Next September we're traveling by car from Salzburg to Zurich, and plan to spend the night around Meersburg on The Bodensee also known as Lake Constance. What should we see in this area, and any recommendations for over night? 2 & 3 star places are perfectly fine, we like casual accomadations with the local people.

Obviously, you know about the castle, which is really very impressive. Other sites nearby are Friedrichshafen (the Zeppelin-Museum) and Lindau. <BR>have you checked out http://www.bodensee-info.com/ ? <BR>

While prices are lower in Bodensee, I would not recommend spending too many days there. Salzburg/Hallstad and Lucerne area are a lot more amazing. I have visited Bodensee enroute twice. To me Meersburg, Konstanz & Lindau were just ok. Konstanz is most comfortable & real for me to stay overnight because it is less of a tourist trap. I have the impression that there are more restaurants for the locals in Konstanz.

Hello Liv, It's been awhile since I visited the Bodensee area, but I was there for several days and loved it. Meersburg and Lindau are both lovely and interesting. I especially found Lindau's harbor to be enchanting. We stayed in Uberlingen, so I cannot recommend a place to stay. I'm sure the website mentioned above will assist. Your itinerary sounds like a dandy.

Hi Liv! <BR> <BR>Here is a Pension I got from the site: <BR>&lt;www.meersburg.de/02tourismus/&gt;. <BR>It is one of a number in the price range of around $60 per night for a double room incl. breakfast and taxes. <BR> <BR>"Gästehaus Claudia <BR>Inhaber: Familie Comiotto <BR>Seepromenade 8 88709 Meersburg <BR>Telefon: 07532/50 90 Fax: 07532/49 58 61 <BR>Internet: www.hotel-claudia.de <BR> <BR>Beschreibung: <BR>Ein freundliches Haus direkt am See mit herrlichem Blick von der Promenade auf See und Alpen. Zentrale Altstadtlage, kurze Wege zum Schiffsanleger und Thermalbad. Gut ausgestattete Zimmer mit Dusche/WC und Farb-TV. <BR> <BR>Ausstattung: <BR>Garage, Parkplätze vorhanden, Fahrradabstellmöglichkeit, Zimmer mit Bad oder Dusche/WC, TV in allen Zimmern, keine Haustiere. <BR>Die angegebenen Preise gelten pro Nacht und Zimmer inkl Frühstück und Kurtaxe". <BR> <BR>It is centrally situated, right on the lake promenade, with views to the Alps. It is close to the thermal baths and the landing stages. <BR> <BR>Car parking is available. Rooms have bath/shower and color TV. No pets allowed. <BR> <BR>This sounds good value to me. There is also a range of Pensions at lower prices than these as well. I can look them up for you if you are interested. <BR> <BR>Good luck <BR>Harzer <BR> <BR> <BR>

Meersburg is a lovely little town. We spent a couple of days there in '95, using it as a base to explore the area. We stayed in a wonderful little hotel in the center of town, the Zum Baren, in their corner room with a big round sitting area looking right down the hill and the street to the sea. It's a small place, three stars, I'd think, and has a great restaurant that seemed to be filled with the locals. I remember returning late at night and trying to get a single malt Scotch in the bar, but they were just closing. So the owner/bartender poured me a huge tumbler full of Glenfiddich and suggested I take it to my room with me. I fell unconscious that night! The scotch was on our bill when we checked out -- about $2.00!. I do find a note about enjoying great drinks and dinner while watching the sunset over the lake on the terrace at the Wilder Mann Hotel in Meersburg. That's not where we stayed, but I'd think it would also be a good choice, although certainly a little larger and more "touristy" than the Zum Baren. Don't miss going to Mainau, the beautiful island of flowers and gardens in the lake, not far from Meersburg. It has an almost Mediteranean climate and would still be beautiful in September. We also enjoyed Konstantz and have been through there a couple of times since. The whole area seems so less touristy (except for Mainau) than the south shore of the lake in Switzerland.

Liv, <BR>Here are a few ideas for touring the area around Lake Konstanz. Drop me an Email if you've any questions. <BR> <BR>From Meersburg, drive west along the shore of the Bodensee to Unteruhldingen. The town has a fascinating museum devoted to the prehistoric dwellers along the shore of the lake. In addition, there’s a recreation of a typical prehistoric village with its houses on stilts. From Unteruhldingen, turn north on a highly scenic road for about 4 miles to the village of Salem which is the home of an early 12th century Cistercian abbey, updated in the Baroque style in the 18th century. Part of the abbey has been rebuilt as a castle and has a truly imposing Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall) worth a visit. <BR> <BR>Continue on another 4 miles to Heiligenberg with its Renaissance castle that features the woodcarver’s skills in its ceiling and chapel interior. There’s also a stunning display of stained glass. <BR> <BR>Now, drive north about 2 ½ miles and turn right towards Wilhelmdorf continuing for about 15 miles just prior to Ravensburg. Follow signs to Weingarten, about 3 miles to the north of Ravensburg and visit the largest of Germany’s Baroque basilicas with its superb ceiling frescoes by Cosmar Asam, one of Germany’s foremost Baroque artisans. <BR> <BR>Take Rte B30 south to Ravensburg and the center of the town, the Marienplatz. The town square is surrounded by elegant and beautifully preserved medieval houses and commercial buildings such as the Leatherworkers Guildhouse (Lederhaus), Corn Exchange (Kornhaus) and the Weighing Office (Waaghaus). Look for the Mehlsack, a tower with 240 steps that affords a spectacular view over the Bodensee to the Alpine range beyond. Don’t make the effort of climbing the steps unless it’s a spectacularly clear day! <BR> <BR>From Ravensburg drive southwest on Rte B30 about 12 miles to Friedrichshaven. The city has little of historic interest since it was severely damaged in World War II however it has a shoreside promenade that offers some attractive views. <BR> <BR>From Friedrichshaven, drive east along the lakeshore for about 20 miles to Lindau, a charming small city situated on an island (accessible by causeway). Maximilianstrasse, the main street, is in the middle of the island and is highly picturesque with its old houses and inns. Drive along the southern shore of the island to the harbor (Hafen) and stop at the Romerschanze, a view point where you can see a good part of the German and Swiss Alpine range including Switzerland’s Santis and Altmann mountains and Germany’s Kanisfluh, the Hoher Freschen and the Drie Schwestern. <BR> <BR>You can then return to Meersburg along the northern shore of the Bodensee. <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> <BR> <BR> <BR>

I like Wes's suggestions for the area. I used to attend the Uni in Konstanz - while you are there take a look at it, very ummmm Modern, not what you expect from the rest of the town. What everyone is saying about Konstanz not being as touristy is true - prob because the majority of the population is the Uni. The Konzil is interesting when you know the story of all the things that happened in the town. Konstanz is the site where the Reform Council in the 1400's took place, in front of the Konzil is where Jan Huss was burned at the stake. The Muenster is lovely - the windows are amazing, and by now they should be fully restored. If it is a good clear day go to the top of the tower - the views are great and it is interesting seeing the graffiti there from over the years - some of it is from before WWI. The Rathaus is very nice inside and out and only takes a few minutes to see. <BR> <BR>Personally, I enjoyed taking the ferry from Konstanz to Lindau and walking around the city, but to me the city itself was overrated - I enjoyed the boat ride and the ferry much more than the city. But to each his own. <BR> <BR>Konstanz also has many very interesting, cool pubs/bars and resturants. There used to be one called the Keller - it was built in a cellar and had a "religious" motif. They only served wines and non-alcoholic beverages and food. Don't know if it is still open, but very different. My favorite place was actualy a Turkish resturant on the outskirts of the Fussganger platz called Radischen. Try their Borks, melt in your mouth to die for. We ate there at least once a week for a year. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful time! <BR>

I would second the recommendation for the Zepplin museum in Friedrichshafen and Wes's suggestions of Unteruhldingen's museum & re-creation of a prehistoric village with houses on stilts. Also his suggestion the Baroque Cistercian abbey. And Wes, I have a question for you if you come back to this thread...do you know the name of the small ornnate church on the shores of the Bodensee that is about a 1/2 mile or so walk from the prehistoric village on stilts? For years now I have been unable to recall its name (it's small but very ornate and beautiful inside) and I'd love to know it for my labeling of my photo album. <BR> <BR>

Anne,I believe the church you’re thinking of Anne is the Wallfahrtskirche St. Marien in Birnau. It’s a Baroque pilgrimage church built in the mid 1700’s on the shore of Lake Konstanz under the direction of Peter Thumb of the Vorarlberg school of architecture with interior Rococo decor by Josef Feuchtmyar. <BR>

Anne, <BR>I did a search of the internet for St. Mary’s pilgrimage church and found it. There’s a photo at http://www.lbw.bwue.de/fotoarchiv/la...de/fanet54.htm Take a look! <BR>

Bingo Wes! Wallfahrtskirche St. Marien in Birnau....That's it...I had forgotten it was in Birnau, but when I looked up my 11 year old photos I see I labeled the church as being in Birnau but didn't get the name....from the exterior photo I recall the setting and the tower looks the same as in my photos (taken from the other side..the front...of the church) I see I have another unlabelled photo a few pages back which *may* be the 12th century Cistercian abbey you mentioned. I will have to try and find a photo online of that to see if it's the same as my photo. Happen to know a web site for that one Wes? I sure appreciate your help with IDing these. I didn't get my film developed till months later and by then I had forgotten some names.

I looked on my own Wes just now for a photo of that abbey in Salem to see if its the same abbey/church I have in my album. Found a good photo of the Salem abbey at http://www.zum.de/Faecher/G/BW/Lande...em/salem04.htm and it's unfortunately not the place I have an unlabeled photo of. Very different style. Hmmmm. I believe its an abbey church (versus just a church..it was not in a town) but all I know is it is somewhere in either the Bodensee area or in an area we drove through when we left the Freiburg area to go to Bodensee area. The only labelled photos I have between those two is of the Titisee and Gesingen. It's still a mystery to me. Maybe I should scan it and post it here as a question sort of like the "where are you" questions in Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

We loved Meersburg! A suggestion for a hotel is 3 Stuben hotel. It is a lovely hotel in the heart of the town. You can find it at 3stuben.de. <BR> <BR>insel Mainua is a MUST-DO! You can take a boat there and see 30 foot tall rose bushes and some of the prettiest foilage . <BR>I did not care for Konstance the city at all, but Meersburg is charming.