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Trip Overview
A lovely ride along the Blue Danube through Austria. |
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Bike along the Danube: Frequently-Asked Questions about Blue Danube Our enchanting ride through the Danube River valley takes our tour group through the most popular cycling route in Europe, the the Danube cycle path (Donauradweg). We will see Linz, Grein, Melk, Krems, Vienna and more. Pedal on gently rolling terrain through fairytale forests and rural hamlets. From castles to cathedrals, we'll see a stunning array of architectural styles. We'll enjoy a variety of food, wine, beer and culture as we bike through three countries (and currencies). We'll make our way along the river that has inspired artists and musicians for centuries. The trip starts in Linz and ends in Vienna, two gay-friendly and increasingly popular hot spots in Central Europe. This FAQ page is intended to accompany other pages about this trip and about our company (see links at left). Some of the answers below may include links to other other sites; please use the BACK key of your browser to return to this page. Contents:
What is the itinerary for the Czech Extension of the 2012 Blue Danube tour?
Day 1, June 6 2012, WED (D) Arrive in Prague Fly from home to Prague today, with North American travelers leaving home the day before. If you'd like a longer stay in Prague, let us know and we can add hotel nights there prior to the start of our extension. Take a taxi or public transportation to our centrally-located gay-friendly hotel. We’ll meet up at 6 pm for an orientation, then walk together to our welcome dinner, and our introduction to Czech cuisine. Day 2, June 7 2012, THU (B) Walking Tour of Prague Our Czech guide will meet us at our hotel, then we’ll walk together to heart of the city, Wenceslas Square. Nearby we’ll see the well-preserved jewels of historic Prague including Old Town Square, Town Hall, the Astronomical Clock, Powder Gate, Municipal House, and the Royal Way of the Old Town. You'll be on your own for lunch among the numerous small shops and bakeries in Old Town, then in the afternoon we’ll continue our walking tour to the Castle and the Mala Strana area. The historic core of Prague is located near the Vltava River (known in German as the Moldau). This river starts in the hills south of Cesky Krumlov, then travels north through Ceske Budejovice and Prague, until it flows into the Elbe, and eventually the Baltic Sea. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Prague on your own, and perhaps sample a bit of the nightlife. Day 3, June 8 2012, FRI (B, L, D) Is that You Bud? This morning we'll take a bus from Prague to Cesky Krumlov, but first we'll stop in the Bohemian town of Ceske Budejovice, known for centuries for its beer. In German, the town is called Budweis, so the beer from there was originally called Budweiser, in the same way that famous meats from elsewhere in Germany came to be called Hamburgers and Frankfurters. The local beer is now called Budvar, but it goes by Budweiser in Austria and Germany, and Czechvar in the United States. (This all goes back to a century-old trademark dispute with American company Anheuser-Busch.) We'll tour the Budvar brewery, with beer aficionados getting a taste of the brew at the end of the tour. We'll then have lunch in the brewery's restaurant. After lunch we'll continue our drive to picturesque Cesky Krumlov in the South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. We'll quickly see why this was one of the first cities to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Because the narrow streets of the town are inaccessible to our bus, a local guide will give us an orientation to the city as we walk to our hotel from the parking area. Our bags will be taken to the hotel by a baggage taxi service, so we can have a relaxing walk. We'll have dinner tonight at a nearby restaurant. Day 4, June 9 2012, SAT (B) Touring Cesky Krumlov This morning we'll have a guided walking tour of Cesky Krumlov, finishing up with a tour of the Castle, known for its beautiful gardens. After the tour, you'll have free time for lunch on your own at a local cafe. The afternoon is free to explore this riverside city on your own by visiting the Town Theatre or the Egon Schiele art museum honoring a native son who had to move away in 1917 due the scandals of employing young women as his models in this traditional town. You can also explore your inner child at the Puppet Museum, or your Twilight fantasies at the Museum of Torture Instruments. For those looking for some outdoor activity this afternoon you can join an optional light rafting excursion on the Vltava River (15 euros per person). The excursion takes 2.5 to 3 hours, and covers about 8 km of the river. On this stretch, you won't find churning rapids, but you'll need to navigate past five Krumlov water stairs. These are meter-high weirs across the river, with ramps on one side or the other for small watercraft to slide down to the next level. (For each one, you just need to keep in mind whether to approach on the left or right side!) Dinner will be on your own tonight to see a bit more of the city. Day 5, June 10 2012, SUN (B) Arrival in Linz to Start Blue Danube This morning, our luggage will be transferred from the hotel back to our bus, and we'll retrace our steps to the parking lot. We'll then drive about an hour and a half to Linz, Austria, where we check into our first Blue Danube hotel, and in the late afternoon check out our bikes to prepare for the cycling adventure to Vienna. 
What is the cost of the Czech Extension to Blue Danube?
How many days are there in a 5-day trip?
Our "5-day" trip thus consists of 4 full days and two partial days. Some companies call this a 6-day trip; we feel it's more accurate to refer to it as 5 days. When does the Blue Danube bike tour start and end?
Each trip ends after breakfast. There are no group activities on that day, so if you have tight travel connections, you can get up and leave as early as you wish. When your schedule allows it, you'll probably want to spend some time sightseeing in town, with others from the trip, before departing. Please let us know if you'd like to add a night in the Old World Cultural Capital of Vienna. What is the van support for the Blue Danube Tour?
The specific van schedule varies day to day, based on a number of factors: the route, whether there's a picnic that day, and whether riders are all likely to be on the same road, or off on different options. Typically, the driver stays near the group until about lunchtime (or earlier, if there's a picnic to set up), then drives ahead to deliver luggage into your rooms. Because most of the riding on our Blue Danube trip is on bike paths near the river, the van won't be able to drive back and forth between the front and back of our group as it would on our trips that are mostly on public roads. The van driver will therefore select strategic road crossings or parking lots along the bike path to wait for the group and make sure everyone is OK. In any case, since there are also some fun optional rides on our route, cyclists will be spread out over many miles. Therefore, we often find that a cyclist who needs help will get it fastest by calling the driver at the hotel or calling their cell phone, rather than waiting for the van to patrol all the spots where cyclists could be riding. We'll go over the details in more depth at the briefing when the trip starts. On paper (or on a computer screen) the system can seem uncertain because so many variables are involved. In practice, it works out well. There are many weeks when no one ever needs the van. If you do need assistance, generally you're able to get to a cafe or other comfortable spot while you wait for help. What kind of bikes do you use?
We also supply a lock, spare tube and patch kit, and a handlebar bag or back rack for carrying a few small items. I want to bring a gel seat cover for my bike trip. What size is best?
Is a stationary bike a good way to get in shape?
Am I expected to tip the guides?
I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
You don't need to pay the single supplement if you're traveling alone. We'll be happy to match you with a roommate. Pay the single supplement only if you want a bedroom to yourself. Do I need to speak a foreign language for your overseas trips?
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