Lake Constance occupies an extremely beautiful corner of Central Europe with its shores straddling Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For this new, escorted tour to the region we will be based at the Steigenberger Insel Hotel in the town of Konstanz which sits prettily on the German stretch of the northwest shore, where the Rhine River meets the lake. This is an area rich in castles, Baroque churches, charming town squares and pretty villages and highlights of our stay will include a tour to Mainau, the 45-hectare Flower Island, exploring the fairytale scenery of the Black Forest, visiting the curious museums including the Zeppelin Museum which outlines the airship’s history and Arenenberg Castle with its wonderful gardens.
The Steigenberger Insel Hotel is scenically positioned on the shores of the lake and when you can stir yourself from this idyllic setting there is a wealth of wonderful things to see and do and we have devised an itinerary which includes a perfect combination of included tours and ample time at leisure. If you enjoy gentle walking, there is nothing better than a lakeside walk amidst much surrounding beauty as the region benefits from a mild climate with exotic plants and flowers on display.
Steigenberger Insel Hotel
The Steigenberger Insel Hotel boasts a spectacular location on a private island on Germany’s largest lake, Lake Constance. Formerly a Dominican monastery with an interesting history dating back to the 13th century, it is now a five-star hotel with breathtaking lake views. The hotel provides an ideal location for relaxation or from which to explore the historic town of Konstanz, with its cobbled streets and old town, as well as the nearby attractions.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Zurich, Switzerland.
Fly by scheduled flight to Zurich. On arrival transfer to the Steigenberger Insel Hotel located on the German shores of Lake Constance, known as Bodensee in German. En-route visit the delightful village of Stein am Rhein with its half-timbered houses and façade frescoes. Enjoy a light lunch before continuing to Europe’s largest waterfall at Schaffhausen, where you have a magnificent view of this majestic natural spectacle. Afterwards cross the border to Germany to reach our hotel which is located in Konstanz. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the hotel this evening. (L, D)
Day 2 Konstanz, Germany.
After breakfast meet for a guided walking tour through the old town of Konstanz. We begin with a stroll along the narrow lanes of Niederburg, Konstanz’s oldest district, with its rambling lanes and rich patrician houses, many dating back to the 13th century. Visit the famous Minster with its magnificent neo-Gothic architecture before ending at Imperia, a 30 feet high statue inspired by a 16th century Italian courtesan of the same name. It bears in each hand the symbol of earthly and divine power, a reference to the many church dignitaries who attended the Council of Konstanz in the 15th century. While highly controversial on its conception in 1933, it is now regarded as the symbol of Konstanz. (B)
Day 3 Black Forest.
Depart this morning for a tour of the beautiful scenery of the Black Forest. Learn how the Black Forest got its name and marvel at the incredibly deep forests before reaching our first stop, Triberg. Here we will visit the highest waterfall in Germany and enjoy a walk alongside the torrents. Continue to the typical Black Forest village of Furtwangen, famous for its cuckoo clock makers and enjoy some time at leisure for an independent lunch in one of the many excellent cafes. Our next stop is the delightful lakeside town of Titisee where we will enjoy a tasting of the famous Black Forest cherry cake and free time to wander through the village. Return to Konstanz in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B)
Day 4 The Flower Island of Mainau.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we depart for a visit to Mainau, an island famous for its abundance of flowers. Taking advantage of the benign climate conditions of Lake Constance, the island offers an incredible year-round floral spectacle across 45 hectares. The island houses themed gardens which are a delight depending on the season and includes a Rhododendron Slope, Italian Rose Garden, Dahlia Garden and Hydrangea Path. See exotic trees, flowers and plants from all over the world. We will have a tour followed by free time to enjoy the garden independently. (B)
Day 5 Friedrichshafen & Meersburg.
After breakfast cross the lake by car ferry to visit the town of Friedrichshafen, home to the fascinating Zeppelin Museum. The museum is not only dedicated to the famous Zeppelin airship, the LZ 129 Hidenburg, but also houses an impressive exhibition on the history of airship travel from its beginnings in the 18th century to the present. Continue to the delightful lakeside town of Meersburg where we will have a walking tour and lunch in a local restaurant. Finish the day with a tasting of local wines produced in the region before returning to the hotel by car ferry for an evening at leisure. (B, L)
Day 6 Arenenberg.
This morning visit the Arenenberg estate and castle. The step-daughter of Napoleon Bonaparte chose this castle for her residence in exile after the defeat at Waterloo and enlarged and decorated it to make it the jewel it is today. After a guided tour, take some time to walk through the beautiful garden at your own pace. Enjoy coffee and cake while admiring the stunning view over the lower lake and surrounding countryside before returning to the hotel to enjoy a leisurely final afternoon. In the evening, we will meet for a farewell dinner served in a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 7 Zurich, Switzerland to London.
After breakfast bid farewell to Lake Constance and transfer to Zurich airport for the return scheduled flight to London. (B)
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy13 to 19 September 2024 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
Garden View Double Room | £2995 | |
Lake View Double Room | £3195 | |
Garden View Single Room | £3495 | |
Lake View Single Room | £3795 |
Tour Reference Code: LACONSTANCE
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Six nights hotel accommodation at the Steigenberger Insel Hotel • Meals as indicated (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner) • Noble Caledonia Tour Manager • Excursions with local guide • Entrance fees • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Group Size: We are restricting the group size to just 25 participants.
Steigenberger Insel Hotel
The Steigenberger Insel Hotel boasts a spectacular location on a private island on Germany’s largest lake, Lake Constance. Formerly a Dominican monastery with an interesting history dating back to the 13th century, it is now a five-star hotel with breathtaking lake views. The hotel provides an ideal location for relaxation or from which to explore the historic town of Konstanz, with its cobbled streets and old town, as well as the nearby attractions.
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