Bohemia Rhapsody – Southern Loop

Arrive in Brno 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 fettling of your bikes ready to ride the following morning. We will enjoy dinner together that evening in a typical Czech restaurant for some hearty fuelling for the coming days' riding.

Brno is also 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.

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 have a warm-up of 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. (D)

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.

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

After yesterday's sweeping landscapes of Moravian Tuscany, today's ride has a completely different character. Quiet roads, peaceful forests and fascinating borderland scenery combine to create one of the most varied days of the tour. Better still, we briefly add another country to the itinerary as we nip across the Austrian border before returning to Czechia.

Leaving Mikulov, we soon cross into Austria, riding through gentle agricultural countryside towards Laa an der Thaya before re-entering Czechia. From here the route broadly follows the Prague–Vienna Cycle Route through vineyards, orchards, fishponds and rolling farmland. Traffic is minimal, with lengthy sections on dedicated cycle paths and quiet country lanes that make for wonderfully relaxed riding.

Beyond Šatov the scenery changes once again as we enter Podyjí National Park. Czechia's smallest national park is also one of its most beautiful, with ancient woodland, twisting river valleys and an unexpected sense of wilderness. The route follows quiet forest roads high above the Dyje River before a short section of smooth gravel adds a little variety without presenting any difficulty for road bikes (28mm plus tyres).

Emerging from the forest, vineyards once again line the hillsides as the route descends spectacularly into Znojmo. Perched high above the River Dyje, this historic royal town provides one of the finest overnight stops of the holiday. (B, L)

Highlights

• Explore Znojmo's medieval centre, castle, Romanesque Rotunda of St Catherine and extensive underground passages.
• Sample some of Moravia's finest wines in one of the town's traditional wine cellars.
• Visit the painted wine village of Šatov, famous for its quirky Cellar Lane.
• Cross briefly into Austria before returning to Czechia, adding another country to the journey.

41 miles (66 km) | 3,175 ft (970 m) ascent

Although one of the shortest stages of the tour, today's ride is packed with variety. Quiet roads, deep forests, dramatic river valleys and peaceful borderland scenery combine to create one of the most rewarding days in the saddle.

Leaving Znojmo, vineyards soon give way to woodland as the route heads towards Podyjí National Park. Much of today's ride follows the Prague–Vienna Greenway, making use of former border patrol roads that once formed part of the Iron Curtain. The riding is wonderfully peaceful, with smooth tarmac interspersed with a few short sections on well-maintained forest tracks that are perfectly manageable on road bikes.

The route descends dramatically towards Vranov nad Dyjí, where wooded slopes fall steeply to the winding Dyje River. Beyond here the roads remain wonderfully quiet as they weave through forests, lakes and scattered villages close to the Austrian border. This is cycling at its most tranquil, with almost no traffic and a constant feeling of riding through forgotten countryside.

The final miles lead into Slavonice, one of Czechia's hidden architectural treasures. Sitting close to the historic meeting point of Bohemia, Moravia and Austria, the town has escaped much of the redevelopment seen elsewhere, leaving behind an exceptionally well-preserved Renaissance centre and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. (B, L)

Highlights

• Visit magnificent Vranov nad Dyjí Château, dramatically perched above the river.
• Admire romantic Bítov Castle overlooking the Vranov Reservoir.
• Discover beautifully preserved Renaissance Slavonice, with its colourful arcaded square and decorated façades.
• Follow sections of the historic Iron Curtain Greenway through one of Czechia's quietest border regions.

63 miles (101 km) | 3,250 ft (990 m) ascent

One of the longer rides of the holiday awaits, but yesterday's shorter stage leaves the legs well prepared. Today's journey showcases the extraordinary variety of southern Bohemia, from peaceful forests and historic borderlands to shimmering fishponds before finishing in arguably Czechia's most beautiful town.

Leaving Slavonice, quiet roads wind through woodland and gently rolling countryside towards Nová Bystřice. The route then enters the remarkable Třeboň Basin, where hundreds of interconnected lakes, wetlands and centuries-old fishponds create one of Europe's largest man-made freshwater landscapes. Riding here is wonderfully peaceful, with quiet roads weaving effortlessly between water, forest and traditional villages.

Beyond the elegant town of Třeboň the countryside gradually becomes more wooded as the route heads west through classic South Bohemian scenery. Rolling roads and picturesque villages provide a fitting finale before the unmistakable silhouette of Český Krumlov Castle appears high above the Vltava River.

Few places offer a more memorable finish to a day's cycling. Wrapped around a dramatic bend in the river, Český Krumlov's cobbled streets, colourful Renaissance buildings and immense castle make it one of Europe's finest preserved medieval towns. (B, L)

Highlights

• Optional detour to the northernmost point of Austria.
• Visit elegant Třeboň, renowned for its Renaissance square, Regent Brewery and fish-farming heritage.
• Learn about the former Iron Curtain at the Peršlák memorial.
• Explore UNESCO-listed Český Krumlov and its magnificent castle complex.

54 miles (87 km) | 2,800 ft (855 m) ascent

Today's ride leaves behind the fairy-tale streets of Český Krumlov and heads deeper into the quieter landscapes of South Bohemia. Rather than following meandering cycleways, the route uses peaceful country roads to make steady progress through gently rolling countryside, offering a rewarding day's touring with little traffic and constant variety.

The route passes through broad farmland, wooded lanes and traditional villages before reaching České Budějovice, the lively regional capital. Beyond the city the landscape becomes increasingly rural once again as quiet roads thread through the agricultural heart of southern Bohemia towards Tábor.

The climbing is steady rather than severe, making this an enjoyable day's riding that perfectly captures why Czechia is such an underrated cycling destination. Smooth roads, manageable gradients and attractive scenery combine to create effortless touring.

Arriving in Tábor brings a noticeable change of character. Built above the Lužnice River, this remarkable medieval town was the centre of the Hussite movement and remains one of the country's most distinctive historic settlements. (B, L)

Highlights

• Visit České Budějovice, home of the original Budweiser beer and one of Europe's largest town squares.
• Explore Tábor's atmospheric medieval streets and fascinating underground tunnels.
• Discover the history of the Hussite movement in one of Czechia's most important historic towns.
• Experience authentic rural South Bohemia far removed from the main tourist trail.

65 miles (105 km) | 3,400 ft (1,035 m) ascent

The final stage provides a fitting conclusion to the journey, linking the medieval streets of Tábor with one of Europe's great capitals. Quiet country roads lead through the rolling countryside of Central Bohemia before the Vltava valley delivers a spectacular finale into Prague.

Leaving Tábor, the route follows sections of the Prague–Vienna Cycle Route through forests, farmland and peaceful villages. The terrain rises and falls gently throughout the day, providing enjoyable riding without any prolonged climbs.

Beyond Neveklov the scenery changes once more as the route descends towards the Slapy Reservoir, where the Vltava cuts through wooded hills in one of central Czechia's most attractive river landscapes. The final approach follows the river towards Prague, with the city's famous skyline gradually emerging ahead to provide a memorable finish to an unforgettable journey around Czechia.

This evening we will pack any bikes being transported back to the UK into the van and we will go out for a celebratory dinner. (B, L)

Highlights

• Ride beside the beautiful Slapy Reservoir, one of the Vltava's most scenic stretches.
• Enjoy a memorable riverside arrival beneath Prague's famous skyline.
• Celebrate completing a full circuit of Czechia in one of Europe's finest capitals.
• Spend the evening exploring Prague's Old Town, Charles Bridge and castle district.

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 Prague? We will happily organise 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.