New from bike tour specialists Ride & Seek, the history-focused Berlin–to–Budapest Iron Curtain expedition guides riders through five capital cities and five distinct cultures across nearly 1,000 miles. The itinerary is offered in two sections: an eight-day route from Berlin to Prague for those who prefer a shorter trip, and an 11-day continuation from Prague to Budapest for travelers seeking the full experience.
Along the way, riders encounter iconic sites and evocative scenery. Highlights include the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie, the castles of the Czech Middle Mountains, scenic stretches along the Elbe riverbank, and long, well-maintained cycling paths beside the Danube. The route also offers opportunities to sample regional beers and lagers—German wheat beers, Austrian lagers, Czech pilsners and Hungarian ales feature prominently.
The tour passes through some of Central Europe’s most beautiful and historically rich cities, including Budapest in Hungary, the Renaissance town of Telč in the Czech Republic, and the German border city of Görlitz. Culinary experiences are part of the journey as well, with stops to taste Viennese-style coffee, Austrian schnitzel, chocolate-raspberry Sachertorte, traditional German bratwurst and classic Hungarian goulash.
History along the Iron Curtain route is tangible: riders pedal past palaces that once belonged to Viennese nobility and traverse landscapes shadowed by fortresses and other remnants of twentieth-century conflicts. The scheduled departure for this expedition runs from Aug. 18 to Sept. 4, 2019, with prices starting at $8,318.