If visiting 4 scenic and sophisticated countries in 48 hours isn’t reason enough to immediately jet off to Lake Constance, here are 5 more reasons to book a trip to Central Europe’s very own poser-free Riviera.
1. Because Liechtenstein!
Earn some cool points and tick this microstate off the Europe list before all of your jet-setting crew. This comical country, just south of the lake, is only 24km from one end to the other! The 6th smallest nation in the world, Liechtenstein has more quirks than residents. To name a few, it’s the leading manufacturer of false teeth, its national anthem is suspiciously similar to ‘God Save the Queen”, its currency is Swiss and its monarchs are Austrian! Time it right and you might be able to sneak into His Serene Highness Prince Hans-Adam II’s annual garden party for residents; the wealthiest monarch in Europe (despite ruling over just 37,000 citizens) is bound to throw a hella good one! Visit his Princely vineyards beforehand for some Dutch courage in the form of a delicious white pinot noir that you can only find in Liechtenstein itself.
2. For Mainau Island, the epitome of summer
Nowhere feels more like summer than on this glorious little German island. A flowery wonderland and impressive botanical garden, Mainau is the perfect place to bask in the sunshine while enjoying the colourful flowers and the people-watching. Not to mention, this stunningly pretty island is an Instagrammer’s paradise – the photo says it all!
3. If a ‘wine hike’ sounds like your kind of mountain walk
From lakeside St Gallen in Switzerland, it’s a short train ride to nearby Weinfelden in the countryside, the starting point of a 9km, approximately 3-hour wine hike (Trendwatch 2017!) Swing your “tasting backpack” over your shoulder and set off into the vineyards with everything you might possibly need to successfully find the “wine safes” dotted along the route. They can be unlocked for tastings with a secret code in your backpack. What an ingenious way to explore the Swiss hills and of course earn and burn those extra calories!
4. Outdoor Music Festival
Austria’s lakeside cultural town of Bregenz is a summertime dream with long promenades framed by manicured gardens and even a panoramic cable car that’ll take you up the Pfänder for spectacular views over the Swiss Alps and Lake Constance, or Bodensee in German. Time your trip well for the famous main event: the annual Bregenz performing arts Festival held every July and August (19 July – 20 Aug 2017). The highlight is an impressive floating stage on the lake where Carmen will be running for the next two summers. With tickets starting at just €30, this is an event well worth flying to for all you culture-seeking Citizen Femmes.
5. Cheese and chocolate – heaven?
Been working hard on the beach body? Where better to have a cheat day (or two) than in the land of cheese and chocolate? Head to Germany’s quintessentially European Lindau Island for winding cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings and cute cheese stores, and don’t miss the cheese and wine heaven that is Käse Ecke. A tasting with entertaining owner and cheese sommelier Michael Bode is a scrumptious and educational experience; who doesn’t want to be a cheese expert?! Do keep some room for chocolate too in St Gallen – the Swiss stuff absolutely tastes better in situ!
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