Czech Republic, Prague, Rhine valley

[BOB UK]

Well its time to plan for this years trip I have 2 weeks starting the 3rd June so
This is the plan so far
Blast down to Prague and stay 3days in a hotel that’s will be her on the back happy then head south and stay some where near or on Lake Lipno for 4or 5 days then make our way slowly back through Germany and have a look at the Rhine Valley on the way
We will be camping most of the time if the weather is good

So help needed I have never been to this part of Europe before apart from one very short trip to Germany in a minibus when I was working for the Queen and I was asleep most of the way there and back !!!!!!!!

First the Hotel in Prague this is one that I have seen on this site before has any one any comments or know of a better one?
Extol Inn Hotel http://www.extolinn.cz/

Then down to the lake area lots of the campsites say they have bungalows to rent has anyone used these and what are they like? I stayed in the huts they have in Norway a few times so am I right in thinking these are the same things?

From surfing the web I have found this boat trip
http://www.ceskykrumlov-info.cz/en/lode/uvitani.html
Any one any experience of this river as I have to convince my wife that it’s safe she has what you might call a healthy respect for water!!!!!!

I haven’t had a good look at Germany yet so any help with that would be good and the best route there and back

As I live in Bournemouth I was going to cross on the euro tunnel I think that would be the most convenient crossing for us any one know how to get the cheapest crossing with a bit of flexibility ?
Thanks for reading this and I will post some pictures when I get back

 

[Chisurz]

Prague Hotel - In June last year I stayed in the Hilton (it was a conference) and would not recommend it. However, it did have secure parking, which I would recommend you seek in whatever hotel you choose. The two policemen I spoke to, asking about parking the bike, said I could leave it anywhere but, if I wanted to see it again, only in a secure car park.

As for accommodation, I went south out of Prague, into Austria then Italy, back through Alps. Stayed in small, cheap hotels throughout. At that time of year there is plenty of space and the rates are good. Just don't aim for the centre of the most popular tourist locations!

As for the river - look to see where the water comes from. The more moutainous the source area, the colder the water is going to be and the faster running. There is still snow to melt at that time of year...

Routes back through Germany? Just avoid the Autobahns like you avoid the plague. Fast, but boring, see nothing. Check out the German automobile association (ADAC) site for their motorbike route maps. Very easy to use.

Good luck

 

[cmwingfield]

Hotel in Prague

A couple of years ago I stayed a few nights at the Movenpick Hotel in Prague.
It has secure parking and I got a good deal through a travel agent. I believe they have a website. The hotel has two levels and one must ride a tram to the upper section. I was lucky enough to book a room on the upper level and the view of the old town was fantastic! I can't comment about the ridiing, as I was traveling via train, but I can vouch for the river cruises. No worries!
Safe travels!
Mike

 

[BOB UK]

Thanks for the input chaps

I tried to get on the German Automobile Association website but it’s only in German which I expect if you are German is not a problem

Can I get the biker maps here before I go abroad? If so where from

 

[Bezzler]

Prague

The hotel your looking at is not in a good area, if you can try The Renaisance
there's parking underneath, and the gates are shut at night, I had my GS parked here for a couple of months no probs, as you go down the ramp look for a barrier on the right, it's the staff car park, you should be able to get around it ok, the hotel did'nt seem to mind when I was there a couple of years ago.Also it's a 5 minute walk to the centre from it. The Czechs are a friendly bunch on the whole but watch out for pick pockets in town. The river is big and should be treated with a healthy respect, It flooded a couple of years ago and 6 metres of it came through my workshop, well stuffed!!
Channel tunnel is good book on line and you will get cheaper deals on early and late trips plus a two hour lee way. Its about 820 miles from my place near Heathrow, Itake the A16 North from the tunnel for a mile or two and pick op the A26 towards St. Omar and Arras, stay on this until you get to Reims then pick up the E50 towards Metz, The E50 takes you all the way to Prague, In Germany they don't seem to mark it with the E no. but it is the A6.
Follow it over the top of Mannheim and down pass the Hochenheim ring. By this time if your Knackered, your over half way. There is a Holiday inn 1 junction up on the A5 at Walldorf at this point. There's not much after that for about 100 miles or so, make sure you have fuel as the petrol stations a far apart along this stretch and its fast dual carriageway a good blat in the morning. After Nurnberg turn offs it gets a bit funky ( they are still ling up a motorway to the border) just follow signs for E50 Plzen, It'll take you on a bit of motorway and through smaller roads, but just follow the signs, and take it easy here lotsa roadworks and slow trucks and police cars, You'll soon pick up the main road again and a bout 5-10 miles the boarder. Make sure you have original documents for the bike they do ask sometimes. 100 miles to go fast motorway exept Plzen where it's still not linked up yet but just follow the signs . Watch out for the police they are not as bad as they were but they are hot on speeding and love a radar trap usualy on motorway ramps where its usualy a slow speed limit. There is another more norhtern route through Belgium but it's a major truck road with major truck ruts and all the crap that goes with it , this way's a peage but it ain't much and its a better road all round.
If you can take the overnight at Walldorf or close to it. I've done it in the car lots of times in about 15 hours but at those speeds your shot for a day or so after, and "her on the back " will not be a happy bunny I'm sure.
If you or anyone else needs info on Prague or routes rides etc, Mail me on [email protected]. I've been traveling out to there and beyond For the last 15 years so i know a bit about it. I came back two days before Xmass so road info should be sound. Good luck...............

 

[BOB UK]

Hi Bezzler
Thanks for all the info I will go through your route on the map and have a look
And thanks for the info about the Hotel

Bob