Active Cycling at Lake Constance

Today you move into your hotel in Constance, whose town remains medieval in character to this day. In 1414, the town hosted the only church council ever to take place north of the Alps. A small museum is dedicated to the Czech reformer Jan Hus, who was burnt at the stake here. The symbol of the city is the statue of Imperia, which is a memorial to the prostitutes of the council time. The aquariums of the Sea Life Center are also worth a visit, as is the Archaeological Museum.

Today's first highlight is Meersburg with its old castle and lovely town. Through the wine-growing areas of Hagnau and Immenstaad you pedal to Friedrichshafen. Here you can visit the Zeppelin museum in the old harbour station. Your route continues through orchards to Langenargen, where you can see what inspired Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Next you soon find yourself at today's destination.

Today you get to really spoil yourself. The whirlpool, steam bath and sauna area await you in the hotel! Otherwise go off on your own bike trip or a walk along the farm trail through the countryside around Kressbonn. In the evening an experienced skipper takes you out sailing for a couple of hours on the lake. Afterwards you enjoy a relaxed 3-course-dinner at the hotel.

On the east-side of Lake Constance and at the foot of Pfänder mountain is the town of Bregenz - rich in culture and also known for appearing in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Did you also know that there is a mummified shark over the city gates? The trip up the mountain by the Pfänder cable car is well worth it in sunny weather as the views of about 240 Alpine peaks and Lake Constance is spectacular.

Rested and restored, you cycle back to Friedrichshafen from where you take a boat over Lake Constance to Romanshorn in the Swiss canton of Thurgau. This area is endearingly known as Mostindien (Apple India) because of the many orchards and its rather isolate location. You cycle through pretty little villages along the waterside back to your starting point.

In the morning, a special highlight awaits you in Wallhausen. By canoe you have 3 hours to explore Lake Constance from the water. Afterwards you continue from Wallhausen by boat to Überlingen. Plan a little walk through the historic quarter and a wander along the promenade. The little town of Meersburg also has a lot to offer, for example its beautiful timber-framed houses and the old and the new castle. From Meersburg, take the car ferry back to Constance.

The first destination of the day is Reichenau Island, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. You take a boat across to Gaienhofen. Here you are able to visit the Hermann-Hesse-House. You then continue cycling along the Höri Peninsula. Stein am Rhein has a number of attractive painted house facades. The last leg of the trip leads you along the Swiss, southern shore of the Lower Lake before returning to Constance.

After breakfast, your holiday in Constance ends and it's time to journey home.