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Trip Length
11 Days
Trip Starts
Bregenz
Trip Finishes
Bregenz
Trip Style
Cycling
Budget
Affordable
Pace
Easy
Trip Code
C10LC
Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Exodus 11 Day Lake Constance Cycling. Exploring by bike is by far the best way to travel here as a 270km cycling path leads from country to country, taking in daisy-strewn meadows, billowing wheat fields, Bavarian vineyards and picturesque marinas. The routes have been specifically designed by our local partner, Donau Touristik, and checked by our managers. This is a region brimming with history and cultural highlights such as the fairytale castle in Meersburg, the flower-decked palace in Konstanz and books dating back over 1,000 years in St Gallen's UNESCO-listed...read more library.
Itinerary
You arrive at your hotel, a historic coaching inn, in the centre of Bregenz. Explore the ancient cobbled streets of the old town before dinner on the courtyard terrace. Comfortable hotel.
Cycle west along Lake Constance's southern shore before crossing the mighty Rhine delta that straddles the border between Austria and Switzerland. It's an area of great natural beauty and a refuge for wildlife - be sure to keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers in the reeds. Your final stretch takes you around the lake to Arbon where you'll find pretty half-timbered houses and a 16the century castle. Two routes: 24km/15mi or 41km/25miComfortable hotel (B).
It's easy to spend a morning exploring Arbon's historic old town with its well-preserved buildings. After lunch at one of the many lakeside restaurants, hop on the bus for the 35 minute ride (10km) to historic St Gallen, a bustling market town packed with 18th century merchants' houses and open-air cafes. Visit the 8th century Benedictine abbey's fabulous UNESCO library, then blow the cobwebs away by freewheeling back down to the lakeside. There's lots of swimming possibilities before an easy waterfront cycle back to the hotel. Comfortable hotel (B).
There's an option to take the train to Guettingen this morning and shorten your route. Otherwise, pedal clockwise around the lake and pass numerous waterfront villages affording lots of panoramic sun terraces for coffee stops and lunch. In the afternoon, you coast effortlessly between sleepy harbours before arriving at the riverside Hotel Chlosterhof where you spend the next two nights. Two routes: 42km/26mi or 59km/37miComfortable hotel (B).
It's easy to spend the day in mediaeval Stein am Rhein with its 11th century monastery, beautiful frescoed square and lovely chocolate shops! Alternatively, Schaffhausen, a lively German town full of street theatre in the summer, is ideal for a day trip - it's great for shopping and has riverside cycle paths to Schloss Laufen, a tiny castle perched precariously above the tumbling Rheinfall waterfall, the biggest in Europe!Comfortable hotel (B).
Freewheeling east this morning, you'll soon cross the border to enter Germany - look out for cormorant and red-crested pochard in the Hornstaad Nature Reserve. Cycling along the Gnadensee you'll soon reach the UNESCO Heritage Site of Klosterinsel Reichenau, the first populated area on Lake Constance and home to an impressive 8th century Benedictine abbey. It's then on to Konstanz, the unofficial regional capital. Comfortable hotel (B).
Spend the day exploring the narrow streets of Konstanz: visit the Altstadt, Munster and lively centre crammed with quirky shops and museums. Alternatively hop on a boat (payable locally) to visit Mainau Island's palace and landscaped rose gardens. If you take your bike, you can pedal back at leisure along traffic-free lakeside cycle paths. Comfortable hotel (B).
It's a short ride through oak forest to catch the 15 minute ferry ride (included) to fairytale Meersburg with its twin castles, steep streets and hillsides of vines. It's a perfect place for a lunch stop! Then, pedalling south, it's a gentle cycle into Friedrichshafen. Comfortable hotel (B).
There are superb wine tasting opportunities on your doorstep today - local Muller-Thurgau wines come from Riesling and Silvaner grapes for which Lake Constance is famous. Or visit Friedrichshafen's amazing Zeppelin Museum, full of fascinating knick-knacks, including an original menu and wine list from the Hindenburg. Comfortable hotel (B).
Cycle past the pretty village of Langenargen and through peaceful vineyards and cherry orchards en route to lovely Lindau, a gorgeous island village surrounded by cobalt blue waters with long distance views of razor-edged peaks across the lake (there are lots of idyllic choices for lunch). Then, keeping the lake at your side, a final push takes you back down to Bregenz. Time permitting, perhaps take the cable car up Pfander mountain (1064m), for a fantastic vista of your entire route and a real sense of achievement! Comfortable hotel (B).
The tour ends after breakfast in Bregenz (B).
Trip Inclusions
- Beautifully flat, flexible cycling along dedicated lakeside paths, wildflower fields, vineyards and cherry orchards
- Interest-packed routes; Baroque churches, Gothic cathedrals, fairytale palaces, romantic castles
- Postcard-pretty villages, half-timbered, frescoed towns, cafe-lined waterfronts and stunning mountain views
- Swimming possibilities every day
- 10 nights 3 to 4-star hotels, all rooms en suite
- 5 days cycling with luggage transfers
- E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies)
- The terrain is perfect for first timers.
- All breakfasts
- All luggage transfers
- Route notes and maps
- Ferry ticket from Staad to Meersburg included
- Bike hire
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified.
- Flights not specified are not included
- 20% on quiet tarmac roads, 80% on cycle paths and tracks
About Exodus Travels
From gentle rides through the French countryside to challenging expeditions across Asia & more. Read more
Exodus Trip Leaders
Exodus chooses their Leaders carefully. Professional, dedicated and are passionate about sharing their home countries. Read more
Accommodation with Personality
Wherever possible, Exodus chooses properties that are locally owned and that reflect the area you are visiting. Read more
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Exodus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Exodus. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Exodus. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Exodus. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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