Spa Triangle & Prague

Day 1: Arrival to Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad)
Day 2: Karlovy Vary loop, 19-44 mi. (30-70 km)
Day 3: Karlovy Vary - Frantiskovy lazne, 38 mi. (62 km)
Day 4: Frantiskovy Lazne Spa and Iron Curtain trails loop, 10-37 mi. (15-60 km)
Day 5: Frantiskovy Lazne - Marianske Lazne, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Marianské Lázně – Bečov – Marianské Lázně, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 7: Mariánské Lázně - Karlovy Vary (Prague), 27 mi. (43 or 70  km)

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival to Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad)
The first day of this bike tour will begin with your arrival to Karlovy Vary. This 14th-century town, founded by Emperor Karel IV, is the largest spa center in the Czech Republic. The town is known primarily for its 12 healing springs, the Becherovka liquor, and world-famous china/porcelain. An early arrival is recommended, so that there will be time enough to spend on the colonnade or for a short hike with wonderful views over the town! On request, a transfer by car or bus can be organized from Prague Airport or hotel (130 km) - This transfer is free of charge and can only be on Day 1.

Sample accommodation:
Spa hotel Schlosspark

Day 2: Karlovy Vary loop, 19-44 mi. (30-70 km)
Today is full of options! You can spend the day in Karlovy Vary, famous for its hot springs. 650 years of experience has brought local spa treatments to the point of perfection. Karlovy Vary is also unique for its colorful and whimsical architecture. You can also take a short ride to Andělská Hora, a village that is overlooked by the ruins of a gorgeous castle. Use the bike trail along the Ohře River to explore other small villages and castles. 

Sample accommodation:
Hotel Ester

Day 3: Karlovy Vary - Frantiskovy lazne, 38 mi. (62 km)
Today you'll start from Karlovy Vary and bike through the amazingly beautiful Ohre River Valley. The day leads you along a newly built cycling trail through the Slavkov Forest nature preserve and the stunning Svatosske Skaly rock formations. Following the river, you arrive in Loket with its stunning 14th-century castle. The next stop is the town Sokolov with a nice chateau and town center originating in the 13th century. Refreshments abound along the route, but the Kynsperk brewery or the coffee Mostov's small chateau are highlighted. Today's last stop is the spa town of Frantiskovy Lazne (Franzesbad), a 19th-century spa town built by the emperor Franz I.  This regal town still maintains the atmosphere of the golden age of spas. Immerse yourself and enjoy the waters after a long biking day!

Sample accommodation:
Hotel Harvey

Day 4: Frantiskovy Lazne Spa and Iron Curtain trails loop, 10-37 mi. (15-60 km)
Today's program is quite flexible as you will stay here for two nights, so those more interested in the spa can relax the whole day and enjoy the treatments! For those who decide to bike instead, we can recommend loops up to 70 km. For centuries this area stood as the border between the Holy Roman Empire and the Czech Kingdom. Thanks to this fact, the day's ride will be full of castles, fortresses, and chateaux, many accurately restored so the whole trip looks like a journey through "Old Europe“ - which it is! Part of the day will also trace the borders of the Iron Curtain, a reminder of the Cold War. Should you desire, a short trip to Germany reveals the recently restored Hohenberg castle, where the German people expelled from Czechoslovakia after World War II have their cultural center.

Sample accommodation:
Hotel Pawlik

Day 5: Frantiskovy Lazne - Marianske Lazne, 31 mi. (50 km)
Just a couple of kilometers from Frantiskovy Lazne, you will reach the town of Cheb. For centuries, this town was the gate between the Holy Roman Empire and the Czech Kingdom. This beautiful town is without doubt the most "German" place in the Czech Republic, highlighted by the 13th-century merchant house, "Špalíček" and the imperial castle, unique in the Czech Republic. It was the favorite residency of the emperor Friedrich Barbarossa and contains a striking Romanesque chapel. From Cheb, you bike on car-free roads through small villages that attest to the centuries-old influence of the German people. On the way, you will visit a Marian Loretto pilgrimage church and a chateau in Stary Hroznatov. The last stop on the way is the opulent chateau Kynzvart, built by Counselor Clemmens Metternich in the 19th century as his representative seat. Today, its architecture makes an elegant café stop. Just a few kilometers on, we reach our final stop of the day – the spa town of Marianske Lazne. Take time to soak those muscles in the spa's healing waters.

Sample accommodation:
Hotel Continental

Day 6: Marianské Lázně – Bečov – Marianské Lázně, 34 mi. (55 km)
In the morning, you can conquer the climb or opt for the ski lift! Once on top, you will bike along small roads to the Tepla monastery dating back to the 12th century. Admire the monastery church and the library with some 80,000 books from all eras. From here, you will continue through the mild forests and meadows of the Slavkovsky Forest area to Becov and Teplou: its chateau the hiding place of the famous St. Maura reliquary. This is one of the most important and valuable historical buildings of the Middle Ages in the country. From Becov, you can either take a train to Mariánské Lázně or bike the remaining distance back.

Sample accommodation:
Hotel Continental

Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, your tour ends. A transfer back to Prague Airport/hotel is included at an appointed time (please provide your flight details). Alternatively, from Mariánské Lázně you can either take a train back to Karlovy Vary or to Prague for your onward travel.

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Accommodations in 3-star hotels (standard version) or 4-star hotels (premium version). A sample hotel list is listed in the day-to-day itinerary, keeping in mind all accommodations are based on availability.

Air conditioning cannot be guaranteed in each hotel like in some smaller towns or towns in historical areas that are prohibited from having AC.

Bicycles

Pells Stratus Deluxe

24-gear standard bicycle

Specialized Diverge Sport

Upgraded road bike

Author Dynasty

Touring bicycle

Tandem Bicycle

Upon request only

Recumbent/Trike Bicycle

Upon request only

Author Energy

Child's bicycle

Trail Gator Parent-Child-Tandem-Coupling

Upon request only