Tips for the Whole FamilyFamily Holidays at Lake Constance

Laura Fröhlich and her son Jonathan check out some fun ideas for a family holiday at Lake Constance. In German, this is the Bodensee, but whatever you call it, this is one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, with a Mediterranean climate and lots to do - for children and grown-ups alike!

The first stop on our exploratory tour is Immenstaad. In this small town on the north shore of the lake, the question is: "Where to start?" The obvious answer is: "Ice cream!" After that, we stroll around the marina and look out over the lake as it glitters in the sunshine. But my four-year-old son, Jonathan, is eager for action, and the tourist office's recommendation is just the thing: the Pirate Adventure.

The adventure begins with a horse-drawn carriage ride to the vineyards for a geocaching tour. Each child is given a small backpack containing a treasure map and a GPS device. Then off we go. Working with other families, we solve question after question, clue after clue. We walk through the forest to the foot of a hill, where we climb stairs to a viewing platform. The panorama demands our attention, but then it's back to the treasure hunt! The children solve the last puzzle and find the 'hidden treasure'. The prize? A certificate and a small pirate gift. Jonathan is proud to be an official 'Immenstaad Treasure Hunter'. But this is only part one of the adventure. For part two, we head back to the harbour.

At anchor is the 'Lädine', a historic sailing ship that will take us on a 90-minute pirate-themed cruise on Lake Constance. We are welcomed on board by pirates who look scarily real. Jonathan is a little sceptical at first, but soon enjoys it all. As a new 'crew member', he dons a red bandana and a black eye patch and joins in with the other children. They sing pirate songs, scrub the deck and, as we set off, help hoist the sails. As a reward, the new pirates get to spray the captain with water pistols! Although the sun disappears behind the clouds and the rain pours down, we all have a great time. Just before we sail back into harbour, we salute the Jolly Roger with a fizzy pirate drink.

Back on dry land, we head for the family-run Hotel Seerose, where we are staying in a comfortable apartment. Jonathan checks out everything that's on offer for children, from toys and games, to slides and swings, to rabbits waiting to be petted. Dinner is a barbecue in the garden for all the guests. Afterwards, those with energy head to the nearby "Käpt'n Golf" course for some pirate minigolf. We finish off with an enthusiastic game of table football and then it's off to bed. It was a fun evening!

The next morning a delicious breakfast sets us up for a day out. We take the bus to Kressbronn and the ULTRAMARIN marina. Families who know how to sail can rent a boat and set off on their own adventure. As we are landlubbers, a professional sailor will take us out on the lake. As we set off, the weather is glorious. The boat sleeps six people in comfortable bunks. Jonathan spends most of his time down in the cabin; he doesn't seem to mind the rocking. Me? I prefer to stay on deck in the fresh air with the breeze blowing in my hair. The skipper lets us help him steer and tells us stories about sailing on Lake Constance.

Back in Kressbronn, we have lunch at the Blue Marina restaurant on the harbour before travelling on to Friedrichshafen-Ailingen. Here we meet Erika Katzenmaier. She and her family offer farm holidays at their Ferienhof Katzenmaier. In the garden we enjoy her homemade cake, pet the goats and donkeys and look around the cheerful holiday apartments: all well-furnished and spotlessly clean. Erika's husband, Bernhard, grows apples, a speciality of the region. We walk with him through his orchard and up to Horach Hill, with its spectacular views across the lake to the snow-capped Alps. Jonathan is delighted that the goats and donkeys have come along for the walk. Bernhard tells us that there is also a Fairy Tale Trail here, but that is for another day. His bright red tractor and trailer are ready to take us back. The Katzenmaiers say goodbye, presenting us with homemade schnapps and apples. "I'd love to stay at the Katzenmaierhof," Jonathan says, and we decide on the spot to book our next trip there.

Tonight we are staying at the Naturresort Gerbehof, another family-run hotel, perfect for holidays with children. This eco-friendly resort has its own horses and a riding school with acres of space. While the kids take riding lessons, parents can sit and watch or take a break in the wellness area. From massages to hay baths, the idea is to relax and unwind. We end the day in a rustic hut with a platter of typical local snacks. The log fire flickers; adults munch smoked ham and sip cold beer; children play outside. Another day of our family holiday at Lake Constance is coming to an end. But tomorrow, yet another highlight awaits!

In the morning we head to Ravensburger Spieleland, the theme park that brings Ravensburger's internationally popular board games and TV series to life with 70 attractions in eight themed worlds. There's so much to do, we don't know where to begin. We start by making our own chocolate at the Ritter Sport chocolate workshop. Then it's off to the 'Mauskino' cinema to watch a cartoon, before whizzing across the lake in a speedboat. We romp in the playgrounds, join the intergalactic space race, do some puzzles and ride the carousel 10 times! The hours fly by and suddenly we have to say goodbye.

Testing the possibilities for a family holiday at Lake Constance was way more successful than we expected. It was a German family holiday at its best! Our only problem? Deciding where to base ourselves for our next holiday: on a farm or learning to ride a horse? Taking sailing lessons or staying at the Ravensburger holiday village? A decision we'll enjoy making!