Bodensee

Known in English as Lake Constance, the Bodensee is about 65 km (40 mi) long and 15 km (9 mi) wide, making it second in size in Switzerland only to Lac Léman (Lake Geneva). The strong German flavor of the towns on its Swiss edge is seasoned with a resort-village mellowness; palm trees fringe the waterfront. This isn't the Mediterranean, though; as the lake is not protected by mountains, it is turbulent in stormy weather and can be windy in spring and fall, but summers can be quite humid. European vacationers come here in summer for swimming, windsurfing, and fishing. Small vacation homes alternate with opulent villas along the lakefront.