Discover Lake Constance

Self-guided Lifestyle Cycling Tour from $1,929 NZD

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12 Days
  • 2012
  • Best time to travel: May - August
  • Availability Guide:
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A longer trip with easy cycling on Europe's most popular route. Enjoy alpine views, medieval towns and boat trips at beautiful Lake Constance.

Lake Constance is bordered by Germany, Switzerland and Austria in a gorgeous corner of Europe. This tour includes all the 'must-see' attractions.

See the Rhine Falls and the 'flower island' of Mainau. Take a mountain railway high into the Swiss countryside near iconic Pfänder mountain. Boat trips and biking bring you right into historic towns such as Konstanz, Meersburg, Lindau and Bregenz.

Constance to Constance

Zurich
  • Lifestyle
  • Grade
  • Daily departures from 21 April to 02 October
  • EUR265 single room surcharge
  • EUR70 bike hire
  • EUR140 e/bike hire
  • EUR255 half board
  • This tour is invoiced in EUR
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Discover Lake Constance Fitness and Preparation

This tour is rated easy to moderate and is suitable for families, and those not used to long distances. Cycling is mainly on flat, paved paths on or near the lakeside. Distances are quite short to allow time to see all the attractions.

Your accommodation is in 3–4 star hotels on the outskirts of towns. We transport your luggage from hotel to hotel each day.

Mild Tours

Mild tours have an expectation that you have an interest and possibly some experience in the activities. Routes chosen will require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains mild tours are suitable for increasing your activities and pushing yourself to new limits.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise two-three times a week during the build up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Constance (Konstanz)

No cycling

Today you begin your trip in Constance, the largest town on Lake Constance (Bodensee), which retains its medieval appearance. A small museum is dedicated to the Czech reformer Jan Hus, who was burnt at the stake here. The aquariums of the Sea Life Centre are also worth a visit, as is the Archaeological Museum.

Meals: None

DAY 2

Constance to Isle of Reichenau to Diessenhofen

No cycling

Cycle past the bird sanctuary Wollmatinger Ried to the Swiss Reichenau Island, a UNESCO World Culture and Heritage Site. Reichenau is known for its vegetable gardens and influential abbey, which housed a school, artists' workshop and scriptorium. Its 10th century monks produced lavishly illuminated manuscripts. Next, take a boat to Germany's idyllic Hori peninsula. Perhaps visit the old Hermann Hesse residence in pretty Gaienhofen. Then, cycle through the medieval Swiss town of Stein am Rhein and along the banks of the Rhine to Diessenhofen with its wooden bridge.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3

Diessenhofen to Schaffhausen to Diessenhofen

Cycling: 20 km

Today is an easy-going, relaxing day. In the morning, a refreshing cycle ride will take you to Schaffhausen. There'll be time to stroll through this attractive Swiss regional capital, with its ornate 'oriel' windows and picturesque house facades. Then, continue to Neuhausen and the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. A scenic hour-long boat ride will bring you back to Diessenhofen.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4

Diessenhofen to Stein am Rhein to Constance

Cycling: 40 km

Today, bike alongside the Rhine once more to Stein am Rhein. Numerous picturesque Swiss fishing villages line your return path through the peaceful countryside of the Lower Lake. Napoleon's stepdaughter Hortense de Beauharnais made this area her adopted home. You will visit her former home in Arenenberg, a Swiss heritage site of national significance, which houses the Napoleonmuseum.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5

Constance to Mainau Island to Radolfzell

Cycling: 26 km

Today, visit the 'flower island' of Mainau. Make sure you allow enough time to enjoy this paradise-like island with its luxurious, colourful flowerbeds, butterfly house, towering trees, and gorgeous roses. After your visit is a short ride through Allensbach, well known in Germany for its large public opinion research institute. Next you'll come to the former imperial town of Radolfzell, known today for its holistic Kniepp spa and health resort.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6

Radolfzell to Uhldingen/Meersburg

Cycling: approx. 40 km

Today, cross the Bodenruck ridge near Stahringen. Near the former Royal Palace in in the village of Bodman, you will come to the Überlingersee section of the lake. Cycle along the lake shore towards the former imperial town of Überlingen with its Gothic cathedral and famous lakeside promenade. The route continues to the medieval town of Meersburg, with its 2 castles. The Baroque pilgrimage church of Birnau and the reconstructed lake dwellings near the holiday town of Uhldingen are both worth a visit.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7

Uhldingen/Meersburg to Friedrichschafen

Cycling: 38 km

Today, explore Meersburg with its half-timbered houses and castles, squeezed between vineyards and the lake. The Old Castle, a 7th century fortress, the seat of kings and bishops, and the 19th century home of the great poet, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. It is the oldest inhabited castle in Germany. Further attractions include the New Castle, with its amazing staircase by famed architect Balthasar Neumann, and Meersburg's market place. Then enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the Alps as you bike to lively Friedrichshafen, where you can visit the Zeppelin museum.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8

Friedrichschafen to Lindau to Bregenz

Cycling: 38 km

Today will lead you through the town of Langenargen, where you can admire the inspiration for San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Then, bike through sprawling orchards to the Bavarian town of Lindau on the east side of the lake. Its medieval old town is a protected site. After a few kilometres, you'll be in Austria. Continue along the lake shore to Bregenz with its steep slopes and unique lakeside stage.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9

Bregenz to Pfänder to Rorschach

Cycling: 38 km

The cable car will bring you and your bike up Pfänder Mountain (1063 m) above Bregenz. Enjoy the view, then make the half-hour descent down a paved road. Check your brakes beforehand! You might also choose to come down by cable car or on foot, and pick up your bike at the bottom. You will then continue along the Lake through the Alpenrhein delta, and near Altenrhein with its vibrant Hundertwasser architecture project, will reach the Swiss border. You'll stay overnight in the pretty Swiss town of Rorschach.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10

Rorschach to Heiden to Rorschach

Cycling: 8 km plus hiking/bus

Today, wear sturdy shoes! The small mountain railway will bring you to the picturesque Swiss village of Heiden in the Appenzell region. Then, follow the well signposted 'joke hiking trail' (Witzwanderweg), with signs featuring jokes along the way. It's a steady 2.5 hour hike to Walzenhausen with its views of Lake Constance. Instead of hiking you could take the bus. In Walzenhausen a mountain railway will bring you back to the lake at Rheineck, and a second boat back along the Rhine to Rorschach.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11

Rorschach to Romanshorn to Constance

Cycling: 36 km

Today you will cycle along the lake shore through the Swiss region of Thurgau. This region is also known as “Cider India” due to its many orchards and its relative remoteness. It lies to the south of Lake Constance, nestled between the lake and the foothills of the Swiss Alps. Enjoy a coffee with a view of the lake in one of the many cafés.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12

Departure Day: Constance

No cycling

After a hearty German breakfast, it's time to say Auf Wiedersehen to unforgettable Lake Constance.

Meals: Breakfast

I can tell you more

Sandy

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • 11 nights in 3-4 star guest houses/hotels and with ensuite bathroom
  • 11 Breakfasts
  • Boat trip Reichenau-Gaienhofen including bicycle
  • Boat trip Schaffhausen-Dissenhofen including bicycle
  • Boat trip to Rheinfall rocks
  • Boat trips Rheineck-Rorschach
  • Entrance to the Hermann-Hesse-Haus (museum), to the Napoleon museum, to Mainau Island, to the lake dwelling museum, to Meersburg castle, to the Zeppelin museum
  • Journey by mountain railway from Rorschach-Heiden
  • Journey by mountain railway from Walzenhausen-Rheineck
  • Journey by cable car to Pfander (bike transport free 9-10am)
  • 1 Travel Guide
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
  • Comprehensive tour information and maps
  • 7-day Service Hotline

Tour Exclusions:

  • International Flights and/or Travel Visas (where applicable) or Travel Insurance
  • Bike hire
  • Drinks & snack bars
  • Tips
  • Helmets (bring own)