Lake Constance
 

We will be traveling from Paris by train with the destination of Lake Constance. My husband is seeking out his "roots" in Konstanz. I would appreciate any tips, ie. should we stay in Zurich or Winterthur or Konstanz? The stay will only be 1 or 2 days as we will be heading to Italy.

Depending upon how much time you actually need to spend in Konstanz seeking the "roots", I'd recommend Stein am Rhein, quite close and a lovely little town. The Hotel Rheinfels is a charming three star with an excellent restaurant. Konstanz itself is not bad either, and certainly a little larger.

I second Patrick's suggestion. It's an amazing little town.

You might want to consider the charming town of Meersburg on the north shore of Lake Konstanz almost directly north of Konstanz and only a 20 minute ferry ride away. Meersburg has a lakeside promenade that offers lovely views. Steigstrasse connects the shoreside town with the upper town and offers a delightful stroll past charming half timbered houses. The upper town is dominated by two castles; The old castle (Altes Schloss) dates back to the 7th century and is the oldest inhabited castle in Germany; the new castle dating from the 18th century is Baroque in its interior design. <BR><BR>Here's a couple of websites for accommodations in Meersburg. Go first, to www.meersburg.de/baeren/index.htm The site's in German, but you can see photos of this ancient inn and its charming rooms. Prices range from $62.00 to $85.00 a night for a double. <BR>For information in English go to: www.karenbrown.com/germany/gasthofzumbaren.html<BR>

My apologies, the German website for Gasthof Baren is: www.meersburg.de/baeren/seite1.htm

If you don't plan to get a car, then the city of Konstanz is just fine. If you have a car, Stein am Rhine is a nice town (I also like Hotel Rhinefels), or just across the river in Switzerland is another nice hotel in Gottlieben, the Romantik Hotel Waaghaus.

Thank you all. I found Stein am Rhein on the map and will check further.

To: Wes Fowler<BR>You mentioned Meersburg. It turns out that my husband's grandmother was from Meersburg.