Eastern Switzerland: Rhine Falls and Lake Constance, St. Gallen and Appenzell

Day 1 Welcome to eastern Switzerland in the Rhine loop at Rheinau. The monastery of the same name stands imposingly on a river island that marks the border between Switzerland and Germany. Then a trip on the river takes you to the thundering Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe, where in the summer up to 700,000 liters of water per second thunder over the rocks.

Day 2 The medieval town of Schaffhausen is located north of the Rhine, but still belongs to Switzerland. A stroll through the narrow streets, past houses with bay windows, and a detour to Munot Fortress with its view over the entire town provide an exciting insight into the history and culture of the place. A little later, Lake Constance and the flower island of Mainau come into view, whose botanical garden offers an incredible display of color from spring to fall.

Day 3 and 4 Nestled in a gentle landscape of green hills, against the imposing rocky cliffs of the Alpstein, lies the Appenzell region. The tranquility, simplicity, and beauty of this remote region is impressive. It boasts an incredible variety of customs and traditions that are passed down, preserved, and still practiced today: from music to arts and crafts, politics to religion, language, and everyday life in general. Exciting insights await, combined with beautiful views.

Day 5 The Abbey District of St. Gallen has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. This center of Western scholarship, with its world-famous Baroque hall, houses a large collection of original manuscripts, a unique example of cultural heritage. A guided tour provides insights and background information before the pretty town of St. Gallen invites you to enjoy the afternoon in its narrow streets. And of course, no visit would be complete without sampling a genuine St. Gallen sausage.