Bodensee! Christmas Magic at Lake Constance
The scent of gingerbread & mulled wine. Hand-crafted gifts. Sweets treats. Warming melodies.
Pocket guide for groups and tour operators
2016 www.bodensee.eu
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Map Useful Information
10 - 11 5
Ăœberlingen 6 Friedrichshafen 7 Ravensburg 8 Vorarlberg 9 St.Gallen 12 Constance 13 Mainau Island
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The White Fleet
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Lake Constance Experience Ticket
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Local Transport
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Distances 19
Foto: Š Paul Aschenborn 3
“10 good reasons to be enchanted by Christmas at Lake Constance”, because …
there are delicious specialties such as Käsknöpfle, Dinnele and the famous Olma-Bratwurst from St.Gallen
attractions like candle making, handicraft work and story time not only inspire children
the musical entertainment creates a festive atmosphere
young and old meet for a stroll at the Christmas market
there is a wide range of craft, art and design
every Christmas market around the Lake Constance is unique
the sea of lights warms up every heart
different customs and traditions from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein will be celebrated
there are even floating stalls on a „Christmas ship“
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christmas knows no frontiers
Useful Information Currency
â‚Ź / Euro (Germany, Austria) CHF / Swiss Franc (Switzerland, Principality of Liechtenstein) Both currencies are usually accepted in the border areas. Credit cards are generally accepted, but some of the smaller shops and restaurants only accept payment in cash. Also tickets for public transport that you buy directly on the ferry or the bus have to be paid in cash.
Pass control
When travelling in the international region of Lake Constance you might cross the border between two countries sometimes even several times a day. On the Swiss border there are routine pass controls, so guests should always carry their ID card with them.
Language
People speak German in the whole region, but with different dialects, for example Swabian or Swiss German.
Roaming
Since the four countries are so close to each other, it might happen that a mobile phone connects to a Swiss network in Germany and the other way around. This can cause high roaming tariffs, so we recommend to select the mobile phone network manually.
More information about Lake Constance: www.lake-constance.com Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH | HafenstraĂ&#x;e 6 | 78462 Constance | Germany Phone: +49 7531 909490 | info@bodensee.eu
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08.12. - 18.12.
Überlingen
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Pure Christmas Feeling Every December, the Hofstatt, the main square in the historic city center of Überlingen, is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland. On festive decorated stands, artisans and traders from Überlingen and the Lake Constance region will offer their lovingly handmade goods, while the smell of freshly baked waffles and other delicious treats typical for the Christmas season fill the air of the picturesque market square. The Christmas market is accompanied by diverse program with musical performances, Advent readings and a colorful spectrum of activities for kids. A visit to the Christmas market can be combined with a stop at „ÜB on Ice“. The ice-skating rink is located next to Lake Constance and offers ice-skating fun for the whole family. You can either skate a few rounds on two blades yourself or watch others while enjoying a cup of hot punch or mulled wine. You will certainly not be bored at the ice-skating rink in Überlingen.
Opening times daily 11 am - 8 pm
Opening times ÜB on Ice 18th November 2016 - 8th January 2017 Sunday - Thursday 1:30 - 20 pm Friday and Saturday until 22:15 pm
Bus parking 10 parking space at station “Stadtmitte” 7 min by foot 6
For more information Kur-und Touristik Überlingen GmbH Landungsplatz 5 | 88662 Überlingen Germany Phone +49 7551 9471522 info@ueberlingen-bodensee.de
Contact person for group tours operators Astrid Manner | Phone +49 7551 9471531 manner@kutueberlingen.de www.ueberlingen-bodensee.de
25.11. - 21.12.
Friedrichshafen
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Christmas Market
For 27 days Christmas magic fills the alleys among the market stalls in Friedrichshafen – a collection of cosy cottages directly on the lakefront of Lake Constance, right next to the Zeppelin Museum. The market with its panoramic view and even a full-size crib is the ideal place to take a stroll, do your Christmas shopping or just enjoy the festive atmosphere. Here you will find gift ideas for every taste, and with a colorful stage programme and a range of events for children, the Christmas market offers great experiences for the whole family. Make more out of your holiday! 1 lake – 4 countries – 1’000 possibilities. Located magnificently on the Northern banks of Lake Constance, Friedrichshafen presents the perfect starting point for spectacular excursions. The unique panorama view across the lake over to the mountains tempts you with virtually unlimited possibilities. Numerous cafés on the waterfront, appealing shopping facilities and the Zeppelin, which has its home base in Friedrichshafen, are waiting for you!
Opening times Monday - Thursday noon - 8 pm Friday - Sunday 11 am - 8 pm
Bus parking 12 parking space Seeparkplatz | Eckenerstraße 16 300 m | 4 min by foot
Reservation service for group tours Tourist-Information Friedrichshafen Bahnhofplatz 2 | 88045 Friedrichshafen Germany Phone +49 7541 3001-0 tourist-info@friedrichshafen.de www.bodensee-weihnacht.de 7
25.11. - 18.12.
Ravensburg
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“Christkindlesmarkt” The unique experience of two special markets! Ravensburg welcomes you to its atmospheric Christmas market, the “Christkindlesmarkt”, in the historic setting of its old city centre. The market takes place in two different locations, each of them displaying a character of its own. Around the “Rathaus”, the city hall, the traditional “Christkindlesmarkt” offers handcrafted goods as well as delicious culinary titbits. Only a stone’ s throw away, in Bachstraße, you find the “Weihnachtsmarkt Reischmann” with its white Christmas tents, where visitors are fascinated by the original creations of candlemakers and wood carvers. Famous for its high quality products, this Christmas market attracts visitors from near and far who come to enjoy the special atmosphere as well as the arts and crafts exhibits with live demonstration. With more than 100 market stands, many of them offering hands-on experiences, the visit becomes an unforgettable event. The kids’ programme includes a gigantic advent calendar, arts and crafts workshops as well as a Christmas bakery in the children’s bakery tent. Ravensburg invites you to discover the “City of Games” in the weeks before Christmas by enjoying the unique atmosphere of our “Christkindlesmarkt” in the historic heart of the city.
Opening times Daily 11 am - 8 pm
Bus parking 3 parking space | Olgastraße 700 m | 9 min by foot 8
Contact person for group tours operators Tourist Information Ravensburg Anna-Maria Barrelmann Kirchstraße 16 | D-88212 | Ravensburg Germany Phone +49 751 82375 anna-maria.barrelmann@ravensburg.de www.ravensburg.de
18.11. - 24.12.
Vorarlberg
Magical Advent on the Austrian side
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From November until Christmas, Christmas markets enchant those who visit the town centres of Bregenz, Dornbirn and Feldkirch with their picturesque settings and a range of selected offerings. The Christmas market in the town centre of Bregenz is open throughout the entire Advent season. On weekends, an additional market in the tranquil upper town invites you to look around, enjoy yourself and do your Christmas shopping. In Dornbirn, the large marketplace is filled by numerous stalls during the advent season, while the sounds of choirs and brass brands fill the air. With its cobblestoned alleys and covered walkways, the medieval town of Feldkirch is also filled with an atmosphere befitting these special times. The “Christmas magic” package deal The “Christmas magic” package for groups comprises one night accommodation in a three or four-star hotel (including breakfast) and can be booked at Bodensee-Vorarlberg Tourismus (starting at EUR 100.- per person for groups of at least 20 participants). It includes furthermore: visits to the Christmas markets in Feldkirch and Dornbirn, a guided tour of Feldkirch, a visit to Dornbirn’s Manger Museum and an evening cruise of Lake Constance with a dinner of Chinese fondue on board.
Contact person for group tour operators Bodensee-Vorarlberg Tourismus Römerstraße 2 | 6900 Bregenz | Austria
Sabine Spiegel | Phone +43 5574 43443-25 sabine.spiegel@bodensee-vorarlberg.com www.bodensee-vorarlberg.com 9
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Switzerland
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CONSTANCE
Germany
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ST. GALLEN
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Austria
Principality of Liechtenstein
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24.11. - 24.12.
St.Gallen The city of stars
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For those who love Christmas time, St.Gallen is one of the best places to enjoy the festive atmosphere. In December, St.Gallen turns into “The city of stars”, as 700 stars begin to twinkle above the old town, adding a festive sparkle to the historic facades of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another heartwarming sight is the huge Christmas tree in the Abbey district, decorated with 18’000 lights. Numerous concerts in St.Gallen’s magnificent cathedral and special events in the Waaghaus, including a food market, choir performances and readings, add to the city’s varied programme in the weeks before Christmas. Between barley broth and merry-go-rounds local traders and vendors offer traditional Christmas goods in around 70 stalls and stands at the Christmas market. The “Christchindli market” also offers homemade specialities such as mulled wine and beer or the typical raclette. City of Stars accommodation package For the advent season, St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourism offers you an attractive accommodation package, starting from CHF 130.- per person and including: Overnight accommodation with breakfast, Christmas city tour with pastries and a hot drink to finish, special meal in a restaurant and a small souvenir.
Opening times Monday - Friday 11 am - 8 pm Saturday and Sunday 11 am - 7 pm 24th December 9 am - 4 pm
Bus parking Museumsstrasse | 950 m | 10 min by foot 12
Contact person for group tours operators St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourism Tobias Treichler | Bankgasse 9 9001 St.Gallen | Switzerland Phone +41 71 2273719 Tobias.Treichler@st.gallen-bodensee.ch www.st.gallen-bodensee.ch
24.11. - 22.12.
Constance
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Christmas Market by the Lakeside During the advent season before Christmas, the stalls of the Christmas market fill the historic centre of Constance right to the waterfront. Every year, more than 400’000 visitors come to the large Christmas market to enjoy the magic atmosphere and marvel at the goods offered by more than 170 artisans, traders and food vendors. Their diverse range of mostly local products will inspire your Christmas shopping, and the typical delicacies and sweets will tempt you to enjoy them along with some mulled wine and punch. The “Christmas ship”, moored at the harbour’s quay wall, invites you to come on board and enjoy the special atmosphere. Come and experience the magic!
Opening times Sunday - Thursday 11 am - 8 pm Friday and Saturday 11 am - 9:30 pm
Bus parking 10 parking space Parkplatz Döbele | Grenzbachstraße 800 m | 10 min by foot
For more information Tourist-Information Konstanz GmbH Bahnhofplatz 43 (in the railway station) 78462 Constance | Germany Phone +49 7531 133030 info@konstanz-tourismus.de www.konstanz-tourismus.de
Contact person for group tours operators Christine Furtwängler | P +49 7531 133026 christine.furtwaengler@konstanz-tourismus.de 13
18.11.2016 - 12.02.2017
“Winter Magic”
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on Mainau Island and in Constance (20 persons mimimum) Mainau-admission, guided tour, culinary delight and overnight stay (on demand) Mainau Island is especially charming in winter. Enjoy the winterly landscape of the island in the middle of Lake Constance and the sparkling shores with the Alps in the background. Our professional guides will take your group through winter’s atmosphere on Mainau, through historic buildings and into the tropical heat of the Butterfly House, one of the largest in Germany. From 18th November 2016 to 12th February 2017, you can also dive into the enchanting world of wooden toys and sceneries by Margarete Ostheimer. For your dining pleasure, the Mainau chefs provide you a lunch menu in our restaurant Schwedenschenke, optionally with fish or vegetarian. Your group wishes to extend their stay at Lake Constance and visit the council city of Constance or the Christmas market? After a Mainau-visit Hotel Ibis offers nights from EUR 34.- in a double room.
For more information Mainau GmbH | Sabine Gahr | 78465 Insel Mainau | Germany Phone +49 7531 303-249 | vertrieb@mainau.de | www.mainau.de 14
The White Fleet Winter pleasure with the White Fleet The White Fleet is operating on Lake Constance even in winter: in December the Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe (BSB) gets its passengers into the Christmas spirit. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday during Advent, visitors can take relaxing round trips from Constance, Friedrichshafen and Lindau. On the afternoon “Advent cruise”, passengers enjoy freshly brewed coffee and delicious cakes. Under the banner “winter magic”, the BSB invites passengers to take Christmas round trips in the evening, enjoying a delicious 3-course buffet on board. The last highlight of the year is the New Year’s Eve cruise on 31st December, offering guests the chance to welcome the New Year with culinary delights, music and dancing. The experience is rounded off with a magnificent firework display on the lake. Boats leave from Constance, Meersburg, Friedrichshafen and Lindau. Our gift vouchers In 2017, it will be “Cast off” again! The new season will once more offer a wide range of events and tours with a specific theme. A dinner cruise to the Bregenz Festival with its spectacular open-air performances is just one of the highlights. Other popular tours include fireworks, wine tasting or breakfast accompanied by live music. Tickets for these memorable events are a great gift for someone special!
For more information Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH | Hafenstraße 6 | 78462 Constance | Germany Phone +49 7531 3640-0 | info@bsb.de | www.bsb.de 15
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Bodensee! Epic Moments at Lake Constance
60 Attractions. One Ticket. Endless Adventure.
The Holiday Pass of Lake Constance
During the winter season, take the chance to discover Lake Constance from a quite different angle: appealing excursions and attractive offers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein leave nothing to be desired! The new winter edition of the all-inclusive card at Lake Constance “BodenseeErlebniskarte” opens the door to more than 50 attractions that present their offers to visitors also during the winter season. Away from hustle and bustle the attractions in three countries and one principality can be visited from mid October to April. The card offers free admission to museums, baths, mountain railways and ships on three selectable days. Whether one is interested in culture, seeking rest, or enjoys winter sports, the Lake Constance region offers a varied program. In addition, the owners of the winter edition of BodenseeErlebniskarte get some exclusive services. The opportunity of choosing three flexible days makes it also attractive for locals to discover many attractions or to refresh their childhood memories. The season of the winter edition of BodenseeErlebniskarte begins on 17th October 2016 and ends in April 2017.
Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH | Hafenstraße 6 | 78462 Constance | Germany Britta Frischmuth | Phone +49 7531 909499 | frischmuth@bodensee.eu The Holiday Pass of Lake Constance can be obtained from the tourist offices and many visitor attractions: www.BodenseeErlebniskarte.eu 17
Local Transport around Lake Constance
Train lines connect many towns surrounding the lake, with lake views during most of the journey. Most buses in the cities come inclusive with local guest passes. The Euregio Bodensee pass offers particularly good value for money; it is valid within the booked zones for trains, busses and also on two ferry lines in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A boat trip on Lake Constance is a highlight not to miss: the boats operated by the Vereinigte Schifffahrtsunternehmen für den Bodensee und Rhein (VSU) connect the towns around the lake from April to October and in autumn and winter scenic lake cruises are on offer. The Katamaran connects Constance and Friedrichshafen at high speed every hour and the car ferries between Constance – Meersburg and Friedrichshafen – Romanshorn offer a perfect link.
For more information www.bsb.de/bodensee-faehre www.stadtwerke.konstanz.de/en/mobility/ferry-constance-meersburg www.euregiokarte.com/en/ www.bahn.de/p_en/ www.sbb.ch/en/ 18
Distances Friedrichshafen Ravensburg Bregenz
Constance
24 km 1:05 h *
Friedrichshafen
Vaduz
St.Gallen
Lindau
40 km 1:15 h *
68 km 1:15 h
97 km 1:20 h
47 km 0:55 h
45 km 1:20 h *
20 km 0:25 h
40 km 0:35 h
88 km 1:00 h
40 km 1:25 h *
21 km 0:19 h
52 km 0:40 h
100 km 1:10 h
96 km 1:10 h
30 km 0:28 h
54 km 0:40 h
41 km 0:40 h
20 km 0:18 h
70 km 0:45 h
68 km 0:46 h
Ravensburg
Bregenz
Vaduz
St.Gallen All information is supplied without guarantee.
58 km 0:49 h
* incl. ferry
My notes
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Stuttgart
GERMANY
Munich
Ravensburg Friedrichshafen Schaffhausen Constance Lindau
Frauenfeld
Bregenz St.Gallen SWITZERLAND Zurich
AUSTRIA
LIECHTENSTEIN Vaduz
Innsbruck
Milan
Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH Hafenstrasse 6, 78462 Constance, Germany Phone +49 7531 909490 Fax +49 7531 909494 info@bodensee.eu www.lake-constance.com Publisher & Copyright: Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH, subject to changes Design: hggraphikdesign Heidi Lehmann, Radolfzell Fotos: Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH & their partners Achim Mende, Mainau GmbH, SHOTmedia Daniel M. Frei, Sternenstadt St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus (2012), Dornbirn Tourismus und Stadtmarketing
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