Lake Constance Loop - Switzerland Family Holiday

8 Days - from $936

Cycle around a huge lakeMarvellous countryside and idyllic meadows3 countries in 1 week!

In the heart of Central Europe is the waterway of Lake Constance and the town more commonly referred to as 'Konstanz'. The 270km circuit around the lake, locally known as 'Bodensee', will take you through a trio of countries from Germany to Austria and then Switzerland. Starting from the small town of Konstanz we follow the Rhine along the German-Swiss border. The route varies considerably from quaint Swiss fishing villages with beautiful half-timbered houses to fruit orchards and marvellous countryside on the approach to the Bavarian island-city of Lindau. The circuit of the lake ends with a cycle through the apple orchards of Canton Thurgau, before returning to Konstanz.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Start Konstanz. Make your own way from Zurich to the hotel in Konstanz by rail. 2 Cycle along the German-Swiss border passing the island of Reichenau to the mediaeval town of Stein am Rhine, with many fresco-decorated houses. 3 We enjoy a circular route to the city of Schaffhausen and Rheinfall, the largest waterfall in Central Europe. 4 Mostly in Switzerland as we pass through small fishing villages and the island of Werd. See Mainau Island before taking a ferry to Uberlingen. 5 Ride along the lakeshore to Friedrichshafen and on to the region of Kressbronn; chance to visit the baroque church in Birnau, old Meersburg and the Zeppelin museum in Friedrichshafen. 6 Ride through fruit orchards to Lindau and continue to Bregenz in Austria. Cross the Rhine back to Switzerland and cycle along the lake to Rorschach. 7 Ride through the apple orchard region of Thurgau passing meadows, forests and monasteries to Konstanz. 8 End Konstanz.

Mode of travel: Flights to Zurich with Easyjet, British Airways or Swiss Air (direct) - not included. Transport 21 speed bikes. Child and trailer-bikes available.
Group size: Min 2, self-guided. Luggage is transferred; route notes, map and contact numbers are supplied.
Accommodation: 7 nights hotels and inns. Along the route we use comfortable two- or three-star hotels all offering traditional local cuisine.
Food: Breakfasts included throughout.
Trip Reference: FVC
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.