Itinerary

The “Golden City” and the Rivers Moldova and Elbe

8 days / 7 nights | with Bike and Barge from / to Prag | MS Florentina

The Czech Republic, the small country in the heart of Europe, impresses with its original river landscapes, picturesque villages and romantic castles, whose history and architecture can often be traced back to the Middle Ages. Prague, known also as „the Golden City“ and „the City of a Hundred Spires“, is both point of departure and final destination for this beautiful bike and barge tour along the Upper Moldova, in Czech called Vltava, and the huge Elbe River – when the bridges of the Vltava River are ablaze with sunlight and the spires of the castle sparkle in the light, then it becomes obvious that Prague has its nickname ”Golden City” with good reason! Multifaceted and unique, modern and at the same time aware of tradition – discover one of Europe’s most beautiful metropolis with its Old Town listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site and cycle through unspoilt and sometimes gently hilly landscapes. And of course - the Czech Republic is well known for its world-famous beers but also for its good wines.

Level of difficulty: The cycle tour is suitable for people with average fitness level. You will cycle on paved or asphalted cycle ways, on very lightly-trafficked agricultural roads as well as on unpaved trails leading through forests or fields. There will also be short legs along heavy-trafficked roads. The terrain is mostly flat, though there are some slopes to cope with. The cycle tours are individual and self-guided. You will cycle from 26 to 55 km. The kilometres indicated for the cycle tours are approximate.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Prague

Individual arrival in Prague. Embarkation from 4 pm. After dinner, you should take a stroll over the Charles Bridge, particularly beautiful in the dark, and enjoy the stunning view of the illuminated Prague Castel.

Day 2: Prague – Kralupy (Cycling Tour 28 km / 17 miles )

You will be handed out your bike and start for your first cycle tour. You will cycle along the Vltava River via Troja (Baroque castle – National Art Gallery) to the village of Klecánky and then over the tread of the Vltava via Drasty, Vodochody back to the river bank to today`s destination Kralupy.

Day 3: Kralupy – Mělník (Cycling Tour 25 km / 16 miles) Boat Trip to Litoměřice

After breakfast, around 9 am, we will take out the bike again. You will cycle – almost always along the Vltava River – to Nelahozeves, one of the most famous Renaissance castles of Bohemia, also known as the “little Louvre of Czechia”. Then continue through the Veltrusý Park, with numerous sculptures and gazebos in an extensive terrain, up to the royal town of Mělník. In the early afternoon return back to the ship and enjoy the boat trip on the Elbe River to Litoměřice.

Day 4: Litoměřice – Day of rest or cycle tour to Ustí and back (Cycling Tour 47 km / 29 miles)

A Day at leisure. Discover one of the most beautiful Czech towns, the royal town of Litoměřice. The colourful Renaissance and Baroque buildings in the town centre, which for the most part is encircled by well-preserved Gothic fortifications, will enchant you. Well-worth seeing: Baroque Cathedral of St Stephen atop the dome hill or the Bishop’s residence. You might also be interested in an individual visit to the Terezín Memorial in the village of Terezìn. The concentration camp memorial is located only 5 km away. For more advanced cyclists, we recommend the scenic bike tour to the castle Střekov with appealing café, idyllically situated in the narrow valley of the Elbe River. Your route will take you through the small town of Velké Žernoseky (famous Czech wine-growing region), past the Bohemian Gate - the transition from the Elbe Sandstone Mountains to the Bohemian Uplands - to Střekov Castle. From here you will have a magnificent view of the Elbe River and the surrounding mountains. Afterwards you will cycle back to Litoměřice, where your ship will anchor for the night.

Day 5: Litoměřice – Roudnice – Mlčechvosty, Cycle Tour Roudnice – Mělník – Mlčechvosty (Cycling Tour 43 km / 27 miles)

Early in the morning, the ship will take you to Roudnice. Your cycle tour starts at around 09:00 am. Almost always alongside the Elbe, via Dobřín, Račice and Vliněves, you cycle back again to the lovely village of Mělník. Enjoy the splendid panoramic view of the confluence of the Vlatwa and Elbe River from the top of the castle hill. You continue cycling to today’s destination Mlčechvosty. Arrival of the ship at around 5:00 pm.

Day 6: Mlčechvosty – Prague (Cycling Tour 42 km / 26 miles)

Today you can go for a last bike tour via Nelahozeves, Kralupy, Vodochody, Drasty and Klecánky to Prague or you relax on the sun deck. You will arrive at Prage at ca. 3:30 pm. The rest of the day is reserved for Prague.

Day 7: Prague, Cycle tour Prague – Zbraslav and back (Cycling Tour 31 km / 19 miles)

Today you have enough time to discover the right bank of the Vltava River, the highlights of the Old Town, the New Town and the Jewish Quarter. 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! In case you feel like cycling, make a tour upstream along Vltava River to Zbraslav and back. A trip to Vyṧehrad Castle is worthwile. It was built, probably in the 10th century, on a hill over the Vltava River. Local legend holds that Vyṧehrad was the location of the first settlement which later became Prague.

Day 8: Departure from Prague

After breakfast, till 09:00am disembarkation and individual departure.