Itinerary

Day 1 Explore Tábor, a 15th-century enclave sitting atop a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside. Stroll the cobbled streets of its lovely Old Town, lined with colorful homes, open-air cafés and artisan vendors.  A clever maze of tunnels lies below the streets, which in times of danger were used to shelter its citizens.

Days 2-3 ?eský Krumlov, a charming 13th-century town with twisting lanes and red-tile roofs where most of the buildings are designated cultural monuments. Pedal across the hills of Bohemia, through tranquil farmland and Hola?ovice, an impeccably preserved World Heritage-site village.  In ?eský Krumlov, behold views of ornate 13th-century Krumlov Hrad, the second-largest castle in the Czech Republic. Dive into Czech history with Helena, our local friend and historian, during an informal Q&A. Ride a wide tree-lined road into the pastoral landscape, passing lush meadows and homesteads seemingly untouched by time.

Days 4-5 Discover two intriguing countries and cultures in one trip. Czech treasures make way for Austria's beautiful Waldviertel, draped in forests and rolling fields of barley and wheat - a great place to pedal. Bike along the fabled Danube River and through Wachau Valley vineyards. Visit Melk, whose magnificent Baroque abbey is perched high on a rocky promontory. A local oenologist invites us over for a private estate tour and tasting of famous rieslings and grüner veltliners.

Day 6 Austria's picture-perfect villages with onion-shaped church steeples. Soak up the views from Dürnstein's castle ruins, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned.

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