Tour Description

The name says it all – we will ride along the border between Communist East and Democratic West, marked by the infamous Iron Curtain from 1948 until late 1989.  But we will discover lands that were connected for centuries whose spirits still endure and even thrive together again.    

 

These borderlands and their brutal separation bring numerous stories of villages that are no more, of bridges that cross to nowhere, of roads and paths that simply finish without destination.. It tells us about people who had lived on both sides and who have desperately tried to return to each other, risking and in many cases losing their lives! Luckily, this time is over! The countryside slowly heals its wounds and gives us the unique opportunity to see the process, to enjoy the bits of the lush countryside, the sleepy forest, misty ponds and people living together again. It is not an easy route; the trails combine everything from asphalt to dirt trails. The story is challenging, so is the biking; but it will leave you with indelible memories!

 

The name says it all – we will ride along the border between Communist East and Democratic West, marked by the infamous Iron Curtain from 1948 until late 1989.  But we will discover lands that were connected for centuries whose spirits still endure and even thrive together again.

Itinerary

Arrival to České Budějovice (Budweis)

Show Day
1 Day

This day is yours to explore České Budějovice, the capital of the Bohemian south. Take your time to climb up the Black tower, walk the huge Přemysl Otakar II square or simply enjoy the local Budvar beer (yes, this is the home of the one and only original Budvar!) on the banks of Vltava or Malše rivers.

České Budějovice - Nové Hrady

Distance 50 KmShow Day
2 Day

You start cycling from the lovely town of České Budějovice to the southeast, along a route taking you through a country of lakes and ponds, even past the legendary spot where the Hussite warlord Jan Zizka was born in the cozy town of Borovany. We conclude the day in Nové Hrady, a small but picturesque town with a castle, a chateau and a monastery. The place was related to the Buquoy noble family for over 3 centuries, and remains the capital of Novohradske hory, a remote but lovely area. When there, do spend some time exploring the lovely Tercino udoli, a great landscape park dating back to the 18th century!

Nové Hrady - Slavonice

Distance 65 KmShow Day
3 Day

Today we meet the border and history of the Iron Curtain trail! It will zig-zag across the Czech-Austrian border showing us tons of remote nature beauties and forgotten villages and towns telling stories and tales of those who have lived here. We can admire the Chateau in Litschau, the majestic castle in Landstejn and finally the great renaissance beauty – the town of Slavonice. In between tons of ponds, bunkers and even spots where villages and across-the-border connections used to be.

Slavonice - Podyjí area

Distance 60 KmShow Day
4 Day

Again, across the border and back and again and again… First, we use the lovely dismantled railway track into Austria, then start meandering through the villages of Upper Austria like Neugiers and Drossendorf. We learn who Grassel was and how his surname became a nickname for bandits and villians. Finally, back on the Czech side of the border we end up in the small sleepy town of Vranov with a magnificent chateau crowning the town.

Podyjí area - Znojmo

Distance 45 KmShow Day
5 Day

Distance: 45 km / 28 miles

Description of the day: Today we combine the lovely nature of the Podyji / Thayatal National Park with its wealth of small villages like Hardegg,  WWII monuments and remains of the Iron Curtain itself. When it all gets too heavy, we squeeze through some lush vineyards and end up in lovely Znojmo, to relax, drink some great local wine and simply enjoy the views!

Znojmo - Laa an der Thaya

Distance 56 KmShow Day
6 Day

Distance: 56 km / 35 miles

Description of the day: And here we go again! Saying goodbye to Znojmo, we hop across the border, fly through the sleepy town of Hardres which shelters the longest cellar lane in Austria and on we go to the sleepy chateau in Jaroslavice. All this framed in the countryside where Maria Theresia’s military cartographers drew the first maps of the kingdom. When tired by riding, we end up in the teeny-tiny spa town of Laa, the local castle tower giving us a good view of the area around!

Laa an der Thaya - Břeclav

Distance 55 KmShow Day
7 Day

Today we enter the lands of a family that has written the history of the area for over 8 centuries – the Liechtensteins! Yes, the people with their own country between Austria and Switzerland. We can admire what they have built here, the lively town of Mikulov, wine palaces like Valtice, numerous saletts in the forest and of course ponds and vineyards. And naturally, we learn more Iron Curtain stories and have time to remember the unfortunate ones who died along it at the raw but very touching Monument of the Victims of the Iron Curtain. On a happier note, the town Breclav is our final destination of the day!

Břeclav - Bratislava

Distance 75 KmShow Day
8 Day

The last cycling day brings on board another country – Slovakia and its capital Bratislava. As the full distance would be over 100 km, we only bike to Marchegg, a historical town in Austria right on the river March/Morava which creates the Slovak-Austrian border. Until then we admire the lovely so-called Moravian Amazon at the confluence of Dyje and Morava rivers, the tiny Austrian villages with views across the border and centuries of history of the area. From Marchegg a transfer takes us to Bratislava, the lively Slovak capital which has all the ability to refresh us after a long cycling journey!

Departure

Show Day
9 Day

We highly recommend you take a time to tour this magnificent city, the Slovak capital has a tiny city center full of picturesque places and buildings, and the castle is worth a visit.

You can also prolong your tour by a ride to Budapest or take a boat trip there or to Vienna!

 

Services And Prices

Selfuguided tour with NO luggage transfer included
Selfuguided tour with NO luggage transfer included775 €
Selfguided tour with luggage transfer included
2 Persons985€
4 Persons899 €
6 Persons855 €
Extras
Bike rental135€
Gravel bike rental180€
E-bike rental225€
Single surcharge230€
Solo rider surcharge190€
Premium accommodation surcharge210€
Premium accommodation SGL surcharge290€
Halfboard surcharge190€
Premium halfboard surcharge 225€
Extra night in České Budějovice50-80 €
Extra night in Bratislava55-80 €
Group 1-3 Person Bratislava-České Budějovice320 €
Group 4+ Person Bratislava-České Budějovice395 €
Train transfer Bratislava-České Budějovice25 €
Train transfer Bratislava-České Budějovice with bike35 €

Tour DatesAny scheduled tour can be made private. Your group, your dates. Go Private

No Self-guided terms available right now

Interactive MapSelf Guided Tour Info

Our rental bikes

At Europe Bike Tour, we understand that a high-quality bicycle is key to an enjoyable vacation. That's why we ensure all our bikes are regularly serviced to maintain their perfect condition. For additional equipment, please refer to the "Bike Equipment" section where you'll find items included in the bike fee or available for rent/purchase at an extra cost.

Our diverse fleet includes bikes for men and women in various sizes, electric bikes, tandem bikes, children's bikes, and even recumbent bikes upon request. If you have any special requirements or wishes, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are dedicated to meeting your needs and ensuring you have the best experience possible!

What Is Included And What NotOn Self Guided Idividual Tours

  • Individual pre-tour meeting at appointed time at client's hotel on the first day of the tour
  • Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions (city standard/premium)
  • Breakfast on all days
  • Day by day description with altitude profiles, places to visit and local tips
  • Official biking maps with highlighted routing (per room)
  • Detailed tailor-made cycling maps (per room)
  • Detailed town maps with highlighted routing to/from hotel (per room)
  • Step by step route description (per room)
  • Train tickets and train timetables (for tours where train transfer is part of a tour schedule)
  • Transportation of luggage between hotels between 9-17:00 (for option including luggage transfers only!)
  • Practical bike ride and safety information
  • 24-hour hotline assistance service
  • Personal travel and health insurance for participants in the tour
  • Transportation (air tickets) to/from starting/final point of the tour
  • Transfer from Prague Airport to your Prague hotel on the day of arrival
  • Transfer from hotel to the airport on departure day
  • Meals (except for breakfasts)
  • Entrance fees to museums, castles, and chateaux
  • Local touristic/spa tax (to be paid on spot directly to accommodation)
  • Bike rental

On Fully Guided Tours

  • Specialized Bike Holidays bicycle tour leader during all biking days
  • Pick-up from any Prague hotel on the first day of the tour at an appointed time
  • Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions
  • Breakfast on all days
  • Dinners without drink on specific number of biking days (usually every other day but for more info, please contact your tour coordinator)
  • Refreshments in the supporting vehicle (soft drinks, snacks, sweets, fruit)
  • Water for bike-flasks
  • Welcome briefing on the first day
  • Maps of towns of accommodation on the tour (per room)
  • Detailed cycling maps (on request)
  • Program and detailed day-by-day description (per room)
  • Practical bike ride safety training
  • Technical service on the route
  • First aid service on the route
  • Support vehicle
  • All transportation of participants and their luggage and bicycles during the tour
  • Personal travel and health insurance for participants in the tour
  • Transportation (air-tickets) to/from Prague – starting/final point of the tour
  • Transfer from Prague airport to your Prague hotel on the day of arrival
  • Transfer from hotel to the airport on the departure day
  • Other meals than mentioned in "What is included"
  • Entrance fees to museums, castles, and chateaux
  • Local touristic/spa tax (to be paid on spot directly to accommodation)
  • Bike rental

Request Your HolidaysSelf Guided Trous It Is Support And Independence

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Full-guided trip

We at Europe Bike Tour do know, that a good bike is the most important part of a nice vacation. So we let all our bikes serviced regulary so they stay in perfect condition. Under "Bike Equipment" you can find other aditional equipment that is either in the bike fee included or you can rent/buy it for adittional funds.

We offer male and female bikes with different sizes, E-bikes, Tandembikes, Bikes for kids and on request the Recumbent bike as well. Should you have a special wish/need, do not hesitate to ask us, we will make our best to fullfill your wish!

Tailor-made tours

Why with us?

With a rich 12-year history, Europe Bike Tours offers more than just cycling trips; we provide immersive "Culture Biking" experiences across the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Our tours blend the thrill of biking with cultural exploration, taking you from charming local eateries to ancient, hidden castles. We handpick the most captivating locations, ensuring each bike, family, or wine holiday is an adventure in itself. Catering to diverse preferences, our tours come in various formats, from self-guided to fully guided, with options for luggage transfer and different accommodation levels. For those seeking something unique, we're always ready to craft a tailor-made tour that perfectly fits your vision of a cycling holiday.

  • Self guided, fully guided or supported tours
  • City standard or premium accommodation
  • Tailor made maps
  • More biking options for each day
  • 24/7 Hotline with personal approach
  • Quality bikes e-Bikes
  • Read more about us

    Who We Are

    Lukáš SvárovskýManager

    Languages Spoken Czech, English, German

    Guide Since 2008

    Lukas was born and raised in the Czech capital of Prague. His keen interest in history and sports influenced his determination to study both subjects at university in Germany. His passion for travel also led to Lukas adding a tourism degree to his studies. Biking, exploring, and discovering interesting places was one of the determining moments when in 2010 he decided to start Europe Bike Tours. Since than Lukas is keen on developing new products, improve services and above all, share his passion for traveling while guiding one of the tours!

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    Vitek ProchazkaManager

    Languages Spoken Czech, English, French, German, Slovak, Spanish

    Guide Since 2012

    Vitek was born in Prague, Czech Republic and has remained there most of his life. During his travel and tourism studies he began guiding mostly bike and rafting trips all around Europe. Through his years in the office of a travel agency, guiding remained an important part of his life. Eventually went of for  year in New Zealand and after returning started guiding and preparing programs in and around his homeland

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    Meet our whole team now

    Our self-guided tours

    Accommodation is one of the most important parts of each trip that strongly influences the final look of it. We make our best to offer you the best possible accommodation in the prefered category. The hotels we offer are either comfortable small hotels or quite guesthouses both in 3* quality, all of it rather small and with personality than big chain. All the tours have accommodation in or near the town/village centres so you can spend the afternoon and evening after biking exploring the town itself or simply enjoy the peace of the place.

    Get more info

    TestimonialsWhat Our Clients Say About Us

    01 Aug

    Mark and Nicola Fleming - June 2023

    We found the Prague to Vienna Greenways trip to be a great way to discover the peace and tranquilty of the Czech Republic after having enjoyed the bustle of Prague. The attention to detail from Lukas was excellent and we were most impressed by the selection of hotels and pensions along the way. The bikes were well maintained and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Thank you.

    Read More

    30 Jul

    oscar cattorini y gladys slobodzian

    Hello . Good afternoon. We want to thank you for the service provided, from the bicycles to the hotels of excellent quality and well located, the excellent gpx, the schedules fulfilled to perfection. everything has been very very good !! It has been a pleasure to come from Argentina to get to know this wonderful country and its people and to have everything waiting for us to enjoy. From now on ...

    Read More

    22 May

    Mark & Brenda Regensburg-Prague-Vienna Tour

    It is always good to start a new season with satisfied clients but to start with such a positive feedback is GREAT!!!!

    Read More

    26 Dec

    Angela and Ray // Prague to Dresden

    Great self-guide bike tour from Prague to Dresden through beautiful countryside. We received the best route directions we have ever had after many bike tours with other operators. The directions were clear, understandable and offered options. We also appreciated the route information with directions on sightseeing, cafes, pubs, restaurants. The recommended GPS was very helpful to provide ou...

    Read More

    06 Dec

    Eric & Jola George, Queensland, Australia

    In September 022, we met with European family members to ride from Spindleruv Llyn to Nymburk along the Labem/Elbe. It was our third trip with Europe Bike Tours and it did not disappoint. We love riding in the Czech countryside, and stopping every night is such interesting towns, and we'll be back again as there is so much of Czechia to see. We preparing a 3 episode account of our trip for ou...

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    27 Aug

    Family Lodder

    Dear Lukas, Great tour from Prague to Vienna, with beautiful routes, well equiped bikes and lovely stops. We enjoyed Tjechie! The castles, food and vineyards. It was wonderful. The cycling, the canoeing, the hiking and the service on the jacket ;-) . Everything well organized and with a personal touch. Best regards, Alfred, Christine, Jonathan and Olivier Utrecht, Netherlands

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    04 Jun

    Prague-Dresden FG Tour June 202

    On the very same day when the tour had ended we have received following nice positive feedback from our partner: Hello, just to let you know, our client was very happy on her tour Prag-Dresden. A big compliment goes to your friendly driver Jan and the lovable tour guide Michaela.

    Read More

    04 Jun

    2022 Prague-Berlin tour

    We just finished our second self guided tour from Prague using Europe Bike Tours. Two years ago 9 of us went Prague to Vienna. This year we went Prague to Berlin. Wonderful tours. Lukas and Vitek are hands on to respond to any concerns. Every day was an exciting adventure . We hope to return next year to do one of their other destinations. We have done self cycle tours with other companies and ...

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    24 May

    Ann & Paul - Prague-Vienna Greenways

    Together with 6 friends we cycled from Prague to Vienna in May 2022. European Bike Tours organised the bikes, accommodation and the route. It went without a hitch and a truly enjoyable and memorable time was had by all. Thanks to Vitek and the crew for everything! Ann, Paul and the gang from Limerick Freewheelers

    Read More

    25 Aug

    Rozenn and Eyveline, Prague-Berlin August 2020

    Many thanks to Viteck for organizing the Prague-Berlin trip. Everything was perfect: the bikes in excellent condition, the complete documents (maps, gpx, ...), the quality accommodation with a warm welcome. I also appreciated Viteck's kindness and his professionalism. I therefore recommend this trip which combines the culture of 2 countries and beautiful landscapes.

    Read More

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