Berlin to Krakow Cycling Tour

After you check-in (for those who are just arriving), we will have a bike fitting session, after which we will regroup at the reception at 1.00 p.m. and set out for a three-hour introductory walking tour of Berlin with a professional guide. You will have the opportunity to see the center of the historically rich and reunited city, which was artificially divided by the Berlin Wall for over 25 years. In the evening, we will meet for our welcome dinner and orientation meeting.

Today, we pedal through the wooded and lake areas south of Berlin, passing through the town of Zossen, a very important military town in recent history. Zossen had prisoner of war camps during WW I and Wehrmacht underground headquarters during WW II, and during the Cold War, it was a Soviet military camp (part of communist East Germany). We will spend the night nearby Baruth/Mark, a small town surrounded by nature reserves.

We continue heading south, riding through the beautiful natural park of “Naturpark Niederlausitzer Landrücken” and via the town of Finsterwalde. The town dates back to the 13th century and it is especially famous for its Gothic Church. Overnight we stay on the bank of one of the largest artificial lakes in Germany, Senftenberg Lake, also called Senftenberg See.

Still heading south, we pass through and along some more nature reserves, woods and lakes. We pedal through a few small German towns and villages (such as Schwepnitz and Konigsbruck), eventually arriving to beautiful Dresden on the banks of the Elbe River. We spend next two nights here.

After breakfast, we will visit the magnificent Zwinger Palace, one of Dresden’s most celebrated Baroque landmarks, and explore some of its world-renowned art collections. The palace complex is home to outstanding museums and galleries.

Following our visit, you will have the remainder of the day at leisure to discover more of this beautiful historic city on the Elbe at your own pace. You may wish to stroll through the restored Old Town, admire the iconic Frauenkirche, visit additional museums, or simply relax at one of the many cafés and riverside terraces. Dresden’s remarkable blend of architectural splendor, cultural heritage, and vibrant atmosphere makes it a rewarding city to explore independently

We follow the beautiful Elbe River today. We cross the border to the Czech Republic, continue along the river and admire the sandstone formation of a famous sandstone state park, which surrounds the river on the Czech side of the border. After arriving in Decin, we transfer by bus to Olomouc, where we spend the night. Olomouc is a historical city in Moravia and the second most famous city for historical monuments in the Czech Republic (after Prague).

In Olomouc, we join the so-called Amber Trail that used to be one of the most important north-south trade route connecting the Adriatic Sea with the Baltic Sea. Today we pass by the imposing Helfstyn Castle (and you will have the opportunity to explore it on your own during our lunch break). We continue to Stary Jicin with its ancient ruins and to Novy Jicin with its arcade and Renaissance chateau. From here it is a short ride to today’s destination, Stramberk, a small town especially famous for its Gothic castle and timbered houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.

We continue on the Amber Trail today, passing through Koprivnice. Time permitting, you can visit a technical museum of the old Czech car maker Tatra with many interesting veteran cars on display here. We also pass by Hukvaldy, famous for its ruined castle. It is also the birthplace of composer Leos Janacek. We eventually arrive to Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn a town on the Czech-Polish border. We spend the night at the Polish side of the town, in a nice hotel just a very short walk from the town’s main square and its historical center.

Riding in Poland today, we pedal along the Wisla River first. Once we say goodbye to the river, we continue through the beautiful nature of the Beskid National Park, arriving in Zywiec, an old historical town and center of the region, located by Zywiec Lake. Today is a “hilly” day but the views are worth it. Zywiec is also known for making one of the best beers in Poland. Time permitting, you will have the option to visit its famous brewery in the afternoon and to taste the beer for yourself…

We continue east toady, following the Amber Trail. We pass through forests, small Polish towns and villages, seeing the “timber architecture” of the region. We need to climb a few hills today as well but the overall distance is short. At about noon, we will board a bus and shuttle to Tyniec, a great Benedictine Abbey on the Vistula River, just a few miles from Krakow. We will have plenty time to have a drink and/or lunch there. After our monastery visit, it is just a short ride along the river to Krakow, the most beautiful city in Poland and the final destination of our trip. In the evening, we will have our last dinner together.

After breakfast, we will set out on an introductory walking tour of the city. The tour officially concludes at the end of the walk. We encourage you to extend your stay by a day or two to further explore Kraków, one of Poland’s most beautiful and historic cities. Unlike many other Polish cities, Kraków was largely spared from destruction during World War II, allowing much of its remarkable architectural heritage to survive intact.

You may also wish to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp. A visit to this memorial site offers a powerful and moving opportunity to reflect on one of the darkest chapters in human history.