Prague, The Golden City on the Vltava River, Czech Republic

A cycling cruise in the Czech Republic – with start and finish in the golden city of Prague.
A lovely cycling cruise in exciting and interesting areas along the Vltava and Elbe rivers.

Experience lots of culture, charm and a lovely city with true big city atmosphere, combined with daily cycling stages of approx. 26 to 45 km per day and sailing and relaxation on board the boat MS Florentina. As soon as you board this floating hotel, you’ll experience the, in every way, great service provided by the boat's staff, from good food to a cosy atmosphere in the bar.

The days are filled with impressions activating all of the senses, punctuated by culture and history at the beginning and end of the tour. The landscape alternates between open plains and narrow passages through the border mountains. You pass through really nice towns and will also get views of magnificent and strategically located castles and fortresses. 

The Vltava river (also known by the name Moldau) runs all the way through the centre of Prague. Its winding course and the many bridges crossing the river help to give the city its character. There are plenty of sights and attractions to see and enjoy, both inside and outside the city. Here just a few are mentioned – come to Prague and discover the rest: 

Charles Bridge – This beautiful gothic bridge exudes its very own atmosphere at all times of the day and night, and it's one of the most important sights in Prague.
Prague Castle – Pražský Hrad. Europe's largest castle complex which, with its towering location on a hill-top, can be seen from many places around the city.
Staroměstské náměstí – The Old Town Square, which offers overwhelmingly much to look at.   

The boat MS Florentina moors close to the Charles Bridge, giving you the opportunity to experience Prague up close. 

Riverboats function as your floating hotel. Though they are not on the same scale as the large ocean-going cruise ships, they are cosy, and the service is top notch. After the daily cycling stages, the common areas often become the gathering points, where cosy socialising and talk about the day's different experiences take first priority.

MS Florentina is a very handsome and relatively new boat, which has been successfully deployed on this bike cruise. It was modernised in 2008 and 2012, and you'll experience a cosy and familiar atmosphere on board.

On the top deck, you have the cosy Panorama Lounge and the tastefully decorated restaurant and bar.

Each cabin is approx. 10 sqm with private bath/toilet. With cabins located on 2 different deck levels, you can prioritise the cabin's location. All have large windows, which gives a nice light into the cabins.

Deck types: Both decks are located above the waterline.

Top deck: All cabins have windows/door, which can be opened, and adjustable air conditioning. Single beds and a French balcony.

Main deck: All cabins have windows, which cannot be opened, and adjustable air conditioning. Single beds.

The tour is with full board: buffet breakfast, small lunch on board or packed lunch for the bike ride, and in the evening, a 3-course dinner prepared by the Czech cook. 
After the daily cycling stages, you can also enjoy coffee and cake, which is served in the afternoon, unless of course you decide to enjoy the nature out on the route for a little longer.

When the boat is in port, the air conditioning will be disconnected.

Please keep in mind that the boat caters to an international crowd, and that you will meet many different nationalities on board. This usually makes for an exciting atmosphere with many inputs offered, resulting in many new friendships being formed across language barriers, when hanging out in the bar and common areas.

This tour is for everyone with an average level of fitness. You cycle on bike paths and less busy country roads – dirt roads may also occur. But going in and out of the towns, you will be cycling along more busy roads. The route is relatively flat, although a few steep up and downhill stretches may occur.
The tour offers 4 days of cycling combined with a couple of completely bike-free days where an exciting and voluntary excursion programme is offered.

* We note that the map is indicative and therefore does not contain precise route information.

Day 1, Sunday: Arrival in Prague.  
Check-in from approx. 16.00h. The boat stays in Prague overnight, so you have the opportunity to go sightseeing in Prague and experience the city's lovely atmosphere.  

Day 2, Monday: City walking tour (morning), Prague - Kralupy, approx. 30 km cycling.  
In the morning, a guided city walk is offered, where you will be able to see Prague's most famous sights. At 11.30h, the bikes will be distributed, and the first cycling stage starts. You cycle along the Vltava river via Troja to Klecánky, from there to Drasty and a bit further inland, away from the Vltava river. You continue to Vodochody, from where you'll again follow the river until finishing the day's stage in Kralupy. The boat moors in Kralupy at approx. 17.00h. 

Day 3, Tuesday: To Mêlník, approx. 26 km cycling; sailing to Litomêrice/Leitmeritz.
After finishing breakfast at around 9.00h, it's again up on the bikes. For almost the whole stage, you cycle along the Vltava river to Nelahozeves. Take the time to visit Antonín Dvořák's birthplace, one of the most famous Renaissance castles in the Bohemia and known as the "little Louvre of the Czech Republic". You'll continue on, past the park in Veltruský, to a large area with lots of sculptures, pavilions and interesting plants and trees, until reaching Mêlník. Visit the old town with the castle and wine cellars. Here, from the top of the southwest-facing vineyards, you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Vltava and Elbe rivers. At 13:30h, MS Florentina sails the last stretch on the Elbe (also called Labe in Czech) to Litomêrice. 

Day 4, Wednesday: Free day in Litomêrice.  
Today you can explore Litomêrice on your own, or you can choose to book the guided tour (not included). Litomêrice is a charming old town, and in the city centre you'll find many beautiful and colourful buildings, built in Baroque style. If you're up for a short bike ride, the former concentration camp, Theresienstadt, is only 5 km away. Or you can cycle to the town of Ústí, a little gem located a bit further away in the narrow Elbe River Valley. The boat MS Florentina stays in Litomêrice overnight.

Day 5, Thursday: Litomêrice – Roudnice – Mlechvosty, approx. 45 km.  
Early in the morning, MS Florentina sails to Roudnice, where the day's stage starts at approx. 09.00h. Today, you cycle almost exclusively along the Elbe, passing through the towns of Dobrin, Racice and Vlineves, and the route once again brings you to the beautiful city of Mêlník, where the rivers Vltava and Elbe meet. Here, a guided tour through the city is offered (not included). The tour ends at the beautiful castle with coffee and cake in the castle cafe, before cycling the last stretch of the day to Mlcechvosty, where MS Florentina arrives at approx. 16.30h.

Day 6, Friday: Mlcechvosty – Prague, approx. 37 km sailing or cycling to Prague – the choice is yours.  
The route goes through Veltruský Park, a beautiful park area which after several floods is now established as a nature area, and then to Nelahozevers with the beautiful castle. Continuing along the river and through small towns like Karlupy, Chavatêruby and Vodochody, you'll arrive in the eastern part of Prague. You can also choose to stay aboard and enjoy the approach to Prague. The city really is beautiful and, as Goethe described it, "the prettiest gemstone in the Earth's crown". The boat arrives in Prague around 15.30h, so there's plenty of time for a walk around the city before dinner on board your floating hotel, MS Florentina. 

Day 7, Saturday: Around Prague.  
Enjoy the beautiful old capital on this last day. Or take a bike ride up the river to the 13th century castle Zbraslav, which was totally refurbished in 1919. Prague offers many beautiful buildings such as the city's most famous church, The St. Vitus Cathedral, or Prague Castle, a magnificent building set on a hilltop over the city. The view is impressive, so a "climb" up there is well worth it. Or take a walk around in the old town with the narrow, cobbled streets, up to the city square with the famous Astronomical Clock. The evening ends with a well-prepared farewell dinner on board in the great company of your fellow travellers and the serving crew.  

Day 8, Sunday: Departure from Prague.  
Checkout after breakfast. Or maybe you'll want to enjoy a couple of extra days in Prague, before heading home. You can find hotels on www.hotels.com.

We reserve the right to make changes in case of high tide, low tide or any other adverse weather conditions.

You are provided with good 7-gear bikes with hand and foot brakes, low entry and 1 set of bike bags.

It's also possible to rent electric bikes – however they are on request only as the availability is limited.

Price 165 EUR/week.

If you wish to ride wearing a bicycle helmet, you'll need to bring it yourself, but this is not a requirement in Czech Republic.

You can fly to Prague Airport, from where there is a bus to Prague city centre, where the berth is very centrally located.

Parking (for a fee) in the garage Spanelska – price approx. 7 EUR/day – and located approx. 4.5 km from the boat. Read more here: www.mrparkit.com/de/mr-parkitspanelska-garage.
From here, you can take the U-bahn or taxi. 

Links to flights and trains
Momondo
SAS
Ryanair 
Norwegian  
Deutsche Bahn (German rail service)