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IN FAMIGLIA CYCLING
type : Self-Guided level : duration : 7 days period: Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct code: DESB010
Lake Constance by bike - Austria - Germany
7 days, price from € 619
Cycling around Lake Constance, one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, you explore the three countries that share it’s shores: Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Easy, scenic day rides on flat, car free and clearly signposted cycle paths make it the most popular cycle path in Europe. Start in the charming and lively university town of Constance, continue past pretty villages to the quintessentially preserved Swiss medieval town of Stein am Rhein. Cycling along the Northern shore and it’s “Riviera” feeling you reach the German town of Uberlinge where you an relax in the at a waterfront coffee or go for a dip in the Bodensee Thermal Spa. Alternating vineyards with forests and the majestic alps as a backdrop, you head south to Friedrichshafen, known for its wines and Zeppelin museum. Continue on through and more vineyards you reach the picture perfect Bavarian town of Lindau located on a small island. The last stretch through Austria and Switzerland brings you back to Constance through a series of small lakeside villages, making a full circle.
The tips of Valentina: Cycling through three countries in one week along quiet roads and cycle paths; Stop in family run hotels in historic towns and villages; Enjoy the beautiful landscape: mountains, vineyards and orchards.
Route
Day 1 Arrive in Konstanz/Kreuzlingen You start your tour in Constance, Lake Constance’s biggest city on the lake. 600 years ago this was where the Council of Constance took place, the only council to elect a pope that was held north of the Alps. The Rhine leaves Lake Constance here: kilometre 0 on its way to the North Sea. Only a few minutes by foot from the medieval town centre is the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen with its lively harbour. Day 2 Ride from Konstanz to Stein am Rhein by Radolfzell (45 km) This ride takes you to Radolfzell that grew around a monastery founded in 826 AD as a "cell" under Bishop Radolf of Verona. The town belonged to the Abbey of Reichenau, then to the house of Habsburg becoming a Free Imperial City for 40 years. Worth visiting is the 15th century gothic Cathedral of our Dear Lady, decorated in baroque style in the 18th. Continue along the Höri peninsula, where Hermann Hesse once lived. Cross the “green border” into the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein, which has a very picturesque old town.
Day 3 Ride from Stein am Rhein to Wallhausen + boat trip to Uberlingen (45 km) Ride back to Constance through picturesque Swiss fishing villages, to Wallhausen where a short boat crossing with your bike takes you to Uberlingen continuing on to the former imperial town Überlingen with its gothic minster and the beautiful esplanade.
Day 4 Ride from Überlingen to Kressbronn or Nonnenhorn (50 km) Continuing along the lakeside, take your time to explore Meersburg an unspoiled baroque town with the oldest inhabited castle in Germany. The terrace of the New Castle as well as the fortress offer the most unimpeded outlook over the lake and the impressive alpine rang on clear days. Continue through vineyards to Friedrichshafen and stop for a rest at one of the cafes on the bustling promenade, one of the longest and most beautiful on Lake Constance. End the ride meandering through orchards to Kressbronn. Depending on where you have been booked, you may continue your ride to Nonnenhorn.
Day 5 Ride from Kressbronn to Höchst/Rorschach (35-50 km) Today’s first highlight is the charming Castle Montfort in Langenargen, built in a Moorish style. Adjacent to the castle is Germany’s first suspension bridge, the Argenbrücke. Next, you will be cycling through orchards until you reach the Bavarian town of Lindau – a must is to visit the city centre on the island, full of medieval and half-timbered buildings. From here is a short ride to the Austrian border and the festival town of Bregenz, where you should visit the floating stage, go for a swim in the lake and visit the well preserved upper twon. Once you arrive in Hard, you cross the Rhine, which flows in from the Swiss Alps. The estuary is an important nature reserve. Your final destination for the day is Höchst in Austria or Rorschach just across the border, in Switzerland.
Day 6 Ride from Höchst/Rorschach – Konstanz/Kreuzlingen (35-55 km) The last ride is devoted to the Canton of Thurgau which is endearingly known as “Mostindien” (Cider India) because of its huge apple orchards and slightly remote location, at least from the Swiss perspective. The route takes you along the banks of the lake to the old St. Gallen harbour town of Rorschach with its stately public buildings and unmissable Kornhaus (granary) built in 1749. Here bathing in the lake is also very popular. Continue riding through several small villages back to Constance.
Day 7 Auf wiedersehen Konstanz/Kreuzlingen! The trip ends after breakfast, unless you have booked extra nights or other optional services with us. Accommodation
6 nights in double rooms in 2/3/4* hotels, B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
Hotel Volapük Hotel Volapük - Costanza Costanza Hotel Volapük is surrounded by green countryside and within walking distance of Lake Constance and the beautiful island of Mainau, famous for its flowers. Rooms are well-furnished, smart and comfortable. Free Wifi. The hotel has a restaurant for local Baden and Mediterranean cooking. Breakfast is very good and rich. volapuek.de
Hotel Roseberg Hotel Roseberg - Stein am Rhein Stein am Rhein Hotel Roseberg is located in Stein am Rhein, 600 meters from Monastery St. George. It offers basic, clean and spacious rooms with private bathroom, TV, free Wifi and balcony. Breakfast is good and it's served to the near hotel, Garni Adler. www.adlersteinamrhein.ch
Hotel Wiestor Hotel Wiestor - Überlingen Überlingen This is a family run hotelwith cosy atmosphere. Rooms are well-furnished, comfortable and spacious with telephone, free Wifi, private bathroom and some of these have a balcony. Staff is very kind and welcoming. International breakfast is good and rich. Location is very good, near the city center. www.wiestor.de
Landgasthof Landgasthof Dorfkrug - Kressbronn Dorfkrug The Hotel is a few steps from Lake Constance shore. It offers basic, clean and comfortable rooms. The building Kressbronn has a restaurant where you can taste local products. www.dorfkrug.de
Hotel Krenn Hotel Krenn - Höchst Höchst The Hotel is located in a very good and relaxed position, even if is near the airport. Rooms are basic and clean. Breakfast is normal. Staff is kind and helpful. www.sporthotel-krenn.at
Practical info
From Friedrichshafen (FDH), there is a ferry leaving hourly every day (en.der-katamaran.de/schedule-fares/schedule.html). The port can be reached walking from the station of Friedrichshafen Hafen, connected with the airport by train. From Zuerich (ZRH), you can take a train to Konstanz, changing in Weinfelden (www.oebb.at/en/). You can also easily reach Konstanz by train.
GPS tracks are available on request. Included
What is included: · 6 nights in double rooms in 2/3/4* hotels, B&B and agriturismi with breakfast · Bike theft insurance · Luggage transfer · Telephone support 24 hours · People and bike ferry ticket Wallhausem-Überlingen · Maps and detailed itinerary What is not included: · Journey to the place of arrival and departure · Lunches and dinners, except where otherwise noted · Visits and entrance fees - tips · possible sojourn taxes · Anything not specified under "The price includes" Optional Services:
These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour: · Single room supplement · Half Board supplement