Elder generations affectionately called Lake Constance „the Swabian sea“. For many people in the south of Germany this lake was the biggest stretch of water that could be reached for a short holiday at a waterside. Lake Constance is a wonderful bathing lake with very lovely beach facilities. The lake is also perfect for sailing, paddling and rowing.

The region of Lake Constance is a paradise to its guests. A unique experience of nature is given on the island of Mainau with a mediterranean world of flowers and plants. Wonderful bicycling trails lead above gentle hills in the lake’s surroundings. Boat tours are perfect for relaxing on the lake and visitors of the „Houses on Stilts“ villages are taken back into very old times.

Flower island of Mainau

The island of Mainau is a gigantic botanical garden. According to season the island is transformed with love and work into a sea of blossom. In addition, it contains over 250 species of trees from all over the world. In spring, meadows of crocuses and tulip fields, in summer a unique rose garden in Italian style with sculptures and wells and last but not least in autumn dahlia blossoms and the golden foliage of the trees are more than just fascinating. Visit this wonderfully coloured world of plants and relax in the middle of a sea of flowers.

The castle is still today a family estate of the Bernadottes, but open to visitors at special occasions. It accommodates also a café. In the palm house on the castle terrace every year a big orchid show with about 3,000 kinds of orchids takes place. An overwhelming experience is a visit to the house of butterflies in which coloured, exotic kinds from different continents may land on your shoulders.

TIP: On the island is also a farm, a petting zoo, an adventure and aqua playground, all of which let children and youngsters enjoy their time on Mainau.

Island of Reichenau

The biggest island in Lake Constance is Reichenau. Since 2000 it and its monastery are listed as UNESCO world heritage. The island’s flair is characterized by gardeners, fishermen and winegrowers, but precious old churches give a glimpse of past times. The Minster of Saint Markus and Maria developed during the middle Ages into a mighty abbey church of Gothic style. The churches of Saint Georg as well as of Peter and Paul were built in Romanesque times and house relics, writings and paintings of inestimable value. The history of the island is explicitly exhibited in the museum of Reichenau.

Interesting facts: The Benedictine's abbey Reichenau was owned by the probably most influential European school of Painting of the 10th and 11th centuries. Bishops, kings and emperors commissioned there writers to create liturgical splendoured manuscripts. The Benedictine's monks created incredible pieces of art whose beauty and precision still today fascinate and represent the climax of the Ottoman book illustration in Germany.

The Rhine falls at Schaffhausen

On sunny days there is always a rainbow over the Rhine falls at Schaffhausen. Water falls down from 23 metre height filling the air with spray. With a width of 150 metres the Rhine Falls is the biggest waterfall in Europe. Many tourists visit the falls which is actually situated in Switzerland, to witness the spectacular sight of masses of water falling down.  

TIP: A spectacular firework takes place every year on the 31st of July and turns the Rhine falls into coloured scenery. During darkness the water of the falls is encoloured by different light effects.

Basilica Birnau

When driving along the northern shore of Lake Constance, the baroque church Saint Marien comes into sight. Better known as "Basilica Birnau", the church is one of the most important pilgrimage churches in the region. The bell still rings in the mighty and 51 metre high tower. Its inside is characterized with an excessive rococo splendour. Following the seven altars of St. Peter's cathedral in Rome, also this Roman-Catholic church has seven altars.

TIP: The Pfänder, a mountain of 1064 metre height and popular vantage point at Lake Constance, is a favoured destination. From there you have a marvellous view over the lake, Upper Swabia, the Rhine Valley and a total of 240 mountain tops situated in the austrian, german and swiss Alps. 

Photo: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock