Travel report: Cycling and sailing on Lake Constance

Now Doreen has also caught the cycling bug! Together with her friend, she opted for our cycling and sailing vacation on Lake Constance. For four days, the two friends went on various day trips by bike or sometimes by boat - including a trip to the pile dwellings in Unteruhl-Dingen and a sailing trip in the evening sun.

In a good mood and sunshine, they quickly became enthusiastic about the area around Lake Constance and always like to think back to this time.

From the idea to the start of this journey:

In the summer of 2019, I tried out a cycling vacation myself with a dear friend and I, or rather we, were simply thrilled and are still raving about it today (months later).

The decision to go on a cycling tour on Lake Constance was quickly made. We were easily inspired by Radweg-Reisen and chose Biking and Sailing from the many tours available. We received our travel documents with lots of tips, a suggested route including maps and tickets for the ferry and catamaran, so we really had all the options open to us. Unlike many other cycle tours, we had a fixed location from which we started our daily tours.

Day 1: Arrival in Kressbronn

Our domicile could hardly be better located than directly on Lake Constance with a view of hundreds of sailing ships, as we were accommodated in the marina in Kressbronn. We arrived in Kressbronn by train. It was about 4 km to the hotel. Two "big city bimbos" were now standing in Kressbronn and thought we would just take a cab.

Kressbronn is not Stuttgart or Munich and cabs were not the usual means of transportation here. What the heck, we thought - the sun was shining, we had light luggage and 4 km was a good start to the sporty days ahead of us. So we set off through the woods and meadows and arrived at our hotel 40 minutes later. We could already check into our rooms and the bikes were already saddled up.

First explorations: Lindau and Bregenz

After a cold drink and a snack, we wanted to get started right away because we were full of anticipation and enthusiasm. No sooner said than done! We first headed for Lindau, a distance of around 11 km. The fever had broken out in us and we couldn't get enough - even on the first day! We simply cycled on towards Bregenz, which was another 11 km or so. The route was one of the most beautiful, as we found. The cycle path led directly along the lake and there were always access points via steps directly into the lake, which really made it a lot easier to get on, as the shore of Lake Constance is usually very rocky. The annual Bregenz Festival was taking place in Bregenz. The city was certainly also very lively and full of tourists for this reason.

The really nice thing about traveling by bike is that parking problems and traffic jams are simply not an issue. You are wonderfully mobile, independent and feel free.

In Bregenz, on the promenade, there was a grand piano where anyone who wanted to could perform their musical skills. At the end of the promenade, you reach the Seebühne, which lives up to its name and is located in the middle of Lake Constance. The festival really is an absolute highlight in Bregenz every year. Although we didn't have tickets for a performance, we were still able to watch the stage. A masterpiece!

It was slowly getting dark and so we cycled back the same way. However, we couldn't miss the opportunity to take a dip in Lake Constance as the sun sets. On the way back, we made one last stop at the beer garden.

Day 2: Cycling and sailing, Friedrichshafen - Romanshorn - Arbon

After breakfast, which we had on the terrace, we started our tour. It was to take us to Switzerland today. We first cycled to Friedrichshafen, from where we took the ferry to Romanshorn. From Romanshorn, we continued to Arbon. Unfortunately, this route didn't run directly along the lake, so we didn't like this part as much. Arbon is a small, sleepy town, where we naturally didn't miss the opportunity to enjoy a little chocolate treat over a coffee. We decided not to continue, but to turn around as we wanted to be back at the hotel in time.

From there, Martin took us on his sailing boat today and we had a little sail around Lake Constance. There was almost no wind and so the sailing trip was a very leisurely sway in the evening sun. Unfortunately, we had forgotten to take our swimsuits on board - but no matter, we'll certainly make up for that at some point.
Back on land, we walked a few more steps to one of the surrounding restaurants and enjoyed the end of the day.

Day 3: Meersburg - pile dwellings in Unteruhldingen - Constance - Friedrichshafen

We had big plans for the third day of our tour, as we wanted to visit the pile dwellings in Unteruhldingen. The one-way distance was around 35 km. From there, we wanted to take the ferry from Meersburg to Constance, then take the catamaran from Constance back to Friedrichshafen and from there back to our hotel. All in all, this would be around 60 km.

So we started off in the direction of Friedrichshafen again and continued through Meersburg to Unteruhldingen. The stretch between Hagnau and Unteruhldingen was by far the most beautiful on our entire tour. Small, charming villages, Lake Constance close enough to touch and vines on the hillsides. Here, too, there were plenty of opportunities to take a dip in the cool waters of Lake Constance on the hottest day in July 2019.

On arrival in Unteruhldingen, we marveled at the pile dwellings from the Stone and Bronze Ages. Really impressive and beautiful, you should definitely visit them if you're in the area!

Afterwards, we drove back to Meersburg - another pretty little town with a small town center and promenade. We found it difficult to choose between the many inviting little restaurants. In the end, we found the right restaurant for us right on the lakeside promenade. I am always fascinated by the sight of water. We had a shady spot, a really good meal and the sparkling waters of Lake Constance as a backdrop - simply perfect.

Before we were ferried back to Constance, we decided to take another dip in the lake. A few meters from the promenade, there was a park with steps on the shore, which made getting back into Lake Constance so wonderfully easy. Just the right thing to overcome the midday, or rather afternoon, low. Now we were as fresh and lively as fish again.

In Constance we realized that it was already quite late and there wasn't much time left for the city of Constance. So we drove slowly through the town and went straight back on board the catamaran to be taken back to Friedrichshafen. Too bad for Constance - but I already know the city and it certainly won't be the last time I've been there.

The trip on the catamaran took about an hour. The evening sun did its best to make us sweat even when we were sitting down. We then took a leisurely drive from Friedrichshafen back to the hotel in Kressbronn.

Day 4: Stand-up paddling in Lindau

We wanted to spend our last full-size day relaxing and taking it easy. There was one more activity on my wish list: stand-up paddling. To do this, we drove towards Lindau and literally soaked up the beautiful surroundings once again. Our destination was the Strandcafé Lindenhof - a lido with no entrance fee, a large lawn, trees that provided shade, toilets, changing cabins, a small beer garden and a rental shop for stand-up paddle boards. First, we treated ourselves to a piece of cake and watched the other stand-up paddlers. Then we made the decision and rented a board for two.

What fun and relaxing at the same time! I was so happy.

Departure

The next morning after breakfast, our taster tour, holiday by bike, was already over. In total, we had covered around 260 km and were super happy - even if sitting sometimes hurt.

The wonderful memories are still with us today and we are determined to do it again!