Germany/Lake Constance

• Along the German side of Lake Constance history, art and culture meet beautiful sceneries, always with a view of the vastness of the lake. It is a farming region for fruit and vegetables, it has sunny slopes with grapevines and baroque cultural monuments from an eventful past, it is a region full of delights and enjoyment.
• One of the classic day-trip destinations for visitors of all ages is the flower island of Mainau – and is a must-see for those interested in botany. It would be a shame not to see the rare plants and trees you can find growing on the island.
• The baroque pilgrimage church in Birnau dates back to records from the ninth century, although it wasn’t built in this location until the 14th century. Today, it is considered a historic jewel on the north shore of Lake Constance.
• Salem monastery and castle combine a private grammar school with boarding school and a mighty Cistercian Abbey with impressive grounds, surrounded by lovely day-trip destinations.
• Affenberg Salem is home to around 200 Barbary apes that can be fed by visitors young and old – under the guidance of a member of staff. Remember though – all the other wild animals on the Affenberg deserve just as much love and care.
• The UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage sites contains 111 structures on stilts found around the Alps, with one of them lying right next to the shore of the lake in Unteruhldingen, constructed such that it protrudes into the lake. A true-to-life museum provides an introduction into the life of its inhabitants.
• The small medieval town of Meersburg on the shore of the lake is home to many sights, vineyards and interesting museums, including Meersburg Castle, which was one of the most important centres in the early Middle Ages, also serving as the residence of poetess Droste von Hülshoff at a later date.
• The new Meersburg Castle is a splendid edifice where the prince bishops of Constance once resided. The panorama view is second to none. Both the gardens and the interior are worth visiting.
• A flying utopia, a multi-media museum and the history of the “Hindenburg” – a day spent in the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen leaves its mark, especially on visitors interested in technology.
• Numerous Dornier airplanes, models and other exhibits can be found in the Dornier Museum in Friedrichshafen, with a light installation by James Turrell crowning the museum hangar designed by architects.
• Starfish, seahorses, rays and sharks are all at home in Constance, and can be seen up close in an underwater tunnel in Sea Life Konstanz.
• Ravensburger Spieleland delights the kids for days – before they get there, while they join in the many attractions, and even after they have left.
• One of the largest private collections in South Germany is located in Ravensburg Kunstmuseum. Its changing exhibitions and its architecture make it well worth a visit.
• Constance, right next to the border with Switzerland, is the largest town on Lake Constance, and the location of the famous ecclesiastical council which sat between 1414 and 1418. Constance experienced the first and only election of the pope north of the Alps. The historic old town has been largely preserved and full of modern life.
• “The island on which lime trees grow” – is what the name of the listed island seems to mean according to a medieval code. It forms the centre of Lindau and sometimes even the centre of an international flock of guests, such as when the Nobel laureates meet up every year. Even Michel de Montaigne mentioned the town in his travel journal.
• In its early days, Friedrichshafen was a popular place of transhipment for trade with Switzerland, whereby the small town grew and became wealthy. It is Count Zeppelin which made Friedrichshafen famous – the successful technology company still determines the town’s reputation.
• The ultimate fairy tale castle stands above the Hohen Schwangau: Neuschwanstein Castle attracts visitors from the four corners of the earth, with queues forming in front of its gates every day. This has a lot to do with the legendary figure of its commissioner, Ludwig II, as well as with the Disney film Cinderella, whose castle is based on Neuschwanstein.

Along the German side of Lake Constance history, art and culture meet beautiful sceneries, always with a view of the vastness of the lake. It is a farming region for fruit and vegetables, it has sunny slopes with grapevines and baroque cultural monuments from an eventful past, it is a region full of delights and enjoyment.