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Three Country – Switzerland / Germany / Austria
8-DAY/7 NIGHT LAKE CONSTANCE
July 11- July 18, 2010
Multi-Culture Cycling Tour
You will have to look around hard to find another classic cycle path that is as popular as Lake Constance. Three countries surround this large lake in the heart of Europe. Austria, Germany and Switzerland each add their special flair to the lake. This unique symbiosis of various cultures contributes to a number of precious treasures of art such as the cultural Island Reichenau, baroque style pilgrims church Birnau or the historic old town of Stein on Rhine. Add the marvellous countryside along the lake and a cycle path winding the way through idyllic meadows, along glittering water and in front of the stunning peaks of the Alps.
Bike Route Features
Lake Constance cycle path runs along the edge of the lake, mostly flat on dedicated bike lanes. Sometimes minor roads are used, allowing beautiful scenic views. All the bike routes are well marked.
Day 1, Sunday, July 11, 2010
Morning: Arrive from the USA at Zurich airport and transfer by train to Constance in Germany (about 1 hr. train ride) where we spend our first night.
In the afternoon: Pick up bikes and ride/walk around the city. Constance is a town of great historical relevance. A walk through town is an encounter with many traces of past centuries of prosperity. Make the most of your stay and visit flower island Mainau or stroll through the very well maintained old town of Constance. Here the Council of Constance met from 1414 to 1418 in the Munster under presiding Emperor Sigismund. The objective of the council was a thorough reform of the Roman Catholic church. Very interesting are also the aquariums of Seal Life CeLake Constance Bike Ride Route:
Day 2, July 12 , 2010Constance–Radolfszell–Stein am Rhein (Approx. 40 mi)
In the morning set off and cycle to Island Reichenau for a quick tour and continue to old emperor’s seat Radolfzell. You pass the picturesque peninsula Höri, where the writers Hermann Hesse and Otto Dix lived. The Swiss town Stein with many houses decorated with frescos and the monastery museum St. Georg add the cultural spice to the day. Overnight stay in Stein am Rhein in Switzerland
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Day 3 July 13, 2010 Stein am Rhein–Constance–Überlingen (Ca. 35 mi.)
Today we cycle in Switzerland back to Constance and run through one fisher village after the other of which Gottlieben is said to be the most beautiful. On the way we make a small detour to the beautiful paradise of Insel Mainau. Afternoon continue to Wallhausen where we board a boat to reach the once independent city Überlingen with late-gothic Munster and beautiful park and Lake Promenade. Overnight stay is in Überlingen.
Day 4, July 14 Überlingen–Friedrichshafen–Region Kressbronn (ca. 35 mi).
In the morning leave Überlingen and cycle through vineyards to the Zeppelin city of Friedrichshafen. The baroque style pilgrim church Birnau and ancient Meersburg cross your path. Vineyards, orchards and a stunning view of the Alps are steady companions on your cycle tour today. Overnight stay is in Kressbronn.
Day 5, July 15, 2010 Region Kressbronn – Lindau – Bregenz – Rorschach (ca
Cycling through large orchards you reach Bavarian Lindau, picturesque city on a peninsula. Continue to Bregenz, the capital of Austrian federal country Vorarlberg. Bregenz is renowned for the annual summer festival on the biggest lake-stage worldwide. Afterwards you cross the delta of river Rhine, home of an important natural reserve. Along the lake you cross the apple-canton Thurgau. Tidy little half timbered villages line the way back to Rohrschach. Bikes are picked up for return. Overnight in Rorschach. Alternately you may wish to depart in the evening to Zurich for overnight (a surcharge of $50 per person applies for a hotel in Zurich).
Day 6, July 16, 2010 Departure home or to another adventure
Those staying in Rohrschach and departing back to the USA via 10.00 a.m. flight will leave the hotel by 7:00 a.m. to arrive at Zurich airport by 8:00 a.m.
Others may continue their trip in Switzerland or elsewhere in Europe individually.
On July 17 Rene Welti will lead a group from Zurich to the Jungfrau Region for an 9-day/8-night multi-sport tour. If you would like more information on this tour, please contact rwelti@bellsouth.net or tel: 770-265-0044.
LAKE CONSTANCE BICYCLE TOUR RATES PER PERSON:
(The land arrangements for this Multi-Culture Cycling Tour provided by the two leading Multi-Sport companies: Swiss-Zurich based www.eurotrek.ch bonded by the Swiss Travel Industry Guarantee Fund” www.garantiefond.ch and Germany’s largest cycling company – Lake Constance based www.bodensee-radweg.com)
$1,570 in a double bedded room based on current exchange rates.
Add $195 for a single supplement. The rate includes:
- 5 Overnights in 3-star hotels where mentioned similar to centrally located Hotel Volapük in Constance (see below)
- Breakfast and Dinner daily in the hotel.
- Bicycle/helmet rentals for the duration of the tour (Unisex bicycles with 7 gears and pedal brake (see below picture) or with 21 gears and free wheel. The bikes are equipped with an Ortlieb saddle bag, a lock and tools per booked group
- All transfers mentioned in the itinerary (roundtrip Zurich airport train tickets)-.
- Luggage transfer. Max 20 kg per piece, unlimited number of pieces.
- Detailed documentation incl. route maps
- 7-days-service hotline
- 7-days travel insurance
- Tour escort Atlanta based René Welti, Swiss-American, who has lead many travel groups to Switzerland speaks “German & Swiss-German” and will be hands-on to make this a most memorable trip for you. This summer he biked parts of the Bodensee to research the preparations for the trip. As a bonus, his Austrian based daughter, Nina, University of Vienna Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Science will also be along to share her American-European perspectives.
Participation, Deposit, Payment, Cancellation Details |
| Till Dec12, 2009 |
Early bird trip sign-up discount of $50 applies. A great Christmas gift! (guarantees your space since we are capping at 20 participants) |
| Jan 16, 2010 |
$200 refundable sign-up deposit due (after 20 sign-ups, you’ll be placed on a waiting list) |
| May 1, 2010 |
Final payment due |
| Cancellation: |
Between May - 30, 2010: 50% of full payment refunded
No refunds after June 1, 2010. |
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