I am planning a three week cycling trip to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and possibly the Austrian wine region in early fall. So far the plan is to start and end the trip in Prague.

Any recommendations for clean, quiet, inexpensive ($60-80/night) accomodations in Prague? Preferably located near public transport from the airport and not far from the old town center.

Also interested in suggestions for cycling routes on low traffic, paved and scenic roads. What towns/sights should we not miss?

Thanks.

jjtravel

I stayed in a pension in Prague 6 in a mostly residential area with a tram stop just outside the door (15 minutes from Old Town Square). It was clean and quiet and the owners were lovely. The rate for a single was approximately $50 per night with substantial breakfast (bread, meat, cheese, yogurt, juice, pate). They sell drinks and snacks (like cookes/chips) for about what you would pay in the supermarket. You have your own key and can come and go as you need to. Please keep in mind that it is not fancy and there is not much in the way of decor. If you don't want to go into the center for dinner there is a pension and restaurant about 3 blocks away that serves delicious food. Let me know if you want more info about this place. It's on the way to the airport so there is probably a bus you can take but I'm not sure how you would do that with your bike.

My favorite town was Telc.

The scenery in southern Czech Republic is great! I didn't notice any bike trails but then there is no traffic outside of the cities and I did see a lot of cyclists on Sunday. There are tons of small roads that connect villages (I was on many of them). It seems like a cyclist's delight.

I recommend Telc, also. Definitely one of our favorite cities/towns. Picture book square, beautiful castle, and two ponds with walking trails around the ponds. Also recommend Cesky Krumlov.

Hello Anne,

Thanks for the quick response. Please explain what Prague 6 refers to. Also, please provide the name for the pension you stayed at.

Thank you.

Jeff

We will definitely add Telc to our itinerary.

Thanks.

Jeff

Jeff - I'm guessing that "Hello Anne" was meant for me?

The number 6 refers to an area of Prague. 1 is the center where much of the historic sights are located. 6 is the area across the river from the Charles Bridge toward the castle and going toward the airport.

The pension is called Penzion Chaloupka. Here's their site and you can book directly with them. I looked at their price list and a double is about $84. You didn't specify if you need a single or a double room.

http://www.penzionchaloupka.cz/cenik-2&lng=5

Here's a site with some photos and a map. If you expand the map and look east you'll see Hradcany which is the castle area (3 tram stops away) and then farther east you see the river. Across the river is the center of Prague where the action is (about 15 minutes on the tram). Tram tickets cost about $1 per trip - very cheap - and you can use them on the metro as well; the same ticket is used for both and if you take the tram and metro you only need 1 ticket within 30 minutes.

http://penzion-chaloupka.czechtrade.us/

Hi Adrienne,

The pension seems to be just what we are looking for. Thank you for sharing this information.

Jeff

If you want to see photos of Telc (pronounced Telch) and other places in the Czech Republic, here's my album. I haven't finished uploading photos but most of the Czech Republic is done.

I would like to see your Telc pictures. I did not see the link attached.

Thanks.
Jeff

<< I did not see the link attached >>

That's because I'm old and forgetful! LOL

Here's the link. The photos are organized by town and I've loaded all of them (or all that I'm putting up on the site).

http://modigliani.shutterfly.com/cze...kowfrankfurtpa

I also have a nice pension in Telc where I stayed for 25 Euro (single) including the great Czech breakfast and wifi. It's right on the main square next to the pizzeria. They would probably let you bring your bike(s) inside as long as there aren't too many of them. I'll have to find the info on this place if you're interested.

I didn't eat at the pizzeria (very few tables inside and it was too cold to eat outside) but they were very busy with take outs.

The TI in Telc is very helpful.

I enjoyed your pictures. You have a good eye for detail. I will keep my eyes open for the Telc pension details.

Thanks.

Jeff

We stayed at the Hotel Celerin in Telc, right on the square. Very nice staff, great location; includes breakfast.

Jeff - glad you enjoyed my photos. The black and white building shows Old Testament figures and the owners spent 20 years restoring the building. It's the most striking one on the square.

The two afternoons I was there, the art gallery (the one with the wooden platform in front of it) put on a little play (in Czech) the first day and the second day there were a bunch of old cars and old bicycles and people in outfits from the 1920s and 1930s (I'm guessing). It was great fun.

I ate at the hotel Kwoo references twice and the food was very good. I was trying to keep expenses low and the hotel was twice the price as the pension I stayed at.

There's a restaurant at the far end of the square (toward the castle) with a wooden deck with tables - DON'T eat there as the food didn't look very good. I had a salad for lunch and that was fine but someone at my table ate a meal that did not look very appetizing. I think the restaurant was called Svejk.

Here's the Telc pension info:

Michal Kotrba
email: [email protected]
www.kotrbam.eu

I just looked at his web site and remembered that you can get the room with or without breakfast but you can't do better in a cafe. 100CZK is about $5 for 2 breakfasts - usual stuff: meat, cheese, cereal, yogurt, slices of tomato and cucumber, and some type of breakfast pastry.

The gentleman speaks English but his wife does not.

I forgot to tell you about the bathroom at the pension in Telc. It was the best of the trip! Lots of hooks to hang things and lots of places to put toiletries. New tile work and large stall shower. What a great bathroom.

Hi; Use this for good information on Prague. www.inyourpocket.com You may also find good downloads for other towns you are visiting. Richard

Adrienne: Why didn't you say earlier the bathrooms are great? My wife will be thrilled.

Richard: Thanks for bringing the Inyourpocket guide to my attention. It looks to be concise and helpful.

Kwoo: We will try dinner at the Celerin.

Any other suggestions for towns/sights to visit?

Thanks to you all.

Jeff

Jeff

Another vote for Cesky Krumlov!