By the shores of the Bodensee
After a quick breakfast in Luxembourg, we continue our journey to the Bodensee. The Bodensee connects Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and there is even a ferry that allows you to cross the water and explore the other side of the lake. But before we arrive there, we have another stretch of driving ahead of us.
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Once again, we have chosen to avoid the highways and indulge in the picturesque country roads. The route takes us through beautiful landscapes and picturesque villages, and we are excited about the upcoming days by the lake.
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After a few hours of driving, we arrive in Hagnau am Bodensee, a small and charming village situated on the lakeshore. We locate our hotel, where we need to check in before proceeding to our accommodation, Villa Neugarten. This will be our home for the next two nights. The hotel offers a breathtaking view of the lake, and we can’t wait to explore the surroundings.
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Since we arrived quite late in Hagnau, we decide to take it easy and spend the rest of this day in this village. We stroll along the promenade, past the calm waters and enjoying the view of the Swiss Alps on the other side of the lake. The village also accommodates several cozy cafes and restaurants where we can sample local specialties. As the weather is a bit unpredictable, there are not many people outside, making it an ideal opportunity for us to unwind without being in a crowded place.
![picture](https://juanitaexplores.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG20230428132331.jpg)
The next day, we decide to visit the nearby village of Meersburg. We park our car in the Stefan-Lochner-Straße 6 Garage and take a walk to the town center. Unfortunately, it starts raining, so we opt to visit Meersburg Castle for a self-guided tour. This allows us to explore the castle at our own pace and spend as much time as we want at each point of interest. The castle holds a sense of history, and its preserved architecture is truly remarkable.
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After the castle, our bellies start to rumble, and we head to Restaurant Valentino for lunch, enjoying a splendid view of the lake. We indulge in local dishes while looking at the scenic surroundings. Following lunch, we take a leisurely stroll through the charming village of Meersburg before returning to our accommodation.
![picture](https://juanitaexplores.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG20230428150440.jpg)
At Villa Neugarten, we have the convenience of helping ourselves to drinks, including delightful local wines. The owners don’t have staff continuously available, so they trust their guests to be honest about what they consume. There’s a sheet where you can jot down what you’ve taken, and you settle the bill during checkout. I appreciate this extra service as there are limited options in the area of the accommodation to grab a drink and enjoy it on our balcony.
![picture](https://juanitaexplores.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG20230428201516.jpg)
In the evening, we delight in a wonderful German dinner. It’s asparagus season, which makes it an absolute treat to choose this option! We eagerly anticipate continuing our journey towards the Königssee. While the Bodensee is stunning, the Königssee is truly the gem of this trip.