Travel report: Lake Constance
From our guests Dagmar and Georg
We arrived relaxed on Monday and were able to check into our room at the ABC Hotel in Constance around midday. We were given a very warm welcome and helpful tips on how to find our way around Constance. After checking in and unpacking, we had a look around the charming town. We enjoyed our first delicious drink in the harbor area.
Show more Show less08.06.2021: Tour around the Untersee (58 km)
We explored the island of Reichenau and noticed at the jetty (crossing over to the Höri peninsula) that we still had plenty of time for a drink. As the mooring area in Gaienhofen was broken and closed, we moored at the next station and saved about 4 kilometers of cycling. We used the time in beautiful Stein am Rhein. Then we made our way to Constance in perfect "cycling weather".
On the way to the hotel, we discovered the "Constanzer Wirtshaus" pub. We had a delicious beer in the beer garden and reserved a table for the evening. After freshening up, we made our way to the "Constanzer Wirtshaus" and got a seat in the beer garden. Very pleasant atmosphere and delicious food. Dark clouds gathered and heavy rain suddenly set in, forcing all the guests to flee inside. Some of them still had food on their plates, ours were fortunately empty. We found a seat at the bar and had a nice chat with a fellow Irishman who was employed by the Swiss navy and had some interesting anecdotes to tell. We were then able to make our way home to the hotel rain-free.
Show more Show less09.06.2021: Around Lake Überlingen (68 km)
The cycle route took us along the Untersee to the beautiful town of Radolfzell. After taking a look at the beautiful old town, we continued on to Bodman. There were a few climbs to overcome, which was very strenuous in the muggy air. Then dark storm clouds began to gather and we decided to take the precaution of stopping off at a restaurant in Bodman. We were spared the thunderstorm, but heavy rain forced us to take a two-hour break, which we bridged with a delicious tarte flambée and a drink. In a light drizzle, we decided to carry on with rain capes.
After about four kilometers we were able to take off our rain gear in Ludwigshafen and shortly before Überlingen the roads were dry. We cycled on in a relaxed manner and were able to get directly onto the car ferry to Konstanz-Staad in Meersburg. After a pleasant crossing, we cycled the five kilometers to the old town and on to the hotel.
10.06.2021: Constance - Kressbronn (59 km)
We knew the way to the ferry to Staad from the previous day. We enjoyed the crossing to Meersburg in glorious weather. We left our bikes on the shore and set off to explore the beautiful historic old town with its castle fortifications and palace. We reached Friedrichshafen around midday. We took a break in the beautiful park on the shore.
We then continued our journey via Eriskirch and Langenargen to Kressbronn. Better preparation for the day's destination would have saved us a little distance. I had assumed that the "Schattmaier" yacht hotel was in Kressbronn. A careful look at the map would have revealed that we should have left for the marina in the Gohren district. So we had to turn back in Kressbronn (forward, we have to go back). However, there was one good thing about this, as we discovered the former Bodan shipyard site, which has been converted into an event and restaurant area. Very appealing.
Show more Show less11.06.2021: Kressbronn - Höchst (73 km)
This leg took us via Nonnenhorn and Wasserburg to Lindau. After completing the usual COVID-19 rapid test in the pedestrian zone of the island town, we explored it on foot. At the old seaport, we found a nice table with a view of the harbor and Lake Constance and enjoyed drinks, the view and the weather. We then continued our tour via Lochau to Bregenz as far as Fußach. There we decided to take the longer route along Lake Constance and cycled via Gaißau to the Hotel Linde in Höchst.
We stopped off at a nicely situated restaurant with a view of the small boat harbor and the lake. A very nice alternative route through a nature reserve. We found the hotel in the small town center. To our surprise, our luggage had already been taken to our room and we were allowed to leave our bikes in the garage.
Freshly showered, we went for an exploratory walk through the town, which, as announced at the hotel, had nothing outstanding to offer. The food on the hotel terrace was delicious. The only downside was that our room was on the top floor and faced west. The sun shone in until sunset and it was correspondingly warm. After we found out how to open the window wide, we were at least able to ventilate well. The night was then reasonably bearable.
The next morning we enjoyed the varied and very tasty breakfast and set off on the last leg back to Constance.
Show more Show less12.06.2021: Höchst - Constance (57 km)
We set off on our last leg to Constance in pleasant temperatures. We cycle along a well-maintained cycle path, some of which we already knew from the previous day, via Rorschach and Arbon to Romanshorn. We find a nice spot for a break on the shore and enjoy the scenery and watch the hustle and bustle on the water. We then continued our journey to Constance.
There were no refreshment stops along the cycle path. Shortly before Kreuzlingen, we discovered the beautifully situated restaurant "Schloss Seeburg". There we finally got the cold drink we had been waiting for. In Kreuzlingen, we made a detour to the harbor with its huge water fountain. We didn't consciously notice the border crossing. We were "suddenly" in the harbor area of Constance at the Ferris wheel.
It was very crowded in the outdoor areas of the pubs there and we decided to cycle to the Konstanzer Wirtshaus in the hope of getting a nicer seat there. Our wish came true and we got a seat in the beer garden. Our wish to reserve a table for the evening could not be fulfilled as it was fully booked. We followed the staff's suggestion to have a drink or two in peace and then go straight on to dinner. As we wanted to eat the very good-looking Kaiserschmarrn at the end, we shared the large salad plate and the macaroni. We were very satisfied, everything was delicious. After this indulgence, we went back to the hotel.
We were given the same room again, our luggage was there, the car was taken out of the underground garage and after freshening up, we cycled back into the old town. Luckily, there was a free table in front of a small wine bar in one of the alleyways. We had a farewell drink and a nice chat with the guests at the next table. A nice end to our great Lake Constance cycle tour.
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