Early May we're starting in Konstanz, self-guided biking around the Bodensee and ending up in Konstanz. Easy riding, 20-40K per day. Any restaurants that are favorites? Any 'must-sees'? After the bike tour a few days in Appenzell, St. Gallen.

You will find that the Lake Constance (Bodensee) region is perfect for biking.

I would travel clockwise from Konstanz, because the prettier part is along the north shore of the lake. This way, if you run out of time, you can take the train -at least part way - along the Swiss shore of the lake which, in my opinion, is less interesting.

Afdter you leave Konstanz, be sure to spend some time visiting the Insel (island) Mainau with its wonderful floral gardens. If you feel ike it, do at least part of the shores of the Ueberlinger See, perhaps transfering by boat from the Insel Mainau to the north shore. I'm not sure what the boat connections are, but check them out.

Then, obviously, spend some time in Meerbsurg.

Friedrichshafen - as a city -is not that interesting It was nearly completely razed to the ground in several air raids in 1944 and rebuilt not too attractively. But the Zeppelin Museum at the habor is well worth a visit. The museum also has a nice restaurant. Of course, if you really want to splurge and one of the new Zeppelin NT airships is in, take a ride around the eastern part of the Bodensee in it. But it is expensive, but - in my opinion - well worth. Their website is [email protected]

From Friedrichshafen to Lindau is one of the prettiest and best bicycle routes. Wasserburg, Nonnenhorn, Bad Schachen are well worth stops.

Stay either in Lindau on the island, in the old part or check on Bavaria Ben's website the Montfort Schloessle hotel. This is an old wine-making operation on about 5lm inland from the lake, on the mainland. The rustic hotel does not take credit cards and doesn't have an elevator, but it is a place where the burghers of Lindau go for outdoor dinners in the countryside.

Obviously, in Bregenz take the cable car to the top of the Pfaender.

I grew up not too far from Lindau, and every Fall we rode our bikes to the Bodensee and bought sacks of apples which had to last us throghout the winter. For the trip home (und back into the Allgaeu mountains) we took the train. Too many appples to haul.

Aftert you leave Konstanz

PS: You probably noticed, that I hit the "submit" button a bit early. Sorry about that

I biked around the lake in 2006, starting in Lindau. I stayed overnight, left my "big" bag at the hotel (Gasthof Inselgraben -- basic hotel, good restaurant, and really nice people) and took only a fairly small backpack along for the 3 nights; spent 2 nights in Konstanz and one night in Immenstaad (Hotel Heinzler -- very nice) and then the last night back in Lindau. Worked out great. I did bike to Stein-am-Rhein from Konstanz; took boat across to Uberlingen (wish I knew the story of the fountain -- treplow?) Absolutely loved all the parks along the lake and the wisteria on the houses. When I got back to Lindau I spent some time in the harbor area, enjoying a street performer and several musicians. You'll have a great trip!

ttt

TRAVELSOLO2: There are three Brunnen (fountains) of significance in Ueberlingen1) The Bodenseereiter Brunnen. I imagine that is the one you are referring to. This fountain, the Bodenseereiter (Horseman), is by a modern (still living?) artist. The three women shown are somehow tied to a 1826 poem that deals with the 1573 crossing on a horse of the frozen lake by some Swiss nobleman.

(2) the Haensele Brunnen (1934) is tied to the main character in the Uebereinger Fastnet (Fastnacht, similar to Mardi Gras).

(3) The 1553 "Kaiserbrunnen" is a monument to Kaiser Karl V, of the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations. (I think I got the right "Empire".

I don't want to take undue credit for my knowledge of the often very regionalized German history (where and when I grew up, we didn't learn too much about Ueberlingen's history. You can read all about these fountains on the Uberelingen Wikepeda, provided you are fairly current in your German.

Anyhow, I am glad you enjoyed your trip through the region.

If you run out of time on the Swiss side you can take a boat back rather than the train. My highlights were the Zeppelin museum and the aquarium. Restaurants were not particular highlights until a multi-millionaire I know took us to a restuarant up near Au on the coast, but in the same way I was confused by finding Brad Pitt in the Gents loos I did not find the name.

treplow -- Yes, it is the Boedenseereiter Brunnen that I was curious about; sounds like a good (??) story! I thought the women were mermaids.... I'll try Wikipedia. My German should be able to handle it. Thank you so much for the explanations!

oops, make that "Bodenseereiter". (Sometimes I forget to preview.)