Prague to Dresden
Guided & Self Guided 8 Days / 7 Nights
On this riverside bicycle tour, connecting the Czech Republic and Germany, you cycle between two European centres of cultural importance, following the Vltava and Elbe Rivers. Start by cycling to Melnik, the centre of winemaking in Bohemia. Continue by biking through fertile countryside, through Litomerice with its Gothic houses. The most impressive part of the tour is the region called Czech and Saxon Switzerland, where you bike along a steep-sided river valley with fantastic sandstone formations towering above
Highlights:
- Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in Europe, Prague Old Town and Jewish Quarter
- Melnik – Bohemia’s premier wine region
- World War ll memorial at Terzin
- Pravcika brana, the largest natural stone arch in Europe
- Dresden’s monuments - Zwinger Pavilion, Frauenkirche Church, Semper Opera House and Royal Palace
Your JourneyDay 1: Arrive Prague - “city of a thousand spires” Day 2: Free Day in Prague (59 km) The impressive city of Prague is the start of your journey through history. The Charles Bridge, the Old Town square and Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in Europe, are great places to visit. The Jewish Quarter in Prague is located between the Old Town Square and the Vitava River. Its chilling history dates back to the 13th century when Jewish people were ordered to vacate their homes and settle in this one area. The historical buildings including six synagogues, the Old Jewish Town Hall and the remarkable Old Jewish Cemetery form the best preserved complex of historical Jewish monuments in the whole of Europe. Day 3: Prague - Melnik (55 km) Start with a short car transfer to the chateau Troja, on the outskirts of Prague. From there you begin cycling northward along the Vltava River. After leaving town the landscape begins to change, with more and more vineyards appearing. Your destination of Melnik is the main wine growing centre in Bohemia. Melnik’s renaissance palace looks out over the confluence of the Vltava and Elbe Rivers - a view that goes down very well with the local wine. Day 4: Melnik - Litomerice (50 km) Today’s stage takes you from Melnik through Roudnice nad Labem and Libechov. See the palace and gardens. The next stop is the Terezin transit camp and ghetto for prisoners en route to extermination camps during WWII. This fortress is now a memorial to those who suffered here. From here it is a short ride to the superb architectural town of Litomerice, the major town in the region. Day 5: Litomerice - Decin (45 km) Cycle along the valley of the Elbe River, with the hills rising high above you. Be sure to look out for the ruins of Strekov Castle high above the river near the town of Usti nad Labem. Today’s route finishes in Decin, the last big town before the German border. Overnight in Decin Day 6: Decin - Bad Schandau – Pirna (45 km) Leave Decin and continue through marvellous sandstone formations of Saxon Switzerland to the massive fortress of Koningsteinn, onwards to arrive in Pirna. Day 7: Pirna - Dresden Cycling through peaceful meadows and wetlands to Dresden rounds off this tour perfectly. Allow time for sightseeing in this city made famous by its porcelain. Day 8: Arrangements end. Option to combine with the tour DRESDEN TO BERLIN. TerrainEasy with a couple of climbs, the longest is 2km. MealsSelf Guided: Breakfast daily. Trip Notes / Dates / Prices 2024Click here to view Booking FormClick here to download (PDF) |
|