Bodensee Magazin English Edition (IBT GmbH)

Welcome to

Bodensee Lake Constance Germany | Switzerland | Austria | Principality of Liechtenstein

Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH ... the Lake Constance Region Tourism Board www.bodensee.eu

WELCOME TO SUNNY SOUTHWEST GERMANY With four fabulous seasons, there’s always a right time to visit one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. In sunny summer, explore the romantic Black Forest; in autumn, watch grapes being picked for award-winning wines; in winter, shop at Christmas markets in medieval towns; in spring, photograph gardens ablaze with flowers and blossom. And everywhere is so close: tour historic Heidelberg castle and Stuttgart’s glamorous palace; enjoy Baden-Baden’s elegant spas and casino; watch the sunset on Lake Constance; ride the rollercoasters at Europa-Park Rust.

We are just a click away: www.tourism-bw.com

www.tourism-bw.com info@tourismus-bw.de

Fourcountryregion Bodensee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mobility on Lake Constance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Cruise across Lake Constance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Stadtwerke Konstanz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Cities, regions & sights Germany Constance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Mainau Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Untersee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Radolfzell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Singen and the Hegau region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Birnau pilgrims’ church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Überlingen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Hagnau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Meersburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Immenstaad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Friedrichshafen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Upper Swabia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 “Schwäbischer Bodensee” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Nonnenhorn / Wasserburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Lindau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Austria Vorarlberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Feldkirch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Principality of Liechtenstein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Switzerland St.Gallen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Published by Labhard Medien GmbH Max-Stromeyer-Straße 116 D-78467 Constance Phone: +49 (0) 7531 9071-0 verlag@labhard.de, www.labhard.de ISBN 978-3-939142-95-9 All rights reserved Copyright © 2013 by Labhard Medien GmbH Managing Directors Thomas Willauer, Gabriele Schindler Project team Stephan Bickmann, Beate Laub, Claudia Manz, Johanna Maus, Nathalie Peter, Thomas Willauer Translator Claire Gordon-Kühl Distribution Katharina Schlude Graphic design Helga Stützenberger Photography Unless otherwise stated, the photos were provided by the respective tourist office.

Cover photo Achim Mende Printed by Stürtz GmbH, Würzburg Bodensee Magazine English Edition is published in cooperation with Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH (IBT).

The Bodensee Magazine English Edition is also distributed

by IBT as a special issue.

For enquiries about Lake Constance please contact Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH Phone: +49 (0) 7531 909490 www.bodensee.eu

Thurgau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Bischofszell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Art and culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 UNESCO World Heritage Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Monasteries & churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 600 Years Council of Constance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Historisches Museum Thurgau, Schloss Frauenfeld . . . . . . . . . . 64 St.George’s Abbey, Stein am Rhein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Meersburg Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Salem Castle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Meersburg New Palace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Hohentwiel fortress ruins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Arrive, relax, enjoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Culinary delights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Hits for kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Facts & figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Photo: Achim Mende

IMPRINT

Wasserburg | Kressbronn | Nonnenhorn | Langenargen Lindau

Bregenz

Rorschach

St. Gallen Romanshorn

Uhldingen

Bischofszell Mainau

Constance Ăœberlingen

Feldkirch Friedrichshafen

Immenstaad Vaduz

Säntis Mountain

Meersburg

Photo: Achim Mende

Hagnau

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Bodensee Magazine | Fourcountryregion Bodensee

Photo: Schaffhausen Tourismus

Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen

Photo: Zeppelin Museum

Zeppelin Museum, Friedrichshafen

Photo: Benno Hagleitner

Bregenz Festival

Reichenau

Frauenfeld

Schaffhausen

Radolfzell

Singen

Welcome

to the “Fourcountryregion Bodensee”

Schwägalp, Switzerland

Fourcountyregion Bodensee | Bodensee Magazine

Photo: Achim Mende

Photo: Liechtenstein Tourismus

Vaduz Castle, Liechtenstein

Photo: Achim Mende

St. Peter and Paul’s church, Reichenau Island

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Discover

endless possibilities

Mainau Island 4

Bodensee Magazine | Intro

Photos: Achim Mende

Glittering water, idyllic villages and an impressive Alpine panorama – Lake Constance is still a favourite among the major tourist destinations in Central Europe. Whether you are looking for relaxation and recuperation, cycling and hiking, sailing and water skiing, or fun and adventure, the diversity of the international Lake Constance region is unique. That also applies to the four neighbouring countries of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein. Each holds cultural and historical treasures, cultivates its own traditions and lives modern culture to the full. The people in each of these four nations attach great importance to preserving their individual characteristics, while sharing a love of the region and the lake. Four countries – four cultures, that means contrasts but also an exciting diversity that is worth discovering.

A boundless expanse of water Situated north of the Alps, Lake Constance, or Bodensee in German, is Europe’s third largest lake. Germany, Switzerland and Austria share the 273 km long shoreline. At the heart of the Alps, wedged between Austria and Switzerland to the east of the river Rhine, lies the Principality of Liechtenstein. The Rhine is the main source of water, entering the lake at its eastern end and meandering imperceptibly across it. Some 60 kilometres further west it leaves the lake again at Stein am Rhein in Switzerland before cascading down the biggest and most spectacular waterfalls in Europe near Schaffhausen in Switzerland. With its maritime flair and the unique backdrop of the Alps, the lake is a watersports paradise for millions of holidaymakers. Thanks to the excellent quality of the water, Lake Constance is not only one of the most popular lakes for swimming in Germany, but also Europe’s largest drinking water reservoir.

Easy to reach from all over the world

Steeped in history and culture The Fourcountryregion Bodensee offers a wealth of opportunities to discover its astounding history and culture. For thousands of years, this area has been a melting pot of different cultures and a crossing point for trade between the south and the north side of the Alps. Celts, Romans and Alemanni have left their traces. Medieval towns, castles and fortresses are strung around the lake like a pearl necklace. Historic towns of stunning beauty like Constance, Überlingen, Lindau or St.Gallen stand alongside gems such as Meersburg, Bregenz, Stein am Rhein, and the flower island of Mainau. The region also boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Reichenau Island, the lake dwellings that are brought to life in the Pfahlbausmuseum in Unteruhldingen, and the abbey precincts in St.Gallen. Visitors can encounter the region’s history in one of the numerous museums or take a step back in time in the medieval castles and churches.

The region’s rich cultural past is also reflected in the lifestyle of the inhabitants today, their enjoyment of celebrations and the fine arts. Innumerable concerts, festivals, theatre productions, traditional events and exhibitions of all kinds can be enjoyed the whole year round. Museums and galleries with international renown, such as Kunsthaus in Bregenz, Dornier Museum and Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen, put on exhibitions that draw visitors from far beyond the region’s borders. The famous opera at the Bregenz Festival, set on a spectacular floating stage in the lake, St.Gallen Festival and Zurich Festival are highlights of the cultural year.

The landscape between Lake Constance and the river Danube, the Allgäu region and the Swabian Alb is an ideal place to spend your holidays. Upper Swabia draws visitors with unique nature reserves, baroque churches, monasteries and castles, idyllic small towns and a wide choice of natural lakes and modern spas.

Vorarlberg in Austria presents art in the mountains. Cultural events are held in unusual venues: Watch grand opera in the midst of spectacular scenery on the floating stage, or listen to music with views of alpine meadows. The new Vorarlberg Museum once again testifies to the region’s penchant for outstanding architecture. And the small Principality of Liechtenstein with its hereditary constitutional monarchy also boasts a varied cultural scene.

Photo: Michael Häfner

Lake Constance is only an hour’s drive from Zurich airport in Switzerland and less than two hours from the airports in Stuttgart or Munich in Germany – all international transport hubs. It also has two local airports in Friedrichshafen in Germany and Altenrhein in Switzerland. The outstanding choice of accommodation and public transport makes it easy and enjoyable to travel around in the Lake Constance region. Other regional airports within an extended radius in Basel (CH), Memmingen (D) and Baden-Baden (D) offer low-budget flights, ideal for a long weekend or a short break.

From top to bottom: Meersburg Castle, Mettnau peninsula, Birnau basilica

In December, countless Christmas markets of all sizes guarantee a festive atmosphere. Visitors can browse through the stands and sample the many culinary delights.

Fourcountryregion Bodensee | Bodensee Magazine

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Photos: Achim Mende

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Bodensee Magazine | Constance

Out and about on the water and in the mountains

Top left: Arenenberg Palace and Park Bottom left: Lighthouse at Lindau Top: Lake dwellings Bottom: Bregenz harbour

Sports enthusiasts can find plenty of things to do on Lake Constance. The region offers a wide choice of fantastic sports and leisure opportunities. The Lake Constance Cycle Track promises pure delight for cyclists. The 273 km path around the lake is probably the best known in Central Europe. Why not try out the wonderful hiking routes, take a swim in one of the many lidos and thermal baths with wonderful views of the lake and the mountains behind, or in one of the countless open-air and indoor pools in the surrounding countryside. Row a boat, paddle a canoe, sail across the lake, or tee off on one of the well-maintained golf courses.

The Principality of Liechtenstein, surrounded by the majestic Alps, offers a unique mountain experience with breathtaking panoramic views, blossoming alpine meadows and rustic accommodation in mountain chalets. Hikers have a good chance of seeing ibexes and chamois cross their path. In winter, the ski resorts of Malbun in Liechtenstein and Laterns, Bödele or Pfänder Mountain near Bregenz in Vorarlberg are ideal for a day out in the snow with the whole family.

There are many ways to enjoy Lake Constance. The most popular for visitors is surely to take a boat trip on one of the passenger ships of the legendary White Fleet. Put your feet up for a few leisurely hours on board. In summer, a visit to one of the many lidos is an absolute must. The quality of the water in the lake is excellent. There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer’s day than to take a dip in the cool waters. Make sure you take your swimming things with you when you visit Lake Constance! The wonderful spas around the lake are also well worth visiting: Even in winter, you can enjoy views of the lake in water temperatures of over 30°C. Those who appreciate the benefits of “health from nature” on holiday will find qualified expertise on all aspects of fitness, wellness and “medical wellness” in the villages along the Swabian Spa Route.

Culinary delights A holiday on Lake Constance is a treat for the palate. Enjoy the region’s diverse culinary delights. The award-winning international fare features the best dishes from the four nations around the lake. Regional products flourish under ideal conditions and are used by local chefs to create delicious dishes: mouth-watering fish specialities with trout, whitefish and pikeperch, fruit, vegetables and salad of the highest quality directly from the farms around the lake, milk and cheese specialities from the nearby mountains as well as top wines and spirits. Try out one of the many beer gardens or dine in style in a castle restaurant, watch the world go by in a street café or relax on one of the fantastic lake-side terraces. Sample the delightful wines grown around Lake Constance at a winery, or discover local delicacies on the colourful weekly food markets. Titillate your taste buds in a cultivated and stylish ambience – it’s simply delicious!

Not to be missed: Visitors to the region of Lake Constance in autumn can enjoy one of the delicious fish specialities offered at the annual fish weeks on the Lower Lake.

Landscapes and art The scenery around Lake Constance is also unbelievably varied: fascinating volcanic mountains in the Hegau region, picturesque vineyards, hops plantations and orchards around the lake, the famous waterfalls on the river Rhine, gently rolling hills spreading from the Black Forest in the west across Upper Swabia and Bavaria to the majestic peaks of the Alps in the east – rounded off with the ever-changing blue water of Lake Constance. It’s a feast for the eyes. For centuries, the lake has inspired writers, artists, poets and philosophers. Famous names include Napoleon III, Emperor of the Second French Empire, airship inventor Count Zeppelin, aircraft manufacturer Claude Dornier, the poet Hermann Hesse, the mesmerising Franz Anton Mesmer, the artist Otto Dix and the poet Annette von Droste Hülshoff.

The region of Lake Constance also has a long horticultural tradition. With its meadows, fruit orchards and forests, historic parks and a wide range of magnificent gardens, the region is the cradle of European garden culture. Not to be missed: a trip in a Zeppelin over Lake Constance in the world’s largest working airship is a unique experience!

Endless fun with the BodenseeErlebniskarte Explore the lake with just one ticket: The all-inclusive BodenseeErlebniskarte opens the door to over 160 destinations in four countries on Lake Constance!

For those who want to spend smartly or are hungry for adventure, the card offers free or reduced entry to almost all destinations and attractions in the region of Lake Constance. The BodenseeErlebniskarte enables you to visit exciting attractions, fantastic family destinations and fascinating exhibitions without taxing your purse!

The card can be bought at all tourist offices around the lake and at the ticket offices of the White Fleet.

For more information on holidays on Lake Constance: Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH Hafenstraße 6 D-78462 Constance Germany Phone: +49 (0) 7531 909490 info@bodensee.eu www.bodensee.eu

Fourcountryregion Bodensee | Bodensee Magazine

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Photo: Michael Häfner

Mobility on Lake Constance

On land, on the water and in the air People nowadays want to be mobile. They want to see things, visit places, and take their impressions home with them so they can tell their friends about them. It’s an important aspect of being on holiday, especially in such an impressive natural and cultural landscape as the Fourcountryregion Bodensee. As is so often the case, Lake Constance offers much more than other holiday destinations when it comes to mobility. It’s not just about getting from A to B – it’s an adventure in itself.

The history of mobility The Lake Constance region is home to the history of mobility.

Water-borne flight has been inextricably linked to the lake for more than 100 years: On 16 June 1912, the first seaplane lifted off from Lake Constance. On the following day, Theodor Kober, the owner of the aircraft, founded Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen GmbH, the first aircraft factory in Germany specialized in seaplanes. Also in Friedrichshafen, Zeppelin Museum is dedicated to Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin and his silver airships, while the Dornier Museum presents the history of Claude Dornier and his famous Do X. Numerous museums showcase the history of industry and mobility on Lake Constance: Wilhelm Maybach and his eponymous luxury automobiles, the Fritz B. Busch Automobile Museum in Wolfegg, the Rolls Royce Museum in Dornbirn in Austria, the Seemuseum, a maritime and fishing museum in Kreuzlingen, and Classic Bodensee, an association of mobility-related museums including Saurer Museum and autobau Erlebniswelt in Romanshorn, Fliegermuseum Altenrhein and Locorama, the railway experience in Romanshorn. The history of caravanning is brought to life in Erwin Hymer Museum in Bad Waldsee in Upper Swabia, while 8

Bodensee Magazine | Mobility

the Hohentwiel, a steam ship faithfully restored in 1990, invokes the glamorous and luxurious era of half saloon steam ships. From the 15th century, cargo sailing ships called “Lädine” traversed the lake. A replica of one of these ships can now be booked for various activities from Immenstaad. The first car ferry that crossed the lake between Constance and Meersburg, “Meersburg Ex Konstanz,” has now been completely restored and is in service again. And finally, a lively vintage car scene has grown up around Lake Constance.

Experiencing mobility at first hand There are many ways to get around Lake Constance. The international Lake Constance Shipping Company offers regular scheduled routes as well as special trips back and forth across the lake. For a faster crossing, why not use the catamaran connections between Constance and Friedrichshafen or the ferry services between Constance and Meersburg or Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn. The larg-

Photo: Achim Mende Photo: Jan-Manuel Jakobi

Photo: Achim Mende

Photo: Pfänderbahn

Photo: Zeppelin Museum

Photo: Säntis Photo: Thurbo

Getting from A to B fast and conveniently est ship on the lake, the Austrian Sonnenkönigin (Sun Queen), is moored at Bregenz. This top-class event boat is almost a design icon of modern ship building. Nowadays, you don’t have to go to a museum to see a Zeppelin: A round trip on a Zeppelin NT (New Technology) comes at a high price but is an unforgettable experience. Another way to experience mobility on Lake Constance is on a cable car, such as the Pfänder cable car in Bregenz, Austria, or Säntis cableway in Switzerland, which covers an altitude of some 1,200 meters. They all combine the experience of floating up a mountain with a wide range of different activities. Those who prefer a more active holiday can follow the Lake Constance Cycle Track along 216 km through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Suggestions for tours and a choice of accommodation allow you to tailor your trip to your own individual taste.

E-bikes and Segways are also a growing trend on Lake Constance and their quality and the distance they can cover are improving rapidly.

Of course, Lake Constance is also a skaters’ paradise. For fun on the water, visitors can choose from an increasingly wide range of watercrafts, such as canoe tours, especially on the Untersee.

On Lake Constance, you can get from A to B with public transport and relax at the same time – by bus, train or boat around the lake. The best way to do this is with the Euregio Bodensee day ticket, which allows you to travel through the countries bordering onto the lake – Austria, Germany and Switzerland. For families, small groups and individuals, the Euregio Bodensee day ticket is an inexpensive way to avoid the stress of road traffic and explore new regions on public transport.

The shipping companies grant ticketholders a discount on the normal price for scheduled boat trips on Lake Constance and the Rhine, allowing you to combine a tour around the lake with a short boat trip. The VHB guest card is another remarkable offer and further improves the range of services for visitors to Lake Constance. The VHB guest card (VHB guest pass with VHB logo) allows guests in the villages of Allensbach, Gaienhofen, Gailingen, Moos, Öhningen, Reichenau, Steißlingen and the town of Radolfzell to travel in 2nd class on all buses and trains in the Verkehrsverbund Hegau-Bodensee transport system within the district of Constance throughout their stay. www.bodensee.eu Mobility | Bodensee Magazine

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Photos: Achim Mende

Cruise across Lake Constance

Explore the lake with the White Fleet

Catamaran between Constance and Friedrichshafen

The passenger ships of the White Fleet crisscross the lake between spring and late autumn. The German, Austrian and Swiss shipping companies with their 35 ships coordinate their timetables to offer boat trips to all the towns and many villages around the lake as well as day excursions. The boats themselves vary immensely: The fleet includes ships from over 80 years of shipping history ranging from modern conference ships to charming “old ladies” from the ’20s and ’30s.

The choice of destinations is vast: Take the boat to the pretty flower island of Mainau, to the Pfänder, Bregenz’s own mountain, or Meersburg Castle. Cyclists can use the ships as part of a cycle tour, and take a breather on deck. Relax on one of the many round trips available in addition to the regular scheduled boat crossings: for example around Überlinger See and the Untersee, or around the bays of Bregenz and Rorschach.

In addition, there are many special excursions to choose from, such as mother’s day cruises, sunset trips, dance boat rides, New Year’s Eve cruises or special culinary crossings as well as excursions to the Bregenz Festival, the Wine Festival in Meersburg, the Seehasenfest in Friedrichshafen or the Lake Festival with amazing fireworks in Constance and Kreuzlingen. You can even get married on a ship!

Since July 2005, two high-speed catamarans have operated an hourly service between Constance and Friedrichshafen. Travelling at a maximum speed of 40 km/h, they take passengers from one town to the other in around 45 minutes, all year round. The landing stages are close to the town centres and tourist attractions such as the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen or the Sea Life Centre in Constance. The catamaran offers ideal connections to other means of public transport.

Information and timetables Germany: www.bsb-online.com Switzerland: www.bodensee-schiffe.ch Austria: www.vorarlberg-lines.at

Information and timetables: www.der-katamaran.de

Enjoy the romance of a steam ship – the Hohentwiel In 1962 the Hohentwiel was removed from the Lake Constance fleet after 49 years in service. Unlike all other steam ships from this era, it was spared the fate of being scrapped. In the 1980s, a club was founded to save the Hohentwiel and, after costly renovation work, it was proudly relaunched in 1990. With its elegant lines, the Hohentwiel embodies more than any other historic ship the functional and aesthetic qualities of ship construction in its day. Yawls made of mahogany using traditional methods, polished navigation lanterns, bronze reliefs with the Württemberg coat of arms and exquisite furnishings all convey the unparalleled opulence of the belle époque. Today, the Hohentwiel offers special excursions and round trips as well as cruises.

Information: www.hohentwiel.com

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Bodensee Magazine | Cruise across Lake Constance

Photo: Sonnenkönigin

Surely one of the best ways to soak in the views of Lake Constance with its expanse of blue water and the beautiful surrounding countryside is on a boat trip.

Swimming bridges – the car ferries

MS Sonnenkönigin – queen of the lake

The ferry crossing linking Constance and Meersburg was launched in 1928. Today, up to six car ferries offer a continuous service between the two towns. It takes 15 minutes to cross the lake, giving drivers a chance to save time and energy, and have a rest at the same time. The ferry is also an attractive means of transport for cyclists, pedestrians and bus passengers. Every quarter of an hour, bus service no. 1 brings passengers from the centre of Constance to the ferry harbour in the suburb of Staad. The ferry between Constance and Meersburg crosses 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There is also a ferry connection between Friedrichshafen and Romanshorn bridging the widest part of the lake (14 km). The crossing takes approx. 45 minutes. The ferries run once an hour all year round (from approx. 6 am to 9 pm).

In autumn 2008, Lake Constance acquired a new attraction, the luxury liner MS Sonnenkönigin. This futuristic looking ship is a true sensation. It was built using 500 tons of steel and seats 1,000 passengers. With its length of almost 70 meters and 1,200 hp engine, it beats all records. The MS Sonnenkönigin is a dreamboat with a freefloating stage, two sun decks and 1,000 square metres of glass windows offering views onto the lake. It can be hired for theatre productions, concerts, congresses, fashion shows or exclusive corporate events. The technological highlights are an extending stage and a gallery on the main deck. The rooms on this event ship are spread over four decks; several bars and a lounge as well as a sophisticated lighting system provide for an exclusive ambience.

Information and timetables Constance-Meersburg: www.sw.konstanz.de Romanshorn-Friedrichshafen: www.sbsag.ch

Information: www.sonnenkoenigin.com

Cruise across Lake Constance | Bodensee Magazine

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Explore the lake

By bus, ferry, ship or catamaran

Stadtwerke Konstanz, Constance’s public transportation and utility company, gets you around the lake on the public buses, the passenger ships of the Lake Constance Shipping Company (BSB), the ferry between Constance and Meersburg, or the catamarans Constanze, Ferdinand and Fridolin. If you are looking for a way to spend your free time, Stadtwerke Konstanz also offers a choice of indoor and open-air pools as well as Bodensee-Therme Konstanz, where you can swim, splash around or simply relax.

Fast connections with the catamaran The three catamarans Constanze, Ferdinand and Fridolin have been flitting across the lake between Constance and Friedrichshafen since 2005. These fast boats cross the lake in just 45 minutes. Inside, the catamarans offer comfortable seating, while outside on deck, passengers can let the wind blow through their hair. Both historic Constance and Friedrichshafen are great places to visit with a wide choice of shops and recreational activities.

Cast off!

The best way to explore the region of Lake Constance, whether you are a regular visitor or here for the first time, is by boat. Scheduled trips on the passenger boats of the White Fleet kill two birds with one stone: Not only are they a relaxed and convenient way to visit many destinations around the lake like Mainau Island, Pfänder Mountain or the Lake Dwelling Museum in Unteruhldingen, the boat trip itself is a special experience. On board, you can enjoy the unique lake views with a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. Visitors are spoilt for choice between a package deal combining the boat ticket and entrance to a particular destination, a themed trip such as the “spaghetti boat,” or a cruise to Bregenz Festival.

Ferry between Meersburg and Constance Many commuters use the ferry from Meersburg to Constance every day. For tourists, however, the 15-minute crossing is like a minibreak. Cyclists and pedestrians also use the “swimming bridge” that has joined the towns since 1928. Once the ferry has docked at the port in Staad, passengers can take the no. 1 bus towards the town centre, which is coordinated with the arrival times of the ferry. The locals call their town buses “Red Arnold” after the man who founded them, Fritz Arnold, the mayor at the time.

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Bodensee Magazine | Stadtwerke Konstanz

Constance’s swimming pools are invigorating The best thing to do in Constance in summer is to take a dip in the cool lake. The five lidos are popular, after all a swim in Lake Constance is something special. The outdoor pool at Bodensee-Therme spa has a long giant slide and a wide water slide that promise an exhilarating ride. Younger guests will find plenty to do in the toddlers’ pool. Once the summer season is over, there’s no need to do without a refreshing swim: Schwaketenbad, the largest indoor pool on Lake Constance, is ideal for families. The 100-meter “Magic Eye” tyre slide is a special treat.

If you are looking for relaxation, why not visit Bodensee-Therme spa: Lie back on the water jet loungers and let the warm water wash around you or enjoy a gentle massage from the jet nozzles. The large thermal pool with a flowing water channel allows you to take a vitalising swim outside in any weather. The sauna area with a choice of saunas is ideal for those who like to sweat it out. It also has a relaxing pool and a cold dip pool for refreshment in between sauna sessions, as well as quiet rooms and a panorama deck.

Stadtwerke Konstanz GmbH Max-Stromeyer-Straße 21-29 D-78467 Constance Phone: +49 (0) 7531 803-0 info@stadtwerke.konstanz.de www.sw.konstanz.de

Photo: Michael Häfner Photos: Achim Mende

Home of the Council of Constance C O N S TA N C E

Constance is the largest town on Lake Constance and the only German one on the southern shore of the lake. The well-preserved historic town centre borders directly onto Switzerland, Lake Constance and the Seerhein, where the lakes flows out of the Obersee, or the Upper Lake, as a broad band of water in a northwesterly direction. On clear days, the view from Constance’s harbour stretches past sailing boats rocking gently on the water, over the wide expanse of the deep blue lake as far as the impressive peaks of the Alpine foothills. Constance is a shopper’s paradise with countless shops to browse through and explore, and street cafés on Mediterranean squares or tucked away in secluded corners where you can rest your feet. The metropolis on Lake Constance is an ideal base for excursions by ship or passenger boat.

A regular car and passenger ferry crosses the lake between Constance and Meersburg, while the catamarans Fridolin, Ferdinand and Constanze take you to Friedrichshafen, home of the Zeppelin, in just 45 minutes. Pleasure boats take visitors from Constance to almost all the towns and villages around the lake. Mainau Island, the flower island nearby that belongs to Constance, is probably the best known destination on the lake and can be reached by boat, on foot or bicycle.

600th anniversary of the Council of Constance From 1414 to 1418, Constance was the focal point of the Christian world. A new pope was to be chosen here, far from the centres of power of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church was split, with three popes claiming the Holy See for themselves. Ultimately, one of them withdrew, two were rejected, and a new one was elected in Constance. For five years from 2014 to 2018, under the motto “Europe is a guest,” the city will be recalling the events of the Council. Each year will be assigned a particular theme and dedicated to a different personality. www.konstanzer-konzil.de Tourist-Information Konstanz GmbH Bahnhofsplatz 43 D-78462 Constance Phone: +49 (0) 7531 1330-29 info@konstanz-tourismus.de www.konstanz-tourismus.de

Constance | Bodensee Magazine

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MAINAU ISLAND

Paradise in the middle of Lake Constance

Magnificent flower displays the whole year round, a park with a 150-year-old tree population, the baroque splendour of the castle complex and church, and of course its Mediterranean flair all make Mainau, the flower island in Lake Constance, so special.

Photo: Michael H채fner

Photo: Stephan Arendt

Thanks to the mild climate, visitors can unwind in the midst of nature and indulge their senses at any time of year. In the mid-19th century, the island was acquired by Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden, who turned it into his summer residence. Through marriage, it came into the hands of the Swedish royal family. From 1932, the flower island was awoken from a deep slumber by Count Lennart Bernadotte († 2004), a Swedish prince by birth and great-grandson of the Grand Duke. He redesigned the overgrown park to create a verdant paradise of plants and flowers, making the island the biggest tourist attraction on Lake Constance.

The present generation of the Bernadotte family offers visitors from all over the world to the island’s gardens constantly new ideas and inspiration to enable them to enjoy nature and relax.

Every season on the flower island has its own special appeal. At the most colourful time of year from March to May, snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, scilla and tulips create a magnificent carpet of flowers with over a million blossoms. From May to June, over 200 different variations and types of rhododendrons bloom. Summertime is rose time: From the end of May to the first signs of frost, 10,000 roses of more than 1,000 varieties adorn the island in Lake Constance. Palm trees, lemon trees, flowering bougainvillea and the heavy aroma of angel’s trumpets herald the arrival of midsummer. Dahlias create an autumnal mood on Mainau with their explosion of flowers. More than 270 varieties of these sun-loving tubers grace the southern slopes of the island in late summer and autumn. And when the last blossoms have faded, the beds have been cleared and everything is ready for the island’s brief winter sleep, the quieter season begins on Mainau Island.

This is the ideal time for languorous winter walks. The horticultural focus at this time of year is on the Palm House. Those looking for more warmth can admire the colourful butterflies in the Butterfly House.

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Bodensee Magazine | Mainau Island

In spring 2014, Mainau Island opens its newly designed restaurant “Comturey” in the gardens on the shoreline at the island’s harbour. This new addition to Mainau’s gastronomy encompasses the “Comturey” à-la-carte restaurant with an open kitchen as well as a beer garden on the harbour and the bakery “Täglich Brot”. The rooms offer plenty of space for weddings and other family functions. The “Comturey” is also equipped for conferences. In designing the new building, Mainau GmbH has put the focus on creating a light and airy interior using natural materials such as wood and stone with large windows to showcase the breathtaking views of Lake Constance and the Alpine peaks in the distance. The aim from the very start in planning the new restaurant was to integrate it into its environment as far as possible both visually and in terms of energy efficiency. Along with the new building, the entire garden section of the harbour has been redesigned. A roof garden on top of the restaurant can be reached from the lakeshore and from the castle without having to climb steps and will be planted with an extensive array of hydrangeas and other flowers.

Photo: Achim Mende

Mainau Forest Experience: Nature at close quarters Since April 2013, the adjacent mainland has been incorporated into Mainau’s operations. “Erlebniswald Mainau” is an adventure forest for lovers of nature and avid climbers, allowing them to experience the forest’s ecosystem in several interactive stations and gain a better understanding of this biosphere. Covering an area of 1.6 hectares, the park combines elements of a classical high rope course with the appeal of a climbing forest, and the special features of a treetop path with unusual tree house architecture. Visitors can park in the island’s car parks and walk to the adventure park along a sensory trail that deals with the topic of the forest. “The focus is on education and teaching people about the environment,” says Count Björn Bernadotte, Managing Director of Mainau GmbH. “We want to expose people, especially those who do not otherwise have the opportunity to come into contact with nature and the forest as a biosphere, to this important subject with the help of various activities,” explains the count, who is a qualified social education worker. The adventure forest also features a 100-metre-long elevated circular path that takes visitors up to

seven metres off the ground, two near-natural tree houses at present and five rope courses at an altitude of up to 25 metres. In the next step, there are plans to integrate up to ten tree houses into the adventure forest. The nearby former convent of St. Katharina houses a beer garden. The concept caters for people of all age groups and interests, who enjoy exercising either individually or in a group. “Erlebniswald Mainau” is suitable for events with a focus on adventure for school classes, youth groups, clubs or works outings as well as for seminars and training courses.

Mainau – The Flower Island D-78465 Insel Mainau approx. 5 km north of Constance Phone: +49 (0) 7531 303-0 www.mainau.de

Mainau Island | Bodensee Magazine

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Photo: Achim Mende

The refined corner of Lake Constance

UNTERSEE

Flanked by attractive hills, the Untersee, or Lower Lake, on the Swiss-German border at the westernmost end of Lake Constance boasts a diverse landscape. Everything that makes the Lake Constance region so appealing can be found here in a small area: unspoilt shorelines with a unique flora and fauna; beautifully situated islands and peninsulas, fantastic bays and gently rolling hills; a wide range of castles, monasteries and romantic palaces; culinary delights, outstanding culture, and a breed of people who make it easy to feel truly welcome. Country inns, exclusive gourmet restaurants, cosy pubs, family-friendly holiday apartments and hotels as well as tidy campsites provide the setting for the region’s famous hospitality.

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Fascinating history

Fresh delicacies

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Reichenau Island with its Romanesque churches and the medieval town of Stein am Rhein with its historic painted facades are outstanding examples. Artists including Otto Dix and Adolf Dietrich have always found an abundance of inspiring subjects on the Untersee, as did Hermann Hesse over 100 years ago and other significant poets. Guests can follow a tour to monasteries in the region, the art route or the “pedalling to poetry” literary cycling route to discover the region’s varied cultural history, or immerse themselves in the world of Napoleon III on a visit to Arenenberg Castle.

The “refined corner of Lake Constance” serves up delicacies from the meadows, fields, orchards and vineyards around the lake as well as from the lake itself with typical Baden charm and Swiss hospitality. Restaurateurs produce simple and tasty meals from five main regional and seasonal ingredients, just “a handful from the Untersee”.

There are plenty of opportunities to try out regional cuisine on a tour through the vegetable gardens on Reichenau Island, a visit to the gourmet market in Radolfzell and at various culinary festivals.

Bodensee Magazine | Untersee

Photo: jehago-Fotolia

Top left: The Napoleon Museum at Arenenberg Castle Top right: St. Georg’s church, Reichenau Island

Tourismus Untersee e.V. Im Kohlgarten 2 D-78343 Gaienhofen Phone: +49 (0) 7735 919055 info@tourismus-untersee.eu www.tourismus-untersee.eu

Garten Rendezvous

A moving experience

The annual Garden Rendezvous reflects the region’s gardening tradition. As long ago as the Middle Ages, the first instruction handbook for gardening and growing herbs, the “Hortulus”, was written on the island of Reichenau. Public and private gardens that are often not otherwise accessible to the public open their doors to interested visitors at this event.

A cruise on a scheduled passenger boat on the Untersee can easily be combined with a visit to a castle or museum, a hike or a cycle tour. The Untersee is a perfect place for yachting and other such pursuits. The many lidos on the lake promise refreshment on warm days and are also popular with the locals in summer.

Chauffeur service Bird’s paradise The Untersee is one of the most important ornithological regions in Central Europe with a huge number of species. In the extensive conservation areas, birdwatchers can see grebes, reed warblers, whoopers, red-crested pochards and many more varieties of birds. Nature observers of all ages can undertake excursions on their own or join one of the regular guided observation tours on land and water.

Overnight guests in Radolfzell, Allensbach, on Reichenau Island, in the villages of Moos, Gaienhofen and Öhningen can use public transport free of charge in the Constance area as far as Stein am Rhein in Switzerland or Überlingen in Germany. Guest card holders enjoy a 20 percent discount on Swiss scheduled boat services on the Untersee as well as reduced admission to museums, free guided tours and discounts on renting bicycles and boats.

Untersee | Bodensee Magazine

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RADOLFZELL AM BODENSEE

Much more... ... than just underwear Dynamic, sexy, exciting, inspiring or just plain comfortable – there are many ways to describe not only Radolfzell’s most famous product but also the town itself.

Nowadays, most people not only associate the town of Radolfzell on Lake Constance with Schiesser, the well-known underwear brand. The town is also known for holidays, relaxation, leisure and health. Blessed with an ideal climate (Radolfzell boasts the most hours of sunshine on the lake), it has a southern flair that is reflected in the way of life of the people who live here.

Situated at the heart of the holiday region of Untersee, the town of Radolfzell captivates visitors with its charm. There is plenty to discover here: a medieval town centre, attractive gardens in the town’s former moat, narrow lanes and historic buildings. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through town and enjoy the cosy cafés and restaurants, exclusive shops and boutiques, as well as the Seemaxx factory outlet centre.

The natural surroundings are a source of inspiration, not only when it comes to art and culture, but also the kitchen and cellar. Cultural events in summer include an open-air gallery in the lanes of the old town, the musical Summer Academy with concerts in the town centre, and performances on the modern stage on the lakeside promenade.

With a wide choice of regional products such as fish from Lake Constance, wines, vegetables and salads, the region also spoils guests with culinary delicacies. A visit to the weekly market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings and the culinary evening market in the summer months on the market square should not be missed.

Vitality up to old age is the aim of Mettnau health resort on the peninsula of the same name. The health concept not only includes medical aspects, but also focuses on exercise and healthy nutrition.

The choice of leisure activities in the town and surroundings is almost inexhaustible, ranging from a peaceful boat trip, a hike or a cycle tour accompanied by a local expert, to all kinds of water sports.

The extensive nature reserves on Mettnau peninsula and the magical Mindelsee lake near the village of Möggingen teem with life. Numerous species of birds breed here in the summer months. Countless migrant birds use the lake as a stop-over on their way south.

They are also the subject of ornithological research by the Max Planck Institute at Radolfzell ornithological station. Those interested can gain an insight into the scientists’ work in the institute’s new visitors’ centre in Möggingen Castle.

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Bodensee Magazine | Radolfzell

The so called “Liebesinsel” (Love island) close to Mettnau peninsula is one of the most picturesque small islands in Lake Constance.

Radolfzell on Lake Constance – a rewarding destination for holiday guests, active holiday-makers, health, culture and nature enthusiasts, bargainhunters and more.

For more information, see: Tourist and City Marketing GmbH, Radolfzell Bahnhofplatz 2 D-78315 Radolfzell / Lake Constance Phone: +49 (0) 7732 815 00 marketing@radolfzell.de www.radolfzell-tourismus.de

Lively metropolis

S I N G E N and the Hegau region

under the Hohentwiel The Hegau region – A fascinating landscape Situated at the heart of the volcanic landscape of Hegau, the Hohentwiel rears its majestic head. This extinct volcano watches over the town of Singen, the region’s clandestine capital, and is at the same time its landmark.

The lively metropolis in the middle of the Hegau region is a diversified cultural centre and bustling shopping paradise in one. Two large pedestrian zones in Singen’s city centre offer a wide variety of shops to wander through. After a successful day in town, visitors can relax in one of the many cheerful street cafés or bars. Singen also boasts a lively cultural scene. While the new municipal hall offers a varied programme that can compare with any major city, the town’s art museum presents work by famous artists such as Otto Dix, Max Ackermann and Erich Heckel as well as contemporary art from the region. The town park on an island between the Aach river and the Mühle canal has an impressive population of old trees. In spring, a wonderful sea of flowers spreads as far as the eye can see. Relax and unwind in the shade of gigantic redwood trees. There is plenty to do in town in the evenings, too. Theatre-lovers, concert-goers and friends of cabaret will enjoy the productions in the new municipal hall or in the “Färbe”, a small but sophisticated theatre. Alternatively, they can take advantage of the concerts and cabaret at the GEMS cultural centre. On warm summer nights, the open-air cinema on the Aach meadow in the park behind the GEMS shows the latest movies. Come and visit us!

Throughout the ages, numerous poets and authors have sung the praises of the lush countryside at the western end of Lake Constance nestled between the Rhine and Danube rivers. The landscape’s unique and distinctive character is the result of two very opposing elements— volcanic fire and glacial ice. Bizarre volcanic formations, stately knights’ castles, the thundering Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen and bewitching rivers all characterize the Hegau region in the southernmost corner of Germany. Nine cone-shaped relicts of archaic volcanic activity are dotted throughout the hilly landscape between the Swabian highlands and Lake Constance. Not only is their form highly unusual but their names are unique too: Hohenkrähen, Hohenhewen, Hohenstoffeln. The most famous amongst them, the Hohentwiel near Singen, is crowned by the oldest fortress ruins in Germany. An extensive network of hiking and cycling routes along streams and lakes, past volcanic formations and old fortresses make the Hegau region a fascinating destination for sports lovers. Thanks to the strategic advantages offered by volcanic elevations, more than 380 castles and fortifications dating back to the Middle Ages can be found within a 20 kilometre radius. No other region in Germany offers so many medieval sites in such close proximity. The impressive Rhine Falls close by, near the city of Schaffhausen in Switzerland, are a must for every visitor. Over 600,000 litres of water per second rush down the cascade, roaring to the swirling depths below.

Culture & Tourist Office Singen Hohgarten 4 D-78224 Singen Phone: +49 (0) 7731 85 504/-510 tourist-info.stadt@singen.de, www.singen.de

Hegau Tourism Hohgarten 4/Stadthalle D-78224 Singen Phone: +49 (0) 7731 85-510/-514 tourist-info.stadt@singen.de, www.hegau.de Singen and the Hegau Region | Bodensee Magazine

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Photo: Achim Mende

Somewhere over the rainbow ...

The impressive Birnau pilgrims’ church near Ăœberlingen was built in the mid-18th century.

Flowering parks and gardens, the longest waterfront promenade on Lake Constance, winding lanes around St. Nicholas Cathedral and a wide choice of cosy cafés and restaurants all make this spa town and holiday destination on Lake Constance a fascinating place to visit.

simply life Ü B E R L I N G E N on Lake Constance

Home to Kneipp therapy and fasting

Garden town on Lake Constance

Überlingen has a long tradition as a health resort. The earliest records of drinking cures and spas in the town’s “Sauerbrunnen,” an acidulous spring, date back to the 15th century. Today, Überlingen is the only recognised Kneipp hydrotherapy resort in Baden-Württemberg and home to fasting clinics and spas of outstanding quality.

In addition to classic “Kneipp” therapy based on five pillars developed

by Sebastian Kneipp, a famous naturopath and priest, therapeutic fasting plays an important role in Überlingen. More than 60 years ago, Dr. Otto Buchinger founded his eponymous fasting clinic here, which now attracts guests from all over the world to Lake Constance. The town also offers other types of fasting, such as the F.X.Mayr cure or Jentschura’s natural alkaline diet.

The holiday resort of Überlingen welcomes visitors with an array of blossoming parks and enchanted gardens. Just a few steps away from the lively town centre, the municipal park provides a green oasis of calm with an extensive outdoor cactus garden, wonderful fuchsia meadows and elegant rose gardens. The town’s former fortifications are surrounded by a city moat, which has been turned into a park. For some years now, it has even been home to a family of eagle owls. These horticultural highlights are best explored on the cultural garden path tour.

Enjoy with all the senses Bodensee-Therme hot spring spa is very popular, especially on colder days, with its large sauna world and cascading pools with underwater music. Enjoy fantastic views of Lake Constance from the warm thermal water of the outdoor pool and leave your cares behind on the relaxing underwater loungers.

For those who prefer more active holidays, Überlingen offers a wide range of sports and leisure activities. The best way to enjoy the wonderful scenery of Lake Constance and the Linzgau region is on foot, on bike or from the water.

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Bodensee Magazine | Überlingen

Family holidays There are plenty of things for families to do in and on the water or at the water’s edge. No fewer than three lidos along Überlingen’s lakefront invite you to splash around and swim in the wonderful water of Lake Constance, while the giant slide at Bodensee-Therme spa promises fast-paced fun for all the family.

At Haustierhof Reutemühle, an animal farm and petting zoo with the largest variety of animals in the whole of Germany, children can feed and stroke the more than 200 different animal species. There is plenty of room to run around and great playgrounds to delight children.

Kur und Touristik Überlingen GmbH Landungsplatz 5 D-88662 Überlingen am Bodensee Phone: +49 (0) 7551 9471522 info@ueberlingen-bodensee.de www.ueberlingen-bodensee.de

HAGNAU

Water, wine

and wanderlust

On the northern shores of the deep-blue waters of Lake Constance, just a few kilometres from Meersburg, the idyllic fishing and wine-growing village Hagnau is waiting to be discovered. Visitors can take a step back in time, treat their taste buds or simply relax – Hagnau has something to satisfy (almost) every wish.

Blossoming gardens and abundant crops

A journey into the past

Nestled among vast orchards and vineyards, Hagnau has an abundance of natural resources all year round. In spring, when the snow on the mountain peaks slowly starts to melt and the buds of the fruit trees break into flower, this small town is at its most beautiful. But in the autumn, when the trees are heavy with crunchy apples, delicious pears and juicy plums, it truly feels like the Garden of Eden.

Tip: Try one of the locally made fruit schnapps!

But apart from wine and vines, a walk through Hagnau reveals a host of other interesting things. Visitors can explore a schnapps distillery or a fishery. A visit to the Hagnau Museum with its collection of Stone and Bronze Age artefacts or the Heinrich Hansjakob Exhibition take you back even further into history. The "Little Museum” awakens childhood memories with its dolls, dolls’ houses and other toys from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Winemaking tradition Wine-growing goes back a long way in Hagnau. But the winemakers here have not always led an easy life, as the statue of Heinrich Hansjakob in front of the town hall still reminds us today. Hansjakob, a pastor in Hagnau from 1869 to 1883, founded Baden’s first winegrowers’ cooperative in 1881, thus helping to preserve the tradition of viticulture on Lake Constance. On an exciting and informative guided tour, visitors can retrace the history of wine-growing and get to sample a glass of fine Hagnau wine, too. The grapes that ripen here on the sunny south-facing slopes are turned into top-quality wines using ecological methods. They have been awarded numerous golden medals and titles such as "Wine of the Year” in international contests.

Tourist-Information Hagnau Im Hof 1 D-88709 Hagnau Phone: +49 (0) 7532 430043 tourist-info@hagnau.de www.hagnau.de

Winzerverein Hagnau eG Strandbadstraße 7 D-88709 Hagnau Phone: +49 (0) 7532 1030 info@hagnauer.de www.hagnauer.de

Hagnau | Bodensee Magazine

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Meersburg

castles & more

Snug little houses, exquisite half-timbered buildings, and a proud castle: that’s picturesque Meersburg.

As far back as the days of the Merovingians, this astonishing little town nestled among lush vineyards captivated travellers with its attractive position. Today, Meersburg has even more to offer: culture, music, museums, culinary delights and fun in the water!

Mighty fortress

Concerts and music

Today, the medieval castle still dominates the town’s silhouette. It is framed by the representative buildings of the New Palace, the old Theological College and the former Dominican convent. Romantic alleyways, idyllic squares and outstanding views of Lake Constance and the Alps can be found here. But the wide range of cultural events, museums, and a sensational choice of recreational activities are equally outstanding.

At the heart of the New Palace is the magnificent Hall of Mirrors.

Guests are greeted by a mischievous cupid. Those who enjoy highquality concerts, readings, lectures and celebrations can come here between April and December to hear performances by well-known artists in brilliant acoustics against the breathtaking backdrop of the lake. Highlights in the summer include open-air concerts on the palace’s terrace and major concerts on the castle square.

Rich in culture The living quarters and staterooms of the New Palace reveal how the Prince Bishops lived in the baroque era. The picture-book town of Meersburg has always attracted artists, painters and writers too.

The permanent exhibition in the town gallery on the first floor of the New Palace attests to this.

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Bodensee Magazine | Meersburg

Meersburg’s museums As in former times, the “flying cigars” of airship navigation float over the blue waters of Lake Constance. The Zeppelin Museum presents early airships and historic collectors’ items. The relationship between art and faith was equally adventurous, as the Bible Gallery impressively shows. The Municipal Museum is housed in the same building as the Bible Gallery and highlights selected periods in the town's history.

Photo: Holger Spiering

Treat your palate Heavenly – is the only way to describe Meersburg’s well-known wine-growing area. The State Winery or the Winegrowers' Association hold winetasting sessions twice a week. For over 30 years, on the second weekend in September, wine connoisseurs have celebrated the Lake Constance Wine Festival in Meersburg’s old town centre with an attractive supporting programme lasting three days.

Meersburg Therme Meersburg Therme is situated on the shores of Lake Constance. The spa boasts a large indoor pool with access to an outdoor pool directly on the lake. Bathers can swim outside and enjoy views of Lake Constance even when it is snowing thanks to the water temperature of 34 °C. A further highlight is the spacious sauna area with a choice of saunas and steam baths, combining Mediterranean flair with an oriental ambience.

Meersburg Tourist Office Kirchstraße 4 D-88709 Meersburg Phone: +49 (0) 7532 440 400 info@meersburg.de www.meersburg.de

Meersburg | Bodensee Magazine

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Immenstaad, the holiday resort for the whole family, is situated on the northern shore of Lake Constance between Friedrichshafen and Meersburg. All the attractive destinations around Lake Constance are within easy and convenient reach, whether by ship, bicycle or car.

Tourist Information Immenstaad Dr. Zimmermann-Straße 1 D-88090 Immenstaad Phone: +49 (0) 7545 201 110 tourismus@immenstaad.de www.immenstaad-tourismus.de

Fun on the lake

I M M E N S TA A D Culinary delights on land

Between orchards and vineyards

Finest regional cuisine

Surrounded by fields of fruit trees and vines, Immenstaad is a miniature version of the Garden of Eden. The best time to visit is when the trees start to blossom at the end of April or the beginning of May, or during harvest time in September and October. Enjoy a walk along the Immenstaad Apple and Wine Path linking the surrounding villages. Learn about this fruit-growing region in passing, so to speak. The path offers fantastic views of Lake Constance and the Alpine ranges. The Hochberg (454m) between Immenstaad and Kippenhausen is one of the most breathtaking viewpoints on the lake.

Many wine and fruit growers sell their produce directly from the vineyard or orchard. A large number of farms also offer complete farmyard holidays.

Restaurants in Immenstaad offer culinary delights made with fresh regional produce and of course fish fresh from the lake such as whitefish, perch and trout. Alternatively, you can buy fish caught freshly every day by Immenstaad’s very own professional fisherwoman and prepare it yourself. A special culinary highlight is sampling the wine grown by Immenstaad’s winegrowers. To get more information and register, see the tourist office.

A carriage ride through the orchards and vineyards around Immenstaad is a special experience for all age groups. They take place every Wednesday between Easter and the end of October. Reservations can be made in the tourist office.

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Bodensee Magazine | Immenstaad

A sailing trip on a historic Lädine The Lädine in Immenstaad has become well-known as a special attraction in the region. Take a journey back in time on a one-hour round trip or a romantic two-hour sunset excursion on this replica of a historic cargo ship (from April to October). Special trips on Sundays include brunch or a “white sausage” breakfast. Pirate trips are organised in the Easter holidays and between the middle of June and the beginning of September. Register at the tourist office. Information on the Lädine can be found at www.laedine.de

Photo: Achim Mende

Friedrichshafen ...

... home of the Zeppelin, not only boasts unique panoramic views of the lake and the Alps; it is also

an ideal place to meet and mingle, revitalise and relax, explore and enjoy. Friedrichshafen offers countless opportunities as a holiday destination in the international Lake Constance region with one of the longest lakeside promenades, its baroque Schlosskirche church, Zeppelin Museum and Dornier Museum, the School Museum or a flight on a Zeppelin NT.

Discover Upper Swabia Upper Swabia is a holiday region packed with diversity between Lake Constance and the river Danube, the Allg채u region and the highlands of the Swabian Alb. It has the best of everything: unique nature reserves, baroque churches, monasteries and castles, lovely little towns and idyllic villages as well as numerous natural lakes and spas.

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Bodensee Magazine | Upper Swabia

Upper Swabia | Bodensee Magazine

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Health and nature

Active holidays

Upper Swabia is a true gem for all health, wellness and nature enthusiasts with a wide choice of spas, wild romantic moors and gently rambling hills. The “Schwäbische Bäderstraße” is some 180 kilometres long and connects nine spa towns and health resorts on Lake Constance, in Upper Swabia and the Allgäu region. They offer an array of health, wellness and medical treatments for a relaxing and healthy stay in glorious natural surroundings.

The Upper Swabian landscape stretches from the highest point in Württemberg, the “Schwarze Grat” (1,118 metres) near Isny, via the drumlins of the Allgäu region and the moorlands around the spa towns all the way to the meadows of the Danube. This varied swathe of land offers a wide choice of cycle routes to suit all levels of fitness.

Most lead through woods and on little-used roads. The gently rolling hills are a paradise for hikers and ramblers too.

Culture and baroque

Where children have a heavenly time

Wellness in Upper Swabia

Monasteries, castles and mills It is said that in Upper Swabia, the sky is so near you can almost reach up and touch it. That’s not because the hills are so high, but due to the many architectural gems in the region by baroque building masters who created a paradise on earth. Upper Swabia is also perfect for culture buffs. The many monasteries, churches and castles here have given the region the name “baroque heaven”. Along the Upper Swabian Mill Route, holidaymakers can discover unrecognised treasures, while fairy-tale castles tell a fascinating story of bygone centuries.

Left: The Basilika in Weingarten is the largest baroque church north of the Alps.

Upper Swabia – nature at its best

Upper Swabia and the Allgäu region of Württemberg are an ideal holiday destination for families with children of all ages. Just a few kilometres south of Ravensburg is the theme park Ravensburger Spieleland – a true paradise for children. Take a trip to the past on a visit to an open-air museum or a tour through one of the many castles and palaces. A special experience for the whole family is a ride on the historic steam train “Öchsle” through Upper Swabia. The many lakes in the region promise refreshment on warm days, while those who like it hot can choose from one of the many spas.

Oberschwaben-Tourismus GmbH Neues Kloster 1 D-88427 Bad Schussenried Phone: +49 (0) 7583 331060 info@oberschwaben-tourismus.de www.oberschwaben-tourismus.de Upper Swabia | Bodensee Magazine

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FA M I Ly H O L I D Ay S on Lake Constance

“Schwäbischer Bodensee” The holiday region “Schwäbischer Bodensee” on the Swabian shores of Lake Constance between Friedrichshafen and Lindau is the perfect place for a family holiday on the “Swabian Sea,” as Lake Constance is fondly called. Encompassing the four resorts of Eriskirch, Kressbronn, Langenargen and Tettnang with a wide choice of apartments, holiday farms and fruit farms, Gohren campsite directly on the lakeshore, Langenargen family holiday village and the family farm restaurant “Gut Hügle”, it has just what you need for a relaxed and exciting family holiday.

Activities for all the family Between March and December, some 300 events are organised for children and families, more than anywhere else around the lake. They range from children’s theatre productions to a trip on the captain’s sloop, carriage rides and horse-riding events, “bat walks”, pirate cruises and children’s sailing courses. Of course, families should not miss a trip to Ravensburger Spieleland, just a few minutes’ drive away.

Boat rides and water sports A ride on one of the passenger ships on Lake Constance is a must for all visitors to Lake Constance. The boats of the White Fleet depart from Kressbronn and Langenargen heading for the best-known destinations around the lake, such as Mainau Island, Meersburg Castle, or the pile dwellings in Unteruhldingen.

There is also plenty for fans of water sports to do: “Schwäbischer Bodensee” is the largest centre for water sports on the lake. Three modern harbours offer berths for 2,500 boats. At the Match Race Germany held every year at Whitsun, the world’s best sailors battle it out boat against boat to crown the champion.

For more information, see www.schwaebischerbodensee.de. We also welcome your questions about holidays on Lake Constance or requests for specific accommodation in English: Schwäbischer Bodensee Obere Seestr. 2/1 D-88085 Langenargen am Bodensee jost@schwaebischer-bodensee.de www.schwaebischer-bodensee.de

Lake Constance Cycle Track The Lake Constance Cycle Track is one of the most popular cycle paths in Europe.

Thanks to the region’s central position and in combination with the scheduled boats and trains, guests can cycle round Lake Constance without having to spend each night in a different hotel.

Tourist-Information Langenargen Obere Seestraße 2/1 D-88085 Langenargen Phone: +49 (0) 7543 9330-92 touristinfo@langenargen.de www.langenargen.de

Regional specialities Fish, and especially whitefish, can be found on menus all around Lake Constance.

But other Swabian specialities like Spätzle, Maultaschen or Schupfnudeln are popular dishes here. The region is also known for its apples and delicious Lake Constance wine.

See here for more information on “Schwäbischer Bodensee”.

Schwäbischer Bodensee | Bodensee Magazine

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NONNENHORN

“Enjoy life on the lake” … is the philosophy in the idyllic winegrowing village of Nonnenhorn. This charming health resort on the shores of Lake Constance is surrounded by fruit trees and vineyards as well as glorious panoramic views of the Alps on the opposite shore.

Visitors love it here in the quieter early part of the season, when the first warm sunrays create an almost Mediterranean flair. When the fruit trees come into blossom, active holiday-makers set off on the many cycling, hiking and Nordic walking routes. Autumn is also a time to enjoy, with vivid colours and aromatic fruits at harvest time. During the grape harvest, winegrowers allow visitors to watch them at work in the vineyard and the wine cellar. For gourmets, excellent restaurants offer culinary delicacies made from regional produce accompanied by local wines. Those who prefer a more rustic atmosphere should take time to visit one of the traditional “Rädle” taverns that grow and sell their own wines and where you can enjoy a hearty snack in good company.

Nonnenhorn welcomes visitors with gardens in bloom, a village character, idyllic squares and friendly hosts. Further attractions include the pretty 13th century St. Jacob’s chapel, the 400-year-old wine press, and the beautifully cared-for village museum.

Nonnenhorn is also an ideal starting point for trips to Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland with its pier and railway station. It is also on the Lake Constance Cycle Track. The lido on the lake with a heated pool promises fun and relaxation for young and old.

Various concerts, guided cycle tours and walking paths through the orchards, explanations about the wine press by winegrowers, and popular festivities are organized almost all year round. Examples include ”classic fish” in April, “Komm und See” in July, the wine festival in August, “Gourmet & Dixie” in September, and “Essen und Tschässen” in October.

Nonnenhorn – “Enjoy life on the lake”…..welcomes you!

Tourist-Information Nonnenhorn Seehalde 2, D-88149 Nonnenhorn Phone: +49 (0) 8382 8250 tourist-info@nonnenhorn.eu www.nonnenhorn.eu

WA S S E R B U R G

A perfect holiday destination

Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Constance on a heritage listed peninsula, the village of Wasserburg is a real eye-catcher. It offers plenty to discover, whatever the season: In spring, when – earlier than elsewhere – forsythias and magnolias provide a dash of colour; in May, when the fruit trees blossom; in summer, when the lake promises refreshment; in autumn, when fiery red and bright yellow leaves transform nature; and even in winter, when the church steeple in the village is covered with glistening snow.

Festivals are celebrated in style in Wasserburg. Visitors can enjoy traditional culinary delights from the region in a relaxed atmosphere, with fresh, local specialities from the lake and the garden, with wine, beer, rituals and music! Events like the monthly evening market, maypole dancing, the “Fish and Lake” festival, the Fountain Festival as well as the 36

Bodensee Magazine | Nonnenhorn | Wasserburg

open-air cinema and “Hot Summer” open-air disco night in the Aquamarin swimming pool right on the shores of the lake promise fun and enjoyment for all.

Wasserburg, surrounded by Lake Constance with views of the Austrian and Swiss Alps, offers a wide choice of sporting activities and leisure opportunities for all the family!

Tourist Information Wasserburg Lindenplatz 1 D-88142 Wasserburg Phone: +49 (0) 8382 887474 tourist-info@wasserburg-bodensee.de www.wasserburg-bodensee.de

© 2006 EUROPACORP – AVALANCHE PRODUCTIONS – APIPOULAÏ PROD

Europa-Park’s most elaborate indoor attraction!

“ARTHUR” – A themed flight through seven fantastical kingdoms with a host of high-tech special effects (accessible for children from 4 years of age and a height of 100 cm) 10-m children’s freefall tower Giant slide centre Fantastical merry-go-round and much, much more

Year-round fun at its finest ... at Germany’s biggest theme park!

• Over 100 unique attractions and spectacular shows

• 11 racy rollercoasters and 5 cooling water attractions

• 17 different themed areas, 13 of which are European

• Hip parties, great themed festivals and events all year round

• Lots and lots of great highlights, numerous specials and lavish

• Fabulous accommodation in the wonderful 4-star themed hotels,

decorations at Halloween and during the winter season

Splashing summer fun

Thrilling rides

in the adventurous Camp Resort or in your own caravan

Winter magic

Wonderful overnight stay

Europa-Park – Theme Park & Resort in Rust near Freiburg/Black Forest www.facebook.com/europapark

Info-Line +49 7822 77-6688 · www.europapark.de

M

ore to offer – Lindau’s number one hotel. Over 150 years of tradition are a guarantee for atmosphere, style and quality. Welcome to our hotel. We will be delighted to do all we can to make your stay an enjoyable one.

More to offer – Mediterranean flair on the lake promenade of the island town of Lindau; views of the Bavarian lion and the lighthouse, across the lake to the Swiss and Austrian Alps; relaxation and leisure in our wellness area or Babor Beauty Spa; nature and culture; a trip on a passenger ship or a visit to the Summer Festival in Bregenz; multi-purpose conference rooms for up to 300 people; our own underground car park and parking spaces.

Open all year round. Under the same management: Hotel Reutemann and Hotel Seegarten.

HOTEL BAYERISCHER HOF · Seepromenade · 88131 Lindau on Lake Constance Phone: +49 (0) 83 82/915-0 · Fax : +49 (0) 83 82/915-591 · hotel@bayerischerhof-lindau.de · www.bayerischerhof-lindau.de

A jewel j wiith traditioon Privately Pri vate ely run hotel directly on the shores of Lake Constance.

Far away town, F ar a way from the hustle and bustlee of to wn, take time to relax and enjoyy this enchanting enjo t enchanting and charming charming g venue venue for holidays, holidays, wellness, wellness, relaxation, celebrations, relaxat tion, celebr ations, weddings, meetings and conferences. two Our tw wo restaurants restaurants and terrace terrace promise pro omise culinary delights international dishes. with in nternational and regional g hes.

Spend unforgettable days days at this peaceful pea aceful and charming charming hotel.

Hotel Bad Sc Schachen hachen Schachen Bad Sc hachen 1 Constance 88131 Lindau / Lake Consta ance Germanyy German

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Phone: +49 8382 298-0 0 Reservations: Reservations: +49 8382 2 298-600 info@badschachen.de info@badschachen.de www.badschachen.de www.badschachen.de • book directly

Hotel is open n April to October Schachen Schachen Bad Ba ad & SPA SPA year-round year-round (Monday (Monday & Tuesday Tuesday closed November November till March) Ma arch)

Photo: Achim Mende

The crystal-clear lake, snow-covered mountains in the background, lush green surrounding countryside, and in the midst of it all an idyllic island with incomparable charm and a fascinating old town with picturesque lanes: Lindau is a corner of Bavaria with a Mediterranean flair in the international region of Lake Constance. A tour through the historic island town takes us along the lakeshore to the famous harbour entrance framed by the lighthouse and the Bavarian lion, to the old town hall, along medieval Maximilianstrasse to the market place with its two churches and the municipal museum with its painted murals.

Photos: Vorarlberg Tourismus: Popp & Hacker; Christoph Lingg; Ralf Larmann; Ludwig Berchtold

Vorarlberg Inspiring and culturally minded

Vorarlberg has many stories to tell. Above all stories about forging new paths and experimenting with new ideas. Vorarlberg is celebrated for its lively cultural scene, sophisticated and sustainable architecture and its commitment to the finest regional specialities.

The state of Vorarlberg in the far west of Austria, right next door to Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, is famous for its inspiring blend of high-quality culture and stunning nature.

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An appreciation of art From grand opera on Lake Constance to brisk exercise in the mountains, Vorarlberg is the perfect place to discover new things, try out new ideas and experience a unique region. The westernmost Austrian state blends an idyllic Alpine landscape with a vibrant urban lifestyle. The scenery reaching from Lake Constance to the more than 2,000-meter-high mountains is a treat for the eyes. In the towns and villages, unusual buildings take visitors by surprise at every turn.

Nowhere else in Austria can you find so many examples of exquisite contemporary architecture in such a small area. The region boasts a cosmopolitan cultural scene, while excellent restaurants and inns serve regional cuisine of the highest quality.

Vorarlberg hosts major cultural festivals that are permanent fixtures and yet in a constant state of renewal. The region’s museums provide a stage for artists from all over the world. Kunsthaus Bregenz (KUB) is one of the leading exhibition spaces for contemporary art in Europe. The new Vorarlberg Museum in Bregenz opened in 2013 after being redesigned and enlarged.

Bregenz Festival not only features spectacular stage designs and wonderful music: The lake itself and the different moods created by the weather guarantee a special atmosphere every evening. In 2014, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s atmospheric fairy-tale opera “The Magic Flute” will be performed on the floating stage. Poolbar, a pop Vorarlberg | Bodensee Magazine

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Photos: Vorarlberg Tourismus: Peter LĂśwy; Marco Mathis; Gerald Hotz; Sepp Mallaun; Chrisoph Lingg Kleinwalsertal Tourismaus: Hans Wiesenhofer

Distinctive architecture culture festival in Feldkirch, presents music and culture from pop to niche music.

Bregenzerwald is the destination of choice for those who enjoy the finer pleasures in life. The Schubertiade, the largest Schubert festival in the world, is held in the picturesque village of Schwarzenberg from June to August. In Angelika Kauffmann Hall overlooking idyllic Alpine pastures, outstanding musicians perform chamber music concerts, song recitals and piano evenings, lectures and master classes.

Hohenems at the heart of the Bodensee-Vorarlberg region also hosts top-class concerts between May and September as part of the Schubertiade.

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Vorarlberg’s modern architecture is particularly striking. Architects and craftsmen create new interpretations of traditional architecture using mainly timber and glass. Clear lines are a distinguishing feature of these new houses that stand out in the landscape and yet blend in.

The interiors are also highly sophisticated. Energy-efficient building is considered good form, as is designing rooms with ecologically sound furniture and materials.

In Andelsbuch, the new Werkraum Haus that opened in 2013 is a showcase for innovative craftsmanship in Bregenzerwald and a place to meet. Entry is free all year round at the published opening times and there is also a shop and a cafe.

Culinary delights

Winter, a wonderful time of year

In relation to the number of inhabitants (around 374,000), Vorarlberg boasts an exceptionally large choice of outstanding restaurants and inns compared to other Austrian states. The appreciation of gastronomic delights has a lot to do with the high quality of the ingredients, which mainly come from small local farms. Chefs in the region have used seasonal and regional produce as a matter of course for many years.

This awareness and appreciation of good food has resulted in a number of initiatives to promote the bonds between gastronomy and agriculture and encourage the use of regional specialities. One such example is the Bregenzerwald Cheese Street. The full-flavoured mountain cheese from Vorarlberg is probably the region’s best known speciality. It is produced in countless small cheese dairies as well as Alpine dairies in summer. Fresh fish from Lake Constance and awardwinning brandies are further Vorarlberg delicacies. Some Vorarlberg distilleries are among the best in Austria.

Whether on piste or off, Vorarlberg is the ideal place for skiers who want to experience new thrills. The conditions are ideal and the landscape stunning.

Many of the state’s ski resorts are at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,400 metres above sea level where snow is guaranteed. Vorarlberg’s convenient location on the northern edge of the Alps means that it has plenty of natural snow.

Recharge your batteries and find your own rhythm in Vorarlberg in winter. Enjoy a cross-country skiing tour, for example, a sledge ride with Huskies or a hike along one of the many winter hiking routes.

Vorarlberg Tourismus GmbH Poststraße 11, A-6850 Dornbirn Phone: +43 (0) 5572 377033-0 info@vorarlberg.travel, www.vorarlberg.travel/en

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F E L D K I R C H – a medieval jewel

Town ofof Montfort the Counts Welcome to a fascinating town in which past centuries come alive. Wander through the ages down the leafy streets of the romantic town of Feldkirch. This medieval jewel has a history that stretches back over 800 years. Austria’s westernmost town also has a full cultural calendar and offers many attractive holiday opportunities for visitors interested in cultural history.

The picturesque town centre, its ideal location bordering onto Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany, the captivating landscape of the region between Lake Constance and the three-thousand-metre peaks of the Eastern and Western Alps – this is what makes Feldkirch so special. But Feldkirch is more than just a charming town in a lovely setting or a base for outings.

Between past and present

Founded in the Middle Ages by the Counts of Montfort, the town on the river Ill was already an important trading hub due to its strategically advantageous location at the meeting point between four countries. In the following centuries, the town of the Montforts developed into a spiritual, cultural and administrative centre for the region, thanks to its prospering middle class. Today, Feldkirch is a popular shopping town, a modern economic centre and an attractive place to live for its 33,000 inhabitants. But the unique atmosphere of past centuries is still present everywhere. The well preserved and lovingly cultivated old town centre with its centuries-old buildings bears witness to an eventful history.

Historical ambience and modern lifestyle

Particularly in the summer, the numerous small restaurants, bars, outdoor cafés and shops in the winding lanes and romantic arcades of the old town teem with life. The Marktgasse (market lane) lives up to its name. The picturesque row of impressive town houses forms a backdrop for the market stands every Saturday. The abundant choice of fresh local produce is a feast for the eyes. Street cafés and summer bars outside the town’s restaurants invite you to drink a coffee or sit and have a chat.

Discover Feldkirch’s surroundings

Not only the town centre is worth seeing, there is also plenty to see and do in the surroundings. A stroll through the Ardetzenberg Wildlife Park is fun for the whole family and offers marvellous views over the town. Tostner Castle, Amberg Castle, the Water Castle (Wasserschloss) or the old plague hospital (Siechenhaus) – now a youth hostel – are ideal places to discover traces of the past. The town’s vineyards are also worth visiting as Feldkirch has a long tradition of winemaking.

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Celebrations throughout the year Vinobile Feldkirch Over 100 wine growers from all the wine-growing regions in Austria come together at this wine fair to present their fine wines in Feldkirch’s Montforthaus.

April: www.feldkirch.at/vinobile Montfort Spectacle Over 200,000 visitors embark on a journey to the Middle Ages in the oldest part of the town every year. Raise your mead for a toast!

May: www.feldkirch.at Feldkirch Wine Fair The fair has been held in Marktgasse for over 40 years. On five “wine islands”, you can sample your way through the Austrian provinces.

July: www.feldkirch.at Feldkirch Street Artist Festival Street artists from 10 nations transform the old town into a paradise of clowns, jugglers, pantomime artists and comedians for a two-day period.

End of July: www.feldkirch.at poolbar Festival Over seven weeks in summer, an old swimming pool functions as an atmospheric stage for this exceptional pop culture festival, presenting music, theatre, film and art.

July/August: www.poolbar.at ArtDesign Feldkirch This international art fair for 20th and 21st century art and design is the first of its kind in the Lake Constance area.

October: www.artdesignfeldkirch.at Stadtmarketing und Tourismus Feldkirch GmbH Palais Liechtenstein Schlossergasse 8 A-6800 Feldkirch Phone: +43 (0) 5522 73467 tourismus@feldkirch.at www.feldkirch.travel

P R I N C I PA L I T y O F L I E C H T E N S T E I N

A mountain jewel to discover and explore Covering a surface area of 160 square kilometres and with a population of 37,000, the Principality of Liechtenstein is far smaller than neighbouring Germany, Austria and Switzerland, yet holds a unique charm in this region where the four countries converge.

Relatively undeveloped as a tourist destination, it is just a 40-minute drive from Lake Constance and boasts 400 kilometres of hiking paths fit for a prince, a wealth of culture and pleasurable moments …

High Alpine mountain tours

From the banks of the Rhine to the summits of the Rätikon mountains, the Principality of Liechtenstein offers a fascinating range of landscapes. Among them is the Ruggeller Riet, a nature reserve rising from the river Rhine up to the snow-covered peak of Grauspitze mountain at 2599 metres. Such diversity means that hikers can choose from high-altitude hikes to gentle strolls, and from family-friendly themed paths to enjoyable culinary tours.

Princes’ Trail and mountain huts

Liechtenstein’s mountains have long been a well-kept secret among keen walkers, with soaring summits, cosy mountain huts and breathtaking views stretching all the way to Lake Constance. Sure-footed visitors can enjoy two legendary and stunningly beautiful routes: the Princes’ Trail, which winds its way through the bizarre rock formations of the Alpspitz; and the Three Sisters Trail traversing the rock faces of Liechtenstein’s central mountain chain. Alpine meadows along the way invite hikers to enjoy a well-earned rest.

Hiking tours

Less challenging yet just as beautiful is the hike along the Princess Gina Trail and through the Valüna Valley with Liechtenstein’s highest summits towering far above.

During the summer months, the Rhine valley offers a number of easy hikes through stunning natural surroundings. For example, try the historic High-Alpine Trail leading over Eschnerberg mountain in Liechtenstein’s lowlands.

Exciting themed trails

The region’s many themed hiking trails are perfect for the young and the young at heart. On the Walser Legends Trail, walkers of all ages can discover local myths and legends, while the Planet Trail illustrates the distances separating the planets in our solar system and the Bee Trail gives an insight into the world of bees. Fairytale enthusiasts should head to the mountain village of Malbun at an altitude of 1600 metres, which has been awarded the “Familien willkommen” seal of approval by the Swiss Tourist Board in recognition of its family-friendly facilities and activities.

Majestic peaks in winter

From the middle of December, Malbun is transformed into a small but exquisite ski resort for downhill skiers, ski mountaineers and cross-country skiers, with guaranteed snow and a family atmosphere. The Principality’s highest village situated beautifully in a hollow boasts 23 kilometres of excellent pistes and is a paradise for skiers. Enjoy a relaxing and fascinating winter holiday: ice climbing, tobogganing, winter hiking trails, snow shoe tours and mountain hut parties …

Tips Wine enthusiasts should pay a visit to the Prince of Liechtenstein Winery, where they can sample the excellent wines.

Visitors can choose from a total of nine museums, including the Liechtenstein Art Museum, the National Museum and the FIS Ski Museum.

Discover the beautiful mountain landscape in the company of a professional falconer with his majestic golden eagle (May to Oct).

Liechtenstein Marketing Städtle 39 FL-9490 Vaduz Phone: +423 2396363 info@tourismus.li, www.tourismus.li Liechtenstein | Bodensee Magazine

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Highlights between the lake and the Alps S T. G A L L E N – L A K E C O N S TA N C E In St.Gallen, contrasts blend to create a fascinating holiday destination. The city is an ideal place for a short break with its abbey district that has been named a World Heritage Site. The shores of Lake Constance from Rorschach to Altenrhein attract visitors with lidos, water sports and exciting museums.

Bird's-eye view of St.Gallen with Santis Mountain and the Alpstein range in the background

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St.Gallen – Cultural centre and shopping town with a long history The city of St.Gallen in eastern Switzerland is the pulsating heart of the region. Take a stroll through the streets and enjoy the cultural sights and the many shops: The historic abbey district with its magnificent baroque cathedral and famous collegiate library is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The history of St.Gallen and its abbey is closely tied to flax growing and linen weaving. Textile production was already considered a lucrative business and a main branch of production back in the Middle Ages. During industrialisation in the 19th century, embroidery and lacemaking contributed towards St.Gallen’s economic success.

Visitors can take a trip to the town’s “textile” past in the textile museum. It is also worth taking a look at the museum’s textile library and browsing through the old pattern books with more than two million fabric samples.

A walk through the lanes of St.Gallen’s old town centre is best enjoyed on an empty stomach. The World Heritage city boasts not only numerous places of interest, but also an astounding variety of culi-

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nary delights. According to connoisseurs, some of the best restaurants in Switzerland can be found in St.Gallen. Typical restaurants in former merchants’ houses serve specialities that blend haute cuisine with plain hearty fare. Visitors to St.Gallen should definitely try a local Bratwurst. For those with a sweeter tooth, the bittersweet chocolate creations from Roggwiller, a 150-year-old chocolate shop, or the Chocolaterie on Klosterplatz Square are a mouth-watering treat.

Rorschach – Mediterranean town on Lake Constance The little harbour town of Rorschach on Lake Constance is full of hustle and bustle with its brightly coloured town houses and the splendid “Kornhaus.” Magnificent as a baroque palace, Rorschach’s landmark is a former granary that is considered the most beautiful in Switzerland. Visit the town’s many shops and restaurants or stroll along the long lakeshore promenade. Or take a dip in the lake at the historic “Badhütte,” a public pool built on stilts that dates back to the turn of the last century.

Altenrhein and the Rhine valley –

A beautiful nature reserve and wine-growing area Until the beginning of the last century, the Rhine flowed into Lake Constance at Altenrhein. Today, the natural course of the old river Rhine is a nature reserve reaching all the way to Rheineck. The best way to enjoy this romantic river landscape is on a boat trip from Rorschach. Just a stone’s throw away from Rheineck is the village of Thal. Thanks to its protected position in a hollow between the Appenzell and Buechberg hills, wine-growing flourishes here.

Hiking and cycling high above the lake The region of Lake Constance between Rorschach and St.Margrethen is perfect for hiking and cycling. The plateau above Goldach and Rorschacherberg offers particularly stunning views of Lake Constance. It stretches eastwards from Untereggen to the “Stony Table” above the mouth of the old Rhine. Secluded ponds and moorlands as well as a series of impressive castles characterise this beautiful stretch of land above Lake Constance.

Left: The abbey district Above: The collegiate library Middle left: The “Kornhaus” at Rorschach Middle right: St.Gallen Festival on Klosterplatz square, 20 June - 4 July 2014

St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus Bahnhofplatz 1a CH-9001 St.Gallen Phone: +41 (0) 71 227 3737 info@st.gallen-bodensee.ch www.st.gallen-bodensee.ch

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Thurgau on Lake Constance

A holiday paradise

Bathing hut, Ermatingen

The canton of Thurgau is embedded harmoniously in idyllic countryside between Lake Constance and the Alpine foothills on the north-eastern edge of Switzerland and at the heart of the Lake Constance region. The region offers plenty of things to do and places to go as well as a wide choice of cultural sights: Castles, historically significant monasteries and original museums are just waiting to be discovered. Visitors can treat their palate at a wide range of eateries from excellent gourmet restaurants or Lake Constance fish restaurants to typical “Buure-Beizen” (farmhouse taverns). Thurgau promises boundless diversity.

Ideal for cycling, hiking and skating Thurgau is a paradise for cyclists with 900 kilometres of signposted cycle paths through idyllic apple orchards, on minor roads and farm paths. At almost every crossing, signs reliably show the way to go with information on the distance in each direction. They are also used by hikers and walkers, who are spoilt for choice with more than 1,000 kilometres of designated hiking routes. For example, they can follow the Way of St. James as it passes Fischingen Abbey on its way to Lake Zurich. The trails lead past small hamlets with old homesteads and meadows with gnarled apple trees that are typical of the canton of Thurgau. They shroud the landscape with their pink blossoms in April, while in autumn, they are laden with shining golden apples. Some trails take hikers along waterways, following the idyllic course of the river Rhine, for example, the shores of Lake Constance or along the river Thur. The Lake Constance region is also a popular destination for inline skaters, thanks to its well-developed network of tarmac paths.

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Tip SlowUp Bodensee – Decelerate and discover the lightness of being.

SlowUp Bodensee is a skating and cycling event that is held every year on the last Sunday in August. If Lake Constance is the soul of Europe, then the upper region of the lake, which is home to SlowUp Bodensee, is its heart. It boasts the densest network of cycling and skating paths in the world! Nowhere else is it easier to cycle, skate, hike or simply be than here at the centre of Europe. The circular route covering more than 40 kilometres takes cyclists and skaters through wonderful scenery along flat roads and paths through “Mostindien,” the name often given to the region due to its many apple orchards. Visitors can also discover a surprising choice of culinary and cultural delights.

Ittingen Charterhouse, Warth near Frauenfeld

Thurgau water world

Castle tales

Through the changing seasons, Lake Constance promises one highlight after the other: In summer, its cool water provides welcome relief; in autumn, it is a jewel set amid lush meadows and golden forests; in winter, it can be a bizarre ice-covered landscape or even a natural ice rink. And when spring awakens, the anticipation of another summer on the lake is accentuated by the magnificent bloom of the orchards on the southern shores of Lake Constance. With 69 kilometres of shoreline, Thurgau has the longest stretch of water’s edge in Switzerland. The whole of Thurgau is a water fun park with wonderful bathing spots on Lake Constance and some 220 ponds and smaller lakes, as well as 1,600 kilometres of rivers and streams.

One of the most beautiful river boat trips in Europe is along the Rhine from Stein am Rhein to Schaffhausen. The captain has to navigate the passenger boats between shallow banks and wild eddies. A highlight of the trip down the unregulated river is the bridge in Diessenhofen. Boats can only pass under it with their wheelhouse lowered.

Numerous castles and ruins stand out among the gently rolling hills on the southern shores of Lake Constance. More than forty historic castles are dotted throughout Thurgau. Arenenberg Castle and Park is perched high above the Untersee, or Lower Lake, near Salenstein. The home of the exiled Bonaparte family on Lake Constance where Napoleon III spent his childhood and youth now houses the Napoleon Museum Thurgau. History is brought to life in its rooms with original furnishings and the restored park grounds.

Hagenwil Castle near Amriswil blends a historic ambience with exquisite culinary treats. The 13th century moated castle is one of the best preserved castle buildings in Switzerland and has been in family ownership for seven generations. The castle’s restaurant furnished in the Biedermeier style is open all year round. Every year, visitors come to be entertained at the castle festival.

Monastic culture

Tip Experience fishing on Lake Constance close up Thurgau keeps its traditions alive! Guests can enjoy an unforgettable morning on the lake in the company of fisherman Rolf Meier from Ermatingen as he throws out his nets. Afterwards, they can either take their freshly caught fish home with them or have it prepared and served for their delectation in the Seegarten restaurant in Ermatingen.

Combined with an overnight stay, this promises to be a unique Lake Constance experience.

Ittingen Charterhouse is situated close to the canton’s capital Frauenfeld. The Augustine monastery was taken over by the Carthusian Order in the 15th century. The complex that dates back to the 16th to 18th centuries shows how the monks lived their solitary lives in cells arranged around a cloistered courtyard. Today, the Charterhouse welcomes visitors with a wide range of cultural and culinary treats and a modern hotel. Ittingen Museum gives a genuine impression of how life in the monastery must have been with authentic rooms such as the well-appointed dining room, the bare monks’ cells and the church. The charterhouse also houses Thurgau Art Museum with a small, fine collection of contemporary art. Visitors can find peace and inspiration in the monastery’s gardens, church and

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charterhouse. Monastic culture can also be found in the south of Thurgau. Since the early Middle Ages, Fischingen Abbey has been an important stop on the Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. Fischingen Abbey is known far beyond the region’s borders not only as a monastery with pottery and meditation for pilgrims, but also as a hotel, meeting and conference centre.

Trucks, trains and racing cars The lake town of Romanshorn boasts two museums dedicated to the history of technology. Locorama situated in a former engine shed presents a collection of historic locomotives and carriages. Just a few metres away, autobau Erlebniswelt takes visitors to the world of racing cars. It was created by Fredy Lienhard, a Swiss racing legend and entrepreneur, to showcase his collection of more than 80 racing and vintage cars. In the neighbouring town of Arbon, Saurer Museum set in a former factory directly on the lakeshore presents historic trucks, fire engines and mail vans as well as historic Saurer knitting machines and weaving looms.

right to wear a bishop’s mitre by Pope John XXIII. This headpiece can now be seen in the canton’s Historical Museum and is considered to be the most precious souvenir from the days of the Council. It is therefore hardly surprising that it attracts the utmost attention.

Traces from the late Middle Ages can be found throughout Thurgau, which is why practically the whole canton is involved in some way in the anniversary celebrations for the Council of Constance. All over the canton, a wide assortment of ideas have been generated to encourage people to (re)discover Thurgau in all its diversity from 2014 onwards. Various trails take visitors through the canton and its medieval history.

Tip Napoleon Museum Thurgau: Medieval patrician’s garden As part of the events surrounding the Council of Constance, Napoleon Museum Thurgau has reconstructed a medieval patrician’s garden complete with grassy banks, trick fountains, fragrant plants and rose arches, fruit trees, and a maze with breathtaking views of the lake.

From left to right: autobau Erlebnsiwelt; Arenenberg Castle and Park; culinary delights on Lower Lake; apple orchard in Altnau on Lake Constance; cycling in the canton of Thurgau

Tip Visit autobau Erlebniswelt Visitors can take a look round the exclusive exhibition at their own pace. The museum is open every Wednesday from 4 to 9 pm and on Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.

Culinary diversity Thurgau celebrates the Council of Constance!

Discover the Middle Ages in Thurgau from 2014 to 2018!

What does the canton of Thurgau have to do with a Constance synod that took place 600 years ago and why is it so involved in the preparations for the five theme years to celebrate this event? Quite simply, because this international sensation would not have been possible without Thurgau! Of course, people at the time were aware of the potential that lay south of Constance. Ulrich Richental, the Council’s chronicler, wrote: “Pope John XXIII sent men to Constance who should find out how the country was, whether there was lodging and whether there were towns and villages a mile away that could accommodate foreigners. The town council of Constance therefore ordered me to ride with them to the villages that lay on the Thur. I did so and rode with them two days through Thurgau. However, the envoys claimed that half would be sufficient to find lodging for all foreigners.”

But not only that: The abbot of Kreuzlingen Abbey was granted the

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Bodensee Magazine | Thurgau

Thurgau boasts an excellent choice of places to eat from gourmet restaurants to rustic “Buure-Beize” with plain hearty fare, from family-owned guest houses to a more upmarket ambience with views of the lake or mountains. Wine lovers are tempted to linger and sample a drop in the wine-growing areas along the Untersee and the Rhine or in the hinterlands as far as Frauenfeld and Weinfelden. This is where the Müller-Thurgau grape originated. The cross between Sylvaner and Chasselas grapes was discovered by the Thurgau professor Hermann Müller. Out and about in Thurgau, visitors can find delicacies at every turn. All over the canton, signposts at the edge of the road point to farms selling produce. Follow them to buy freshly harvested strawberries, asparagus, apples, pears, pumpkins and much more, depending on the season. Farm shops and monasteries sell all kinds of regional specialities such as smoked whitefish or chicken, savoury cheeses and farmhouse bread, excellent rapeseed oil as well as preserves and other treats. Other delicacies include dried apple rings or “Gottlieber Hüppen,” the famous wafer rolls from the village of Gottlieben.

“Mostindien” – an apple paradise

Thurgau’s Apple Queen

Apples are to Switzerland what a crossbow is to Wilhelm Tell.

Especially in Thurgau, the largest fruit-growing canton in the Swiss Confederation. Apple orchards as far as the eye can see have earned the canton its nickname “Mostindien”. The red-cheeked fruit is omnipresent here and the triangular shape of the canton is reminiscent of the Indian subcontinent. Until the end of October, fruit farmers here harvest some 48,000 tons of apples, including 30,000 tons of dessert apples. The rest is used for cider or juice. That means that one in three dessert apples harvested in Switzerland comes from the canton on Lake Constance.

The canton of Thurgau chooses a new Apple Queen every year.

She represents Thurgau and its fruit during her year in office at various occasions in Switzerland and abroad, and is therefore an important personality and symbolic figure in the canton. The current Thurgau Apple Queen, Stephanie König, wins people’s hearts with her friendly nature and unaffected way, spontaneity and warmth.

There are many different ways to enjoy apples in Thurgau. One example is the fruit trail in Altnau. The nine-kilometre family-friendly circular route passes magnificent orchards and can be done on foot, by horse-pulled carriage or bicycle. Those who are interested in rare historic apple varieties can find their Garden of Eden in Roggwil, where 320 different fruit varieties flourish on 320 standard trees. Guided tours are available by prior arrangement. The versatile fruit is also a delight in liquid form, as visitors to Möhl cider factory in Arbon can discover. Those with a thirst (for knowledge) can find out all about cider making. Visit the juice and distillery museum and see how apple juice and apple wines are made on a guided tour.

Fact file for Stephanie König (23) from Frauenfeld: Stephanie says about herself: I am friendly, spontaneous, reliable, enterprising, humorous, always honest and sometimes impatient and I love new challenges.

Stephanie likes traveling, holidays, music, reading, her family and friends. Stephanie doesn’t like mushrooms or sports.

Why I want to be Apple Queen: I would like to help to represent the canton of Thurgau and its apples as a healthy and delicious fruit.

Thurgau Tourism Egelmoosstrasse 1 CH-8580 Amriswil Phone: +41 (0) 71 414 1144 info@thurgau-tourismus.ch www.thurgau-tourismus.ch

Thurgau | Bodensee Magazine

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Bischofszell

Baroque town of roses

Activities for sports lovers and families The town of Bischofszell is a true gem, just 30 minutes by car from the shores of Lake Constance and a few kilometres from the Säntis mountain range. Bischofszell not only promises history, culture and adventure, but also the largest annual rose exhibition in Switzerland.

There are plenty of things to do in and around Bischofszell for a short trip or a longer day out. The town boasts a wide choice of sporting facilities, a wonderful swimming pool, a keep-fit trail and a beach volleyball pitch, as well as three golf courses close by. The unique landscape along the river Thur is ideal for strolling, hiking or cycling. The national cycle trail, regional skating route and the Thur hiking route all pass through Bischofszell.

Cultural diversity

A trip into the past

Bischofszell is best known for its old town centre, distinguished by the Swiss Heritage Society (SHS) as an excellent example of a preserved historical site. Visitors can gain an insight into one of the most beautiful historic towns in Switzerland on one of the popular guided tours through the old town centre. As well as conventional tours, a tour with the night watchman is a special treat. He tells tales of days gone by, horror stories and legends.

A unique experience

Every year, Bischofszell is a stage for traditional and modern performances. Regular school musicals and theatre performances by amateur clubs reveal a commitment to fostering culture and cultivating tradition in Bischofszell. There are also concerts by choirs, yodelling groups and music ensembles. Festivities in the town’s districts and lanes radiate a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Town of roses

Bischofszell has been known as a “Rosenstadt”, or town of roses, since the early 18th century. Today, Bischofszell holds the largest rose exhibition in Switzerland every year at the end of June.

Magnificent blossoms fill the town that was officially named “Rose Town in Thurgau” in 2005. The combination of the rose symbolising love and the picturesque lanes of the old town is typical of the charming town of Bischofszell.

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Bodensee Magazine | Bischofszell

Bischofszell also has plenty to offer culture buffs with concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions in various venues. The temporary exhibitions in the municipal museum are also worth seeing.

“Typorama,” the museum for lead typesetting and book printing, and the historic paper machine PM1 next door are unique in Europe.

Experience Bischofszell with all the senses

It is certainly worth taking a rest in one of the cosy inns. Enjoy a delicious culinary treat such as a rose speciality or a night watchman’s menu. For a taste of nature, Waldschenke on Bischofsberg hill offers fantastic views of Säntis Mountain, or take advantage of one of the many firepits along the river Thur. On a tour through the old town centre, visitors can discover more than just historic buildings and narrow winding lanes. The attractive stores invite you to linger and shop. For those who would like to spend a little longer in this picturesque town, the modern hotels and restaurants in the typical historic houses of the old town blend old and new to provide accommodation with flair.

Tourist Information Bischofszell Neugasse 18 CH-9220 Bischofszell Phone: +41 (0) 71 4246363 bischofszell@mawi.ch www.bischofszell.ch

Welcome ....

Take a front seat in the best locations on the Lake

www.bodenseehotels.com

Photo: Archiv

around Lake Constance

The four countries in the region of Lake Constance not only boast wonderful landscapes, but also a wealth of cultural and historic gems. The many excellent museums present historic and national treasures, some in buildings with unique architecture. The Zeppelin and Dornier Museums in Friedrichshafen, Kunsthaus in Bregenz and the Art Museum in Liechtenstein are all outstanding examples.

In 2013, a new art museum opened in Ravensburg’s museum district, gracing the town of Ravensburg with another cultural attraction.

One of Europe’s major art collectors, Reinhold Würth, has added a new museum to his existing ones with the Forum Würth in Rorschach

on the Swiss shores of Lake Constance. The Ebnöther Collection in the Museum zu Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen, opened in 2013, provides Switzerland with an outstanding archaeological collection. The Museum zu Allerheiligen also boasts the largest freely accessible cloisters in Switzerland.

MAC, Museum Art & Cars in Singen, is a museum with a completely new exhibition concept that opened its doors at the end of 2013. It showcases rare vintage cars alongside modern art. And these are just some of the many art treasures and cultural highlights around Lake Constance. Why not enjoy a cultour of the region!

DORNIER MUSEUM FRIEDRICHSHAFEN THE UNIQUE AVIATION AND AEROSPACE MUSEUM AT THE AIRPORT The fascination of flight can be felt in the Dornier Museum. On a trip through the past 100 years of air and space history, one can experience it through the innovative and groundbreaking projects of the aviation pioneer Claude Dornier and the Dornier Group. Countless world records, patents and extreme technical performance document the impressive history of the Dornier company.

With architecture modelled on an airplane hangar, on 5,000 m² it houses 400 exhibits, including twelve original aircraft, one original helicopter, seven full size exhibits from aerospace and faithful replicas of the Dornier Merkur and the legendary Wal N25.

Opening hours May - October: daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

November – April: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed on 24/25 and 31 December Further information at

www.dorniermuseum.de

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Bodensee Magazine | Art treasures and cultural highlights

Photo: Hamer Museum

Photo: Alamannenmuseum

Photo: KML

Art treasures and cultural highlights

Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen GmbH Seestraße 22 D-88045 Friedrichshafen Phone: +49 (0) 7541 38010 zeppelin@zeppelin-museum.de www.zeppelin-museum.de

A journey back in time to the days of the flying giants An age-old dream of mankind became reality on 2 July 1900, when the first Zeppelin airship took off into the sky from Lake Constance near Friedrichshafen. Today, over 100 years later, these airborne giants are still as fascinating as ever.

Housed in the former railway station at the port in Friedrichshafen’s town centre on the shores of Lake Constance, the world’s largest and most significant collection on the history and technology of Zeppelin aviation can be reached directly by car, train or boat.

In the media room, a film brings Zeppelins to life in 3D, while in the Zeppelin Hall, the technology and history behind the LZ 129 Hindenburg are presented in a completely new light, giving visitors a new insight into airship travel and the accident itself with media, films and exhibits that have never been shown before. The main attraction is still the 33m-long reconstruction of the LZ 129 Hindenburg. Visitors can enter a replica of the passenger cabins via a gangway, where they can feel what it was like to be a passenger in the 1930s and experience the elegance of airship travel. Take a glimpse behind the scenes and meet the crew: What was the job of the captain, the pilot, machine operators, gas cell cleaners, etc.

A new section entitled ”Buoyancy, Propulsion, Aerodynamics – Giants in Motion” explains how airships work and the physical principles of flying using experiments and models. Visitors can try out test assemblies for static and dynamic buoyancy, different types of gear units and an engine. In this way, airship technology becomes an experience that can be shared by all the family.

The new “Zeppelin Cabinet of Curiosities” now offers Zeppelin fans the opportunity to compare their own treasures – medals, letters, toys – with those in the museum. Those who want to know more can find background information on the museum’s iPads or take a closer look at the exhibits in all-round display cabinets.

For children, there are exhibits presented at eye level and activities to supplement each topic, allowing them to enjoy the artworks and technological exhibits on display together with their parents or grandparents. In addition, they have the option of exploring the museum with a special “suitcase” filled with activities. For international guests, all introductory material and media stations are also available in English.

The Zeppelin Museum attracts guests all year round with new temporary exhibitions, cultural events and activities for the visually and hearing impaired as well as for people with dementia.

Opening hours May – October: Monday to Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm (last admittance: 4.30 pm) November – April: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm (last admittance: 4.30 pm)

Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen | Bodensee Magazine

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Photos: Achim Mende

Treasures UNESCO World Heritage Sites on Lake Constance

Photo: St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus

The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites currently includes 936 properties in 153 countries. 725 of these are cultural monuments and 183 are natural monuments; another 28 are part of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. Three of them – the prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps, the abbey precincts of St.Gallen in Switzer land and the monastic island of Reichenau – can be found in the region of Lake Constance and offer visitors a fascinating insight into the history of western culture.

Lake dwellings in Unteruhldingen

In the Museum of Lake Dwellings (Pfahlbaumuseum) in Unteruhldingen, visitors can travel 6000 years back in time to the Stone Age and 3000 years to the Bronze Age to witness the fascinating world of the farmers, fishermen and bronze founders who lived on the shores of Lake Constance at the time. On 27 June 2011, the UNESCO declared the prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps a World Heritage Site. www.pfahlbauten.com

The abbey precincts of St.Gallen

In 612, the Irish itinerant monk Gallus settled in what is now the Swiss town of St.Gallen, where he lived as a recluse. Over time, the hermitage developed into an abbey in the early 8th century. The abbey precinct with its magnificent baroque cathedral is a unique historic site. The world-famous collegiate library, with what is probably the most beautiful profane baroque hall in Switzerland today, contains 170,000 books. 50,000 of these are on display in the baroque hall together with a 2700-year-old Egyptian mummy. www.st.gallen-bodensee.ch/en

Monastic island of Reichenau

The monastic island of Reichenau on Lake Constance was incorporated into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on 30 November 2000 as a cultural landscape that bears outstanding witness to the religious and cultural role of a large Benedictine monastery in the Middle Ages. Even today, the monastic tradition can still be seen in religious festivals and processions that cannot be witnessed anywhere else in the world. www.reichenau.de UNESCO World Heritage Sites | Bodensee Magazine

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Photos: Achim Mende

Photo: Markus Leser

Monasteries churches

Monks, nuns and cloisters have shaped the landscape around Lake Constance since the early Middle Ages.

Their farming methods and way of life not only created a unique cultural landscape, but were a driving force for innovation in many respects. By developing land for farming that had laid waste since Roman times, reviving the art of writing in their scriptoria, allowing science to flourish, and not least by spreading Christianity along with intellectual and spiritual renewal, they triggered an enormous economic and cultural boom with an impact that went far beyond the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s borders. The Lake Constance region can justifiably be regarded as the cradle of middle European culture!

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Bodensee Magazine | Monasteries & Churches

Photo: Kartause Ittingen

From left to right: The Cistercian monastery at Salem | The Romanesque All-Saints’ Abbey district in Schaffhausen | Medieval life in St. George’s Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Stein am Rhein | Constance is known for its churches, monasteries and the Council of Constance | Experience history and art at Ittingen Charterhouse | On the trail of monasteries on the Untersee | Above: Upper Swabia – a baroque heaven

A Cradle of European Culture It began in the 6th century, in the early Middle Ages, when the bishopric of Constance was founded, continued with the establishment of the monasteries in St. Gallen and Reichenau Island, included the historic milestone of the Council of Constance from 1414 to 1418, and ended in the heyday of the 18th century – a long period of time during which the Lake Constance region grew to become a political, religious and spiritual centre in present-day Europe. The Lake Constance region as a whole across all national borders is characterised by churches and monasteries. They were centres of

power, not just because of their wealth, but above all their spiritual values. With its store of knowledge documented in libraries and its varied and impressive architecture, the region around Lake Constance was a starting point for a cultural and political development of truly historic and ultimately European significance. This continues to have an effect today, in particular with the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of St. Gallen and Reichenau Island and the anniversary celebrations for the Council of Constance starting in 2014.

Monasteries & Churches | Bodensee Magazine

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Constance Welcomes Europe

600 years Council of Constance

2014 – 2018 One of the biggest events in the Middle Ages took place 600 years ago in Constance. Sigismund, King of Germany and later Holy Roman Emperor, called the Council on Lake Constance together with Pope John XXIII. Ever since 1378, the Catholic Church had been divided by the Western Schism with three popes simultaneously laying claim to the Holy See. The Council of Constance not only ended this schism and produced a new Pope, but the secular leaders present at the event made important political decisions that still shape European history today. The Council also provided a platform for the many participants to exchange and replicate their knowledge and culture; the town on Lake Constance became a melting pot of different cultures. Among the tragic events at the Council of Constance was the fate of the two Bohemian reformers Jan Hus and Jerome of Prague: They came to defend their teachings and were condemned and burnt by the Council.

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Bodensee Magazine | Council of Constance

From 2014 to 2018, Constance invites Europe to Lake Constance once more. To celebrate “600 Years Council of Constance”, the town of Constance is forging a link between the historic event and the future of Europe with a varied programme of events. The anniversary builds on the essence of the Council of Constance: Interaction and dialogue between participants and the inspiration resulting from this for each individual and society as a whole. At the anniversary celebrations, Constance presents itself again as a town of encounters, dialogue and inspiration and as a platform for European exchange. The Council of Constance and the anniversary act as a kind of springboard to communicate the European idea. Over a period of five years, a modern and varied programme of events is being organised with a cultural, scientific and religious focus. The five years are symbolized by five heads standing for five issues that are still as topical today as they were then: 2014 – King Sigismund “Year of the European Congress” 2015 – Jan Hus “Year of Justice” 2016 – Imperia “Living Middle Ages” 2017 – Pope Martin V “Year of Religions” 2018 – Oswald von Wolkenstein “Year of Culture”

Selection of events from the anniversary programme in 2014 27.04.2014 Opening ceremony for the anniversary celebrations of the Council of Constance and the grand state exhibition 29.04.–21.09.2014 The Council of Constance 1414 – 1418. A Medieval World Event Grand state exhibition by the Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe in the Council Building from 27.04.2014 Constance around 1414 – Everyday Life at the Time of the Council Exhibition in Rosgartenmuseum until 22.02.2015 Packed to the Rafters – Constance and its Council Archaeological and Playmobil exhibition in the Archäologisches Landesmuseum BadenWürttemberg 24.05.2014 Cross-Border Sigismund Banquet Grand banquet 19.–22.06.2014 European Avant-Garde Around 1400 Music festival in cooperation with SWR radio 06.07.2014 Ceremony to commemorate Jan Hus and inauguration of the new permanent exhibition in the Hus Museum 29.08.–03.10.2014 your Eyes on Me European video installations All year round Following the Trail of the Council Wide choice of guided tours in and around Constance: Bicycle tours, staged tours of the town, geocaching For further details on the programme, see: www.konstanzer-konzil.de

Council of Constance | Bodensee Magazine

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Above: Frauenfeld Castle with its mighty defense tower from the 13th century Below: The mitre from Kreuzlingen Monastery – a world-class piece of goldwork

The courtroom with late gothic murals; Feldbach Altarpiece (ca. 1460) from Feldbach Cistercian convent near Steckborn

Historisches Museum Thurgau

History

between Lake Constance and the Alps At the heart of northeastern Switzerland, a very special cultural highlight is just waiting to be discovered: The Historical Museum of Thurgau in Frauenfeld Castle. This museum brings the region’s rich history to life. Its collection of cultural and historical artefacts includes medieval paintings and sculptures from churches and monasteries throughout the canton.

Historical museums are fairly commonplace.

But the Historical Museum of the Canton of Thurgau in Frauenfeld Castle offers something unique: The castle itself and the museum’s collection of cultural and historical treasures take visitors on a journey to explore the history of the region between Lake Constance and the Alps. Among the highlights of a tour through the castle are the representative courtroom with its late gothic murals, where the provincial governor used to live, and a climb up the mighty defense tower from the 13th century.

From here, visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the town and the surrounding countryside. The tower was built with megalithic stones that were washed into the valley of the river Thur with the glaciers.

A tour through the centuries

The collections take visitors on a journey through the region’s cultural past from the Middle Ages to the present day. Historical interior design, precious goldwork, illumination and stained glass, sculptures, altarpieces as well as everyday objects attest to the history of the Canton of Thurgau in an informative and entertaining way. One focus of the collection is on convents in the Lake Constance region. Indeed, the Historical Museum of Thurgau can proudly claim to be the museum with the largest number of preserved artworks from convents in the Lake Constance region. Examples include the Christmas relief (ca.

1330) from St. Katharinental or the Feldbach Altarpiece (ca. 1460).

Modern art at the end of the Middle Ages

The altar, named after the Cistercian convent of Feldbach where it was found, is an impressive example of the high quality of art in the Lake Constance region at the end of the Middle Ages. The anonymous painter used the altarpiece showing the Passion of Christ and the 64

Bodensee Magazine | Historisches Museum Thurgau

events at Easter to experiment with new forms of representation: The use of light, curved horizontal lines, a starry night sky, the wide expanse of the lake and the town which is captured in every detail are astonishing. With this new style of painting, the artist broke with medieval tradition. In 2015, Thurgau’s Historical Museum is dedicating a special exhibition to the Late Middle Ages on Lake Constance, the period in which when the altar was created. It will attempt to answer questions such as who governed in the region of Lake Constance in the late Middle Ages, what impact did the Council of Constance (1414–1418) have on eastern Switzerland, and what wealth of art and culture was created in the region between Lake Constance and the Alps at the end of the Middle Ages.

Special tip

Museum Director Gabriele Keck has a special tip for visitors to the museum: “Don’t miss the mitre made especially for the Abbot of Kreuzlingen in 1414 on the occasion of the Council of Constance. This precious headwear has now been restored and shines in new splendour.”

Historisches Museum Thurgau Schloss Frauenfeld CH-8500 Frauenfeld Phone: +41 (0) 58 345 7380 historisches.museum@tg.ch www.historisches-museum.tg.ch Opening hours Tues-Sun 2-5 pm Entrance free

Napoleonmuseum Thurgau

Castle and Park Arenenberg The most beautiful castle on Lake Constance

CH 8268 Salenstein CH-8268 Salenstein Phone+41 +41 32 60 Phone 5871 345663 74 10 napoleonmuseum@tg.ch napoleonmuseum@tg.ch www.napoleonmuseum.tg.ch www.napoleonmuseum.ch www.napoleonpark.ch

Monday – Sunday 10am – 5pm

Monday 1pm – 5 pm Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm mid-October to mid-April Monday closedto mid-April mid-October Monday closed

Top left: St. George’s Abbey Top right: Banquet room with frescos dating back to the Renaissance

Life in a medieval monastery

on the Untersee

St. George’s Abbey in Stein am Rhein In addition to the large monasteries in St.Gallen and on Reichenau Island, numerous smaller abbeys shaped the cultural landscape of the Upper Rhine and Lake Constance in the Middle Ages. One of these gems can be found in the little town of Stein am Rhein: St. George’s Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery, has survived to the present day in an astonishingly intact condition. The abbey museum is open from the beginning of April to the end of October and is considered a well-guarded secret in the exceptionally rich cultural landscape of Lake Constance.

St. George’s Abbey

Established as a proprietary monastery around 970 on the Hohentwiel, the abbey named in honour of the dragon slayer St. George was moved by Emperor Henry II to Stein am Rhein on the Untersee, where the Rhine leaves Lake Constance. From 1007, the Benedictine monks built an impressive monastery complex at this important bridgehead.

All the important areas of the monastery are still preserved today, from the outhouses and guest houses around the three courtyards to the former monastery chapel with its frescos dating back to the late Middle Ages and the cloister buildings, which can be viewed on a visit to the monastery museum. The tour through the museum takes visitors to the abbot’s chapel, the winter and summer refectories, the chapter house and the late medieval cloisters as well as the monks’ cells and the abbot’s private living quarters. Here in the prelate’s apartments that were built and embellished by the last three monastery abbots before the Reformation, visitors can look forward to the highlight of the tour: An exceptional collection of wooden panels and carvings as well as numerous murals that attest to the wealth and education of the last monks of St. George’s Abbey.

Banquet hall

The main attraction of the monastery is the banquet hall with its series of frescos, one of the earliest and most significant artworks of its kind north of the Alps from the time of the Renaissance. They were completed around 1515/16 under the aegis of David von Winkelsheim,

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Bodensee Magazine | St. George’s Abbey | Stein am Rhein

Late medieval cloisters

the abbey’s last abbot before it was dissolved during the Reformation.

David von Winkelsheim commissioned renowned artists from southern Germany to paint the murals, including a son of the famous Holbein family of painters from Augsburg. The iconographic scheme attests to von Winkelsheim’s humanistic education and cosmopolitan worldview: Figures from classical and Christian mythology stand alongside major scenes from the history of Rome and Carthage as well as a unique and multipartite representation of a late medieval fair near the town of Zurzach. In particular this panorama of the fair with its many protagonists and episodes throws a fascinating light on life in the late Middle Ages.

In these rooms, St. George’s Abbey ultimately bears witness to a thriving trade along the European waterway of the river Rhine that linked not only people and goods, but also humanistic education and culture.

Stein am Rhein

The development of the town of Stein am Rhein was closely reliant on and associated with the monastery. The medieval town centre with its richly painted houses still attests to the wealth of its former residents as a result of its privileged position at the intersection of major trading routes. Lindwurm Museum with its exhibition on bourgeois lifestyle in the 19th century is a second museum in the town that is well worth a visit.

St. George’s Monastery Museum Fischmarkt 3 CH-8260 Stein am Rhein Phone: +41 (0) 52 7412142 klostermuseum@bak.admin.ch www.klostersanktgeorgen.ch Open from the beginning of April to the end of October every day except Mondays, 10 am to 5 pm for guided tours of the town including St. George’s Abbey Stein am Rhein Tourist Office Phone: +41 (0) 52 7422090 tourist-service@steinamrhein.ch

Fabulous

Meersburg Castle

High above Lake Constance stands Meersburg Castle, a stone witness to medieval times and the oldest inhabited fortress in Germany. As soon as they cross the former drawbridge, visitors can get a sense of the magic of bygone days, which are brought back to life on a tour through the museum with its old walkways and numerous rooms such as the great hall, living quarters, well room, armoury, knights’ hall, castle dungeon and many more.

The tour starts at the gateway, where a picture hangs over the small lancet door showing a hand almost chopped off as a warning to deter visitors from disturbing the peace in the castle. This was expressed in a painting as most people in the Middle Ages could not read. According to legend, the mighty fortress dates back to the 7th century to the days of the Merovingians under King Dagobert I. In 1211, the castle passed into the possession of the prince-bishops of Constance. It was used first as a summer residence before becoming the permanent seat of the bishopric in 1526. For centuries, the largest prince-bishopric in the German-speaking part of the world was governed from Meersburg. At the beginning of the 14th century, Meersburg Castle became the first German fortress to be besieged with fire arms, but it was not conquered or destroyed. As a result, visitors to the castle are presented with an undistorted and thrilling view of the past at every turn.

From a fortified bishop’s seat to a museum In the course of secularisation, Meersburg Castle fell to the Grand Duchy of Baden in 1803. During this time, a court of law was established that was held in the old castle walls for many years. However, the maintenance and upkeep of Meersburg Castle was so expensive that the Grand Duchy decided to sell it off. In 1838, it was bought by Baron Joseph von Laßberg, an archaeologist and passionate collector of medieval writings, who turned Meersburg into a magnet for literary figures and researchers of his day. The castle was sold for a second time in 1877: Carl Mayer von Mayerfels, an enthusiastic collector of castles, restored the old fortress and created the first castle museum back in 1878. The tour through the museum has been extended several times: The most recent addition, Dagobert’s tower, one of the oldest parts of Meersburg Castle, is now open to the public.

A tour through the Middle Ages The tour through the castle museum with its living quarters, great hall, well room, former kitchen, armoury, walkways, knights’ hall, castle dungeon and much more offers a fascinating insight into bygone days. The torture chamber gives visitors an idea of jurisdiction in the Middle Ages. The rooms belonging to the famous German poetess Annette von Droste-Hülshoff are also included in the tour. In addition, visitors can climb Dagobert’s tower, where they can enjoy the wonderful views of the town of Meersburg and Lake Constance.

Castle museum (Tour the castle on your own) all year round Open every day from 9 am to 6.30 pm (Nov.–Feb. 10 am to 6 pm). Guided tours through the castle museum are available for groups (in English).

Meersburg Castle Burg Meersburg GmbH D-88709 Meersburg Phone: +49 (0) 7532 80000 www.burg-meersburg.de Meersburg Castle | Bodensee Magazine

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Photo: Achim Mende

Salem Monastery & Castle

LEGACy OF CISTERCIAN MONKS

Salem Castle is one of the most significant cultural monuments in South Germany and one of the most popular tourist destinations on Lake Constance. The former Cistercian abbey is nestled in the picturesque landscape of the region of Linzgau. In 1802 it came into the possession of the Margraves of Baden. It has belonged to the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg since 2009.

The castle dates back to the Middle Ages, when the village of Salmannsweiler was donated to the Cistercian Order in 1134 and a monastery erected. The abbey quickly grew to become one of the largest and most important in South Germany. Salem experienced its second heyday in the baroque era, as the magnificently furnished abbey building – still the ancestral home of the Margraves of Baden – testifies to the present day.

Today Salem Castle is a lively ensemble with extensive grounds, court gardens with a labyrinth, playground and artisans’ workshops, which carry on the traditional craftsmanship practised in the monastery’s day. Guided tours take visitors on an exciting journey through cultural history spanning more than seven centuries. They include the gothic abbey church (Münster) with its unique alabaster fittings and the baroque palace with its magnificent halls.

A showcase vineyard and wine tasting sessions with fine wines from the estates of the Margraves of Baden give visitors an insight into the history of wine-growing in Salem from the days of the monastery to the present day. Visit the historic stables, the wine press, the distillery museum and forge. The Fire Department Museum presents historic fire trucks and equipment from the baroque era up to modern times (reopening in August 2014).

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Bodensee Magazine | State Palaces and Gardens

State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg Salem Castle Administration D-88682 Salem Phone: +49 (0) 7553 9165336 schloss@salem.de www.salem.de Open from 1 April to 2 November Mon–Sat 9.30 am to 6 pm, Sundays and public holidays from 10.30 am to 6 pm Varied programme for groups, special exhibitions, theme days and concerts.

Photo: Achim Mende

Meersburg HOW THE PRINCE-BISHOPS LIVED

New Palace

The New Palace in Meersburg towers majestically above picturesque vineyards and the impressive blue waters of Lake Constance. One of the most original baroque residences is still as beautiful now as when it was built in 1710. Its stately architecture and furnishings are impressive, with arched gables and rich ornaments outside and fantastic stucco and glorious frescoes inside.

A special highlight

The exhibition on the principal floor shows how the Prince-Bishops of Constance lived in their Meersburg residence with its magnificent state apartment and private rooms.

As well as diverse topics such as hunting, music at court and the natural history collections that were famous at the time, the museum deals with the town’s later development to the present day.

Visitors can explore the palace with an audio guide, on a guided tour or by themselves.

Special audio guides for children with Rigibunda seagull will also get smaller guests interested in the highlights of the New Palace.

Programme of events

A varied and sophisticated programme of events is organised with musical highlights ranging from pop concerts to classical music. Temporary exhibitions in the museum also invite guests to discover novel aspects of the New Palace. Numerous guided tours on various themes such as wine or life in the court of the Prince-Bishops allow visitors to delve into the palace’s 300-year-old history.

Café with panorama terrace and breathtaking views of Lake Constance

The café in the New Palace serves coffee and cakes as well as a small selection of exquisite dishes. End your visit to the New Palace on the terrace with a cup of coffee and enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Constance as far as the peaks of the Alps!

Meersburg New Palace State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg Schlossplatz 12 D-88709 Meersburg Phone: +49 (0) 7532 8079410 info@neues-schloss-meersburg.de www.neues-schloss-meersburg.de Opening times 1 April to 1 November every day from 9 am to 6.30 pm Last entry 30 minutes before closing time Winter: 2 November to 31 March Sat, Sun, public holidays from 11 am to 4 pm Entrance incl. audio guide Guided tours Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. In winter no tours on Saturdays, group tours and tours in other languages by prior arrangement. For special guided tours, see separate brochure State Palaces and Gardens | Bodensee Magazine

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Photo: Michael Häfner

Hohentwiel fortress ruins The fortress perched on a prominent rock rising above Singen covers an area of some nine hectares and is considered the largest fortress ruin in Germany: Its fortified walls and casemates, its mighty broken towers and the ruins of large houses give a good impression today of how this bastion must have appeared as late as the 18th century. The remains hint at Hohentwielâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great history as a place of enchanted grandeur. Its mysterious walls, nooks and stairways are an absolute paradise for children!

Hohentwiel itself, a former volcano, is a nature reserve. And those who have enjoyed the impressive views over Lake Constance on a sunny day know that it is the best vantage point in Baden-WĂźrttemberg!

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Bodensee Magazine | State Palaces and Gardens

Hohentwiel fortress ruins Phone: +49 (0) 7731 69178 D-78224 Singen info@festungsruine-hohentwiel.de www.festungsruine-hohentwiel.de Opening times 1 April to 15 September 9 am to 7.30 pm, 16 September to 31 October: 10 am to 6 pm, 1 November to 31 March: 10 am to 4 pm.

Guided tours Every Saturday from 1 April to 3 Oct. at 11 am and 2 pm.

Guided tours for groups by appointment.

Relax. Regenerate.

Recuperate.

Treat yourself to some time out.

Klinik Buchinger Wilhelmi Überlingen · GERMANY T +49 75 51 807-0 · F +49 75 51 807-889 info@buchinger.com www.buchinger-wilhelmi.com

FASTING · INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE · INSPIRATION

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Bodensee Magazine | Relax

Photo: Bodensee Therme Konstanz

Photo: Mettnau

arrive. relax. enjoy.

Photo: Bodensee Therme Konstanz

Photo: Bodensee Therme Überlingen

Photo: Achim Mende

Our daily lives are governed by deadline pressure, stress and commotion. We are constantly on the go and rarely find time to relax and put our feet up. However much we look forward to enjoying our well-deserved holidays, traveling can also be a strain on the body. That’s why it is important to take time to arrive, relax and enjoy! Lake Constance at the heart of Europe is an oasis with countless opportunities to take it easy and regain your equilibrium.

Rest your body, mind and soul

Some like it hot

More and more people are using their holidays to improve their health. We can prevent illness before it breaks out if we preserve our health by living consciously, and fully capture the potential inherent in each and every one of us to achieve a higher quality of life. All four countries around the lake are home to high-quality institutions that guarantee a relaxing healthy holiday. METTNAU, set in a unique position, is one of oldest centres for physiotherapy in Germany with a long tradition. It offers a range of treatments under the motto “Movement is life”. Because only an ideal mixture of exercise and relaxation, mental balance and healthy nutrition can help the body to generate the energy it needs to cope with the challenges of everyday life. Buchinger Wilhelmi clinic sits high over Lake Constance, surrounded by parklands. Its method of therapeutic fasting combined with integrative medicine supports the healing process and prevents physical and mental illness, allowing its guests to regain or preserve their quality of life. The 4-star BORA Hot SpaResort hotel in Radolfzell on the western shores of Lake Constance opened in May 2013. The heart of the hotel, the hot spa, promises everything to do in the broadest sense with warmth, heat and steam. In the only Japanese onsen pool within a radius of many hundreds of kilometres, visitors can take part in this Far Eastern bathing ritual while enjoying views of Lake Constance. All around the lake, those looking for relaxation can find excellent hotels with spas, such as the 4-star Hotel Bad Schachen or the 5-star Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Lindau.

The spas in Constance, Meersburg and Überlingen are the ideal place to pamper yourself and indulge in a fantastic sauna and spa culture. Bathing in warm or cold thermal water has the primary purpose of cleansing the body, but also helps to promote health and wellbeing.

Thermal water contains mineral salts that boost the water’s natural buoyancy, reducing pressure on the muscles and joints and promoting mobility. It causes the blood vessels to dilate and improves circulation. After just a few minutes in the water, the minerals and trace elements in the thermal water are absorbed through the skin. The three spas on Lake Constance offer everything guests in need of relaxation could dream of against a magnificent backdrop. Wellness with Alpine views – what can you do but relax?

Restorative prospects Visitors to Lake Constance come back every year to find pleasure and fun, but also peace, relaxation and healing in the many spas, award-winning wellness hotels and medical clinics around the lake.

Once you arrive here, a deep breath is sufficient to trigger the healing process. Take a walk along the lake shore, listen to the gently lapping waves and breathe calmly in and out. After just a few minutes, you will notice a pleasant feeling spreading through your body and your health-conscious holiday can begin. And if you dream of spending your old age on the lake, there is a wide choice of retirement homes, such as the Augustinum in Meersburg or Bodenseeresidenz Lindau, where you can continue to lead an independent life while enjoying professional care.

Relax | Bodensee Magazine

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Photo: Tourismus Untersee

Photo: Holger Spiering

All in the very best taste

Photo: Holger Spiering Photo: Tourismus Untersee

A slice of fresh farmhouse bread for breakfast, a “Dünnele” (similar to Tarte Flambée) to take away for lunch, a portion of “Appenzeller Mostbröckli” (Swiss dried and cured meat speciality) inbetween, and freshly caught whitefish for dinner on a terrace with lake views – just some of the many culinary delights that gourmets can enjoy in the “Fourcountryregion Bodensee.” Lake Constance is a paradise, not only for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and culture buffs. Foodies and aficionados of fine cuisine also get their money’s worth here. Restaurants in the region offer everything from traditional to modern cuisine and place great value on regional products.

The region of Lake Constance is known for its fresh, high-quality and tasty food. Treat your palate on a culinary tour of the region!

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Bodensee Magazine | Culinary delights

Photo: Reichenau Gem端se

Photo: Schaffhauserland, swiss image

Photo: Bregenzerwald Tourismus

Photo: Helga Stützenberger

Outstanding quality Fruit and vegetables, freshly caught fish or poultry, sausages and cheeses, honey or schnapps – nowhere can you find fresher and tastier ingredients or a wider choice of high-quality produce than at the weekly and farmer’s markets around the lake. The many restaurants and hotels also serve their guests almost exclusively local delicacies and tempt them with regional products, such as mouthwatering treats from the Reichenau, the “vegetable island,” freshly caught fish from the lake or high-quality game specialities. A surprisingly large number of restaurants in the region have been awarded Gault Millau points or Michelin stars.

Liechtenstein is also home to excellent wine-growing estates. The climate is influenced by the warm foehn winds that help the grapes to grow, and the local winegrowers are masters in their trade. Not only that, the region also boasts an abundance of stronger liquors. Apples, plums and quinces from the many fruit orchards and gardens are refined in distilleries around the lake to create fine brandies and highquality schnapps. At “Bodensee-Essig-Manufaktur,” tasty fruits from the Lake Constance region are converted into delicious vinegar that can be used to refine not only salads, but almost any dish.

Culinary highlights Wheel out the cheese The “fourcountryregion Bodensee” is a paradise for cheese lovers – strong-flavoured mountain cheeses from Appenzell in Switzerland, high-quality soft cheeses from the Allgäu region in Germany, a “Surakäs” (sour milk cheese) from Liechtenstein or a wide variety of cheese products from the Bregenzerwald area in Austria. Visitors can find out about the characteristics of the different cheeses and how they are made in showcase dairies or along the so-called “cheese streets,” where they can enjoy the local specialities, find and buy their favourite cheese.

Fine wines to refresh the palate Wine connoisseurs know why wines grown around Lake Constance are so special. The lake acts as a heat reservoir, creating a temperate, almost Mediterranean climate. In addition, the surface of the water directs part of the sun’s energy to the nearby vineyards, heating up the ground even more. Red wines such as Pinot Noir or white MüllerThurgau grapes thrive here. From the valleys of Eschnerberg in the north to the slopes of Gutenberg Castle in the south, the Principality of

In the summer months, visitors can enjoy food and beverages in good company with entertaining music at the many wine and fish festivals. Numerous stands offer regional culinary delicacies such as Fischknusperle (crunchy fried fish), Kartoffelrösti (fried grated potatoes) or savoury Dünnele. They are served with Lake Constance wines from different estates. Those looking for something more unusual can enjoy culinary treats at dizzying heights, for example on Säntis Mountain. Or how about dinner on the water: Gourmet cruises on the Hohentwiel steam ship, built in 1913 for the Royal Württemberg State Railways, are a highlight for connoisseurs. To mark the start of the game-hunting season, the “game ship” of the Swiss Lake Constance Shipping Company (Schweizerische Bodensee Schifffahrt AG) sets sail with a buffet of tender roast game specialities served on board, along with unforgettable sunsets. And in Schaffhausen, you can enjoy a boiled egg and muesli for breakfast on a boat tour down the river Rhine. As the days grow shorter and the weather stormier, nature paints the Lake Constance region in magnificent colours. Numerous towns and destinations organize special apple-themed events at this time of year. The fish weeks on the Lower Lake are hugely popular, as are hunting weeks, when restaurants around the lake titillate guests’ palates with regional autumnal menus comprising domestic game, salads and vegetables.

Culinary delights | Bodensee Magazine

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Hits for Kids A holiday on Lake Constance is always great fun for the whole family. There are lots of places to visit in the region that offer fabulous entertainment for children and parents alike. On these pages you can find the best family attractions for a day out.

Affenberg Salem (1)

Mainau Forest Experience (5)

Germany’s largest and most attractive open-air monkey enclosure is in Salem near Lake Constance (approx. 10 km from Überlingen). Over 200 cheeky Barbary Macaques run around in a 20-hectare forest area. Specially prepared popcorn is distributed free and can be fed to the monkeys. This fascinating contact with our relatives is not only fun for kids but also a great experience for grown-ups. The Barbary Macaques share their idyllic enclosure with an impressive colony of wild white storks and a herd of elegant fallow deer. The extensive grounds of Affenberg Salem guarantee an optimum environment for the animals. Visitors can see them at close quarters in their natural habitat without physical barriers. Of course there is also a children’s playground and a restaurant for refreshments. In summer, an “adventure bus” (ErlebnisBus) transports visitors between the Affenberg, Salem Palace and the lake dwellings in Unteruhldingen. www.affenberg-salem.de

Since April 2013, the adjacent mainland has been incorporated into Mainau’s operations. “Erlebniswald Mainau” is an adventure forest for lovers of nature and climbing, allowing them to experience the forest’s ecosystem in several interactive stations and gain a better understanding of this biosphere. Covering an area of 1.6 hectares, the park combines elements of a classical high rope course with the appeal of a climbing forest, and the special features of a treetop path with unusual tree house architecture. The concept caters for people of all age groups and interests, who enjoy exercising either individually or in a group. “Erlebniswald Mainau” is suitable for events with a focus on adventure for school classes, youth groups, clubs or works outings as well as for seminars and training courses. www.erlebniswald-mainau.de

inatura Dornbirn (6) Adventure Park Immenstaad (2) Nestled in the middle of woods near Immenstaad (10 km west of Friedrichshafen), this adventure park is for families with children from five years upwards. Overcome your fears and climb through the trees on high wires or swing from tree to tree like Tarzan. There are courses set up for all levels. Of course maximum security is ensured at all times. www.abenteuerpark.com

The inatura natural adventure park and science centre in Dornbirn (approx. 10 km south of Bregenz) is the largest of its kind around Lake Constance. This unusual museum presents live animals, life-like models, 3D multimedia shows and interactive science zones on 3,000 square metres of exhibition space. An earthquake measuring device lets you experience the power of the earth while an avalanche installation simulates the real thing. Each door in inatura takes you into a different habitat, dimension or time. www.inatura.at

Ravensburger Spieleland (3) This theme park belongs to the famous book and game publishing company Ravensburger and can be found not far from the town of the same name, approx. 20 km north of Friedrichshafen. Families will find more than 50 attractions for small and older children. They include action-packed fast rides as well as more leisurely slow ones. www.spieleland.com

Technorama (7) The Technorama science centre in Winterthur, Switzerland, is approx. 40 minutes drive from Constance (on the motorway towards Zurich). Technorama is not only great fun; over 100 exhibits teach children about technology, inviting them to touch, try, play and understand – a feast for all the senses. www.technorama.ch

Sea Life in Constance (4) Visitors to the SEA LIFE in Constance can dive into the fascinating world of freshwater and saltwater fish without getting wet. They follow the course of the river Rhine from the Alpine glaciers to Lake Constance and on to Rotterdam harbour, where it finally flows into the North Sea. A detour to the colourful world of the Red Sea or an adventurous expedition into the realm of penguins as well as various special exhibitions round off a fabulous visit to the SEA LIFE in Constance. www.visitsealife.com/Konstanz

Connyland (8) Connyland is owned by a well-established Swiss family of showmen.

A lot of the attractions in this adventure park are therefore reminiscent of the good old fairground. The main feature of the park is Europe’s most modern and attractive open-air dolphin lagoon. In several daily performances, these fascinating animals demonstrate their natural and breathtaking talents. Connyland is situated approx. 10 km southwest of Constance in Lipperswil in Switzerland. www.connyland.ch

Hits for Kids | Bodensee Magazine

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Photo: Achim Mende

It is not easy to describe Lake Constance in a few words. The cultural diversity and the changing landscape make the region unique and outstanding. As a result of its century-long history, the shoreline is not only divided between three countries, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Within these countries and across their borders, the region is also dissected into separate states, landscapes and valleys each with their own identity and traditions. But this diversity is exactly what makes the region of Lake Constance so special and exciting. Visitors to the region will find a wealth of things to discover.

States Germany: Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg Austria: Vorarlberg Switzerland: Thurgau, St.Gallen, Appenzell, Schaffhausen Principality of Liechtenstein Language The language spoken all around the lake is German. But the many local dialects vary enormously. They can even change from one town to the next.

Money The currency in Germany and Austria is the euro. The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss franc. Many shops in Switzerland also accept euros.

Size of the lake Altitude above sea level: 395 m Surface area: 541 km2 Max. length: 63.5 km (between Bregenz/A and Ludwigshafen/D) Max. width: 14 km (between Friedrichshafen/D and Romanshorn/CH); Max. depth: 254 m Total circumference: 273 km (173 km in Germany; 72 km in Switzerland, 28 km in Austria) Water temperature in summer: up to 25 ºC; Mean water temperature in July: 20 ºC

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Bodensee Magazine | Facts & figures

Largest towns on the lake Germany: Constance 81,000, Friedrichshafen 58,000, Radolfzell 30,000 Austria: Bregenz 28,000 Switzerland: Kreuzlingen 20,000 Largest islands The Island of Reichenau – UNESCO World Heritage Site with churches and former monastery Lindau island – medieval town Island of Mainau – the Flower Island Geographically, the lake is divided into three regions: Obersee – the Upper Lake, is the largest section of Lake Constance beween Bregenz and Constance Überlinger See – Lake Überlingen, is the northwestern arm of the lake Untersee – Lower Lake, is the southwestern arm and is further divided into the “Gnadensee” and the “Zeller See” Drinking water Lake Constance supplies around 4 million people with drinking water. Approx. 180 million cubic metres of water are extracted from the lake each year for this purpose.

Discover Friedrichshafen Lake, sunshine and mountains – enjoy a great holiday in the home town of the zeppelin

Experience the variety Friedrichshafen has to offer – right in the heart of the Lake Constance region. From cultural highlights and the history of airships to the exceptional leisure activities in the area – enjoy holiday at its best.

Friedrichshafen welcomes you!

www.friedrichshafen.info

The Mountain at Lake Constance 1064m With its EUHDWKWDNLQJ view of Lake Constance, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and 240 peaks of the Alps, the Pfaender (1064m) is the most famous loRkout point in the region.

The Pfaender Cable Car The top can be reached quickly and comfortably with the Pfaender cable car in just 6 minutes.

The Pfaender Eagle Sanctuary )UHH )OLJKW Birds of Prey show In a presentation lasting about 40 minutes, you will experience eagles, vultures, falcons, kites and eagle owls flying freely in the sky on the upcurrent of Pfaender‘s slope.

Open daily from 1st of May to 5th of October; shows at 11am and 2.30pm.

The Pfaender Alpine Wildlife Park On a 30-minute loop with an educational nature trail that provides information about the fauna and flora, you will see Alpine ibexes, red deer, wild boar, mouffl ons and marmots. Children especially love WKH small animal enclosure with dwarf goats, rabbits and potbellied pigs as well as the adjoining playground.

Paradise for Hikers and Bikers Many well signed and paved paths are available.

Bikes can be transported in the Pfaender cable car DW DQ\ WLPH GXULQJ VHUYLFH

w w w. p f a e n d e r b a h n . a t Pfänderbahn AG Steinbruchgasse 4 6900 Bregenz / Österreich Phone.: +43(0)5574/42160-0 Fax.: +43(0)5574/42160-4 Weather: +43(0)5574/43316 office@pfaenderbahn.at