Lake Constance and Rhine Falls by Bike

Difficulty level 2/5, easy to medium. About 310km/190mi in total. No technical difficulties, riding mainly on cycling paths and greenways, with occasional shared lanes. The elevation gain/loss daily is minimal. This trip is usually accessible to children 12 years old and up.

You only need to carry your essential items for the day (lunch/picnic, water & personal belongings). Your extra luggage is transported by hotels or by taxi to your following accommodations each day of this trip. Bag drop-off is planned daily by 9am at hotel reception, then delivery time to the next stage is approximately 6pm. Bags are limited to 1 piece per person and can be up to 20kg/44.1lbs maximum weight.

Possibility to register from 2 people; It is possible to register as a solo traveler, but there is an additional supplement fee for a single room (subject to availability).

Departure day at your convenience from April 14 to October 3, 2024. 

The date of the departure determines the season and price.

8 Days / 7 Nights / 6 Days of Cycling

► Start
On Day 1 in Constance at hotel check-in (~3pm) 

► Finish
On Day 8 in Constance after ride

This is a self-guided trip. We will provide guest(s) with a digital travel packet that includes access to our smartphone guidance app, the list of your accommodations, any vouchers and all the information you need to make your stay run smoothly before your trip by email. You will find your printed travel packet with vouchers, luggage tags and the roadbook with maps of the itinerary at the first hotel included in this itinerary. 1 printed travel packet is provided per room.

► Accommodation

In double rooms with ensuite bathrooms in B&B. Single rooms are subject to availability and require a supplement fee.

This tour has the choice between two comfort categories:

Category A: Superior comfort in 3* & 4* hotels, very good level of comfort, some with wellness area and swimming pool.
Category B: Classic comfort in 2* & 3* hotels, good level of comfort with ensuite toilets and showers.

The difference between the two is that in category A, you will usually be accommodated in the main towns that border the lake. In category B, accommodation is more likely to be in smaller towns. Depending on the availability of the accommodation and the category of comfort chosen, the city where you are staying some nights varies. See the itinerary section for daily details.
 

Please Note: Accommodation photos are non-contractual. Accommodation may be subject to change. Subject to availability, we can book other hotels of equivalent comfort and standard.

► Room Types 

In Germany and Austria, they are generally unfamiliar with "double beds" (a single large mattress) and rarely with 2 twin beds. Generally, there is a single bed base and two 90cm/35.4in wide mattresses; Everyone has their own individual duvet/blanket. 3 person rooms are usually with a small extra bed or sofa bed (recommended if the third person in the room is a child). In the case of 3 adults, for reasons of comfort, we advise you to book 1 double room and 1 single room. 

► Hotel Classification 

In Europe, more and more hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses are refusing to take part in the star-rating system, even establishments which were classified a year or two ago are now choosing not to take part. This doesn't mean that they are of a lesser quality, in fact far from it. If we indicate that an accommodation is '3-star or equivalent to' this means that the establishment may have chosen not to receive an official classification, but we believe the level of comfort provided is equal to that of a traditional 3-star establishment. 

► Meals 

Breakfast included (7). Dinners and lunches are not included. Half board is not offered on this tour as an option. Lunches are at your own expense. Along the way, you will easily find options for lunch during rides and each evening has multiple dining options to choose from. Please note that in this region it is customary to dine earlier then you may be used to. Please be mindful of local service hours.

► Extend Your Trip
It is possible to add nights before, during or after your tour (on request).

Please let us know your size when you register.

You will pick up your rental bikes at our partner's office (next to their fenced-in car park), between 9am and 7pm (on your arrival Day 1 or in the morning of Day 2 if arriving after 7pm). On request, we can organize bikes to be delivered to your hotel, but in this case, you will not have the personalized adjustment of the bike made by qualified staff. Bike drop-off is at the same location or at your hotel. 

Rental bikes are very good quality German bicycles from Velo de Ville (or equivalent), comfortable, equipped with Schwalbe Marathon Plus types, which will ensure that you can ride your bike without any breakdowns. 

Rental bike damage coverage can be organized for you (see details in options, supplements & discounts in trip price section). Trip Insurance | Grand Angle

Rental bikes are equipped with a luggage rack, pannier/saddlebag, handlebar bag with map holder, odometer, lock, pump and repair kit.

Unisex Hybrid Bike/VTC:  

Standard bike with crossbar, for people from 1.45 to 1.90m/4.7 to 6.2ft. 

• 8 speeds, wide saddle, with back brake + 2 classic brakes on the handlebars. Please contact us if you want this model.
• 27 speeds, without back braking, with freewheel: this is the model we reserve for you from the outset, as some riders are not used to back braking.

Men's Bikes: 

Bike with horizontal bar, from 1.75m/5.7ft. 

• 8 speeds with back brake + 2 classic brakes on the handlebars. Please contact us if you want this model. 
• 27 speeds without back braking, with freewheel: this is the model we reserve for you from the outset, as some riders are not used to back braking.

E-Bike: 

Electric (assisted) bicycle: ideal if your small group has different physical levels or you just want to take it easier physically on this trip. 8 speeds, with back-braking. Age minimum: 16

• Unisex for people from 1.45m/4.7ft.

• Men's for people from 1.8m/5.9ft.

Children's Bikes: (on request) Up to 1.60m/5.2ft; 20-, 24- or 26-inch frames available

Weehoo: (on request) For children from 2 to 7 years, up to 30kg/66lbs (with pedals).

Child Trailer: (on request) Small trailer to pull 1 or even 2 children (max. 45kg/99lbs).

Child Seat: (on request, Free with bike rental)

Tandem Bike: (on request, limited availability)

Electric Cargo Bike: (on request, limited availability) 2 children's places 

► Personal Bike: 

If you wish to bring your own bike(s), it is possible, but you have to check train ticket availability for your bike during transfers. We decline all responsibility in case of theft or damage, etc.

► By Plane 

Zürich airport - Passengers & Visitors – Flughafen Zuerich (flughafen-zuerich.ch) Train from the airport in Constance: about 1 hour, departures are scheduled hourly. Information: https://int.bahn.de/en 

Friedrichshafen or Stuttgart airports are other options with train connections to Constance. 

► By Train 

Travel to Constance train station. Information: https://int.bahn.de/en or https://www.sbb.ch/en

► By Car 

Possibility to park your car in the fenced-in parking lot of our partner's office in Constance, unguarded (arrival before 7 p.m.) for €45 (2023 prices, subject to increase in 2024). Parking must be booked at the time of tour registration. Free parking is often available in the adjacent streets. Paid public car parks (Fischmarkt, Dammgasse, Lago, Altstadt, Benediktinerplatz) and hotels cost around €25 per day. 

Please Note: The above information is indicative and subject to change. Please check before your travels.

Several of our trips are suitable for swimming, either during a stage or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it. We want to highlight that you are the ultimate decision-maker regarding whether to swim. As such, these swims are entirely your responsibility and undertaken at your own risk.

You take beautiful pictures! Don't hesitate to send us a CD, a USB stick, a Dropbox or WeTransfer link of your best photos taken during your trip. The fact that you send us photos implies that you accept that your photos will be used free of charge on our various media outlets (social media, catalog, website, trip information documents, etc.).

Would you like to share your best moments of the trip and share your experience with the greater Grand Angle hiking community? Send us your story and some photos illustrating your words that we can consider publishing on our blog.

► Acting for Responsible Tourism -ATR label 

Grand Angle is an active member of the ATR association "Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable", whose compliance with the label has been certified by Ecocert Environnement. The common values of the label, shared by all its members, are represented by: transparency (between the customer and the travel agency), partnership (between local service providers and the travel agency) and consistency (synonymous with good communication within the travel agency team). 

Being a member of ATR commits us to: 

• Promoting quality tourism 
• Respect for the environment, heritage and local people 
• Educating travelers about local customs 
• Inform travellers in full transparency about their travel conditions For more information on the ATR association: https://www.tourisme-responsable.org/

► The European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas 

In 2014, Grand Angle was one of the first tour operators to be certified under the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, created and developed by Europarc, the Federation of European Protected Areas, which includes Regional Natural Parks, National Parks and Nature Reserves. The purpose of the European Charter is to develop quality, sustainable and responsible tourism in protected areas, with respect for people and their environment. Being certified under the CETD is a recognition of our commitment to sustainable tourism and development rooted in the territories, economically, socially and environmentally. 

The certification is proof of the confidence that the Parks have in our company and its approach. Grand Angle's partner in this certification is the Vercors Regional Natural Park, our homeland: http://parc-du-vercors.fr  

Find out more about the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism: http://www.europarc.org/sustainable-tourism/