Lindau

Had a massively long and frustrating wait for our rental car. So dumb to only have one person on! We must have waited for at least 45mins, and I'm not good at waiting! Anyway, finally got our car, and were upgraded to a bigger better one (a BMW X3) which we weren't happy about to begin with, thinking it would be much easier to navigate a smaller car round the dinky streets, and also to park. However once we got going, it was all good! It's a really nice car, and Greg really enjoyed driving it, especially on the open roads. Such a smooth ride, even at 165km! And it has a fantastic GPS, reversing cameras and a heads up display which puts the speed limit, current speed and next GPS directions on the windscreen.

On the way we stopped at Neuschwanstein Castle (separate post here) Although we had some rain soon after we left the castle, the sun came out and we arrived in Lindau to lovely blue skies. We went for a stroll around the island, and were very tempted to hire a paddle boat and go for a swim in the lake. Instead we got ourselves a prime spot on the water front for a drink in the last of the sun. Such a peaceful spot, with buskers performing, people walking about, and everyone in a great mood. The view was pretty special too!

Lindau harbour from the light house

Our hotel in Lindau was really nice (Hotel Helvetia). We had a gorgeous room, complete with a little balcony and side views of the harbour. We had dinner in the hotel restaurant which was superb! A lot lighter than the traditional German meats of the previous couple of nights, with great wine and beautiful views. After dinner we went for a wander in the back streets in the old town. So incredible. Stunning old buildings everywhere you look, and loads of flowers - window boxes, edges of streets, and even the roundabouts are full of the brightest flowers. So cheerful!

In the morning I got up and went for a run which was really hard to begin with, but ended up feeling really good. Greg came and met me by the lake and we went for a dip, even though the weather was overcast. It was pretty cold, but felt so wonderful and refreshing. I always love going for a swim before breakfast - it fixes everything! After we ate, we went for another walk through the town and saw all the buildings in the daylight. So incredibly stunning!

It was really sad to say goodbye to Lindau. We loved the town, and would have loved to spend some more time in and on the lake. Especially if the sun came out again!

A peep of the lake

Lindau water front
Our hotel is the yellow one in the background

The lion and the lighthouse

Wine with a view

Walking through Lindau old town

Walking back through the old town
after my run and swim

Streets of Lindau old town

Lindau harbour

Boats on the lake

The lion and the light house take two

Dinner with a view

Lindau old town streets

The Rathaus
Always such extravagant buildings!

In Lindau old town