Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Lake Constance

Self-Guided Family Cycling Holiday

Grade

1
2
3
4
5

Duration

7 days

Prices from

£795 P.P.
Child Discount Applies
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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; Constance, Überlingen, Meersburg, Friedrichshafen, Lindau and Bregenz are all waiting to welcome you.
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
  • Visiting the gardens and Butterfly House on Mainau Island
  • Learning about famous air-ships at the Zeppelin Museum
  • Cooling down with a post-ride 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 Uhldingen/Meersburg
16 - 19 Miles / 25 - 30 Kms Approx. (Plus Boat Ride)
Ascent: 145 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 145 Metres Approx.

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.

In Wallhausen you’ll jump on a boat and sail to Überlingen, before cycling on towards Uhldingen. 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
Uhldingen/Meersburg to Friedrichshafen
12 Miles or 16 Miles / 20 or 25 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 60 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 60 Metres Approx.

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
Friedrichshafen to Lindau
17 Miles / 30 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 45 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 45 Metres Approx.

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 5
Lindau to Rorschach/Arbon
25 Miles / 40 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 80 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 80 Metres Approx.

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 6
Rorschach/Arbon to Constance
19 - 31 Miles / 30 - 50 Kms Approx.
Ascent: 100 Metres Approx.
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  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Ascent: 100 Metres Approx.

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 7
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 lakeshore 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.

A relatively laid-back route, with some hilly sections around the lower lake, perfect for hybrid (or e-bikes if you’re an adult looking to take it even easier) – not suitable for road bikes. For more information about riding an electric bike on our holidays please click here

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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.

For more information about the grading of this holiday in particular, please check out the terrain section which will give you some specifics of what to expect on this tour.

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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

Daily departures available. The season prices below are per adult and are applicable for all start dates between and inclusive of the stated dates.

2024 From 31 Mar – 19 Oct

Season 1 – £845 31 Mar – 19 Apr / 06 Oct – 19 Oct

Season 2 – £955 20 Apr – 30 Apr / 15 Sep – 05 Oct

Season 3 – £1125 01 May – 06 May / 12 May – 14 May / 20 May – 25 May / 02 Jun – 29 Jun / 18 Aug – 14 Sep

Season 4 – £1195 07 May – 11 May / 15 May – 19 May / 26 May – 01 Jun / 30 Jun – 17 Aug

We are able to offer the following kid’s discounts on the land only price (when the child is sharing a room with 2 fully-paying passengers) – Dependent on availability

0 – 5: Free

6–11: 50%

12–17: 25%

Secure Your Holiday With A Deposit

Book now with a £200 deposit and nothing more to pay until 60 days before departure. Choose a date to start your booking and see all prices, including bike hire and single room supplements.

Select a date to view prices and book
Start Date
End Date
Duration
Price p.p.
Start Date
Return Date
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Duration
7 days
Price
£795.00
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Whats Included Tick

A) Accommodation (shared twin / double en suite rooms) in 2 and 3* hotels, and guesthouses

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

C) Cycle route description with maps (1 per room)

D) Luggage transfers

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

F) Entrance to Rosgarten museum in Constance

G) Entrance to Lake Dwelling Museum in Unteruhldingen

H) Entrance to Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen

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

J) Financial Protection through ABTOT

What's not Included Cross

A) Bike rental (available if required)

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

C) Meals not stated in the itinerary

D) Single room (available if required)

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

K) Travel 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 generally be in a mixture of 2 and 3 star 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

If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own we have bikes available to rent. These bikes are typically hybrid bikes with semi slick tyres. If you do decide to rent we will provide all necessary spares for the trip.

For this particular trip we usually provide unisex bikes; either 8 gear internally geared hubs with back pedal function or 27 gear dérailleur. We have various frame sizes available. For body heights of 175cm and above we will usually provide a male frame (with high cross bar).

All adult bikes come equipped with panniers, mileage counter, bicycle lock and puncture repair kit. You will need to bring along your own helmets.

We also have e-bikes available on request.

For your family we have a selection of child trailers (up to 5 years approx), child seats (up to 5 years approx) and children’s bikes (8 – 11 years approx – height dependent) available to rent.

You will need to bring your own helmets.

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News, Reviews & Stories

Lake Constance: A photo diary

Reviews

5

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