Eastern Slovakia to Famous Wine Region in Hungary

Tatras to Tokaj

Tour Description: Guided

This spectacular journey through Central Europe takes us from the Vistula to the Danube, traversing a landscape steeped in tradition, history and fine wines. Travelling from the architectural splendour of Krakow we cross the alpine landscapes of the Tatras Mountains, down to the Hungarian steppes and into the famous winelands of the Tokaj-Hegyalja region. Crossing the Carpathians we enjoy some exhilarating and gentle cycling along the scenic Hornad Valley, leaving cliff-top castles, rural villages and historic towns in our wake.Beginning our journey in Krakow we head towards the mountain resort of Tatranska Lomnica, nestling amongst the jagged peaks of the High Tatras National park.

From here we cycle through dense pine forests and alpine meadows en route to the historic towns of Kezmarok and Levoca. We visit the imposing ruins of Spis Castle, a UNESCO site whose high vantage point affords us some spectacular views across the surrounding landscape. Traversing the quiet country lanes that follow the course of the Hornad River we then head through the Carpathians, the scenery becoming more tranquil and rolling as we head into the warmer climes around Kosice, Slovakia's second city and a vibrant mix of old and new Europe. Continuing south from here we join the course of the Bodrog River as it meanders through a terrain of vineyards and villages towards the Hungarian border.

Next stop is Satoraljaujhely, occupying the northern uplands close to the Zemplen Hills and Hungary's most northern town. A disused railway then takes us through the famous wine producing landscapes of the Tokaj-Hegyalja region, en route to the picturesque town of Tokaj.

The end of our journey sees us travelling to the heart of Hungary's vibrant capital, where an afternoon orientation tour allows us an opportunity to discover something of Budapest's historic gems.

Learn more about guided tours.

Tour Description: Self-guided

This spectacular journey through Central Europe takes us from the Vistula to the Danube, traversing a landscape steeped in tradition, history and fine wines. Travelling from the architectural splendour of Krakow we cross the alpine landscapes of the Tatras Mountains, down to the Hungarian steppes and into the famous winelands of the Tokaj-Hegyalja region. Crossing the Carpathians we enjoy some exhilarating and gentle cycling along the scenic Hornad Valley, leaving cliff-top castles, rural villages and historic towns in our wake.Beginning our journey in Krakow we head towards the mountain resort of Tatranska Lomnica, nestling amongst the jagged peaks of the High Tatras National park.

From here we cycle through dense pine forests and alpine meadows en route to the historic towns of Kezmarok and Levoca. We visit the imposing ruins of Spis Castle, a UNESCO site whose high vantage point affords us some spectacular views across the surrounding landscape. Traversing the quiet country lanes that follow the course of the Hornad River we then head through the Carpathians, the scenery becoming more tranquil and rolling as we head into the warmer climes around Kosice, Slovakia's second city and a vibrant mix of old and new Europe. Continuing south from here we join the course of the Bodrog River as it meanders through a terrain of vineyards and villages towards the Hungarian border.

Next stop is Satoraljaujhely, occupying the northern uplands close to the Zemplen Hills and Hungary's most northern town. A disused railway then takes us through the famous wine producing landscapes of the Tokaj-Hegyalja region, en route to the picturesque town of Tokaj.

The end of our journey sees us travelling to the heart of Hungary's vibrant capital, where an afternoon orientation tour allows us an opportunity to discover something of Budapest's historic gems.

Learn more about guided tours.

Highlights: Guided

• Tatra National Park
• Medieval towns Levoca and Kosice
• Magnificient ruins of Spissky Hrad
• Gypsy Villages
• Volcanic hills
• Famous Wine region of Tokaj 

Highlights: Self-guided

• Tatra National Park
• Medieval towns Levoca and Kosice
• Magnificient ruins of Spissky Hrad
• Gypsy Villages
• Volcanic hills
• Famous Wine region of Tokaj 

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Arrival to Krakow
Join tour Krakow. We meet in the evening in an old town restaurant. 
Overnight in Krakow. 

Day 2: Tatranska Lomnica - Kezmarok (12 miles/20 km)
Today we cross the border into Slovakia, driving to the town of Tatranska Lomnica, nestling amongst the ragged peaks of the High Tatras Range. Taking lunch in Tatranska Lomnica we then begin cycling, enjoying an exhilarating downhill ride to the historic town of Kezmarok, once one of the most important settlements on medieval Slovakia's eastern boundaries.

Colonized by Germans during the 13th century the town stood second only to nearby Levoca in importance and its old town still retains a distinctive medieval feel, dominated by the imposing presence of its 15th century castle. The town also boasts a superb wooden church, considered by many to be one of the finest in the entire country, as well as some outstanding examples of Gothic architecture, including the Basilica of the Holy Cross, built in the 15th century on the site of the original church built by the town's German settlers.
Overnight in Kezmarok.  

Day 3: Kezmarok - Levoca (19 miles/30 km)
Cycling to the charming old village of Hradisko this morning we have the opportunity to crest the top of nearby Brezova Hill for some spectacular views out across the Tatras. Continuing along the ridgeline we then cycle through a quite breathtaking vista, before enjoying a downhill coast to the historic walled city of Levoca. Abounding with beautiful Renaissance architecture and impressive fortifications, the town presents us with one of the most captivating locations in the entire Spis region.

Colonized by German settlers in the 12th century much of the town's present character was forged during the 16th century, after a fire necessitated a rebuilding of the heart of the town, endowing this hidden gem with a quite spectacular collection of Renaissance and Gothic buildings. Levoca's centrepiece is the 15th century Church of St James, the second largest Gothic church in the country and boasting the world's largest wooden altar, along with some particularly fine frescoes. The town's main square is littered with an array of impressive town houses and its Town Hall is amongst the most stunning of this remarkable collection of historic jewels.
Overnight in Levoca.  

Day 4: Levoca - Krompachy (22 miles/35 Km)
Leaving Levoca behind this morning we cycle uphill, following tracks that take us past a patchwork of fields, up to Sibenik Hill for some wonderful views across Levoca and the Tatras beyond. From here we follow a series of minor roads, through a collection of small villages until we reach the town of Spiska Kapitula, once the religious capital of the region and for some 600 years almost entirely inhabited by clergy. We visit the ruins of the nearby Spissky Hrad, once one of the largest castles in Central Europe. Occupying the ridge high above the town, the castle was originally built by Hungarian Kings at the turn of the 13th century, eventually meeting its end in 1780, since which it has remained a ghostly testament to the conflicts and internecine politics that once plagued this region. From the top of the Gothic Tower there is a spectacular all round view of the surrounding landscape.

From here we cycle downhill to the village of Zehra, to view its 12th century church, before continuing to the old mining town of Krompachy in the Hornad River Valley. Lying at the junction of three major mountain ranges - the Levocsky Hills, the Branisko Massif and the Volovsky Hills, the town is blessed with some superb scenery, surrounded on every side by rising peaks and plunging valleys. We will be staying at the nearby ski resort of Pleisy, affording us the ideal opportunity to take in some of the wonderful views and ambience of this mountain setting.
Overnight in Krompachy.  

Day 5: Krompachy - Kosice (38 miles/60 km)
Today we journey along the Hornad River Valley, following a network of cycle paths and minor roads, traversing a landscape that takes us through the Carpathians to the town of Kosice. As we cycle through Margecany, the river changes into a substantial reservoir, with high steep banks that are carpeted in wild forest. We aim to stop for lunch at a restaurant somewhere close to the waters edge, before resuming our journey along a forest road that skirts the reservoir. As we near the end of the day's journey the mountain landscape changes to a more gentle terrain of rolling hills as we enter a warmer climate zone lying amongst the southern boundaries of Eastern Slovakia.

Kosice is the country's second largest city, where the old and the new come together in an eclectic fusion of sights and sounds. The city is littered with museums and churches and its labyrinth of charming narrow streets make it perfect to explore on two wheels. Originally a Slav settlement, the city has had a somewhat chequered history, gaining importance under the early Hungarian empire, before attacks from the Turks saw its important trade routes interrupted and its commercial importance decline. Its allegiances and influences have continually moved between Czech and Hungarian factions over the years and even today its has a vibrant Hungarian ethnic community.
Overnight in Kosice.  

Day 6: Kosice -  Satoraljaujhely (44 miles/70 km)
Passing between the rolling hills of Eastern Slovakia we head first for Slanec Castle this morning, a 13th century Gothic ruin that occupies the hills above the Bodrog River Valley. Passing through a vista of vineyards and villages we pass through Velka Trna and Mala Trna, en route to Satoraljaujhely just across the Hungarian border in the northern uplands close to the Zemplen Hills. Strategically located on the trading routes to Russia, Poland and Transylvania, the town thrived during the Middle Ages, being granted town privileges in 1261 by King Stephen V. The most northern town in Hungary, nestling amongst a landscape of forests and vineyards, it also played a key role in the fight for independence from the Austrians and today is part of the famous Hegyalja wine-growing region.
Overnight in Satoraljaujhely.  

Day 7: Satoraljaujhely - Tokaj (28 miles/45 km)
Cycling along the Bodrog and Tisa Valleys today we follow an abandoned railway line that takes us via the historically important town of Sarospatak. Once a centre for Calvinist power and thought, the town has also played a pivotal role over the years in Hungary's fight for independence from the Habsburg yolk. We take time to visit the riverside castle of Rakoczi, an imposing edifice that spans some 500 years of the town's turbulent history. The castle's most illustrious owners were the Transylvanian Rakoczis, who expanded much of the Renaissance Palace and held the fortress until the early years of the 18th century, when their unsuccessful fight against the Austrian crown resulted in Ferenc Rakoczi being driven into exile and the castle passing into the hands of Austrian nobility.

After our visit we continue south, following the flow of the Bodrog River towards the town of Tokaj, lying to the west of the confluence of the Bodrog and the Tisza. This is one of the most celebrated wine producing areas in the country and Tokaj makes up part of the expansive Tokaj-Hegyalja region that runs through the southern and eastern fringes of the Zemplen Hills.
Overnight in Tokaj.  

Day 8: Tokaj - Budapest
Transferring by bus today the climax of our journey sees us heading southwest, towards Hungary's vibrant capital city, where we spent the last night.
Overnight in Budapest.  

Day 9: Departure
End of tour. Departure or prolongation of your stay in Budapest.

Daily Program: Self-guided

Dates: Guided

Jun 8; Jul 13; Aug 12; and Sep 7, 2013

Dates: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Tour package (guided)
Per person, double occupancy €1020 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €220 Bike rentals Hybrid touring bike €70 Equipment provided free with all rentals €0 Extra nights, Krakow or Budapest Per person, double occupancy €58 Single room supplement (1 person/1 room) €31

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Included Services: Guided

• Transport Krakow-Lomnica and Tokaj-Budapest
• 8 nights accommodation in good rooms with shower / WC,
• Breakfast and dinner
• Transfer of luggage from hotel to hotel
• Specialist English-speaking guide

Included Services: Self-guided

Hotels: Guided

Accommodation is in luxury 4-star hotels to simple, clean 2-star hotels. 

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Hotels: Self-guided

Accommodation is in luxury 4-star hotels to simple, clean 2-star hotels. 

Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options. 

Bike Rentals: Guided

The bikes available are 21-speed derailleur gear hybrid touring bikes with a light aluminum frame. The tires are high quality Schwalb Land Cruisers. Another feature is comfortable, suspended gel-saddles. The bikes are equipped with saddle bags. 

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

The bikes available are 21-speed derailleur gear hybrid touring bikes with a light aluminum frame. The tires are high quality Schwalb Land Cruisers. Another feature is comfortable, suspended gel-saddles. The bikes are equipped with saddle bags. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

A cycling tour of medium difficulty, and is through generally rolling or hilly terrain. Height differences of 330-670 feet (100-200 m) occur a few times. We follow the Hornad river valley in the Carpathian mountains and then cycle through the flat Tisa valley in Hungary. 

Approximately 60% of the tour is on quiet roads; 20% on dedicated bicycle paths; 10% on roads shared with traffic; and 10% on dirt or gravel roads. The maximum daily elevation gain for this tour is 1,640 feet (500 m), with a 12% maximum percentage grade for any climb. 

This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition. 

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

A cycling tour of medium difficulty, and is through generally rolling or hilly terrain. Height differences of 330-670 feet (100-200 m) occur a few times. We follow the Hornad river valley in the Carpathian mountains and then cycle through the flat Tisa valley in Hungary. 

Approximately 60% of the tour is on quiet roads; 20% on dedicated bicycle paths; 10% on roads shared with traffic; and 10% on dirt or gravel roads. The maximum daily elevation gain for this tour is 1,640 feet (500 m), with a 12% maximum percentage grade for any climb. 

This tour is rated Moderate and is for cyclists in good physical condition. 

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start 
Nearest airport: Krakow, Poland
Nearest train station: Krakow, Poland

Tour end
Nearest airport: Budapest, Hungary
Nearest train station: Budapest, Hungary

Tips on getting to and from your tour

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start 
Nearest airport: Krakow, Poland
Nearest train station: Krakow, Poland

Tour end
Nearest airport: Budapest, Hungary
Nearest train station: Budapest, Hungary

Tips on getting to and from your tour

Weather: Guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Weather: Self-guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information.

Tour Company Background: Bird Service: Guided

This is your chance to enjoy some of the most picturesque and spectacular parts of Poland, nearby Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine and Belarus by bike. These are areas that are only now beginning to be discovered by tourists. And for those preferring to hike there are well-marked trails and charming mountain huts ready for visitors.

Allow us to introduce you to the best of our cycling tours. We have been organizing active tours for the last twenty years and look forward with our team of enthusiastic staff to making your holiday a memorable one.

Our company started as Polish "Bird Service" in 1990 in Bialystok (NE-Poland) and has gained good reputation as organizer of nature study tours. We still offer a range of tours for birdwatchers and nature lovers, published on the webpage www.birding.pl 

In 2000 we moved our office to the heart of historic Cracow and started to offer a range of cycle tours in southern Poland. As state borders are now easy to pass, we also organize cycling events in the nearby Slowakia, Czech Republic and Hungary. We offer ground arrangement for renowned tour companies. Each year clients from a number of countries around the world (mainly Germany, UK, Belgium, USA, even Japan) book our tours directly.

Tour Company Background: Bird Service: Self-guided

This is your chance to enjoy some of the most picturesque and spectacular parts of Poland, nearby Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ukraine and Belarus by bike. These are areas that are only now beginning to be discovered by tourists. And for those preferring to hike there are well-marked trails and charming mountain huts ready for visitors.

Allow us to introduce you to the best of our cycling tours. We have been organizing active tours for the last twenty years and look forward with our team of enthusiastic staff to making your holiday a memorable one.

Our company started as Polish "Bird Service" in 1990 in Bialystok (NE-Poland) and has gained good reputation as organizer of nature study tours. We still offer a range of tours for birdwatchers and nature lovers, published on the webpage www.birding.pl 

In 2000 we moved our office to the heart of historic Cracow and started to offer a range of cycle tours in southern Poland. As state borders are now easy to pass, we also organize cycling events in the nearby Slowakia, Czech Republic and Hungary. We offer ground arrangement for renowned tour companies. Each year clients from a number of countries around the world (mainly Germany, UK, Belgium, USA, even Japan) book our tours directly.

Terms and Conditions: Bird Service: Guided

Information coming soon. 

Terms and Conditions: Bird Service: Self-guided

Information coming soon.