Exploring the Lake Constance/Bodensee Region by Foot, Boat and Aircraft
March was unseasonably warm, and with any luck spring will encourage us to explore nature, culture, history, and technology using various methods of transportation. Most people living in Switzerland are already accustomed to travelling by train, tram and bus, so I would like to suggest other means of transportation that not only make travel enjoyable in good weather but also rely on it. The Lake Constance (German: Bodensee) region, bordering three countries (Switzerland, Germany, Austria), is a perfect destination for exactly that!
Exploring on foot
Kreuzlingen Harbor and the Seeburg Park
The Seeburg Park is the largest recreational park on Lake Constance, which is the third largest lake in Switzerland and Central Europe. The park extends 2.5 km along the lake within the Kreuzlingen Harbor area. In addition to adventurous playground facilities and mini-golf, the park houses a small petting zoo and aviary. There are manicured flowerbeds, lavish herb gardens, and a fascinating selection of poisonous plants. The walking trails meander around old-growth trees, protected marshland and biotopes. My family has enjoyed peering through the abundant swamp reeds with binoculars to search for indigenous birds or endangered amphibians that populate this natural protection area. Fortunately, abundant signs dot the area, providing good explanations of the various species and ecology (but only in German). There is a 15.4-meter observation tower to climb up and a platform high enough to view an intriguing small island, home to a number of woolly swine, and the neighboring historical city of Konstanz/Constance, Germany. If the temperature continues to warm up, you will soon be able to swim or splash around in the clear fresh lake water, which is so pure that it is used as a major source of drinking water in the Canton of Thurgau. There are also paddleboats to rent and a local skateboard park located at the harbor. Entrance to the park is free.
Castles and Museums
The beautiful Seeburg Castle, first built in 1598 and then rebuilt after a devastating fire in the 19th century, still maintains the latter’s architectural style. The castle stands out in the park center and is currently open as a rather elegant and pricy restaurant. The Seefahrtsmuseum (Seafaring Museum) is located adjacent to the castle and has a delightful children’s corner as well as a vast model ship collection consisting of steam ships, sailing vessels and fishing boats. It is worth a visit to gain insight into the history of boat transportation on the lake. The museum is open only on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and costs SFr. 8 for adults and SFr. 3.50 for children over the age of 10.
Constance, Germany
If your family prefers a more modern museum then I suggest you stroll over to Constance Germany, and visit the Sea Life Aquarium. Located just 500 meters from Kreuzlingen Harbor, this fantastic aquarium/zoo park is definitely for all ages! You can explore the Rhine and its inhabitants starting at its source in the Alps, into Lake Constance, and through the Rhine as it meanders northward emptying into the North Sea at Rotterdam. In addition you can explore such diverse habitats as those of the Red Sea and Antarctica. On March 19, 2014 a new turtle shelter opened, which showcases freshwater turtles and their natural habitat. This Sea Life addition augments the existing endangered giant green turtle encounter, my personal favorite. For young children, there is a plethora of hands-on activities throughout the park and even a rock pool where you can touch crabs and jellyfish.
Exploring by Water
Your visit to the Lake Constance area would not be complete without experiencing a cruise on the lake. The choice of vessel and trip can be overwhelming! There are ferries, ships (known as the White Line), and a catamaran. You could charter a newly renovated steam ship. Weather and season permitting, you can even ride the solar ferry “Solo Mio” on the route Kreuzlingen-Constance Harbor-Kreuzlingen.
An excursion via the “White Line” from Kreuzlingen Harbor to the Reichenau Peninsula (Germany) to visit the Unesco World Heritage-listed Monastary is fascinating for history buffs and can be completed as a half-day trip.
(Here is an overview of the ship companies that operate on and around Lake Constance.)
Our favorite full-day excursion, however, is to take the 56-minute catamaran trip from Constance Harbor to Friedrichshafen Germany, in order to traverse the lake at high speed and then explore the Zeppelin Museum located in Friedrichshafen. A round-trip catamaran cruise costs €20 for an adult and €10 per child.
Exploring by Air
Friedrichshafen and the Zeppelin Museum
Friedrichshafen is a university city in Baden-Württemberg, known as the birthplace of dirigible, or “zeppelin,” flight. Invented by Ferdinand von Zeppelin toward the end of the 19th century, zeppelins held the promise of a safer and more luxurious air transportation mode than other aircraft of the time. The Zeppelin museum is dedicated to the technology of dirigibles and the history of this technology. My sons could spend the entire day exploring all the different engines – the history of science coinciding with both world wars. Special attention is given to the Hindenburg disaster and the demise of blimp travel during WWII due to the embargo of helium to Germany. The life-sized model of a zeppelin and life within a dirigible caters to young children as well. There is a restaurant and gift shop too. An adult pass costs €8 and children above the age of six cost €3.
In 1993 the German dirigible construction company (LZ) began designing and building modern air ships. Since 2001 the Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei or DZR, flies dirigibles commercially. They offer different Zeppelin flights over the lake region, ranging from a duration of 30 minutes to several hours. Although a luxury, I would recommend a 30-minute long dirigible flight, if you can afford it. This short flight, or should I say float, cruises above Lake Constance and Friedrichshafen. The view of the lake from an altitude of 300 meters is breathtaking and the experience of floating quietly in the air surreal. At €200 per person for a 30-minute trip it is expensive but well worth it, in my opinion. This spring the DZR offers several specials. For instance, from March 15th until April 18th, a 30-minute flight, a stay in the hotel, breakfast and a three-course dinner and other amenities costs €299 per person. Special offers are updated frequently on the website, so have a look.
By Teresa Müller
Teresa is an earth scientist and instructor by education and an avid traveler and adventurer by nature. She has three boys ages 32, 19 and 16.
Photo by Albina Nogueira
