Heidelberg and Lake Constance
- 8 Days
- From £1,169
- Germany
- The historic university town of Heidelberg
- The island resort of Lindau
- Lake Constance: Four countries, one lake
- Return journey via Augsburg with its medieval centre
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Upgrade hotels and rail journeys
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations
- 7 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Comprehensive directions to your hotels
- Clearly-presented wallets for your rail tickets, hotel vouchers and other documentation
- All credit card surcharges and complimentary delivery of your travel documents
Suggested Itinerary
Leave London mid-morning and take the Eurostar to Brussels before connecting onto the scenic Rhine Valley route via Cologne to Heidelberg, where you’ll arrive in time for dinner. Check in for a 3-night stay at the Heidelberger Hof Hotel (or similar).
Heidelberg is one of Europe’s oldest university towns, boasting a beautiful riverside setting, a hilltop castle and a lovely Baroque Old Town, which, unlike many German cities, survived WW2 almost intact.
Enjoy a full day exploring Heidelberg which, in the 18th and 19th centuries, inspired painters and poets such as Goethe, Mark Twain and J M W Turner.
We recommend a wander around the Altstadt and castle, a climb up to the Philosophenweg (Philosopher’s Walk) across the bridge from the Old Town or a boat cruise along the Neckar River. In the evening, the Marktplatz is a great place for dinner or simply people-watching with a local beer.
Spend a last morning in Heidelberg before returning to the station for a lunchtime departure to Lindau. This journey takes you via Ulm with its distinctive towering cathedral (the tallest in the world) and the shores of Lake Constance before arriving into Lindau in the mid-afternoon.
On arrival, check in at the conveniently located Bayerischer Hof Hotel (or similar), just across from the main station. From here, the stunning harbour (pictured) is easily accessible.
There’s plenty to do in this picturesque corner of Germany. As well as exploring the walkable centre of Lindau itself, you can also take a boat out onto the lake and visit other interesting destinations such as Konstanz, Friedrichshafen (home to the fascinating Zeppelin Museum) and Bregenz, over the border into Austria.
Another not to be missed attraction is the flower island of Mainau (pictured) with its year-round magical display of flowers. If you fancy stretching your legs, there are some stunning walking trails on offer, taking you along the lakefront and up into the surrounding hills.
After a leisurely breakfast in your hotel this morning, return to the station for a direct train service to Augsburg.
When you arrive in Augsburg, make your way to the Hotel Maximilian’s (or similar) for an overnight stay. You’ll be within easy walking distance of Augsburg’s historic core, featuring the 11th-century St. Mary’s cathedral, the onion-domed Sankt Ulrich und Afra abbey and some lovely medieval guild houses.
Leave Augsburg today and take the train to Frankfurt for the ICE service into Brussels. From here, join the Eurostar for your last rail journey back to London.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Heidelberg
This family-run hotel is located in Heidelberg’s central university district, right next to the start of the city-centre pedestrianised zone. All non-smoking bedrooms come with sound-proofing, a 37 inch flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi internet access. The hotel also offers a sauna and a small gym.
Lindau
Lindau’s premier hotel located right on the waterfront, this palatial hotel is an ideal getaway on the shores of Lake Constance. It’s also just steps away from the main station. Guests can take a pleasant drink on the terrace or a delicious meal in the hotel’s fantastic restaurant. The Babor Beauty Spa offers beauty treatments along with saunas, a steam room and a caldarium.
Augsburg
The Hotel Maximilian’s is an historic property located in the centre of Augsburg. Individually decorated bedrooms are furnished with flat-screen TVs, a minibar and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi access. The hotel also boasts a restaurant with a show kitchen and relaxing bar as well as a spa area with a range of beauty treatments available to book.
