Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.rheindelta.com
;
Hard)
Easily explored on foot or by bike, this nature reserve sits 5km
south of Bregenz, where the Rhine flows into the Bodensee. The mossy marshes, reeds
and mixed woodlands attract more than 300 bird species, including curlews, grey herons
and rare black-tailed godwits.
Strandbad Hard
(
www.hard-sport-freizeit.at
; Hard; adult/child €3.90/2; 9am-8pm early May-early Sep)
A lake front con-
tender 5km south of town, this lido has outdoor pools, barbecue areas, minigolf and a se-
cluded Frei Körper Kultur (FKK; nudist) beach for skinny-dippers.
SWIMMING
ONE LAKE, TWO WHEELS, THREE COUNTRIES
When the sun's out, there's surely no better way to explore Bodensee than with your bum in a saddle. The well-
marked
Bodensee Cycle Path
(
www.bodensee-radweg.com
) makes a 273km loop of the Bodensee, taking in
vineyards, meadows, orchards, wetlands and historic towns. There are plenty of small beaches where you can
stop for a refreshing dip in the lake. Visit the website for itineraries and maps.
A day suffices to tick off some highlights in three countries on a 30km stretch of the route. Catch a morning
ferry to the story-book old town of
Lindau
in Germany, then roll along the lakeshore back to
Bregenz
. Continue
southwest along a woodland path to the broad banks of the
Bregenzerach
, a beautiful meltwater river where
locals bathe and fly-fish on hot days. From here it's just a short pedal to the Rheindelta wetlands (
Click here
)
and the wide bay of
Rorschach
in Switzerland, where you can stop for Swiss chocolate before catching a train
back to Bregenz.
Sleeping
Stop by the tourist office for a list of private rooms (around €30 per person). Prices soar
and beds are at a premium during the Bregenzer Festspiele in late July to late August,
when it's highly advisable to book ahead. If Bregenz is booked solid, consider hopping
over the border to Lindau in Germany, around 8km away.
JUFA Gästehaus Bregenz
( 05708-35 40;
www.jufa.eu
;
Mehrerauerstrasse 5; dm €28; )
Housed in a former needle factory
near the lake, this HI hostel now reels backpackers in with its superclean dorms and ex-
cellent facilities including a common room and restaurant.
HOSTEL
€
Camping Mexico
CAMPGROUND
€
