Around Kreuzlingen, where we are starting today, you seem to cross the border all the time: the lake dwellings of Unteruhldingen, Mainau Island, and the small medieval town of Meersburg are all drawing countless tourists. The pretty Tägermoos area is known for its onions, which have been cultivated here since the 18th century. Also, the grape variety «Müller-Thurgau», a crossing between Riesling and Madeleine Royale, was developed by a man named Herrmann Müller from Tägerwilen. Passing well-tended family residences we soon reach Ermatingen with its old fisherman’s homes and picturesque half-timbered houses with steep gabled roofs, before we get to Arenenberg Castle. Emperor Napoleon III spent his youth there and now the castle houses the Napoleon Museum. Another amazing thing to experience is the solar ferry near Mannenbach, which takes the visitors to the largest island in Lake Constance without a sound. Reichenau Island with the Reichenau monastery, a former Benedictine abbey, is a UNESCO world heritage site. As you continue your tour you may want to nosh on currants, pears or apples, while you watch the «thurbo» regional train cheerfully traveling through the Thurgau area.

The ride through the towns of Berlingen and Steckborn with their pretty half-timbered homes is equally pleasant. The Bernina factory was founded in 1983 and makes the world-famous sewing machines. Sewing and embroidery machines are being developed in Steckborn to this day. And talking about famous: Hermann Hesse once lived in Gaienhofen, on the German side of Lower Lake Constance. And then there is the small town of Stein am Rhein. This gem of a town with its stunning city gates, the frescoed stone houses and the handsome half-timbered homes is situated where the Rhine flows out of Lake Constance. If you wish to travel back to the time around 1850 you have to visit the Lindwurm Museum. And when you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle, continue in the direction of Schaffhausen.

The “Bibermüli“, a meadowland of national importance, is a much more peaceful place. It is followed by a lovely forest and some uphill climbs, before you reach the shores of the Rhine in the German town of Gailingen. After crossing the border a number of times, you are finally in Schaffhausen. At the time it was founded, its name was «Scafhusun», derived from the Old High German «scafa», meaning ship. You’re sure to enjoy the old trading centre with the awesome castle and the picturesque old town.