Einstein St. Gallen

Bregenz

Bregenz is a compact city with big appeal nestled between Lake Constance and the Alps. Each summer, the world-famous Bregenz Festival unfolds on an opera stage floating on the lake—dramatic backdrops and star-studded performances make it a cultural highlight. For modern art fans, the Peter Zumthor–designed Kunsthaus Bregenz presents ever-changing exhibitions in a sleek building that’s a work of art itself. Step back in time in the upper town, where the onion-domed Martinsturm offers sweeping views and medieval frescoes. A cable car ride up Pfänder Mountain takes you to panoramic trails and an alpine wildlife park—look out for vistas over Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the Alps.

Christmas market in Konstanz

Open from 28th November - 23nd December - Please note that dates and opening hours may vary. You can visit the Christmas market's own website with current information.

Experience the charming Christmas market in the southern German border town of Konstanz. Set in historic surroundings on the harbour in the town's beautiful Altstadt and directly down to Lake Constance, the Christmas market has a wonderful maritime atmosphere. The reflections of 100,000 lights dance across the shiny surface of Lake Constance and are reflected in the clear evening sky, the scent of Christmas hangs in the air and merry music and exciting laughter can be heard everywhere.

The Christmas market in Konstanz has been around for many years, but it has grown especially big after a major expansion in the 1990s. The 170 or so stalls wind all the way along the harbour, there are Santas and merry-go-rounds and, most recently, a large ship donated by the 'Weißen Bodenseeflotte' (White Lake Constance Fleet) has become a regular and very popular feature of the Christmas market. The Christmas ship is located in the harbour and here you can board and enjoy, for example, a 360° panoramic bar on the upper deck.

The cosy wooden stalls offer a large and varied selection of crafts, art, decorations, toys, clothing and household items and of course lots of lovely Christmas treats with Glühwein, sausages, roasted almonds, marzipan and pastries in all shapes and sizes. The romantic lighting sets the perfect Christmas mood and leads you down the harbour towards the beautiful Christmas ship. At the harbour you'll also find excursion boats sailing out to the beautiful island of Mainau, which as well as hosting a cosy winter wonderland at Christmas, is also home to a beautiful botanical garden, well worth a visit all year round. The market is estimated to have around 450,000 visitors annually.

Konstanz is a great shopping city at any time of year, and if you fancy a more traditional shopping trip, you're not far from the harbour and the city's main shopping streets, where there are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants to choose from.

Mainau

Visit the botanical island, Mainau, located in Lake Constance off the border town, Constance. The colourful little island paradise is open all year round and hosts a charming baroque castle, one of Germany's largest butterfly houses, a collection of trees more than 150 years old and, depending on the season, a huge number tulips, roses, rhododendrons, dahlias and perennials. In summer you can also both palm trees and citrus plants on the island, giving it a special Mediterranean atmosphere.

Feldkirch

Visit the beautiful town of Feldkirch on the Ill River, a tributary of the Rhine. The town has a well-preserved old town centre that is very charming. It also has the beautiful Schattenburg Castle towering above it.