We transfer via private van to Stein am Rhein, a completely walled medieval village whose frescoed houses make it one of the most picturesque villages in Europe.  After giving you a chance to settle in and change into your bike attire we transfer ro see Europe's waterfall where we take a baot to the large monlith in the cener of the river for an up close experience. Then we embark on an rasy 2-hour warm-up ride Stein am Rhein along what is considered Europe’s most pristine section of the Rhein River.  We stop at the 500yr old medieval wooden bridge that has always been a favorite local landmark of the locals as well as the river crossing from Switzerland into Germany. 
Along this route we enjoy a rural jaunt past fields of sunflowers and wheat, then pedal to a spot where you can take your first dip in the crystal clear river before we return to town for a visit of the overlooking castle fortress. From there we watch the sunset and over a complimentary drink we discuss the coming days.

Hotel: Your hotel is part of the colorful, geranium decorated rows of medieval houses along the Rhein River located at an ideal spot to watch the boats arrive.

The riding is nearly typically flat and the entire day is abundant in attractions. After a couple of miles we cross the Swiss border into Germany again. Our first stop is the lakeside village of Hemmenhofen, where the German painter Otto Dix as well as the writer Herman Hesse once lived.   We offer an optional visit to both of their homes, which now house small museums within a picturesque town square.
Forest, cherry orchards and wheat fields along the Untersee (the lower, smaller lake that stretches between Stein am Rhein and Konstanz) lead us into many peaceful, quiet tiny German fishing villages.  Then after a very short climb, we enjoy one of the most idyllic views over the lakes, villages, and mountains that embrace the island we are about to circle.  We cruise onto the island of Reichenau featuring a garden landscape and a 6th century village where an 8th century church houses many historically important & fascinating artifacts.

The scenery just seems to get better as a poplar tree-lined bike path leads us to the region’s largest nature reserve.  Here a large variety of water birds and plants are under protection. On our way into the university town of Constance where we board a ferry to lakeside, multi-castled jewel of Meersburg. As we cross the baroque, pink castle overlooking this colorful medieval town comes into view and upon entering Meersburg, the sight of a drawbridge to another ancient fortress makes you realize that there is much to explore in this tiny town. We tour the oldest inhabited castle in Germany, aptly named Alt Castle (translated Old Castle) and inspect the central tower of the castle first built during the 7th century, though the original structure is no longer visible.

Hotel: 3*** town house in the old center of Meersburg 

As we make our way for the car free bike path you can’t help note the abundance of vines along the lake. Local legends say that the Romans that settled here had not denied Jesus food and lodging, but welcomed him unlike the Romans of other surrounding villages. As a way of saying thank you, Jesus blessed these Romans with grapevines. The other villages immediately reconsidered their actions, asked forgiveness and of course also received some vines. However, their wine is said to be sour and the wine from Meersburg outstanding. WE stay in Meersburg Germany along the lake and have time to visit one of its 2 castles before dinner.
The following day we continue along hthe lake on a carfree bike path. By lunch we reach the widest point on the lake, Friedrichshafen, home of the Zeppelin airships. It was here the famous Hindenburg was built and flew regular transatlantic flights from Germany to North America and Brazil from March 1936 until it was destroyed by fire 14 months later on May 6, 1937 while landing in Manchester, New Jersey. This was the last of the great airship disasters which was the subject of spectacular newsreel coverage hastened the demise of the Zeppelins. In keeping with the museum concept of "Technology and Art", visitors can see for themselves how closely these two areas are related. The focus is on man and his position in the interplay between technology, nature, and faith.
Further along the lakeshores we pass through the picturesque peninsula and quaint town of Wasserburg. Founded in 724 when it was still an island the town name is translated “Water Castle.” We will take time to tour the castle and the Church of St George (14th century), both worth a visit. We end our day in the active island town of Lindau, famous for its gardens and architectural style.

Hotel: Lindau in upper scale 3*** hotel at the lakeshore & medieval part of town.

We leave Lake Constance to transfer for an excursion through Bavaria countryside that features one of Europe’s most famous castles; Neuschwanstein. We arrive early enough to cycle within the stunning environs of Bavaria starting from Wieskirche, an oval rococo church designed in the late 1740s that is now a UNESCO heritage. It seems that in 1738 tears were seen on a dilapidated wooden figure of the “Scourged Savior”. This miracle resulted in a pilgrimage rush to see the sculpture and in 1740, a small chapel was built to house the statue, but it was soon realized that the building would be too small for the number of pilgrims it attracted, which resulted in this Rocco masterpiece. The next morning before all the crowds arrive we do a tour of the renowned castle which is so impressive that even though Mad King Ludwig built three of them, and was planning a fourth, this is the only one people choose to visit. 
   We head back to the Lake and the tiny picturesque island town of Lindau, where the shores command a magnificent view of the Alps. This island town was often referred to as the “Venice of Swabia” because it was composed of several small islands connected with bridges. Only in the last century have the gaps been filled.  Now the town is composed of colorful impressive houses and shops from the bourgeois, an extremely colorful Rathaus, narrow alleyways and a lively lake promenade. In the middle of the 14th century a 150-year long period of wealth came to this island town. The trade route to Italy brought them salt, metal work, a variety of cloth and corn from the many different German towns along the lake.  Then via the nearby waterways the goods were transported to the Rhein and up to Chur from where Mule trails lead over the Alp passes to Italy. 
Our ride is highlighted by the seldom-experienced thrill of biking across 3 borders, Germany, Austria and into Switzerland, within a matter of minutes. The terrain is flat and the carless bicycle lane brings us through a nature reserve located along the Rhein Delta. The countless creeks, canals and backwaters nest over 500 species of birds. We soon find outselve back on the coast and ride past the scenic lakeside towns that now face the other side of the lake.

Hotel: Wonderful 3 star in historic center of Fussen & Romanshorn

We complete our loop around the lake and with luck with enough time to visit the Napoleon museum castle, which was once the residence of his stepdaughter and family. Lunch is at a fantastic bakery/café in Mammern, a quaint fishing village along the lake at a point where it empties itself into the Rhine River. Enjoy another swim at the sight where we first began our tour before our final leg brings us to where this enormous lake’s waters have created Europe’s largest waterfalls, Rheinfall  We stay in a picturesque medieval town famous for its alcoves and fortress overlooking the city. The next morning there is an optional city tour. It is Cornelia’s hometown, Schaffhausen (your tour designer.)

Hotel: A fun 3*** hotel with tastefully decorated rooms and  located inside medieval town and near the river Rhine.

Transportation Logistics

The following is a list of train schedules for transportation to and from the tour start and end locations. Train departure times and tracks are subject to change, so verify before boarding. Check www.sbb.ch for latest train times.

Trains from Zurich to Schaffhausen (tour start): ~ 1 hour
Zurich HB -11:47--arrival Schaffhausen ---12:44

Departing your tour: 
From Schaffhausen to Zurich: ~40 min. (departs every half hr.)
Schaffhausen -11:09--arrival Zurich HB ---11:48