Walking in Central Europe
Walking is one of the most popular activities enjoyed by people living in this splendid corner of the world. Before the Iron Curtain was knocked down, it was difficult for most of those kept inside to travel abroad and, therefore, they spent their holidays walking in the domestic mountains. Walking has a long tradition here as all Central European countries are covered with a comprehensive network of very well-maintained and well-marked walking paths ingeniously interconnecting the cultural points of interest combined with scenic and natural beauties. Today the Central Europe is a real paradise for hikers from all over the world.
Walking is the best choice for exploring all of these countries. It slows our hustled world to the speed it turned many years ago. It allows you to stop and overlook the surrounding landscape, smell the flowers and notice the richness of species, or closely inspect various cultural objects bearing the testimony of our ancestors.
Walking through Valtice Castle We use some footpaths and trails that have been used by locals for generations. On the way, we inspect important sights, visit historic towns and discover hidden castles or abbeys. We meet interesting local people you would never meet, we admire wildflowers and birds you would never notice and visit chapels and churches whose mystical atmosphere you would never experience.
We do not hike, trek or walk from hotel to hotel. All trips are easy or moderate.
Typical Walking Day
DAY 2 - CZECH WALKING TOUR: VIENNA TO PRAGUE
Straznice – White Carpathians – Mikulov- TOTAL DRIVE: 2 hours
- TOTAL WALK: 6 miles (4 hours), moderately easy
- Altitude difference: 350 meters
- Highlights: open-air museum in Straznice, windmill in Kuzelov
After breakfast at our hotel, we are driven to the famous open-air museum of South-Moravian villages in Straznice. The local guide leads us through ancient wooden houses with thatched roofs, picturesque wine cellars, a water-propelled saw mill or a smithy and explains how various tools were once used for traditional crafts. At the end of the guided tour independen time for questions and additional enjoyment of the museum and the museum shop.
Walking through white Carpathians This experience is followed by a hike in the lower parts of the White Carpathians, the bordering mountains between the Czech Republic and Slovakia with enchanting orchid meadows and extensive pastures stretching among coniferous forests. During the hike, we refresh ourselves in the peaceful surroundings of a small fishpond. At the end of the walk, we inspect the mechanical effectiveness of a picturesque windmill in Kuzelov built as early as 1842.
The evening finds us in a cozy wine cellar in Mikulov with a traditional delicious dinner and wine tasting. Accompanied by local musicians, we listen to the engaging tunes of Moravian folk music.
Selecting a Trip
Sometimes, it is not easy to choose the right trip so we have provided the following suggestions:
- First read the tour description, tour highlights and highlights of each day
- Select a tour that really appeals the most to you
- Consider the walking graph and the "Level of Difficulty" to see whether it meets your requirements
- Finally, check the departure dates and the length of your tour.
What to Pack
Most important, you need comfortable and waterproof walking shoes or boots, a waterproof jacket and perhaps a daypack if you like to carry a camera. You do not have to take your walking poles as we will lend you ours. Each trip is different depending on the terrain and local walking conditions. Contact us and we will kindly inform you about any special items which might be useful for the given trip accordingly.
Meeting/Departure Point
All tours start and end in a city with frequent airport and train connections.
Meeting point:
It is usually a 4* hotel situated in the city center where we stay the first night or which we recommend for staying a few extra days before the tour begins (most of our guests avail themselves of this opportunity to recover from the effects of jet lag after the flight). If you decide to arrive at the starting city earlier, it would be our pleasure to make hotel arrangements for you.
Departure point:
It is always the hotel where our guides take you at the end of the tour. We arrange a taxi to the airport for the next day. If you decide to enjoy the spirit of the place for some additional days, we will be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.
Daily Routes and Options
We repeatedly check every single route to make sure that the footpaths are in perfect condition; we use the same routes as the locals and consult all aspects with them. Every evening, during dinner, our guides will describe the following day’s trip and indicate the whole route and picnic spots on a detailed map and provide information on the points of interest along the way.
Our guides usually offer at least two walking options: a shorter and a longer alternative. Accordingly, the group can be divided into two smaller groups, each of which is assigned one guide. Both groups meet at the picnic lunch later on.
The picnic spots are always chosen with great care and particular attention is paid to the surrounding scenery or a view at one of plentiful points of interest. The picnic spot is usually accessible by the van carrying the picnic table, comfortable chairs, feasting gear and a great variety of fresh food and drinks. After lunch, we finish the walk or, if you are tired, you can wait for the rest of us in the van reading a book, taking a nap or teaching the locals English. If possible, you can even be driven to the hotel in advance.
Those who do not want to participate in a given trip for whatever reason can optionally enjoy a free afternoon in the hotel (take a swim, explore the city or do some shopping).
Security
Our guides always carry a first-aid kit and a cell phone with them in case of emergency. If you have any health problems of any sort, feel dizzy or weak, do not hesitate to inform our guides and they will take all necessary measures immediately. If you get lost in a city or need assistance, you can phone them at anytime and they will hustle to help you.
Daily Mileage
Our walks average from 6 to 9 miles per day. They are carefully designed so that they could be shortened or extended according to given circumstances (weather conditions, fitness of participants, special events etc.).
More challenging side trips are available for those who prefer longer walks. Those who prefer shorter walking distances can spend the rest of the day reading a book, taking a nap in the van or, if possible, be transported to our hotel after the picnic lunch.
One afternoon is free for you to explore the nicest city of the whole tour. However, there is an optional walk designed for those who prefer to walk instead of spending their leisure time in the city.
Levels of Difficulty
All our walks rank from EASY to MODERATE. Deliberately, we do not include any more demanding, let alone hard or extreme walks, for our policy is to offer relaxing and recreational trips enabling you to both keep fit and to enjoy the natural and cultural beauties along the way. However, we can also organize strictly fitness trips if required.
Most of the Czech walks are Easy or Moderately Easy. The Slovak walks are rather Moderately Easy or Moderate. Please refer to the walking graphs on your detailed itinerary.
EASY
The walk takes place either in a city or in the country with almost no altitude difference. These walks are a piece of cake for everybody, regardless of his/her physical fitness.
MODERATELY EASY
Similar to EASY except for the terrain is gently folding up and down. These walks are no problem for anyone who keeps the minimum level of fitness. You do not need to be an experienced walker to enjoy these.
MODERATE
The terrain is slightly more challenging than those mentioned above possibly including a few longer climbs to viewpoints that are well worth it (especially in the Slovak Carpathian Mountains). Such walks should not be a problem for anyone who exercises on a regular basis.
Your Local Guides
Our group leaders are certified native guides with extensive knowledge, not only of the local culture and history, but of the flora and fauna or folk art and various traditions, too. Moreover, all of them are good company, they speak brilliant English and they are eager to make your trip a memorable experience. They are ready to solve any problem, minor or major, that might appear in the course of the tour and settle any of your contingent complaints. Would you rather spend a relaxing afternoon in town? Your guides know the best cafés and boutiques around.
Each of the CW&C tours is always lead by two guides, unless there are less than 6 participants in the group. In addition, the CW&C hires a local guide in larger cities for your city tour (Prague, Budapest and Krakow).
Luggage
Your luggage is transported for you. You will find your bags in your hotel room after we arrive from the trip.