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The Trip

The focus of this trip is the Czech Greenways, a network of more than 250 miles of trails and country roads along centuries-old salt, silver, and amber trade routes that were closed off for 40 years behind the Iron Curtain. On most days we will hike through deciduous forest, over rolling hills, across meadows, and through small towns to that evening's destination. Our luggage will be transported by bus. We will learn about local history and culture by visiting many of the well preserved chateaus and castles along the way, as well as an archaeology museum, Valtice Wine Cellars, and the Bohemian Tapestry Center. We will hike some days with an ornithologist and a botanist. We will spend our evenings enjoying the local pubs and the fine Czech beer while talking about various aspects of Czech history and culture with our local contacts.

Itinerary

Key for meals included in the trip price: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D).

Day 1: (Vienna) Plan to arrive in Vienna by midafternoon. We will provide instructions for getting from the airport to our Vienna hotel, where your trip leader will be waiting to meet you. At 6 p.m. we will meet for introductions and a brief overview of the trip. Dinner or music options will be on your own. Overnight: Vienna.

Day 2: (Vienna) In the morning, we will meet our Czech guide and together we will enjoy a city tour, taking in the impressive buildings of the Ringstrasse: the State Opera, the Burgtheater, and the Hofburg, the imperial palace of the Hapsburgs. In the afternoon, we will board the Ubahn (metro) for the short trip to Schönbrunn Palace, the magnificent royal summer residence of the Hapsburgs on the outskirts of Vienna. This palace of nearly 1,500 rooms was completed in the early 18th century as a smaller model of Versailles, and is surrounded by a zoological and botanical park. This evening we will have a welcome dinner. Overnight: Vienna. (B, L, D)

Day 3: (Vienna-Mikulov) We will board our bus for the trip from Vienna to the Czech Republic and spend the day in the Lednice-Valtice Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the former estate of the Liechtenstein family. We will tour the Gothic Revival Lednice Chateau and hike five miles through the woods with a local ornithologist. We shall also see unique "follies," romantic structures such as a faux Arc de Triumphe or a Grecian Temple set harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. We will then arrive at the Baroque Chateau of Valtice to visit the Valtice Wine Cellars. Overnight: Mikulov. (B, L, D)

Day 4: We'll drive to a trailhead below the ruined castle of Divci Hrady. From there we'll hike seven miles with an ornithologist through the historic wine region of Pálava to Dolni Vestonice, home to a museum of archaeology. The ancient Venus of Vestonice, estimated to be 26,000 years old, was discovered near here. Upon our return to Mikulov, we will tour the town. We'll also see the crypt of the Dietrichstein family, as well as a synagogue and Jewish cemetery, where the oldest tombstones date to 1605. Dinner will be served in a traditional wine cellar. Overnight: Mikulov. (B, L, D)

Day 5: (Vranov-Podyji National Park) Today we'll drive to the village of Cizov to see the last remnants of the Iron Curtain, then go on a seven-mile hike that includes an overlook of the Austrian town of Hardegg with its ancient castle and a sweeping view of the River Dyje Valley. Afterward, we'll continue on to Vranov. Overnight: Vranov nad Dyje. (B, L, D)

Day 6: (Telc) In the morning, we will tour the Baroque castle perched on a rock 230 feet above the river Dyji in Vranov and then drive to the Renaissance town of Telc, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After lunch, we will meet with people from the Phoenix Society, the nonprofit organization that protects the heritage of the Telc area. Later in the afternoon, we will walk five miles, including the trail established as a memorial to Jewish painter Frantisek Nagl. Overnight: Telc. (B, L, D)

Day 7: (Telc) This morning we'll tour the Telc Chateau and the town of Telc. You will have the afternoon available to relax and enjoy the Telc square, one of the largest in the Czech countryside. Overnight: Telc. (B, L)

Day 8: (Slavonice-Landstejn-Jindrichuv Hradec) We'll transfer to the town of Slavonice, founded in the 12th century and famous for its sgraffito facades and local pottery workshop. Sgraffito is a Renaissance technique that uses two layers of plaster of contrasting color applied on the wall. While still wet, the top layer is partially scraped off to create various designs. We'll hike six miles from Slavonice to the ruins of Castle Landstejn. Our bus will take us to Jindrichuv Hradec, home of the third-largest castle complex in the Czech Republic. Overnight: Jindrichuv Hradec. (B, L, D)

Day 9: (Jindrichuv Hradec-Trebon) In the morning, we'll tour the historic town and castle of Jindrichuv Hradec and visit the Regional Museum, home of the largest mechanical crèche (nativity) in the world with several thousand figures. It's quite spectacular and beautiful! Later in the morning, we'll drive to Kojakovice, where we'll visit the Village Museum, which highlights the history of common people in the area. We walk seven miles around the man-made lake of Svet, an engineering wonder of the 16th century, to the town of Trebon, a 13th-century medieval town with fortification walls. Trebon is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Overnight: Trebon. (B, L, D)

Day 10: (Cesky Krumlov) Our private bus takes us to Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the "jewel of South Bohemia," with the second-largest castle complex in the Czech Republic. After a walk around the town, we can enjoy an optional activity, an eight-mile rafting trip from Cesky Krumlov to Zlata Koruna, or spend the afternoon on our own. Overnight: Cesky Krumlov. (B, L, D)

Day 11: (Cesky Krumlov-Klet) We begin by touring the town, then tour the unique Baroque Theater in the Castle in Cesky Krumlov. Then, our bus takes us to the base of Klet, the tallest peak in the region (3,200 feet). We'll take a ski-lift to the top of Klet, then enjoy a local lunch at the top and take in the great vistas, before we take the hiking trail seven miles back to Cesky Krumlov. Overnight: Cesky Krumlov. (B, L)

Day 12: (Kamenný-Privoz-Prague) Today we'll drive north to Kamenný-Privoz and we'll hike seven miles through the Sazava River Valley. After our hike, we will drive on to Prague. Overnight: Prague. (B, L)

Day 13: (Prague) We will begin the day with a city tour and a walk through the historic center of Prague, known as the Old Town. We'll visit the Prague Castle, Old Town Square, the Town Hall, and the Jewish Quarter. You will have the afternoon available to see the many other sites of Prague. We meet at the end of this day for a farewell dinner to celebrate the successful completion of our journey. Overnight: Prague. (B, D)

Day 14: (Prague-Departure) Participants will depart individually. The leader will provide instructions for getting from the hotel to the airport. (B)

Getting There

The trip begins in Vienna and ends in Prague. Many major international airlines serve both cities, so it is possible to purchase an "open-jaw" ticket. Or you may prefer to fly in and out of Vienna and take the train from Prague back to Vienna at the end of the trip. Your leader will provide information and recommendations.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying at small hotels, pensions, and country inns. All rooms will have their own bathrooms, but may not have telephones, televisions, or air-conditioning. Rooms are double-occupancy, with a roommate provided for those traveling alone. The cuisines of Austria and the Czech Republic are heavy on meat and potatoes. However, various types of dinner salads are available from every restaurant. Vegans can also be accommodated. On several evenings, we will have opportunities to engage in "beer meditations" -- evening discussions held at a local pub on such topics as the Iron Curtain and the Cold War, fish ponds and fish farming, and the Czech culture. Your participation in these evenings is entirely voluntary, and you will be responsible for purchasing your own alcoholic beverages.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is designed for hikers in good health who are used to walking five to seven miles a day for several consecutive days. The terrain is moderately difficult, with trails consisting mostly of well-groomed dirt tracks winding through forests or open meadows, country roads, or occasionally on town streets. Elevations are also moderate and changes in elevation are insignificant. The highest peak in the area, Klet, rises 3,200 feet, and we will be taking a ski-lift to the top and walking down. The support bus will be available in case of illness, exhaustion, or injury. The length of any day's hike may vary from the itinerary, depending on the route selected. May is usually temperate, but can also be very hot. We will adjust the hikes as necessary, taking weather conditions into account. Be prepared for rain during a hike. Austria and the Czech Republic are modern countries, but they do some things differently than we do. Critical to your enjoyment of this trip is a relaxed attitude and a willingness to accept the inevitable surprises that travel usually has in store for us.

Equipment and Clothing

A valid passport is required for travel to Austria and the Czech Republic, but U.S. citizens do not need visas. Citizens of other countries should check with their embassies or consulates. Sturdy walking shoes and a day pack are essential; otherwise, your normal travel gear will do. A complete list of equipment will be provided prior to the trip.

References

• Steves, Rick, Rick Steves’ Vienna, 2009.
• Agnew, Hugh, The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown, 2004.
• Capek, Karel, Tales from Two Pockets, The War with the Newts, Catbird Press, 1994.
• Czech Phrasebook, Lonely Planet, 1st ed., 2001.
• Ash, Timothy Garton, We The People: The Revolution of '89, Granta/Penguin, 1990.
• Steves, Rick, Rick Steves' Prague and the Czech Republic, 2010.

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers, aided by a salaried staff, and encourages grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants in understanding the parallels between environmental concerns at home and abroad.

The modern Greenways were created by a group of preservation enthusiasts -- Czechs and Americans -- after the 1989 "Velvet Revolution," a quiet revolution that saw the overthrow of the communist government. This Greenways group realized that under the new free market economy -- with its rapid and environmentally careless economic development -- architectural monuments and the surrounding countryside of the region were in need of protection.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

David Van Winkle has led numerous national Sierra Club trips in western U.S. This trip will be his fourth visit to Vienna/Prague. David is currently the Chair of the Northern New Mexico Group of the Sierra Club. He is an active leader in conservation activities for the Club for the state of New Mexico, as the Communications Chair and the Energy Chair for the Rio Grande Chapter. He is also the Quality Officer for the Southwest Outings Sub-Committee. He is a Wilderness First Responder and has a Masters in Electrical Engineering. David resides in Santa Fe, NM with his wife Sheryl, plus one dog and one cat. He hikes frequently in the mountains and desert near his home. In addition to hiking, his interests include ornithology, gardening, photography, residential green building, solar energy, and communications.

E-mail: david@vw77.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback