Hungary, Slovakia, Poland: Bike Budapest to Krakow
A challenging eight-day ride from the banks of the Danube through the back bone of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the Royal City of Krakow. Visit six UNESCO world heritage sites. Supported with GPS*.
Slovakia – the Czech Republic’s poorer partner in the days of Czechoslovakia - came out of the Velvet Revolution, quiet and mysterious. She removed the Eastern bloc uniform to reveal a refreshingly sincere, kind place, so far unencumbered by many trappings of the Western World. You will begin in Hungary, just outside Budapest. After visiting Esztergom’s massive cathedral, the historic seat of the Hungarian church, you will cross the Danube River and enter Slovakia, stopping at Banska Stiavnica to fathom its legacy of mining and minting. You will visit Kremnica, with its castle and seven peaks, and the village of Vlkolinec to see the largest undisturbed collection of traditional architecture in Slovakia. Climb from there into the thrilling terrain of the Low Tatras, before an unforgettable descent to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, where the Stations of the Cross end at an imposing Bernardine monastery. The final stop before Krakow is the awe-inspiring salt mine at Wilitchka, where an intricately sculptured salt cathedral attests to generations of workers who toiled and worshipped underground. This is a land where folk traditions have survived foreign attempts at dominance, to which a plethora of castles and watchtowers pay testament, but whose people have maintained their welcoming spirit!
The Plan:
Day 1: Szentendre
Meet your group and guides just outside of Budapest at your inn in the beautiful town of Szentendre. Szentendre has a unique atmosphere with two dozen museums, 7 churches, 13 galleries, and countless coffee shops and pubs. The nearby open air museum offers visitors a look at traditional Hungarian village architecture. There may be time to get acquainted with your bicycle with a short ride away from traffic on Szentendre Island before dinner. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Centrum Panzion, www.hotelcentrum.hu/english.html; or
Hotel Kentaur, Szentendre, www.ohb.hu/kentaur/index.en.html
Day 2: Szentendre to Esztergom 38km/24 miles
Your destination, Esztergom, lies 38 km away, just around a bend in the river. There is a challenging route through the hills rewarded with fantastic views of the Danube valley, and an easier route for those who prefer it. Esztergom is the historic seat of the Hungarian bishops. Its massive castle and Cathedral are the climax of the Hungarian leg of your trip. BL
Ria Panzion, www.riapanzio.com; or
Alabardos Panzio, Esztergom, www.alabardospanzio.hu
Day 3: Esztergom/Sturovo to Dudince 58km/36 miles
Cross the Danube between Esztergom and Sturovo and ride into Slovakia. The route follows the Ipel River Valley and the Slovakia Hungary border north. Today’s riding is relatively easy, passing through rolling terrain. The spa town of Dudince as you see it today is a monument to the true spirit of Socialist Realism, a glimpse into times of not so long ago. The healing springs have been popular for centuries; Marcus Aureliu’s legions carved bathtubs out of the travertine rock in the times of the Roman Empire to treat their battle wounds. BLD
Hotel Jantar, Dudince, www.hoteljantar.sk
Day 4: Dudince to Banska Stiavnica 39km/25 miles
Today’s route follows a gorgeous little path through the forest, running parallel to a small river. The cycling will get more challenging after lunch as you climb into the Stiavnica Hills. Banska Stiavnica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an extraordinarily well-preserved historical center once key to the Austro-Hungarian Empire with an ancient legacy of mining and minting. BLD
Hotel Grand Matej, Banska Stiavnica, www.grandmatej.sk
Day 5: Banska Stiavnica to Kremnica and Banska Bystrica 40km/25 miles
Kremnica, with its castle sits in a valley at the centre of the Kremnica Hills, a spectacular setting surrounded by 7 peaks. To get there you will follow an exciting and sometimes difficult route including two long climbs. There is an easier alternative available, involving an enchanting train ride. In the afternoon, you will be transferred by van to your inn, stopping along the way to see the wooden church in Hronsek. Banska Bystrica, the governmental and cultural center of Central Slovakia, has a tremendous central plaza surrounded by marvellously restored historic buildings. BLD
Hotel Kuria, Banska Bystrica, www.kuria.sk
Day 6: Banska Bystrica to Liptovska Osada and Dolny Kubin 75km/45 miles
After stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market in front of your inn you will be transferred by van 30 minutes to Liptovska Osada bypassing a busy highway through the valley. On the way, there is a quick stop at the UNESCO site village of Vlkolinec, the most undisturbed and complete collection of traditional architecture in Slovakia. You’ll climb up from Liptovska Osada into the thrilling terrain of the Low Tatras. The 7 mile ascent is well worth it, rewarded with spectacular views on the way up and a relaxing descent. A fairly flat section by the Liptovska Mara reservoir is followed by the undulating terrain of the Chocsky and Oravsky Hills, one of the prettiest rides on your route. This takes you to the town of Malatina, where you may be able watch rugs being hand-made on an original wooden loom, and the village of Lestiny with its rare wooden church built without a single nail. Your inn is on the square at the centre of town. BD
Penzion Marina, Dolny Kubin, www.marina.sk
Day 7: Dolny Kubin to Trstena and Sucha Beskidzka 55km/ 35 miles
The ride today is a little bit easier than the last few days. The rolling hills are dramatically punctuated with an imposing view of massive Orava Castle, a huge Gothic fortress towering high above the river in the village of Oravsky Podzamok. The view from the castle tower is unforgettable. This day's ride ends in Trstene, a small town on the Slovak-Polish border. Transport is arranged to the village of Sucha Beskidzka where you will overnight. BD
Hotel Kasper Suski, Sucha Beskidzka, www.kaspersuski.pl
Day 8: Sucha Beskidzka to Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Krakow
The last day of cycling takes you through picturesque village of Lanckorona. Today’s destination is the famous town of Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, another UNESCO site, where the Stations of the Cross consisting of 32 chapels and chaplets end at an imposing Bernardine monastery. From here you will be taken by van for a moving tour of the famous salt mine in Wieliczka, yet another UNESCO site, and finally into Krakow by 16:00. BL
The Details:
| Start: | Szentendre 14:30, day one. Szentendre is easily accessible from Budapest by train, bus or boat on the Danube. |
| Finish: | Krakow 16:00, day eight. Consider staying an extra day to visit Auschwitz. |
| Guided Cost: | $3995 (per person, includes: 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, 6 dinners, luggage handling, walking tour of Banska Stiavnica, tour of salt mine at Wieliczka, van and guide support, maps, route notes and GPS*, taxes). |
| Self-Guided Cost: | $2895 (per person, includes: 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, relevant van transfers, luggage transfers, maps, route notes and GPS*, cell phone** and taxes). |
| Single Occupancy: | $765 |
| Bicycle Rental: | Hybrid: $195 |
| 2010 Guided Dates: | Sep 20-27. Call 800-672-0775 for guaranteed departures, updates or to add a new departure. |
| 2011 Guided Dates: | May 23-30; Jun 20-27; Jul 18-25; Aug 15-22; Sep 19-26. Call 800-672-0775 for guaranteed departures, updates or to add a new departure. |
| Self-Guided Dates: | You choose! Best months are May to October. |
*GPS units may be shared. ** Cellular phone will be provided for emergencies. You will be invoiced for personal calls.
All pricing and details are subject to change without notice.
