Springtime Adventure – Cesky Krumlov to Prague, Czechia
Our ebike tour from Cesky Krumlov to Prague in springtime was a late decision, but it turned into a great one. Pedalling along quiet paths, surrounded by blossoming trees and spring flowers, felt great after a long winter in the Alps. This was our first adventure through the heart of the Czech countryside, and it didn’t disappoint.
Cesky Krumlov
Starting our route in Cesky Krumlov was a treat; check out my blog on Cesky, as it is a fascinating place and well worth spending a day or two at the beginning of your tour to explore its magic. You feel like you have been transported back in time and fully expect to see Pinocchio dancing on the cobbles with Geppetto close behind, keeping an eye on his boy. Anyway, that’s a whole other story – read it here: https://ebike-europe.com/tour-destinations/the-czech-republic-or-czechia/.
As we headed up and out of Cesky, you get a great view of the town, then through some hilly terrain into Budweis / České Budějovice, famous for its Budweiser Beer. We had a stop for lunch here in the main square and watched the world go by while starting on our culinary tour of Czechia!
Local specialities – Beer and Beef
Any Ebike Adventure must include some local specialities. Therefore, as we were in Czechia, we had to taste the world-famous beer. A Budweiser is a must in Budweis. Just remember, a small beer in their world is a very large beer in ours! Did you know that in 2022, Czechs drank 136 litres of beer per capita, according to “Statista,” making them the highest beer consumers in Europe for the past 30 years? This means they know their beer; therefore, even if you are not a fan, trying at least one is essential to understand the fuss.
Make more stops than less; there is something decidedly decadent sitting outside, sipping on a cold brew in the Springtime sunshine and chatting with the locals who proudly told us that drinking beer is cheaper than coffee, soda and water, so why wouldn’t they drink it? To be fair, it does taste delicious; be careful cycling and drinking, especially as the beer is strong.
The warm hospitality of the locals was surprising and very welcome; they were eager to share their tales and recommendations for the best-kept secrets in the area. As it was so early in the season, they had more time than usual, plus a couple of mad Brits on bikes always sparks interest wherever we are in Europe.
Lunchtime Challenge
Lunchtime became a challenge to taste everything Czech. We found ourselves in cosy countryside taverns, indulging in hearty dishes that were both warming and cholesterol-inducing and tasted soooooo good.
Svíčková (braised beef), a Czechia favourite, or a rich goulash accompanied by freshly baked bread. For the sweet tooth, Cremole (pastry tube filled with cream), Buchty (buns filled with jam) or Koblihy (doughnuts filled with jam or chocolate spread). Luckily, we were on bikes, so we just pedalled harder in the afternoon to combat our overindulgence at lunchtime.
The Route
The route of rolling hills and passing through quaint villages and open fields, dotted with wildflowers and newly planted crops, farms with red-roofed barns gave the touch of rustic charm to the scenery. There were straight roads through forests where you could imagine the wild pigs having a party and laughing at all these daft people on bikes. See what happens when I am left alone with my imagination?
Prague
As we cycled along the banks of the River Vltava towards the capital city of Prague, the route became much flatter and eased some of the aches in our legs. It was, after all, our first bike ride of the summer; therefore, after some hilly cycling, I was looking forward to stretching my legs by wandering around the city.
Prague is known as the city of a hundred spires, and you can lose yourself in the various markets and shops in the winding streets in the centre. We took a boat ride to see the city from the river and walked for miles around the main attractions. It was a great way to end our springtime adventure in such an iconic city.
Our springtime ebike adventure from Cesky Krumlov to Prague was full of surprises, as it was our first visit to this gorgeous country with its beautiful landscapes, tasty beer, quiet paths, abundance of flowers, blossom-lined paths, vast open fields, medieval towns and pretty villages and incredibly friendly people. Cycling in springtime is always a treat as nature comes to life, and this tour was a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable adventures are the ones where you take it slowly and enjoy the beauty around you.
My Tips for this Springtime Adventure are:
- There can be stretches of countryside with few places to stop, so make sure you plan your route carefully.
- Try the food, ask the locals for recommendations, and then just go for it.
- Drink the beer; it is famous worldwide for a reason.
- Plan on at least one full day in Cesky Krumlov and in Prague at the beginning and end of your tour.
- There is a train from Prague back to Cesky Krumlov; make sure you book it a day or two before for your bike space.