Explore the former capitals of the Czech Republic and Poland and the unique cultures that unite them.
The tour begins with a bike ride from Prague to the Elbe River, which we then follow upstream. Along the way, we pass the famous Kutná Hora, once the largest silver mine in Europe and now a charming medieval town. Leaving the Elbe behind, the route offers glimpses of colorful villages like Litomyšl and Moravská Třebová, and imposing castles crowned by the fairytale Bouzov. Crossing the tranquil, wooded highlands, we descend to Olomouc, the former capital of Moravia. This beautiful city, an integral part of Central European history, is sometimes called "Little Prague." We then wind our way to the foothills of the Beskydy Mountains, enjoying the fantastic panorama before the route leads us through picturesque villages like Hranice and Štramberk. We entered Poland through the Těšínsko region and cycled through this land of lakes to admire the old town of Pszyna, with its castle and open-air museum. Recent history compelled us to visit Oswieczim (Auschwitz), with its horrific history from World War II and the nearby Nazi concentration camp. From there, we continued along the Amber Road through gentle landscapes to the historic capital, Krakow, to admire its Old Town and the majestic Wawel Castle.
