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Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Lake Constance

Self-Guided Family Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

8 days

Prices from

£720 P.P.
Child Discount Applies
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4
Explore Lake Constance on this self-guided family cycling holiday designed for those looking to ride at a leisurely pace and enjoy lots of fun-filled activities along the way. This is a cycling classic taking in three countries in the heart of Europe; Austria, Switzerland & Germany - each of which add their own special mark to this idyllic region.
Lake Constance enjoys a mild climate and plenty of sunshine making it a great summer cycling destination. You'll be following the sandy shores of the lake and winding through the many vineyards and orchards that stretch down to the water's edge.
The cycling mainly follows a mixture of flat, traffic-free cyclepaths and roadside cycling lanes, making it perfect for those looking for a relaxed holiday with time to take in the various highlights of the region; the UNESCO world heritage site of the Island of Reichenau and butterfly house, as well as playparks and the ammusement park at Ravensburger all contribute to making this a holiday not to be missed.
If you would like to do a similar route with a few extra miles, take a look at the self-guided leisure cycling version of this holiday where you may find the information more relevant to your needs.
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Holiday Highlights

  • Exploring the idyllic town of Constance and its Sea Life Centre
  • Visiting the gardens and Butterfly House on Mainau Island
  • Learning about famous air-ships at the Zeppelin Museum
  • Taking a refreshing swim in the lake
  • Cycling through small villages with perfect lakeside views
  • Picnic lunches on the banks of Lake Constance

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The first couple of days were the best – cycling through little villages by the lakeshore. Such comfortable bikes, we wanted to take them home!

Helen, Essex

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival into Constance
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After arriving in Constance, today offers the chance to explore the unofficial capital of the region, after which the lake was named. The town is cut in half by the Rhine as it leaves the lake near the Mediterranean style harbour, overlooked by the striking Imperia statue based on a story by Balzac. The aquariums in the Sea Life Centre, the Archaeological Museum and a walk through the labyrinthine network of alleyways of Niederburg (the old town) are also recommended.

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Day 2
Constance to Unteruhldingen/Meersburg
16 - 19 Miles / 25 - 30 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

From Constance, you will cycle to the nearby garden island of Mainau (tickets included) where you will have the opportunity to experience the famous butterfly house. You will then be transported by boat from Wallhausen to Überlingen before cycling on towards Unteruhldingen. In the lake dwelling museum (Pfahlbaumuseum) you will have the opportunity to learn about the Stone Age inhabitants of the shores of Lake Constance.

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Day 3
Unteruhldingen/Meersburg to Friedrichshafen
approx 12 Miles / 20 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll be cycling alongside the shores of Lake Constance, enjoying the beautiful vineyards above Immenstaad, making your way to Friedrichshafen. Here you will be able to learn more about famous air-ships and blimps in the Zeppelin museum and spend the evening enjoying fabulous views of the Alps.

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Day 4
Ravensburger Spieleland - Amusement Park
approx. 17 Miles / 30 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

Today is a day of fun off of your bikes as you will spend your day at the local amusement park (ticket included). The park includes various themes from adventure world to a green oasis. With over 70 attractions from circus school to moon racing there is certainly something for all the family to enjoy!

The park is just a short cycle away but it is quite a hilly route so for those looking to save energy for the park we recommend getting the bus from Friedrichshafen (ticket not included).

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Day 5
Friedrichshafen to Lindau
17 Miles / 30 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

Today will initially take you through Langenargen. Here you’ll find the pretty Schloss Montfort castle. Maybe you’ll catch one of the summer concerts that take place in the hall! Back on the bikes and you’ll continue riding through lush orchards, before arriving in the Bavarian town of Lindau, whose harbour is guarded by 6m high lions.

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Day 6
Lindau to Rorschach/Arbon
25 Miles / 40 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

In just a couple of kilometres you’ll be passing into Austria into the festival city of Bregenz. The floating stage here is certainly something to keep an eye out for. You can ride in a cable car (ticket included) to the top of Mount Pfänder. After you have crossed the border into Switzerland, you’ll be able to see the characterful Market Hall Altenrhein designed by the famous architect Hundertwasser.

*Depending on availability at the time of booking, tonight may be spent in Rorschach, Höchst, Staad or Arbon, all close by. This may affect the distance cycled on this day (up to 50 kms approx.), making tomorrow’s ride 10 kms shorter.

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Day 7
Rorschach to Constance
25 Miles / 40 Kms
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  • Meals: Breakfast

Heading first through Arbon, a former Roman settlement, you’ll start your ride back to Constance. You will cycle through small, well kept villages along the lakeshore with plenty of opportunities for a refreshing dip in the lake and a celebratory ice cream. Back in Constance and it’s time to relax and enjoy your final evening by the lake.

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Day 8
Departure from Constance
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  • Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast it’s time to head home or if you would like more time in the region let us know and we can help arrange additional nights.

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The Cycling

Terrain

The route sees you riding around the flat lands of the upper lake, so the going is relatively easy (with only some small, manageable ups and downs). The majority of the route is along well surfaced cycle paths which run partially along the lake-shore and partially along lake-shore roads. You’ll share the road with traffic in some sections, especially going to and from your hotels, and in and out of the bigger towns and cities. Only very short sections see you riding on some bumpier terrain along forest tracks and dirt roads. We recommend a hybrid bike for this tour (not suitable for road bikes).

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Family Cycling Grade

1
2
3
4
5
Grade 1 - 2 : Easy/Gentle

Aspects of both our grade 1 and 2 holidays

Suitable for those looking for a relaxed ride

Occasional ups and downs

Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!

For more information about our grading system click here.

Is this suitable for you?

Holidays that are graded as a 1-2, will have aspects of both our grade 1 and grade 2 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those looking for an accessible cycling holiday with manageable daily distances, along predominately flat terrain, however there will be some days / sections where we’d expect you to be up for a slightly cheeky challenge. It might be that the distances are a little longer on some days or that the terrain is slightly more undulating, but the rides are still relaxed and manageable for families who are generally fit and healthy.

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This was a great family holiday, the children both really enjoyed themselves! A fantastic holiday that we can’t recommend enough.

Becky, Bristol

Dates & Prices

2021 Daily Departures

Season 1 – £720 per adult 11 Apr – 17 Apr / 01 Oct – 06 Oct

Season 2 – £830 per adult 18 Apr – 05 May / 07 Jun – 10 Jun / 14 Jun – 17 Jun / 21 Jun – 24 Jun / 12 Sep – 31 Oct

Season 3 – £885 per adult 06 May – 10 May / 16 May / 24 May – 27 May / 06 Jun / 11 Jun – 13 Jun / 18 Jun – 20 Jun / 25 Jun – 30 Jun / 22 Aug – 11 Sep

Season 4 – £945 per adult 11 May – 15 May / 17 May – 23 May / 28 May – 05 Jun / 01 Jul – 21 Aug.

We are able to offer the following kid’s discounts on the land only price: 0 – 5: Free 6–11: 50%, 12–17: 25%, when the child is sharing a room with 2 fully-paying passengers (dependent on availability).

Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in 3* (or equivalent) hotels and guesthouses

B) Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

C) Local representative

D) Detailed route notes and map

E) Luggage transfers

F) Boat trip Wallhausen – Überlingen (incl. bicycle)

G) Entrance to Rosgarten museum in Constance

H) Entrance to Lake Dwelling Museum in Unteruhldingen

I) Entrance to Sea Life Centre in Constance

J) Entrance to Mainau Island

K) Entrance to Ravensburger Spieleland – Amusement Park

L) Entrance to Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen

M) Cable Car Return Ride to Mount Pfänder (excl. bike)

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike hire (available if required)

B) Flights and charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable)

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Travel insurance

E) Personal clothing and equipment

F) Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills etc)

G) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions en route (if not stated)

H) Bus Ticket to Ravensburger Spieleland

I) City or visitor‘s tax where applicable

J) Travel to first hotel on arrival day and from final hotel on departure day

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The Essentials

Travel Options

For this tour we ask that you make your own way to your hotel in Constance on arrival and onwards from Constance at the end of the trip.

The most convenient airport for this trip is Zurich airport (ZRH). From the UK the most convenient flights are with easyJet and British Airways from London Heathrow (LHR)and Gatwick (LGW) to Zurich (ZRH) from where you can catch a train to Constance and then walk or get a taxi to the hotel.

If it is more convenient to drive to the start of the trip then it is usually possible to park your car securely. Please contact us to discuss this option further.

Please check with Skedaddle before booking any flights so that we can ensure they fit in with the holiday schedule.

Accommodation

Accommodation (shared twin or double en suite rooms) will usually be 3 star (or equivalent) hotels and guesthouses. Subject to availability, there are triple / family and adjoining rooms available for you and your family. In triple and quadruple rooms, the extra beds might be folding beds or sofa beds.

Please contact us with your preferred rooming arrangements and we can check availability for you.

Please note that a twin bedded room may be a typical Austrian Twin, which comprises two mattresses and two sets of bedding in the same large bed frame; it may not be possible to separate the mattresses.

Bike Hire

Hire bikes are available should you choose to hire rather than bring your own bikes. These bikes are typically hybrid bikes with semi slick tyres. If you do decide to hire we will provide all necessary spares for the trip. For this particular trip we usually provide unisex bikes; either 7 gear internally geared hubs with back pedal function or 24 gear dérailleur. We have various frame sizes available. For body heights of 175cm / 69 inches and above we will usually provide a men’s frame. We also have e-bikes and tandems available on request. For your family we have a selection of child trailers (Baby – 5 years approx), baby and child seats (6 months – 5 years approx) and children’s bikes (8 – 11 years approx) available to hire. All bikes come equipped with panniers or a basket, mileage counter, bicycle lock and puncture repair kit. You will need to bring along your own helmets.

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News, Reviews & Stories

Cycle Europe’s best-loved lake

Lake Constance: A photo diary

Reviews

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