Bavaria, Bohemia and Beer

Day 1: Arrival in Bamberg

Our rendezvous is scheduled for 2:30 pm at Bamberg's train station. Built on seven hills, the city is nicknamed the "Franconian Rome", even if its favourite drink is the local smoked beer. It is a city of striking beauty with its historic center, the Domberg, the four impressive towers of the imperial cathedral, its canals and bridges, not to mention its 10 breweries. The "Little Venice", the rose garden with the royal "New Residence" and the old town hall! Bamberg has an impressive cultural heritage, recognized by UNESCO. We will have dinner at the Ambräusianum, a unique brewery, where the beer is brewed in the heart of the inn.

Day 2: Gottesgarten and Kommunbräu - approx. 57 km

In the morning, a bus takes us to the Banz monastery, a former Benedictine abbey from the 11th century. After a tour of the exterior, we cycle through the nearby town of Staffelstein and then up to the Metzgerbräu brewery in Uetzing where a snack awaits us. We continue to the Basilica of the Vierzehnheiligen (fourteen saints), then to the Rudufersee lake and our picnic of the day. In the afternoon, the Main bike path leads us in a relaxed way to Kulmbach. A pleasant stroll through the town and to Plassenburg Castle whets our appetite for dinner. Tonight, we will dine at the Kommunbräu, where the proprietor will regale us with the tale of this community establishment of the nearby brewery..

Day 3: Main bike path and Maisel beer - approx. 36 km

Our cycling route follows the Main river, leading us to Bayreuth, a town steeped in 400 years of cultural heritage and renowned for its festivals. After a bike ride through the city, we stop in the "beer world" of the family-owned Maisel brewery, which stands for beer brewing tradition and Franconian hospitality. We then continue our tour of the city by bicycle. For dinner we enjoy a rustic menu in a traditional inn.

Day 4: Zoiglstuben and Šumava - approx. 66 km

In the morning, a bus takes us to the municipal brewery in Windischeschenbach. This is where Oberpfälzer Zoiglbier has been brewed since time immemorial. This local beer is brewed by the tavern keeper on a wood fire, according to recipes often handed down from generation to generation. We then pass through small villages, fish ponds and a peaceful landscape in the southern foothills of the Fichtelgebirge to Bärnau, one of the oldest villages in Bavaria. The fisherman's hut offers us fresh trout from its own pond, and we are back on the road again. The Czech Republic is not far away. As we travel, we will come across the Liskarna dam before making our way to Tachov's market square, where we can opt to indulge in coffee and pastries. Later in the day, we will reach Chodová Planá and savour dinner within the historic cellar of the Chodová brewery.

Day 5: Pilsen - approx. 48 km

A bus takes us to Kladruby, where the monastery and the Church of the Assumption are located. From there we cycle relaxedly through the gentle Mies valley in an easterly direction. Our journey persists down quaint country lanes until we reach Zámek Křimice. A mere 15-minute ride from there, we arrive at Pilsen. The remainder of the afternoon is dedicated to exploring the brewery and immersing ourselves in the rich history of the noble beverage that has served as the inspiration for so many of today's beers over the past 150 years. In the evening we have dinner at the tavern "An der Stadtmauer", one of the few places where we can taste the original unfiltered Pilsner Urquell.

Day 6: From the banks of the Berounka to the Vltava - approx. 49 km

The Berounka, a tributary of the Vltava, winds in gentle loops through a beautiful landscape on its way to Prague. After a short bus transfer to Beroun, we head for Řevnice. However, we make a short detour to Karlstein Castle, probably the most famous castle in the Czech Republic. After a nice picnic in the shadow of this grandiose monument, we continue driving along the banks of the Berounka River to Lihovar to catch our ferry on the Vltava River. We spend the night in Prague.

Day 7: Prague

Prague, the Paris of the East. Its history? From its origins as a Celtic settlement to its modern-day status as the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague has endured centuries of conflict, cultural exchange, and architectural evolution. We start our day with a guided tour of the old town, passing by the Charles Bridge, a famous 14th century stone bridge under which the Vltava River flows lazily. This river once inspired the composer Bedrich Smetana for his Vltava Symphony. The trip ends at noon. Return or individual extension.