The second leg of our European tour took us to Hörbranz in Austria, next to the German border and just a few kilometres from Lake Constance. Unfortunately, our sat-nav hadn’t noticed that where we were heading was the other side of a footbridge, so we had a lengthy detour to actually approach our apartment correctly from the Austrian rather than the German end of the same street.
Hörbranz itself was quite a small village with just a couple of shops, a bar and a restaurant. But from our spacious apartment we were able to visit Lindau (Germany) and Bregenz (Austria) and take in some fabulous views across Europe’s third largest freshwater lake (by surface area).
The popular tourist destination of Lindau sits on a small island on the northern side of the Lake, connected to the mainland by a short road bridge in one corner and a railway line in the other. The centre is a charming warren of cobbled streets and colourful buildings unspoilt by traffic.
The harbour, on the southern side of the island, is a particular hub of activity, filled with boats and yachts of all sizes. The famous lion and lighthouse at the harbour entrance, together with the crystal-clear waters of Lake Constance, create a picturesque setting. From here, you can catch a ferry to explore other towns around the lake or take a boat tour to enjoy the stunning scenery.
The town has many cafes and restaurants, offering a variety of local and international cuisines, including two Indian restaurants (although by the time we fancied something to eat both had closed for the afternoon).
Whether you are looking to relax or explore the lake and its surroundings, Lindau is well worth a visit. We spent some four or five hours taking it all in before heading back to our apartment in Hörbranz.
Bregenz, by contrast, is much less of a tourist destination, but was still busy when we visited. Indeed, it too has many bars and restaurants and these were were filling quickly be early evening. The architecture of the town, while not as colourful as Lindau, was still attractive, especially as you moved further uphill and away from the lake.
As the sun began to set over Lake Constance, the shore at Bregenz filled with people all wanting to soak up the atmosphere on what was a warm summer’s evening.