Muller Thurgau and Other Varieties: A Tour of Lake Constance Wine Region

Itinerary: from Constance to Meersburg and back to Constance, around 100 kilometres

Time required: a long three-day weekend

Equipment: sneakers to walk through the vineyards, a windbreaker jacket, space for a few bottles.

Go and discover a land that is perfect for a three or four-day trip aboard your Vespa: You will encounter convents and castles, of course, but stop and visit historical wineries and taste local wines. Always in moderation.

The itinerary starts in Constance, the town that lends its name to the lake and the region. You are, of course, in Germany, in a historical spot bordering Switzerland. Park your Vespa and visit the port area. You’ll notice the massive and controversial Imperia statue of two naked men, the protagonists of the famous council: Sigismund and Pope Martin V. But Imperia isn't the only statue of its kind in town. Walking through the centre, you will see several amusing statues, either goliardic or carnivalesque, many of which were made by Peter Lenk, the same artist who designed Imperia.

Familiarise yourself with the region's wines at one of the many bars in the centre, such as the Tamaras Wine Bar in ZollernStrasse. Don't hesitate to ask the staff for advice. For accommodation, try the Augustiner Tor Hotel, which is practical, centrally located and has a beautiful terrace where you can have breakfast outdoors in the summer.

The next morning, get on your Vespa, and head towards the Mainau island: a beautiful place where springtime is ever present. Orchids bloom in March, tulips and daffodils in April, over ten thousand roses between May and June, an explosion of dahlias in August: Mainau is an oasis of flowers, plants and birds. This paradisiac island was envisioned 150 years ago by count Lennart Bernadotte, great-grandson of the Grand Duke Friedrich I, who opened this natural haven to the public. To this day, the Mainau Island is a large flower garden with greenhouses, palm trees, rose gardens and Italian style gardens, open year-round. Before leaving the island, don't forget to pass by the Butterfly House where lepidopterans fly freely and enjoy the nectar from orange slices specially prepared for them.

In the late afternoon, get your Vespa and take the 20-minute ferry from Mainau to Meersburg. You will arrive in time to see the sun set over the lake. For accommodation try the riverside hotel Flair Hotel zum Schiff. The next day, get up early for a full day of wine-tasting in the vineyards. First head to the town Castle for a selfie with a view overlooking the Lake. Then drive a few minutes away to the Staatweingut Meersburg, the State winery that produces over 40 wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Blanc. You won’t manage to taste them all, but you can join the tractor guided-tour in the vineyards which also offers wine tasting.

Leave Meersburg the following morning, and you will reach Salem within 15 minutes. You'll be greeted by a big park and a castle, originally created as a Cistercian Monastery. Visit the fortress, gothic church, convent museum, firefighter’s museum, and park but also the old wine press, artisan shops and finally the cellar. This is the place to buy souvenirs. The production of wine began here in 1802, when the castle became the residence of the Margraves of Baded, after which he current winery is named. Guided tours depart from here to Birnau vineyards, another beautiful spot with a magnificent view on Lake Constance and the Swiss Alps also offering wine tasting: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Müller Thurgau and Sauvignon. Just have a little glass before returning to Constance, where you will end the trip toasting with all your purchases.