Meersburg

I’m not good at rest days it seems. But to save a few quid I booked a later train to Füssen today, so had the morning to do things. Being bombed to bits in the war, the centre of Friedrichshafen doesn’t have much historic architecture to it. I’d looked at taking the ferry over to Konstanz across the lake (mainly to stand in both Germany and Switzerland), but a 3hr round trip on top of a 3hr train journey later today was a bit much moving (even for me). Instead I took a bus 30mins along the lake to the medieval town of Meersburg and wow! 🤩

On a slight hill next to the lake the buildings in the old town are just what you’d imagine a German town to be. Pitched roofs, lots of wood, bright colours, a castle, palace and a cafe lined foreshore. Add to this the surrounding countryside filled with vineyards and orchards bearing fresh summer fruit and you’re in for a winner.

A self guided tour of the palace was ok as I love a good palace but all the original furniture sold off when the area became secular. Thus the rooms were a bit bare. That said the view across the courtyard and to the lake were beautiful 🥰. Oh what’s that I see, a fair dinkum castle. That’s my next stop.

A good castle needs a hillside, a big tower to look out across the lands and bridge to access it - tick ✅. I guided myself using my next to non existent German getting lost in many changing staircases leading me up, down and around the castle. The throne room, armoury and even a ‘death room’ were some of the rooms that had info guides in English. The combo of stone, wood and just that feeling of dark times filled the castle (as did an annoying kid that wouldn’t shut up - to the dungeon with you!).

Wandering down the hill the cute town also has a pedestrian street within a city gate complete with clown academy. As it’s supposed to be a rest day I naturally look to see if I can squeeze a ferry ride across to Konstanz but decide against it. Instead I spend some time with a prime spot at an overpriced lakeside cafe terrace for some traditional German lunch - pizza. 🍕

A nice walk along the seaside eating scoop of lemon sorbet finished up my time in this beautiful city. I came to this region for the planes but golly gosh the scenery and lakeside lifestyle is lovely. Would definitely recommend this part of the world. I decided to go full tourist and take the double the price, half as fast ferry back to Friedrichshafen this afternoon. Forced rest!Read more