Individual arrival in Donaueschingen. The day is free to explore the town. The Brigach and Breg Black Forest rivers join to form the Danube in Donaueschingen, but even the Romans thought the source of the river was located in the park of the Fürstenberg castle. The castle, built in the Belle Epoch style, is a testament to the importance of the Fürstenberg family. It has an excellent natural history collection and houses many important paintings and sculptures from the modern period. Overnight stay in Donaueschingen.

Meals:  Nil

19 Sep.

Meals:  B

20 Sep: The first cycling stage leads you through the so-called "Baar" landscape. In Pfohren a visit to the old Entenburg castle is worthwhile. In Immendingen you will be able to visit an important natural phenomenon: the sinking of the Danube. The river disappears beneath the porous chalk rock for the majority of the year and instead of flowing to the Black Sea flows towards Lake Constance and finally into the Rhine. After Tuttlingen the valley begins to narrow and follows the path the Danube has carved through the Swabian Alb. Continue to the town of Fridingen.

Meals:  B

21 Sep: Today you will travel through the Danube opening which is one of the most beautiful sections of the trip. The river and cycle path snake between towering chalk cliffs, many of which are crowned with castles or ruins on the way to Sigmaringen, the former capital town of the principality of the same name. The castle in Sigmaringen is still inhabited and houses a large collection of weapons - you can stop and have a guided tour. Overnight in Scheer.

Meals:  B

22 Sep: Follow the course of the river until just after Hundersingen where you can take a break to visit the Heuneburg Open-air Museum, which replicates the daily life of a Celtic settlement from the Iron Age. Continue past Zwiefaltendorf Castle to reach Obermarchtal Monastery. Further along the Danube is the small town of Munderkingen with its well-preserved half-timbered houses and parish church of St Dionysius dating from the 13th century. Later you will reach the pretty market town of Ehingen.

Meals:  B

23 Sep: Leaving the modern Danube behind today you will cycle through the valley of the ancient Danube to Blaubeuren. Behind the monastery you will find the famous Blautopf, an amazing limestone spring which is the start of a large system of caves, where according to legend a beautiful nymph lived. Medieval castles and ruins accompany you along the Blau until you reach the Swabian-Bavarian double city of Ulm, with the highest church tower in the world. Here you can enjoy great shopping and the town's metropolitan flair. Overnight in Ulm.

Meals:  B

24 Sep.

Meals:  B

25 Sep: Your Danube cycle concludes after breakfast. Own arrangements to Lake Constance. On arrival make your way to the hotel in Constance.

Meals:  B

26 Sep. Constance is Lake Constance’s largest town. 600 years ago the Council of Constance took place, the only council that was held north of the Alps to elect a pope. The Rhine leaves Lake Constance here, on its way to the North Sea. Only a few minutes by foot from the medieval town centre is the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen with its lively harbour. Collect your rental bikes this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Meals:  B

27 Sep: After breakfast you will cycle towards Wallhausen, before crossing over the Überlinger See section of the lake by boat. In Überlingen your cycle tour leads towards the lake dwelling museum. After viewing the interesting reconstructions, continue through medieval Meersburg towards Friedrichshafen. In Friedrichshafen we recommend visiting the Zeppelin Museum.

Meals:  B

28 Sep: Today you will start out cycling through Langenargen, where you can admire the inspiration for the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. You will then cycle through extensive orchards on your way to Lindau, whose protected old town is located on an island. After a few kilometres you will find yourself on Austrian soil and will cycle directly along the lakeshore to the city of Bregenz with its unique lakeshore theatre stage.

Meals:  B

29 Sep: Wander through the town of Bregenz and enjoy its beautifully preserved upper town. Once you arrive in Hard, you cross the Rhine, which flows in from the Swiss Alps. Now you are on Swiss ground, in Altenrhein, and you will see the Hundertwasser hall, the last colourful building made by the famous artist. You cycle along the banks of the lake to the old harbour town of Rorschach.

Meals:  B

30 Sep: The last day on your cycling tour Lake Constance, the Cycle Path is devoted to the Canton of Thurgau, known for its huge apple orchards. The route takes you along the banks of the lake.

Meals:  B

1 Oct: Your Lake Constance ride concludes after breakfast. Own arrangements to France and Decize for your Nivernais ride (starting 2 Oct).

Meals:  B