Self Guided Lake Constance by Bike
Self Guided Lake Constance by Bike
Self Guided Lake Constance by Bike
7 Days Starting and ending in Konstanz (Constance)
Visiting: Konstanz, Stein am Rhein, Überlingen, Kressbronn, Höchst
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CSLC
Group Type:
Independent
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Low, Easy
Age range:
14-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
On this self-guided cycling holiday you follow the flat, car-free and gentle cycle path around Lake Constance. The trip starts in the charming university town of Konstanz and along the way you will see thermal spas, idyllic villages and vineyards. Germany, Switzerland and Austria - Three countries on two wheels in one week Historic towns and villages - Overnight in historic towns Lake swims - Plenty of opportunities to swim in the lake.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Holiday Starts In Konstanz
Location: Konstanz
Accommodation: Hotel Volapuk
You start your holiday in Konstanz (Constance) - Lake Constance's biggest city on the lake and located in Germany. Some 600 years ago this was where the Council of Constance took place, the only council to elect a pope that was held north of the Alps. The Rhine leaves Lake Constance here on its way to the North Sea. Only a few minutes by foot from the medieval town centre is the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen with its lively harbour. Depending on availability you may be staying in Kreuzlingen instead.
Your bike will be delivered either today or tomorrow morning and you will be required to sign an agreement of care upon receipt of the bike.
Public transport and taxis are easily organised from Zurich Airport (ZRH).
Day 2: Cycle From Konstanz To Stein Am Rhein In Switzerland Via Radolfzell
Location: Stein am Rhein
Accommodation: Hotel Roseberg
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's ride takes a route around the German northern shores of the Untersee (Lower Lake) that connects to the Rhine. The town of Radolfzell grew around a monastery founded in 826 AD as a 'cell' under Bishop Radolf of Verona. The town belonged to the Abbey of Reichenau, then subsequently to the house of Habsburg becoming a Free Imperial City for 40 years. Worth visiting is the 15th century gothic Cathedral of our Dear Lady, decorated in baroque style in the 18th. Continue along the Hori peninsula, where Hermann Hesse once lived you cross the 'green border' into the Swiss town of Stein am Rhein, which has a very picturesque old town.
Your total cycling distance today is approximately 45 kilometres (100 metres total ascent).
Day 3: Ride From Stein Am Rhein Via Konstanz To Überlingen In Germany
Location: Überlingen
Accommodation: Hotel Wiestor
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you continue cycling around the Untersee, as you ride back towards Konstanz on the southern shores through picturesque Swiss fishing villages. Once back in Germany you ride north through Konstanz to Wallhausen where a short boat crossing with your bike takes you to Uberlingen. The route then continues to the former imperial town of Uberlingen with its gothic minster and beautiful esplanade.
Your total cycling distance today is approximately 44 kilometres (185 metres total ascent).
Day 4: Ride Überlingen To Kressbronn
Location: Kressbronn
Accommodation: Landgasthof Dorfkrug
Meals Included: Breakfast
Continuing along the lakeside, take your time to explore Meersburg an unspoiled baroque town with the oldest inhabited castle in Germany. The terrace of the New Castle as well as the fortress offer the most unimpeded outlook over the lake and the impressive alpine range on clear days. Continue through vineyards to Friedrichshafen and stop for a rest at one of the cafes on the bustling promenade, one of the longest and most beautiful on Lake Constance. You end the ride meandering through orchards to Kressbronn. According to hotel availability at time of booking you may need to cycle one kilometres further to spend the night in nearby Nonnenhorn.
Your total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres (85 metres total ascent).
Day 5: Cycle From Kressbronn Through Austria To Höchst
Location: Höchst
Accommodation: Hotel Krenn
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's first highlight is the charming Castle Montfort in Langenargen, built in a Moorish style. Adjacent to the castle is Germany's first suspension bridge, the Argenbrucke. Next, you will be cycling through orchards until you reach the Bavarian town of Lindau - a must-do is to visit the city centre on the island, full of medieval and half-timbered buildings. From here is a short ride to the Austrian border and the festival town of Bregenz, where you should visit the floating stage, go for a swim in the lake and visit the well preserved upper town. Once you arrive in Hard, you cross the Rhine, which flows in from the Swiss Alps. The estuary is an important nature reserve. Your final destination for the day is Hochst in Austria. According to hotel availability at time of booking you may spend the night in Rorschach just across the border, in Switzerland.
Your total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres (50 metres total ascent) if staying in Hochst or 50 kilometres if staying in Rorschach.
Day 6: Ride From Höchst Through 'Cider India' Back To Konstanz
Location: Konstanz
Accommodation: Hotel Volapuk
Meals Included: Breakfast
The last ride is devoted to the Canton of Thurgau which is endearingly known as 'Mostindien' (Cider India) because of its huge apple orchards and slightly remote location, at least from the Swiss perspective. The route takes you along the banks of the lake to the old St. Gallen harbour town of Rorschach with its stately public buildings and unmissable Kornhaus (granary) built in 1749. Bathing in the lake here is also very popular. Continue riding through several small villages back to Konstanz.
Your total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres (75 metres total ascent) if starting from Rorschach or 55 kilometres if starting from Hochst.
Day 7: Holiday Ends In Konstanz
Location: Konstanz
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, the organised part of your holiday comes to an end.
Public transport and taxis are easily organised to Zurich Airport (ZRH) from Konstanz.
What's Included
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Meals – Breakfast Only
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Bike
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Accommodation
What's Not Included
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Public transport and taxis are easily organised from Zurich Airport (ZRH)
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Tipping and Gratuities
Check out our Q&As
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
6 nights comfortable hotel
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
A solo traveller supplement applies, contact us for prices.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Cycling grade easy
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
There are no guides on a self-guided trip
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Are e-bikes available on this trip?
Electric bikes (e-bikes) are available for an additional cost for the duration of the holiday. You will be required to pay a refundable deposit upon collection of the e-bike in country. Please contact us for more details or to request your e-bike.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We can book pre and post tour hotel nights.
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Company Instant Book
All self-guided trips are on a request basis.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No. Public transport and taxis are easily organised from Zurich Airport (ZRH)
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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