DESTINATIONS LAKE CONSTANCE | ACTIVE & ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS
Shorething o
verlooked by snow-capped Alps, Lake Constance extends into Austria, Germany and Switzerland, with the micro-state of
Liechtenstein only a few miles south. Fed by the Rhine, its 170-mile shoreline sees scenic, hilly vineyards divide medieval towns. Factor in beckoning blue water which heats to 26C in summer, and Lake Constance makes an ideal setting for outdoor activities. The key to holidays here is discerning how energetic clients wish to be. Trips to Central Europe’s third-largest lake can easily be adrenaline-packed, or gentle. Here, we take a look at all that’s on offer, by country.
SWITZERLAND
Easily accessed by Brits thanks to regular, 80-minute trains from Zurich airport to the waterside town of Rorschach, Switzerland’s section of Lake Constance is shared between two cantons. Descending south from the smaller Lower Lake Constance section, Thurgau’s shores are characterised by mild hills and apple orchards. It’s known as a good place to hike or bike, thanks to lots of short circular trails. A much meatier challenge is the circumnavigating Lake Constance Trail, well signposted and available for walkers or cyclists in four to 11 stages. Southeast of Rorschach in St Gallen’s canton below the Alpstein massif, are a series of popular beaches. And as with the lake as a whole, most towns also offer boat hire. Bumpier hiking awaits inland here, too, as do fine lake vistas.
LIECHTENSTEIN
Only a scenic, 40-minute drive from Rorschach is the principality of Liechtenstein, which measures just 6.7 square miles. Here clients can enjoy the pedestrianised centre of capital Vaduz, before heading for a tasting at the reigning Prince’s winery. Outside Vaduz, the Malbun resort village and
Sareisjoch mountain ridge host skiers or snowboarders in winter, and summer walkers enjoying more stupendous views from numerous grassy paths.
Other walking options include
the six-mile Grüschaweg circuit, which crosses forests and passes royal residence Vaduz Castle
Particularly fun is a ramble with local mountain guides who’ll tell you interesting anecdotes. Far quirkier is the option to trot alongside llamas or alpacas, with Lama & Alpakahof Triesenberg. Just as unusual is the Adler Tour, where a falconer and their golden eagle accompany visitors on one-and-a-half to two-hour hikes. Other walking options include an all-encompassing,
30-mile Panoramic Trail of Liechtenstein or the six-mile Grüschaweg circuit, which crosses forests and passes pointy-towered royal residence Vaduz Castle.
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travelweekly.co.uk 19 MAY 2022 39
Clients can bank on plenty of opportunities to get active on an escape to Lake Constance and its surrounds, says Richard Mellor
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