germany – Organized Travelers

Lake Constance

Alsace & Black Forest

SpringFest in Munich

Published on March 30, 2024December 28, 2024 by Liz & Kris VeckLeave a comment

In the southwest corner of Germany where it meets up with Switzerland and Austria is a beautiful lake called Lake Constance. Every time I do any research about it, I think about planning a week-long visit to the area. Its finally time to do that and then maybe we can go for my 50th birthday

ITINERARY IN PROGRESS…

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Arrive in Zurich Drive to Lake	Konstanz	Stein am Rhein St Gallen	Meersburg	Lichtenstein	Lindau Tettnang	Zurich
Fly Home

Sunday

Arrive in Zurich and rent a car for the week. The drive from Zurich to Lake Konstanz is about an hour. Since we want to visit some areas around the Lake, I’m leaning towards a Southern lake hotel location. Right now I’m thinking about the Best Western Rebstock in Rorschacherberg. Pretty views, AAA rates and reliability. It also has a restaurant with great views and outdoor seating.

Monday – Konstanz

Map to Konstanz

Konstanz is a 50 min drive around the lake. Once we arrive in Konstanz there is a nice 1/2 mile walk from Schnetztor, Emperor’s Fountain, Münster Unserer Lieben Frau to Rheintorturm and then a walk down the promenade back to Schnetztor is about a mile. Somewhere in between we can find a nice place for lunch and maybe a drink after.

After a fun day in Konstanz there are

Tuesday – Friedrichshafen & Meersburg

Perhaps a stop at the Zeppelin Hangar Restaurant to watch the Zeppelins take off and land (a ride is 300-500E so we probably won’t be coughing up the cash for that!)

Spend the afternoon touring Meersburg

Just Beyond Meersburg is the Prähistorische Pfahlbauten um die Alpen (UNESCO-Welterbestätte) that look to be completely worth the visit before looping back to Meersburg to spend the rest of the day.

Tour the town of Meersburg with its old and new Castles.

Have an afternoon snack or dinner at Gutsschänke with a beautiful view of the town and lake.

Here are some local winery recommendations:

Winzerverein Hagnau eG:
- Location: Weinstraße 3, 88709 Hagnau am Bodensee (around 10 minutes by car from Meersburg)
- About: This cooperative winery in Hagnau, a nearby village, offers a wide selection of wines produced by local growers. They often host tastings where you can sample different varietals, including Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir).
Weingut Haltnau:
- Location: Seestraße 9, 88079 Kressbronn (about 30 minutes by car from Meersburg)
- About: Situated in Kressbronn, along the northern shore of Lake Constance, Weingut Haltnau is a family-owned winery known for its high-quality wines. They offer guided tours of the vineyards and cellar, followed by tastings of their award-winning wines, including Riesling, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), and more.
Weingut Graf von Kesselstatt:
- Location: Hauptstraße 37, 78465 Dettingen-Wallhausen (about 20 minutes by car from Meersburg)
- About: This historic winery, located near the town of Wallhausen, has been producing wine for over 650 years. They specialize in traditional grape varieties such as Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, and Kerner. Visitors can enjoy tastings in the elegant tasting room and learn about the winemaking process.
Weingut Hirschhof:
- Location: Rosenstraße 12, 88709 Meersburg
- About: Located right in Meersburg, Weingut Hirschhof is a small family winery producing a range of wines, including Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, and Spätburgunder. They offer tastings in their cozy courtyard or wine cellar, providing a convenient option for visitors staying in Meersburg.

Wednesday – Stein am Rhein & St. Gallen

Stein am Rhein is a hour drive from Hotel Rebstock. About 20 min into the drive stop in St. Gallen and visit the Abbey and its library…

Once you arrive in Stein am Rhein walk around town. The town’s medieval centre retains the ancient street plan. The site of the city wall, and the city gates are preserved, though the former city wall now consists of houses. The medieval part of the town has been pedestrianised and many of the medieval buildings are painted with frescoes.

Old Town (Altstadt):
- Wander through the picturesque Old Town of Stein am Rhein, characterized by its beautifully painted medieval buildings adorned with intricate frescoes. The main street, Rathausplatz, is particularly scenic, lined with historic houses and quaint shops.
Rathaus (Town Hall):
- Admire the stunning façade of the Rathaus, or Town Hall, which dates back to the 16th century. The building features ornate frescoes depicting scenes from local history and legends, making it a highlight of the Old Town.
St. George’s Abbey (Kloster St. Georgen):
- Visit the Benedictine Abbey of St. George, located just outside the Old Town. Dating back to the 11th century, the abbey boasts Romanesque and Gothic architecture, as well as a beautiful cloister. Guided tours are available to explore the abbey’s history and architecture.
Museum Lindwurm:
- Discover the history of Stein am Rhein and the surrounding region at the Museum Lindwurm. Housed in a historic building near the town center, the museum features exhibits on local art, culture, and archaeology, including artifacts dating back to Roman times.
Schloss Hohenklingen:
- Take a short hike or drive to Schloss Hohenklingen, a medieval castle perched on a hill overlooking Stein am Rhein and the Rhine River. Explore the castle grounds, enjoy panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside, and visit the castle museum to learn about its history.
Rhine River Promenade:
- Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Rhine River promenade, which offers scenic views of the river and the surrounding landscape. Relax on one of the benches or grab a drink at a riverside café while taking in the tranquil atmosphere.

GPSmycity has a walking tour – https://www.gpsmycity.com/blog/stein-am-rhein-a-perfect-day-trip-from-zurich-5891.html

Travel a little farther up the Rhein to Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland and have dinner overlooking the falls.

on the way back travel along the river and lake with a hour+ drive. Take a quick stop to watch the sunset (around 8-8:30pm) at Werd island with the beautiful Wallfahrtskapelle St. Otmar.

Thursday – Lichtenstein & Heidi House

Map for the Day

Vaduz Castle (Schloss Vaduz):
- Perched on a hill overlooking the capital city of Vaduz, Vaduz Castle is a symbol of Liechtenstein and one of its most recognizable landmarks. While the castle itself is not open to the public as it serves as the residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein, visitors can admire its exterior and panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Vaduz:
- Explore the charming capital city of Vaduz, which offers a mix of historic landmarks, modern architecture, and cultural attractions. Highlights include the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein Art Museum), the Postage Stamp Museum, and the pedestrianized Städtle area with its shops and cafes.
Gutenberg Castle (Schloss Gutenberg):
- Located in the town of Balzers, Gutenberg Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Liechtenstein. Visitors can tour the castle grounds, explore the museum inside the castle, and enjoy panoramic views of the Rhine Valley from the tower.
Red House (Rotes Haus):
- The Red House, located in Vaduz, is a historic building dating back to the Middle Ages. It is one of the oldest surviving structures in Liechtenstein and is now home to the Liechtenstein National Museum. The museum showcases the history and culture of the principality through exhibits on archaeology, art, and folklore.
Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum:
- The Liechtenstein National Museum, housed in the Red House, offers a comprehensive look at the history and heritage of Liechtenstein. Visitors can explore exhibits on topics such as archaeology, natural history, and the princely family’s art collection.
Alpine Scenery:
- Liechtenstein’s picturesque Alpine scenery provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and skiing (in winter). The country’s mountainous terrain offers stunning vistas, peaceful trails, and the chance to connect with nature.

First Stop in Vaduz, the capital of Lichtenstein. Make sure to stop at the Post Office to get our passports stamped!

Just south of Lichtenstein is Heidi’s House a must visit when someone in the group is named Heidi.

Friday – Lindau & Tettnang

Map for the day

In Lindau, the city has created a great walking tour of the best sites to see. Spend the morning walking around this charming island on the lake.

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Next drive up into the Northern hills to visit Hopfengut N° 20. HOPFENGUT No20 in Tettnang combines hop production, a brewery, a museum, a shop and a restaurant; Here, the fourth generation of the Locher family produces the finest aroma hops for breweries around the world and transforms them into high-quality beer specialities. Whether you are tasting the beer, visiting the museum, checking out the shop making the most of a convivial end to the day in our restaurant, enjoy a fascinating journey into the world of hops.

This is a beer making region and the town is picturesque. Its worth a short visit. Tettnang

Day 7 – Zurich

Map to Zurich

Take the long way back to Zurich. Stop at the Lindt Home of Chocolate for a tour and a bite.

Day 8 – Fly Home

Published on October 15, 2022February 10, 2025 by Liz & Kris VeckLeave a comment

Since we visited Strasbourg and Breitnau during our Rhine cruise in 2007, we’ve always wanted to go back and tour the region in greater detail. This plan does that in a week and a half.

Day 1

Lufthansa has a non-stop flight to Frankfurt.

Day 2 – Arriving in the morning we’d pick up a rental car and drive approx 3 hours south to the Black Forest border town of Freiburg. We’ll be making 1 stop on the way for lunch at Speyer.

We can’t miss a visit to the Speyer Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Stephen, is the world’s largest surviving Romanesque church. Its huge triple-naved vaulted basilica is the central element in a design that greatly influenced Romanesque architecture in the 11th and 12th centuries. Its fully-preserved crypt is also the largest Romanesque columned hall in Europe. Size really does matter in Speyer Cathedral. Apart from the largest body-count of Holy Roman Emperors and kings under the high altar, it boasts the monster Cathedral Bowl outside the main door. With a capacity of 1,560 litres, every new bishop has had to fill it with wine as a gift to the people. After our visit to the Cathedral we can walk around or have a seat a a local cafe for lunch.

After our stop in Speyer we head the rest of the way to our southern basecamp in Freiburg im Breisgau, a vibrant university city in southwest Germany’s Black Forest, is known for its temperate climate and reconstructed medieval old town, crisscrossed by picturesque brooks (bächle). In the surrounding highlands, hiking destination Schlossberg hill is linked to Freiburg by a funicular. With a dramatic 116m spire, the Gothic cathedral Freiburg Minster towers over the central square Münsterplatz.

We’ll be staying at the Courtyard Marriott a modern hotel just a few min walk to the Münsterplatz.

Day 3 – Freiburg

+ Titisee – Ravenna Bridge

Day 4 – A drive north

3.5 hrs driving

Mummelsee – Allerheiligen

Last stop as we head out of the Black Forest is an amazing Winery called Weingut Markgraf von Baden at Schloss Staufenberg. A beautiful winery in the foothills of the Black Forest at the site of the ruins of a Castle just seems like a moment not to be missed. A glass of wine sitting out on the patio with views for miles.

Day 5 – Drive to Colmar

Day 6 – Colmar

Eguisheim – Settled by the Senones tribe, and made a center for wine-cultivation by the Romans, the village of today didn’t develop until the 11th century when the Dukes of Alsace built here a castle here. The village hasn’t changed much since the Middle Ages, with its well-preserved half-timbered houses dating back to the town’s foundation. The brightly-colored houses are complemented by bursts of blooming flower, which has earned the village the France’s highest award for town garden planting. The Rue du Rempart Sud, which follows the town’s old moat, now circles the entire medieval center and is a great way to experience the town’s charm. In the Place du Chateau, along with with the colorful chateau, church, houses, and fountain visitors will find a family of nesting storks.

Day 7 – Freiburg to Strasbourg

Neuf-Brisach

Kaysersberg – In the 13th century, the fortified settlement of Castrum Keisersberg was established along the route that connected the Rhine plain and Lorraine. By the 14th century, Kaysersberg had become a free imperial city, though gradually fell into obscurity after passing to the French in the 17th century. Today, traditional half-timbered houses still line the river that runs through the town. Much of the town dates from the 16th century, including the fortified stone bridge spanning the Weiss river. The Church Sainte-Croix was built between the 13th and 15th centuries, and has retained its Romanesque facade. After enjoying the historic towers, ramparts, and mansions, visitors can sit down at a cafe to enjoy the town’s signature wine: Tokay, which is believed to have been brought from Hungary in the 16th century.

Riquewihr – Dating back to the ancient Romans, Riquewihr flourished as a fortified village in the Middle Ages, and miraculously escaped World War II unscathed. Now listed as one of the ‘most beautiful villages of France’, the village looks much as it did in the 17th century, complete with fortified walls, colorful half timbered houses, and lots of flowers. On Rue du General de Gaulle, the main street, visitors can stop at the Tourist Office for a map. However many of the most interesting buildings are on the same street. Attractions not on the main street include the 13th century Dolder tower, part of the town’s original fortifications. In front of the Dolder is ‘the fountain of gauging’, which was used to check the capacity of wine barrels. The Thieves Tower is pentagonal on the outside and square on the inside, and still has a torture chamber inside.

Finally we arrive in Strasbourg France. We’ll be staying in the old town on the island at the Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Île, just a 1/3 mi from the famous Strasbourg Notre Dam Cathedral. I’m always going to pick the hotel with a purple theme. That this one also has underground parking for our car is a bonus.

Day 8 – Strasbourg

Cathedral, Canal Cruise

Dinner – La Cloche à Fromage

Try perfectly cooked cheese fondue, raclette and blue cheese. The cooks here prepare good parfait, che and cheesecakes. Drink delicious pinot grigio, cordial or Kir, it’s a must when visiting this place. Come here and have great latte.

The warm atmosphere of this spot makes customers feel relaxed and have a good time. The positive aspect of this restaurant is that the staff is friendly. Spectacular service is something clients appreciate here.

Day 9 – Strasbourg to Mainz

Today we relocate to our last stop, Mainz, Germany. Straight thru the drive is about 3 hours but on the way we’ll make a few stops.

From Oudenkirk we’ll head to north to Karlsruhe Palace, we can either stop for a photo or decide to go in and visit the Palace. The palace forms the axis with 32 streets and avenues shooting out into the city of Karlsruhe, hence its nickname of ‘Fan City’. The palace was built in 1715 and Karlsruhe soon grew around it. By German standards, the city is still relatively young and is regarded as more liberal than most with a reputation for encouraging art and culture to flourish. The palace is surrounded by immaculately maintained gardens and forestry at the back.

At the top of every visitor’s list is the symbolic heart of the city — the red-sandstone Heidelberg Castle, which is consistently voted by foreign visitors as the top tourist attraction in Germany. Visitors can wander the grounds and from the castle walls, marvel at the views of the Old Town that never fail to thrill. The Old Town itself is a must see in order to sample the charms of the elegant churches, picture book lanes, and alleyways set against the backdrop of the beautiful Neckar River. This area of the city also contains the longest pedestrianized shopping strip in Germany. Slightly out from the center, but no less impressive is Philosophers’ Way, the name given to the path just above the city that allegedly inspired the philosophers of old. The path offers fabulous views and is often described as ‘peaceful, romantic and beautiful, a place to commune with nature’.

At the end of our journey we reach our hotel in Mainz, the Mainz Hilton.

The Mainz Old Town isn’t incredibly large and is just a short walk from the hotel. Once we drop off our luggage we can take a walk and explore the city.

After our walk around town we’ll find a restaurant to take a rest and have a good meal with good wine (as we are in the German Wine Region). Heiliggeist is just off the main square. Its a converted old church that makes a great background for a good evening. It also has a great courtyard for outside seating as well.

Day 10 – Mainz

Today we take a wine tour. Bordering on the outskirts of Mainz the vineyards of Rheinhessen and Rheingau are perfectly located for a great day out with visits to some of the most dynamic winemakers. You will taste not only beautiful Rieslings but also fantastic examples of Silvaner, Pinots, Chardonnay.

Day 11 – Fly home

Fly to FRA

Arrive in FRA
Freiberg

Freiberg to Strasbourg

Strasbourg

Strasbourg to Mainz

Fly home from FRA

Published on October 15, 2022June 7, 2025 by Liz & Kris VeckLeave a comment

Springfest in Munich is known as the little sister of Oktoberfest. Crowds are lower, the people are more local and there is just as much fun. Springfest takes place the last week of April and the first week of May over the May 1 holiday, Maibaumaufstellen.