We will have 3-4 days from when we leave Frankfurt to when we need to be in Munich, and are considering driving around the Lake. Any recommendations on what to see or where to stay? Hoping to sneak over to Liechtenstein just to say we've been there, but we won't be too upset if we can't do it. Trip is in mid-September.
Posted by
613 posts
There are a handful of impressive Baroque churches north of the west end of L. Constance.
Take the ferry from Meersburg to Mainau Island.
Places to stay: Everybody goes to Lindau. I prefer Meersburg or Richenau Insel (not sure of spelling) to get away from the tourist hordes.
My not to miss road trip for FRA to MUC is the Route de Vin Alsace on the French side of the Rhine Valley.
Warning: Before driving in Switzerland, be sure to look up the cost of the window sticker which you must buy at the border.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
135 posts
Liechtenstein isn't interesting IMO. I wouldn't go there. Neither are the roads and towns on the Swiss side of the Bodensee (Lake Constance), because you can't see the Swiss Alps from there. You only need a Swiss vignette (sticker) when driving on the Swiss autobahns that are marked by an N (=Nationalstrassen). A sticker costs € 36.50 (40 Swiss francs) and is for the whole year including the previous December and the following January. There is no short term sticker in Switzerland, whereas there is one for Austria that you need for driving the very short distance on the Austrian side of the lake (for motorways only). The most interesting and beautiful towns on the German side of the lake are Lindau, Meersburg, Überlingen and Konstanz (Constance).
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2394 posts
You have plenty of time to go to Liechtenstein and you want to go there, SO DO IT. Nearby Feldkirch is worth a short stop. On the north side of the lake you can visit the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen, Lindau, Meersburg with its nice location and castle, the nearby baroque church Birnau, and the lake dwelling museum at Unteruhldingen. If you are interested in Reptiles, there is also a small ‘zoo’ in the town.
Getting a little ways away from lake, there are other attractions. For example, the walled town of Ravensburg, the Basilica at Weingarten, and the ape zoo at Salem.
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1549 posts
With your limited time, no need to detour too far from the lake. I like Reichenau but too far out of the way for a base. Stay in the Meersburg/Uberlingen area. Those two, a lunchtine cruise and Salem can take up two days. Reichenau and Mainau is a day. Lindau is worth a visit. Boat to Konstanz. A bit further on the Swiss side, Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein one way, St Gallen the other.
Nein to Lichtenstein but who am I to say - I did it for the same reason you are thinking of.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32709 posts
If you decide to go to Lichtenstein anyway, please come back and let us know how it went. I'd like to know if you loved it, and why, or if you are like many here - me included - who found Lichtenstein to have little or no things of interest. Please let us know.
Posted by
Augsburg, Bavaria
2327 posts
To some people the greatest attraction of Liechenstein is that you can have your passport stamped at the tourist office (for CHF 3.--).
BTW, I'd not say that L. is unattractive. But it can simply not compete with surrounding Austria and Switzerland.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32709 posts
That web page doesn't say it is a passport stamp I don't think. If the passport were to be stamped saying tourist office, how would other country border agents react?
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thanks for all the replies, everyone! I am looking into everything to see what will best work for our situation....I've never planned a trip like this, and it has been interesting!