The Czech Republic, although only a small country, is sure to impress with its unique river landscapes and picturesque villages. It is also home to several romantic castles, many of whose history and architecture can be traced back to the Middle Ages.
Prague, also known as "The Golden City" and "The City of a Hundred Spires", will be one of the highlights of your holiday week.
Cruise along the river aboard MS Florentina to Litomerice, one of the most beautiful towns in the region and cycle through unspoilt countryside, past incredible examples of baroque and Renaissance architecture and into pretty villages where you can relax in a café and watch the world go by.
Day 1: Arrival in Prague. Embarkation from 4 pm.
Make your own way into Prague. Embarkation will be from 4 pm. After dinner, you could stroll over the Charles Bridge, particularly beautiful in the dark, and enjoy the stunning view of Prague Castle, illuminated against the dark.
Day 2: Prague – Kralupy, Cycle Tour approx. 27km
Rental bikes will be distributed, and you will head out on your first tour. Heading along the Vltava River, via Troja (Baroque Castle - National Art Gallery) to the village of Klecanky and then back along the river, via Drasty and Vodochody , to today's destination Kralupy, where the ship will meet you at approximately 5pm.
Day 3: Kralupy - Melnik, Cycle Tour approx. 28km. Boat Trip to Litomerice.
After breakfast, we will head out on the bikes again. Staying along the river bank almost all the way, you will cycle to Nelahozeves. Here, you will be able to visit the house in which Antonin Dvořák was born, and one of the most famous Renaissance castles in Bohemia, also known as the “Little Louvre of the Czech Republic”. Your journey will continue through Veltrusý Park, a spacious, green, landscape with numerous sculptures and pavilions. Eventually you will reach the royal city of Mělník. Return to the ship at noon and cruise on the Elbe to Litoměřice.
Day 4:Litoměřice – Day of rest or cycle tour to Ustí and back approx. 53 km
Today, you can spend the day at leisure. Discover the beautiful Czech town of Litoměřice. The colourful Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings in the town centre, which for the most part is enclosed within well-preserved Gothic fortifications, are sure to enchant you. There are plenty of sites that are well-worth seeing: Baroque Cathedral of St Stephen atop the dome hill, the historic underground (extensive tunnel system) or the Bishop’s residence. You might also be interested in an individual visit to the Terezín Memorial (Theresienstadt) in the village of Terezìn. The concentration camp memorial is located only 5 km away. Keen cyclists may wish to ride up to Ustí. Idyllically situated in the narrow valley of the Elbe river, in Usti you will find the Bohemian Gate and the old castle ruin Schreckenstein. The MS FLORENTINA will moor overnight in Litoměřice.
Day 5:Litoměřice – Roudnice – Mlčechvosty, Cycle Tour Roudnice – Mělník – Mlčechvosty, approx. 40 km
Early in the morning, you will head to Roudnice on the ship. You then begin your ride at around 09:00 am. Remaining by the side of the Elbe, via Dobřín, Račice and Vliněves, you will ride once 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 will continue cycling and eventually reach today’s destination Mlčechvosty. The ship will arrive at around 4:30 pm.
Day 6: Mlčechvosty – Prague, ca. 40 km
Today there are several options available. You can go for a bike tour, via Nelahozeves, Kralupy, Vodochody, Drasty and Klecánky to Prague, or you can relax on the sun deck. You will arrive at Prage at ca. 3:30 pm. The rest of the day is reserved for discovering Prague.
Day 7: Prague, Cycle tour Prague – Zbraslav and back, ca. 30 km
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 09:30am disembarkation and individual departure.
You will cycle from 25 to 45 km. The kilometres indicated for the cycle tours are approximate. 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.
Total distance cycled: 196 km
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
We recommend flying to Prague airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Bike & Barge: Prague and the Elbe cycling holiday includes accommodation on-board the MS Florentina and local support is available if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Not Included
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men's Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
MS Florentina
Built in 1980 and completely refurbished in 2008 and in 2012, the MS FLORENTINA is a cosy and comfortable middle-class ship.
The Czech chef prepares national good home cooking which will be served in the bright, friendly restaurant with bar. Both the little lounge next to the reception and the observation saloon with its panoramic windows on the upper deck offer comfortable seating areas. Rest and relax you find on the deck chairs on the large sun deck.
The ship features 16 twin cabins (approx.10 sq m) and 4 single cabins (approx. 8 sq m) with French balcony (opening windows) on the upper deck, and 25 twin cabins (ca. 10 sq m) and 2 single cabins(ca. 8 sq m) on the main deck (windows cannot be opened). All 47 cabins are outside cabins and have en-suite shower facilities. They all also include individual climate control, hairdryers, TV’s and safes. There is W-LAN in the reception area (please note that the signal is not always available).
Technical Details:
Year Built: 1980. Passenger Capacity: max. 88. Length: 80 m. Beam: 9.6 m. Draught: 1.5 m. Height: 5 m. Speed: 12 km/h. Flag: CZ. On Board Currency: Euro. Credit cards: EC-Maestro, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Ship | Route Summary |
MS Florentina | Prague and the Elbe |
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season 1: | 28 May – 04 June / 04 June – 11 June / 11 June – 18 June / 18 June – 25 June / 25 June – 02 July / 02 July – 09 July / 09 July – 16 July / 16 July – 23 July / 23 July – 30 July / 30 July – 06 Aug / |
Season | Prices per person |
Season 1: Main Deck (Front/Back): | £735 |
Main Deck (Front/Back) Single Room : | £1090 |
Bike Rental: | £70 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £155 |
Season | Prices per person |
Season 1: Main Deck: | £830 |
Main Deck Single Room: | £1235 |
Rental Bike: | £70 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £155 |
Season | Prices per person |
Season 1: Upper Deck: | £1070 |
Upper Deck Single Room: | £1590 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £155 |
Main Deck Single: | £1115 |
Upper Deck Single: | £1355 |
Rental Bike; | £70 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £155 |
Date From | Date To |
---|---|
28 May 2021 | 20 August 2021 |