovely village of Spitz.

From Spitz, cycle back to Weissenkirchen and maybe opt to continue farther to Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionhearted was kept prisoner in 1193. Tonight’s farewell dinner is in a local restaurant within a private, ancient winepress room.

Hotel: Hotel Raffelsberger Hof
Alternate Hotel: Kirchenwirt Weissenkirchen
Meals: B, D
Daily Options: 15.8 or 37 miles (25.5 or 59.7 km)

After breakfast, transfer to Vienna, arriving at approximately 10:30 a.m.

VBT Air Package & Post Trip Extension guests: Your room at Hotel Stefanie may not be available until 1:00 p.m., but you can leave your luggage with the reception desk. VBT provides City Information, including recommendations for cafés, restaurants, museums and transportation. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Vienna. Your hotel is located near the historic “Inner Ring” in the Old Town; many of the Old World palaces and concert halls are easily accessible.

Hotel: Hotel Stefanie
Meals: B

After breakfast*, transfer to the Vienna airport (approximately 30 minutes) for your departing flight**. Please ensure that you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time.

*Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the front desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

**Please note: VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder” or with the hotel’s reception desk the night before your flight. VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Meals: B

At 8:30 a.m., all guests meet the VBT representative at the hotel in Prague, the Mamaison Hotel Riverside Prague (address: Janáckovo nábreží 15, Prague 5; tel: +420 225 994 611), and transfer to Cesky Krumlov in the south of the Czech Republic (approximately 3½ hours, including a stop on the way).

Cesky Krumlov is a unique town in Bohemia, built at a curve of the River Vltava and dripping with medieval authenticity. Its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. You’ll arrive at approximately 12:00 p.m. Meet your Trip Leaders, who provide a quick introduction to the day’s schedule and the town, providing recommendations for lunch on your own.

At 3:00 p.m., return to the hotel and join your Trip Leaders for a safety and bike-fitting session, followed by a warm-up ride through town and into the countryside. Later, gather with the group for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your hotel’s restaurant.

Hotel: Hotel Bellevue
Meals: B (included for Air Package guests only), D
Daily Options: 9 miles (13.2 km)

After breakfast, meet our local guide, Standa, and follow him on a short walking tour and introduction to Czech life. Then, board the VBT shuttle for a short ride to Holašovice. This uniquely preserved village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its typical Baroque farm houses. After exploring the village, begin cycling through a beautiful and protected landscape to Plav, a tranquil Czech village on the banks of a small river. If you like, ride the VBT shuttle to avoid pedaling the few small hills this morning. Lunch today is hosted by a local family, allowing you to get a real feel for Czech daily life.

Return to the hotel with the shuttle, allowing more time to explore the city center or enjoy additional bicycling on a longer optional ride this afternoon.

In addition to strolling Cesky Krumlov’s narrow cobbled streets and enjoying its outdoor cafés, you may choose to visit the town’s gem, the Rosemberg family chateau, dating to 1240.

In the evening, find a cozy restaurant where you may enjoy dinner on your own.

Hotel: Hotel Bellevue
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 15.2 or 23 miles (24.6 or 37.2 km)

In the morning, shuttle to the Sumava National Park, the largest national park in the Czech Republic. You’ll start your ride in Cerná v Pošumaví, not far from the German border. An exhilarating bike ride takes you from lakeside scenery through a beautiful forest, far from traffic and villages. At Nove Udoli, you’ll walk into Germany. This unique border crossing was closed in 1945 and reopened some time ago for pedestrians and bicycles only.

Your first Bavarian reel follows a downhill stretch of a former railway track. Bavaria is among Europe’s most beautiful and serene cycling areas. On your way, stop at a beer garden for a typical lunch, prepared by the owner-family. Continue cycling to Waldkirchen, where you then shuttle to the historic Baroque city of Passau, situated at the confluence of three rivers: the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant, overlooking the romantic Danube River.

Hotel: Altstadt Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Daily Options: 23 or 34 miles (44.8 or 62.9 km)

Enjoy a leisurely cycle along the River Inn, the frontier between Germany and Austria. Start by following the German bike route. At Neuhaus, cross the river to the Austrian town of Schärding with its colorful, Baroque-style burgher houses on two town squares. After exploring Schärding, return to Passau. En route, stop for a delicious picnic lunch on the river’s opposite bank, where the Neuburg fortress looms. Use the rest of the afternoon to explore Passau and shop the flea market and antique shops. You might choose to visit magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Dinner is on your own tonight; you’ll find that Passau offers many dining choices.

Hotel: Altstadt Hotel
Meals: B, L
Daily Options: 15.6 or 22 miles (25.2 or 35 km)

Start your day with a boating adventure on the most popular river route in Europe. Cruise through the famous Schlögener Schlinge in Austria, where the Danube snakes through steep, forested mountains in a series of sharp and scenic bends. Silence surrounds you, except for the occasional hum of passing barges. (Note: For any tours departing after October 1, cruising is not available and is replaced by a coach transfer.)

Begin cycling at Schlögen and head toward Aschach through a beautiful forest, where you stop for lunch on your own. Follow the Danube bike route to Ottensheim, renowned for its hilltop castle, where you conclude your ride. Here, you’ll transfer by private coach to your hotel at Weissenkirchen, in Austria’s Wachau Valley wine region.

This charming village is dominated by St. Michael’s Church, which dates to 987. There are also many Renaissance buildings with romantic inner courtyards. One of them houses your inviting family-run hotel. Many of Weissenkirchen’s vinegut (winemakers) and wine cellars are located in beautiful, ancient manor houses. Perhaps you’ll savor a famous young heuriger wine in one of these taverns during dinner at your leisure tonight.

Hotel: Hotel Raffelsberger Hof
Alternate Hotel: Kirchenwirt Weissenkirchen
Meals: B
Daily Options: 16.2 or 29 miles (26.2 or 46.7 km)

In the morning, cycle through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Melk. The Wachau is one of Austria’s most striking landscapes, featuring a mix of hillside orchards and vineyards among ruined castles, abbeys and churches. In Melk, you may want to visit the spectacular Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe’s largest Baroque monasteries. Eat lunch on your own here, before cycling along the Danube to the lovely village of Spitz.

From Spitz, cycle back to Weissenkirchen and maybe opt to continue farther to Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionhearted was kept prisoner in 1193. Tonight’s farewell dinner is in a local restaurant within a private, ancient winepress room.

Hotel: Hotel Raffelsberger Hof
Alternate Hotel: Kirchenwirt Weissenkirchen
Meals: B, D
Daily Options: 15.8 or 37 miles (25.5 or 59.7 km)

After breakfast, transfer to Vienna, arriving at approximately 10:30 a.m.

VBT-Bicycle-Vacation-only guests: Your tour ends at the Hotel Stefanie in Vienna. Important: Train departures from Vienna prior to 11:00 a.m. are not recommended. If you depart earlier, you are responsible for your own transfer arrangements from the hotel in Weissenkirchen. A taxi ride from the Hotel Stefanie to the Vienna train station costs approximately €15/$25 USD and takes approximately 20 minutes. A taxi ride to the Vienna airport costs approximately €30/$50 USD and takes approximately 40 minutes.