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Mikulov - Cesky Tesin Amber Trail |
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This cycle route takes you South - North from the Austrian to the Polish borders and leads through South and North Moravia. The trail follows an old amber trading route - the Amber Trail - which as early as the time of the Celts, connected the Baltic region with the Mediterranean sea. Amber was one of the most valued commodities of the time.
It starts in the wine making landscape of South Moravia, with its main landmarks of the Palava hills and continues through the Moravian metropolis of Brno to the Moravian Karst, under which lies the most interesting cave system in the Czech Republic.
The journey takes you through the Drahan highlands and the Hana plain to the ancient town of Olomouc and further to the Moravian gate around castle Helfstyn, the spa town of Teplice nad Becvou and on through historical Stramberk and Hukvaldy to the border town of Cesky Tesin.
The Czech Republic is a perfect country for cycle holidays. With the largest density of castles and chateaux per square kilometer in Europe and incredible, unspoilt mountain, forest and river landscapes, there is so much to see. As a result of the Communist ideal that ‘all villages should be connected’, there exists an extensive network of paved, third class roads with the least amount of traffic – ideal conditions for cycling.
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Day 1 Mikulov - Brno (63 km / 35 miles)
The cycle route goes through the wine-making region of South Moravia and around the controversial dam 'Nove Mlyny' at the base of the communism in the spirit of the saying - “we control the wind and rain”. The Palava Hills – a Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere Reserve, will serve as the main panorama during the trip. You will pass the town of Zidlochovice with a chateau, which till the present day serves as a representative place for famous national meetings. Before arriving in Brno the journey goes through less relaxed landscape around hypermarkets and mega-parking lots that represent a change in social priorities.
Overnight in Brno.
Day 2 Brno - Moravsky Kras (38 km / 24 miles)
The journey through Brno demands concentration and caution (Brno tries to look similar to Vienna but unfortunately this is not apparent from the cycle trails). Despite this, the first village outside of Brno is the delightful Bilovice nad Svitavou, the scene of a famous Czech opera ‘Liska Bystrouska’ by Leos Janacek. At the end of this stage is the famous cave system – the Moravian Karst, a popular nature destination in the Czech Republic. Today’s short ride could finish in a journey down the underground river Punkva in one of the caves along with a trip to the bottom of the deepest Czech abyss called Macocha (depth 187,5 m).
Overnight in Moravsky Kras Area.
Day 3 Moravsky Kras - Olomouc (69 km / 43 miles)
This part of the trip is the most demanding not only in length but also hills (550 m) due to the Drahan Hills. Our reward will be a visit to Plumlov, a small town with a dominant but unfinished, baroque castle on a rocky outcrop and the opportunity to bathe in the cool, refreshing Plumlov reservoir. Through Prostejov we get to Olomouc, the second most famous town for monuments in the Czech Republic, after Prague. A trip to Premysl palace or St. Wenceslas Cathedral is an experience not to be missed as is seeing the Trinity Column in the square, which was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Overnight in Olomouc.
Day 4 Olomouc - Teplice nad Becvou (64 km / 40 miles)
After sightseeing around Olomouc the trail brings you along the Amber Trail to Prerov and from there straight to Lipnik nad Becvou (Jewish cemetery and synagogue). In Lipnik nad Becvou, a short trip takes you up to the imposing Helfstyn Castle, which is unique not only in terms of area but also in its rich cultural calendar, dominated by the annual event of the meeting of artistic blacksmiths – Hefaiston, at the end of September. After the the uphill journey to Helfštyn we ride on to the spa town of Teplice nad Becvou, where you have the opportunity to visit the Zbrasovska aragonite cave.
Overnight in Teplice nad Becvou.
Day 5 Teplice nad Becvou - Stramberk (40 km / 25 miles)
From the mineral rich spas of Teplice you travel on to Stary Jicin with its ancient ruins of the same name, on to Novy Jicin with its arcade and renaissance chateau. From here you journey just a short distance to the destination Stramberk, a small town especially famous for its tower, part of a gothic castle ruin. From this tower you have a beautiful view of the surroundings. You could taste the local specialties – the so-called Stramberk ears! You also have the opportunity to visit the museum of Zdenek Burian – a famous painter whose paintings depict the Stone Age.
Overnight in Stramberk.
Day 6 Stramberk - Cesky Tesin/Cieszyn (45 km / 28 miles)
This day on the Czech part of this route brings you to Koprivnice, where it is possible to visit the Technical museum of the old Czech car maker - Tatra, displaying many interesting, antique cars. Hukvaldy is another delightful stop on the route, which is famous for its ruined castle of the same name and also as being the birthplace of the composer Leos Janacek. His original home, now a protected monument, houses an exhibition. The route takes you through Frydek-Mistek to Tesin, where the Czech - Polish border separates Cesky Tesin and Polsky Cieszyn.
Overnight in Cesky Tesin.
Day 7 Depature
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Self-Guided:
Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions
Buffet breakfast
Luggage transfer
English route descriptions
Detailed cycling maps
Town maps
Global Positioning System (GPS) console
Transportation by car according to program
Welcome briefing upon arrival
Quality TREK bike rental
Stand-by support (cellphone and contact person)
Guided: Professional bilingual guide
Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions
Support van
Buffet breakfast and dinner included
Luggage transfer
English route descriptions
Detailed cycling maps
Town maps
Global Positioning System (GPS) console
Quality TREK bike rental
Guided tours at chateaux, castles, museums and other select attractions
Special events, including wine tasting and picnics (back to top)
Self-Guided: Daily from April through October
Guided: 5/23 and 9/2/2008 (back to top)
Self-Guided: Double room: €950
Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room): €240
Please Note If someone travels alone (no other cyclists on same date) on a self-guided tour, there is a 15% surcharge.
Guided: Double room: €1290
Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room): €240
Minimum group size: 4 people (back to top)
Nearest arrival airport: Vienna (and train to Mikulov). We recommend arrival a day early to allow time to start your tour early on Day 1.
Please inquire about further travel details. (back to top)
BikeToursDirect does not operate any tours but represents all companies whose tours are listed on this
site. You can book this tour through BikeToursDirect at the same prices you'd pay booking directly through
the tour company. Book this tour by clicking on "Book Trip" button below, or contact us for help planning your tour.
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