Bohemia Rhapsody – Northern Loop

Arrive in Prague and make you way to the hotel where you will meet the guides and the other clients for a welcome briefing that evening, and the chance to do some last minute fetlling of your bikes ready to ride the follolwing morning. We will enjoy dinner together that evening in a typical Czech restaurant for some hearty fuelling for the coming days' riding.

Prague is obviously a wonderful destination to explore in its own right. If you would like to arrive a day or two early to do some sightseeing before setting off then let us know and we can look into extending your hotel booking.

Sightseeing highlights

• Prague Castle – the largest ancient castle complex in the world, overlooking the city from Hradčany.
• Charles Bridge – Prague's iconic 14th-century bridge, lined with Baroque statues and offering unforgettable views of the Vltava.
• Old Town Square – home to the famous Astronomical Clock, colourful historic buildings and one of Europe's finest medieval city centres.
• The Jewish Quarter (Josefov) – a fascinating collection of synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and centuries of Jewish history.
• Wenceslas Square – the historic heart of modern Prague and the scene of many pivotal moments in Czech history.
• The Vltava River – elegant riverside walks, bridges, islands and cafés that give the city much of its character.

60 miles (97 km) | 3,175 ft (970 m) ascent

The opening stage is one of the longer rides of the tour, but with fresh legs it provides the perfect introduction to cycling in Czechia. The roads roll almost constantly, yet the climbs are generally steady rather than steep, setting the tone for much of the journey ahead.

Leaving Prague, we follow the Vltava through the heart of the capital, passing beneath the famous Charles Bridge before gradually escaping the city. Urban streets soon give way to quiet lanes winding across western Bohemia, where grain fields, woodland and traditional farming villages create a timeless rural landscape. The riding is wonderfully peaceful, with wide views across gently undulating countryside and very little traffic.

Our lunch stop comes in the attractive royal town of Beroun before the afternoon crosses increasingly wooded country towards Rokycany and Plzeň. As the day progresses, the hills become a little more pronounced but never excessive, making for satisfying rather than arduous riding.

The finish is one of Czechia's best-known cities. Plzeň is synonymous with beer, and arriving by bicycle through its broad avenues, past the brewery gates, provides a fitting introduction to the country's brewing culture. That evening, there's every opportunity to toast the first day of the tour with a perfectly poured Pilsner. (B, L)

Highlights

• Charles Bridge and Prague's historic skyline at the start of the tour.
• Beroun's beautifully preserved medieval centre and ancient town gates.
• Pilsner Urquell Brewery, birthplace of the world's first golden lager.
• St Bartholomew's Cathedral, whose tower is the tallest church spire in Czechia.

52 miles (84 km) | 3,025 ft (920 m) ascent

Western Bohemia continues to surprise today. Although the terrain remains gently rolling, the roads become even quieter as they weave between broad deciduous forests, scattered villages and open farmland. There are enough climbs to keep things interesting, but the overall feel is one of flowing, enjoyable riding through one of Central Europe's least-visited regions.

As the day progresses, the distant outline of the Teplá Highlands begins to appear, hinting at the more dramatic scenery still to come later in the tour. Long sections of quiet tarmac and beautifully surfaced country roads make this a day to settle into an easy rhythm and simply enjoy being on the bike.

The reward is one of Europe's great spa towns. Karlovy Vary sits elegantly within a wooded valley where colourful Belle Époque buildings line the riverbanks and hot mineral springs emerge throughout the town. If we arrive with time to spare, one of the town's thermal baths will provide the perfect opportunity to relax after the ride. (B, L)

Highlights

• Karlovy Vary's magnificent spa colonnades and thermal springs.
• The famous Mill Colonnade and Grandhotel Pupp.
• Traditional Czech spa wafers and mineral spring tasting.
• Optional visit to one of the town's historic thermal baths.

41 miles (66 km) | 2,500 ft (760 m) ascent

Today's shorter distance leaves time for an optional early ride to Loket, one of Czechia's most spectacular medieval towns, before breakfast. Afterwards the route heads north-east through an increasingly wild landscape. The farmland of western Bohemia gradually gives way to wooded valleys framed by the volcanic Doupov Mountains and the forested foothills of the Ore Mountains.

Despite the more mountainous surroundings, the riding remains remarkably gentle thanks to quiet roads and lengthy stretches of traffic-free cycle path. Much of the day follows the beautiful Ohře River, one of Czechia's finest waterways, before passing the vast Nechranice Reservoir.

During the afternoon the scenery changes once again. Forests give way to gently rolling hills planted almost entirely with hop gardens, creating a landscape unlike anywhere else on the tour. Wooden hop frames stretch across the hillsides in every direction as we approach Žatec, the historic heart of Saaz hop production. (B, L)

Highlights

• Optional visit to Loket and its dramatic hilltop castle.
• Historic riverside town of Kadaň.
• Žatec UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Hop & Beer Temple celebrating 700 years of Saaz hop growing.

49 miles (79 km) | 1,750 ft (535 m) ascent

Today's ride showcases four completely different landscapes in under fifty miles. We begin among the hop gardens of the Ohře Basin before following peaceful riverside cycle paths towards Louny through one of Czechia's richest agricultural regions.

Beyond Louny the scenery changes dramatically. Quiet roads climb into the České středohoří, a remarkable landscape of isolated volcanic cones rising abruptly from rolling farmland. These distinctive basalt hills dominate the skyline and create some of the finest panoramic views of the entire holiday. Descending towards the Elbe, vineyards begin to appear on the south-facing slopes, signalling another change in character.

The final miles follow the superb Elbe Cycle Route through the spectacular Gate of Bohemia, where the river has carved a deep gorge through the volcanic hills. Traffic-free riverside cycling beneath towering cliffs provides a memorable approach into Ústí nad Labem and one of the most scenic finishes of the northern tour. (B, L)

Highlights

• Medieval Louny and its impressive Gothic Žatec Gate.
• Hazmburk Castle dramatically perched on a volcanic summit.
• Střekov Castle overlooking the Elbe.
• Mariánský Bridge and the historic centre of Ústí nad Labem.

56 miles (90 km) | 3,025 ft (920 m) ascent

Today's ride is one of the highlights of the entire holiday, combining the Elbe Canyon, Bohemian Switzerland National Park and the rolling borderlands of Germany in a single, wonderfully varied stage.

Leaving Ústí nad Labem, we follow the superb Elbe Cycle Route as the river winds through an increasingly dramatic sandstone gorge. Towering cliffs, dense woodland and peaceful riverside villages accompany us to Děčín before the scenery reaches its most spectacular point at Hřensko, where the Elbe enters the heart of Bohemian Switzerland.

Leaving the river, the route climbs gently through forests and sculpted sandstone around Jetřichovice. Quiet roads weave between soaring rock towers, deep gorges and hidden viewpoints in one of Europe's most distinctive national parks. The climbing is steady rather than severe, with frequent glimpses across the extraordinary sandstone landscape.

The final miles bring another change of scenery as we cross into Germany. Rounded hills replace rocky gorges and traditional villages appear, many featuring the distinctive timber-framed Umgebinde houses unique to this border region. A gentle descent leads into the attractive medieval town of Zittau, ending one of the most varied days of the tour. (B, L)

Highlights

• Hřensko, dramatically situated beneath towering sandstone cliffs at the meeting of the Elbe and Kamenice rivers.
• Děčín Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in Czechia overlooking the Elbe.
• Waltersdorf's beautifully preserved Umgebinde houses.
• Zittau's handsome medieval market square and historic centre.

54 miles (87 km) | 4,150 ft (1,265 m) ascent

Today the landscape changes once again as we leave the rolling borderlands behind and enter the mountain scenery of northern Czechia. We begin with a visit to the Three Borders Point, where Germany, Czechia and Poland meet, before quiet roads carry us back into Czechia towards Liberec beneath the unmistakable outline of Ještěd Mountain.

Beyond Liberec the climbing becomes more sustained as we enter the Jizera Mountains. Rounded granite summits, spruce forests, mountain meadows and fast-flowing streams replace yesterday's sandstone cliffs, while wonderfully quiet roads wind through traditional villages and across open ridges with expansive views across northern Bohemia.

The final section reaches the foothills of the Krkonoše, Czechia's highest mountain range. Passing through Vysoké nad Jizerou, we continue across peaceful mountain roads before descending into Vrchlabí, the historic gateway to the Giant Mountains National Park. Riders still feeling fresh can continue along the upper Elbe to Labská Dam on an optional out-and-back ride into the mountains (this distance and ascent is not included in the tour mileage. (B, L)

Highlights

• Three Borders Point where Germany, Czechia and Poland meet.
• Ještěd's iconic futuristic television tower.
• Liberec's magnificent neo-Renaissance town hall.
• Vrchlabí's château, monastery complex and attractive historic centre.

54 miles (87 km) | 1,375 ft (420 m) ascent

After two hillier stages, today's predominantly downhill ride provides a welcome change of pace. Leaving the foothills of the Giant Mountains, we follow the young Elbe as it gradually transforms from a fast-flowing mountain river into one of Europe's great waterways. The valley widens, the gradients ease and the landscape opens into meadows, farmland and peaceful riverside woodland.

Much of the day uses the excellent Elbe Cycle Route, interspersed with quiet country roads that make for relaxed, enjoyable riding. We follow the river south before cutting across rolling countryside to rejoin the riverside path near Hradec Králové, from where easy traffic-free cycling leads almost all the way into Pardubice.

It is a wonderfully restorative day, with plenty of opportunity simply to enjoy the scenery and settle into an easy rhythm after the climbing of previous days. (B, L)

Highlights

• Hradec Králové, the elegant "Salon of the Republic" with its beautiful squares and riverside parks.
• The meeting of the Elbe and Orlice rivers.
• Pardubice Castle and one of Czechia's finest preserved old towns.
• Pardubice's famous gingerbread and long equestrian heritage.

52 miles (95 km) | 3,675 ft (1,150 m) ascent

If the pronunciation of Czech place names has proved a challenge so far, today's destination takes the biscuit. Don't worry—we'll have mastered it before we arrive! Today also marks our first venture into Moravia, having ridden exclusively through Bohemia until now, rather undermining the accuracy of our tour name. We trust the Moravians are Queen fans and will forgive us.

Leaving the broad Elbe lowlands behind, the route climbs steadily into the peaceful Vysočina Highlands. Quiet roads pass through forests, meadows and traditional farming villages before entering the protected Žďár Hills, one of the least-visited yet most rewarding landscapes in Czechia. The roads are smooth, lightly trafficked and wonderfully suited to cycle touring, with a succession of steady climbs and rewarding descents.

Beyond Hlinsko, dense spruce forests, granite outcrops and flower-filled meadows create classic highland scenery before the final rolling miles lead into the attractive market town of Bystřice nad Pernštejnem. Although hillier once again, the gradients remain sensible throughout, making for a thoroughly satisfying day's riding. (B, L)

Highlights

• Chrudim's colourful medieval centre.
• Hlinsko and its remarkable open-air museum of traditional timber cottages.
• The protected Žďár Hills, one of Czechia's finest upland landscapes.
• Bystřice nad Pernštejnem, a charming market town in the heart of the Czech-Moravian Highlands.

59 miles (95 km) | 3,775 ft (1,150 m) ascent

Having crossed into Moravia yesterday, today reveals why this historic region has such a distinct identity. Although another reasonably hilly day, the landscape gradually softens as we leave the wooded Vysočina Highlands behind and descend towards the fertile plains of central Moravia. Forests give way to open farmland, neat villages and broad, far-reaching views, creating a noticeably different feel to the rugged scenery of northern Bohemia.

The climbing is well distributed throughout the day and never feels relentless. Quiet country roads link one traditional village to the next, with a succession of steady ascents, flowing descents and wonderfully peaceful stretches where you'll often have the road almost entirely to yourself. Passing through Štěpánov nad Svratkou, Letovice, Horní Štěpánov and Konice, the route gradually leaves the highlands behind before descending onto the broad Haná Plain, one of Czechia's richest agricultural regions.

Our destination is one of the country's finest cities. Often described as a quieter, more authentic alternative to Prague, Olomouc combines magnificent architecture with a lively university atmosphere, making it one of the real highlights of the entire tour. Arriving by bike into its grand squares provides a memorable finish to another rewarding day in the saddle. (B, L)

Highlights

• Letovice Castle, one of Moravia's largest castle complexes.
• Olomouc's magnificent UNESCO-listed Holy Trinity Column.
• The city's remarkable astronomical clock and Baroque fountains.
• One of Europe's finest medieval squares, bustling with cafés and student life.

48 miles (77 km) | 2,075 ft (630 m) ascent

Today provides a fitting finale to the northern loop of our Bohemia Rhapsody tour, with a shorter distance and gentler terrain leaving plenty of time to enjoy Brno at the end of the ride.

Leaving Olomouc, we head south across the fertile Haná Plain, where wide-open farmland, traditional villages and quiet country roads create some of the easiest riding of the holiday. After several hillier days, the gentler gradients make for a relaxed rhythm as the kilometres pass by. The route threads through Prostějov, Vyškov and Rousínov before the landscape gradually becomes more urban approaching Czechia's second city.

Despite its size, Brno is remarkably cycle-friendly, with parks, riverside paths and quieter roads providing an enjoyable approach into the city. Vibrant yet refreshingly laid-back, it makes a wonderful place either to celebrate completing the northern stage of the expedition. (B, L)

Highlights

• Prostějov's elegant historic square and textile heritage.
• Vyškov's handsome market square and old town.
• Špilberk Castle overlooking Brno.
• Brno's lively café culture, restaurants and atmospheric medieval centre.

You are free to depart this morning at your leisure. Or why not add a few days onto your trip to enjoy the sights of Brno? We will happily organise extending your hotel booking.

Although often overshadowed by Prague, Brno has a distinct character of its own. Home to several universities, it combines impressive historic architecture with a youthful, creative atmosphere, excellent cafés, restaurants and wine bars. Its compact centre is ideal for wandering on foot, while those keen to keep turning the pedals can explore the city's growing network of riverside cycle paths.

Moravia is also Czechia's wine-producing heartland, making this an excellent opportunity to sample local food and wine before the adventure heads south into the vineyards and castles of South Moravia. (B).

Things to see and do

• Explore Špilberk Castle and enjoy panoramic views across the city.
• Visit the UNESCO-listed Villa Tugendhat.
• Discover the atmospheric Capuchin Crypt or Brno Ossuary.
• Enjoy Moravian wines and Brno's renowned café culture.