IMPERIAL CITIES: EASTERN EUROPE

How can you explore the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria in under two weeks? You can choose to ship your bike in to Pragaue and fly in to meet it. Your motorcycle will be waiting for you skipping the 1,600 mile ride there and back if you are in the UK. Alternatively, we will be running a three day bolt on either side of the tour so that you can ride down to Prague from the UK. We’ll include some fantastic routes and accommodation both ways. If this is something that interests you, let us know. More information on the bolt-on coming soon.

After meeting in Prague, we’ll enjoy our welcome dinner, then set off to ride some of the most beautiful and least-visited regions of Europe. Initially you head north to the German Polish border town of Gorlitz. Where once this town was on the fortified line between East Germany and Poland it is now thriving, benefitting from an annual secret donation to help restore the stunning architecture to its former medieval glory. 

Next, we ride south through the Sudetic Mountains and into the Carpathians, heading for Krakow stopping en route in the small Polish town of Ladek-Zdroj. A free day in the UNESCO listed historic centre of Krakow can be spent entirely in the Main Square, the largest Medieval Town Square in Europe, or you can visit the Royal Wawel Castle overlooking the city. Or there is always the option to take a ride to Auschwitz, visit the museum and pay your respects.

From Poland you head south with an overnight stop in a lovely Boutique hotel in Slovakia, on your way winding through the Matra Mountains to Budapest. Ranked as the second best city in the world by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine. With so much to see you will have to choose between seeing the Buda Castle, visiting Trinity square in the shadow of the charismatic Mathias church, or to visit the Kaltenburg Brewery or just sit on the banks of the Danube drinking coffee. But don’t think that sitting on the banks for the Danube is wasting the day. This stretch of the Danube in the heart of Budapest and is UNESCO listed as it is so beautiful.

You then have a short ride along the banks of the Danube to Bratislava where you have another day off the bike and another enchanting city to explore. Small by modern standard the skyline of this capital is dominated by Bratislava Castle jealously guarding the Danube. Stroll narrow pedestrian streets of pastel 18th-century buildings or sample the myriad sidewalk cafes under the watchful gaze of the city castle.

Follow the twists and turns of the Danube and you will arrive in Vienna in Austria, with its UNESCO listed historic centre with enough time to take a horse and carriage tour of the city and enjoy the Austrian capital. Vienna was home to Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud but is best known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence. Your route then returns to the Czech Republic and Cesky Krumlov. This bohemian town was built around the 13C Gothic castle. Your route back to Prague allows you the chance to visit the Budvar Brewery where the world famous Budweiser started and the original beer is still brewed. We can also visit the Sedlec Ossuary, better know as the Church of Bones, where the bones of up to seventy thousand people, mainly dating from the 14C Black Death, have been used to decorate the chapel. A relaxed ride sees you back in Prague for your night and farewell dinner and final night.

This part of the world is still crammed with ancient architecture and unspoilt roads, populated by wonderful people and is waiting to be explored by bike. This easy paced low mileage tour is ideal for couples.