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Ride Salzburg to Prague
9-day / 8-night bicycle tour
Length: 307 km / 192 miles
Trip rating: Challenging
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Czech Republic
Tours main page |
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The
ancient Amber Trail led from the
beaches of the Baltic Sea south to the Adriatic.
On this bicycle tour, ride from artist's town of Szentendre,
biking the Danube bend to Banska Stiavnica, an old mining
town in the hills. Here the cycling gets more challenging,
crossing the Low Tatras and West part of the High Tatras. Your
reward is the superb panoramic views of the breath-taking
Slovakian countryside dotted with traditional mountain
villages, meadows and pastures. You will see traditional
handcrafts such as carpets being hand made in the village of
Malatina. Biking into Poland you will visit the pilgrimage
site of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Finish in Krakow, rivaling
Prague with its historical monuments.
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Route
Highlights:
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6 World Heritage Sites (protected by UNESCO)
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genteel city of Budapest
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old town of Banska tiavnica
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traditional village of Vlkolinec
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pilgrimage site of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska
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Wieliczka salt mine
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Royal city of Krakow
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the magnificent Danube Bend
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massive Gothic castles
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Krakow amber market
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thermal cave spa
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Cycling Budapest -
Krakow
Itinerary:
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Day 1 |
Budapest - Szentendre
Arrival in Budapest, and transportation to
Szentendre (12 miles). The town of
Szentendre is easy to reach by car on
highway 11, or by train (HษV), by bus (VOLAN),
or even by boat on the Danube (MAHART).
Szentendre with its unique atmosphere has
two dozen museums, seven churches, 13
galleries, and countless coffee shops and
little pubs. The nearby Open Air Museum
offers visitors a look at traditional
Hungarian village architecture.
Overnight in Szentendre |
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Day 2 |
Szentendre - Esztergom
(cycling 38 km/24 miles)
The bicycle route leads along the right bank
of the Danube to Lenyefalu, where we take
the ferry across to Szentendre Island, and
after riding down the whole length of the
island we board the ferry again and get on
the road to Esztergom. The hard-core cyclist
can take an extra trip up the steep hill to
Visegrad Castle, where there is a fantastic
view of the Danube valley. Esztergom, the
historic seat of the Hungarian bishops with
its massive castle, is the climax of the
Hungarian leg of the Amber Trail.
Overnight in Esztergom |
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Day 3 |
Esztergom/Sturovo - Dudince
(cycling 58,2 km/ 36 miles)
The Slovak leg of our journey starts when we
cross the Danube from Esztergom to Sturovo.
The relatively easy route leads through
rolling terrain to the spa town of Dudince,
built in the true spirit of Socialist
Realism. Even today the spa offers a look
back to times not so long ago, and a day
spent here is a very interesting experience.
Another point of interest is the set of
Roman bathtubs, carved out of the travertine
rock.
Overnight in Dudince. |
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Day 4 |
Dudince - Banska Stiavnica
(cycling 39,4 km/ 25 miles)
Here starts the challenging part of the
Slovakia leg of the trip where we get into
the Stiavnicky Hills, which is a little
rehearsal for the mountainous parts later in
the Slovakia segment. Less machine-like
cyclists need not panic, however, as the
length of the daily rides can be changed
according to momentary conditions, and the
rest of the day's trip can be taken in a
van.
Banska Stiavnica, now a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, with an extraordinarily
well-preserved historical center and an
ancient legacy of mining, is one of the best
stops along the whole Amber Trail.
Overnight in Banska Stiavnica
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Day 5 |
Banska Stiavnica - Kremnica -
Banska Bystrica
(cycling 39,5 km/25 miles)
A trip to Kremnica is in the cards today for
the active cyclist. This is one of the
difficult routes (two long climbs), but
there is an attractive shorter alternative
available, taking advantage of an enchanting
little train ride through tunnels, and with
excellent views from Hronska Dubrava to
Kremnica.
Kremnica lies in one of the prettiest
locations in Slovakia. It sits at the center
of the Kremnica Hills in a valley surrounded
by 7 peaks. The dominant feature of the town
is the Town Castle.
From Kremnica transportation is arranged to
Banska Bystrica, with a stop and a look at
an important and interesting monument - the
wooden church in Hronsek.
Banska Bystrica is the governmental and
cultural center of Central Slovakia. The
historic center of town is surprising for
its size and the quality of the restoration
that has done so much to put the town's
recent unhappy past behind it.
For those who want a longer rest the bike
ride can be cancelled for that day and we
will take you by car from Banska Stiavnica
to Banska Bystrica, where you can spend the
day.
Overnight in Banska Bystrica.
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Day 6 |
Banska Bystrica - Liptovska
Osada - Liptovsky Mikulas
(cycling 54 km/34 miles)
Transfer is arranged from Banska Bystrica to
Liptovska Osada (30 min.), because the only
thoroughfare through the valley is a busy
highway. There is a nice stop along the way
in the village of Vlkolinec. This is a
historical reserve containing the most
undisturbed and complete collection of
traditional architecture in Slovakia,
protected by UNESCO as it represents a
unique piece of the world's cultural
heritage. After climbing up from Liptovska
Osada, we come to the difficult biking
terrain of the Low Tatras. It starts out
with a 7-mile-long ascent, but the chance
for a good view and the beauty of the
country are an ample reward for the effort
of making it up. The second half of this
day's trip will be a less demanding stretch
around the Liptovska Mara reservoir, a
popular recreation center, and ends in
Liptovsky Mikulas, a pleasant historical
town, remembered for the story of the famous
robber, the "Slovak Robin Hood", Juraj
Janosik, whose story is told in the local
museum.
Overnight in Liptovsky Mikulas.
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Day 7 |
Liptovsky Mikulas - Dolny
Kubin
(cycling 50 km/32 miles)
This leg of the journey leads through the
hilly terrain of the Chocsky and Oravsky
Hills, and is one of the prettiest segments
of the Slovak part of the Amber Trail. It
takes us to the town of Malatina, where you
can watch rugs being hand-made on an
original wooden loom. In the village of
Lestiny there is a rare wooden church built
without a single nail.
Overnight in Dolny Kubin.
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Day 8 |
Dolny Kubin - Trstena - Sucha
Beskidzka
(cycling 55 km/ 35 miles)
The climax of this segment is the view of
massive Orava Castle, a huge Gothic
fortress, towering high above the river in
the village of Oravsky Podzamok. The view
from the castle tower is an unforgettable
experience. This day's ride ends in Trstene
a little town on the Slovak-Polish border,
from which transport is arranged to the
place of overnight accommodation in Poland
in the village of Sucha Beskidzdka.
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Day 9 |
Sucha Beskidzka - Kalwaria
Zebrzydowska - Wielizcka - Krakow
The last day of the bicycle route takes us
to the picturesque village of Lanckorona,
with a model project for reviving folk
crafts, and efforts to preserve the
traditional local architecture. The goal of
the trip today is the famous Kalwaria
Zebrzydowska, another UNESCO-protected site,
where the Stations of the Cross consisting
of 32 chapels and chaplets end at an
imposing Bernardine monastery.
From here you will be taken by car for a
tour of the famous salt mine in Wieliczka,
and finally to Krakow itself, our
destination on the Amber Trail.
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Day 10 |
Krakow
In Krakow you'll probably want to spend more
than one day, of course: Wawel Castle, the
Old Market Square, the Kazimierz Jewish
quarter, or the town walls and Royal Way
could easily take a day. But then to really
soak up the atmosphere of this living city
you must get into caf้s or pubs, theaters or
clubs, and that takes more than a day,
too...
Click
to Print Itinerary
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If you'd like to
customize this itinerary,
email us! |
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Guided Set Departures 2008:
Dates for guided bicycle
tours:
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May 19 - 28, 2008
June 21 - 30, 2008
August 20 - 29, 2008
September 15 - 24, 2008 |
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Costs |
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Self-Guided:
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Price Net Per Person |
EURO
1,390.- |
(based on twin - bed
room)
Single supplement:
EURO 350,-
Book Now |
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Includes:
accommodation in selected
hotels and pensions
buffet breakfast
luggage transfer
information package (route
instructions, maps,
suggestions)
transportation by car
according to program
welcome briefing upon
arrival
quality bike rental
stand-by support
GPS navigation system and
cell phone |
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Guided Set Departures:
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Price Net Per Person |
EURO
1,890.- |
(based on twin - bed
room)
Single supplement:
EURO 350,-
Minimum size of group:
4 people
Book Now |
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Includes:
professional bilingual
guide
support van
accommodation in selected
hotels and pensions
buffet breakfast and
dinner included
luggage transfer
quality bike rental
private guided tours at
chateaux, castles, museums,
and other select attractions
special events, including
wine tasting and picnics |
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| Difficulty
Level |
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challenging
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Trekking bikes provided on the tour:

TREK 7300
FX
American manufacturer
lightweight aluminum frame Alpha SL Aluminum
front fork suspension RST CT FREE T4
gear components Shimano Deore
mens frame sizes 17.5, 20, 22.5
womens frame sizes 17.5, 20
Size: mens 17.5,
20, 22.5;
womens 17, 20
frame: Alpha SL Aluminum
fork: RST CT FREE T4
wheels: Alloy F, Shimano Deore R hub
tires: Bontrager Invert HC, Kevlar belt, 700x35c
rims: Alexrims ACE 19
shifters: Shimano Alivio
front derailleur: Shimano Nexave T 301
rear derailleur: Shimano Deore
crankset: Shimano T 303 48/38/28
cassette: SRAM 850 11-32, 8 speed
pedals: Alloy ATB clipless adaptable w/clips and straps
saddle: Bontrager Sport
seatpost: Bontrager Sport
stem: Bontrager Sport 15 degree
headset: Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
brakeset: Alloy linear pull w/alloy levers
weight: 13,5 kg
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