Mainau Island

This family-friendly trip takes us to the alpine haven of Switzerland, along the pristine shores of Lake Constance to the magical Island of Mainau!  Here you can freely explore the bounty of botanical wonders found in the tropical gardens, including a butterfly house, playgrounds, petting zoo, castle, chapel and more.  Enjoy a family picnic brought from home or sample the culinary delights found throughout the island’s restaurants, cafes and bakeries.  This year's garden theme, "Flowering Water & Floating Gardens" starts a culinary journey in to mythological water worlds and beginning in July, Menus in honor of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea will be offered. 

After enjoying the island, our Swiss adventure continues to Stein am Rhein, one of Switzerland’s most charming medieval towns.  The rich history here dates back over 1000 years, which and can be felt in the town’s incredible atmosphere and seen in the painted facades and half-timbered buildings.   The shores of the upper Rhine River set against the backdrop of gentle alpine foothills, framed by gracious vistas of open fields and nested forests give Stein am Rhine the unique, unspoiled natural beauty of a storybook Swiss village.

The grand finale of the day is a visit to the stunning Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen am Rhine, Europe’s largest waterfall.  The water here pounds down a massive rocky outcrop, in a fury of mist and thunder, cascading into the river to create a magnificent sight not common in Europe. The falls stand 75 feet high, 490 feet wide and pass an average flow of 8800 cubic feet per second!  Relax and enjoy the spectacle from various vantage points on shore or get a closer look by purchasing a ticket to ride the ferry boat that takes you right to the base of the falls.