From Lindau to Venice: 6 travel tips for the first of May

Hike? Ride a bike? Discover a new city? Interested in art and culture? Or would you rather relax in a beach chair or in the thermal baths? The holiday on May 1st is a good time for a short trip. You don’t have to go far to escape everyday life and experience fulfilling things. Because there is a lot to discover in Germany and in the surrounding area. These are our tips for a lively start to May.

1. Beach and more: lust for life in the Bay of Lübeck

For everyone who lives in the east of the republic, the longing for the beach and the sea can easily be satisfied in the Bay of Lübeck. The community of Scharbeutz is located in the south of the 55 kilometer long bay and attracts with dune golf, a thermal bath, a beach promenade, several fish sandwich stations and a fine sandy beach with cool bars and restaurants.

Even if the temperatures are not yet inviting for swimming, there is a lot on offer here on the first weekend in May: from maypole festivals, cell phone photography courses and jewelry workshops to tours of The Northman Gin’s gin distillery and the “Just Bloom” yoga retreat. in the Gronenberg mill. Or how about long walks on the beach and then chilling out with a drink in a beach chair?

2. Hiking as far as your feet can take you: The Altmühltal Panorama Trail

Long-distance hiking is becoming increasingly popular. But you can not only go hiking in the Alps, but also in the Altmühltal Nature Park in Middle Franconia. The 200 kilometer long Altmühltal Panorama Trail leads through a fairytale world. In 15 daily stages from Gunzenhausen via Eichstätt to Kehlheim. It doesn’t have to be that long. Shorter routes are of course also possible.

The stage in the Weltenburger Enge, along the Danube, with views of the famous Danube Gorge, the Weltenburg Monastery and the rock chapel Hermitage Klösterl is popular. A big plus point here: If you want, you can take the boat to Kelheim. Or bravely continue hiking, past palaces and fortresses, historic towns and evidence of Roman and Celtic history. Because of its diversity and beauty, the Altmühltal Panorama Trail is one of the “Top Trails of Germany”, the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in Germany.

3. Moselle cycle path: View of wine terraces, castles and palaces

Would you like more action? Then get on the saddle and enjoy yourself: One of the most beautiful combinations of moderate exercise, scenic beauty, interesting castles and palaces as well as culinary delights is the Moselle cycle path. From the border triangle of France, Germany and Luxembourg, it runs via Trier to Koblenz – a length of 320 kilometers. The starting point is actually the city of Metz in Alsace, but it is also possible to only do the German part of the tour.

From Perl in Saarland to Koblenz it is around 250 kilometers – easily doable in five days with an e-bike. The route always winds along the Moselle and vineyards. Initially relatively flat, from Trier the mountains become higher and the views become more and more magnificent – of castles, palaces and wine-growing villages such as Traben-Trarbach or Cochem. In addition to a visit to the Porta Nigra in Trier, the tour offers many opportunities to taste wine – in historic wine cellars, estate taverns or traditional ostrich taverns. The region between Trier and Koblenz is considered to be the most scenic section of the Moselle valley. And as a paradise for leisure cyclists.

4. By canoe through the half-timbered town: Wow like Wetzlar

Should it be small and nice, away from mass tourism? Then Wetzlar is a good choice. The location of the former imperial city surrounded by the Westerwald and Taunus in the Lahn Valley is impressive. From the banks of the Lahn, steep streets lead up a mountainside to the old town.

There the cathedral with its unfinished facade towers over medieval squares, half-timbered houses, playful baroque buildings and many small boutiques, cafés and restaurants. Goethe was inspired by Wetzlar and wrote his novel “The Sorrows of Young Werther” after a long visit. Two exhibitions commemorate Goethe’s presence, although there are several other museums to explore, such as the modern optics and precision mechanics museum. The most popular activities include canoe tours on the Lahn, which can also be done without prior knowledge.

5th Biennale, Palaces and Amore: Everything speaks for Venice

Want more art and Italian flair? The northern Italian lagoon city of Venice is itself a work of art, but with the 60th Art Biennale, which opened on April 20th, it is currently the place-to-be for all art lovers. With the central exhibition, the national pavilions, side exhibitions and unofficial parallel exhibitions, it presents the world’s largest compilation of contemporary art. Several hundred artists from all over the world show their work across Venice and its islands.

All paths from modernity lead back to Venice’s almost 1,600-year-old history. Everywhere you can see and feel that the city used to be an important trading and maritime power: Byzantine domes, Gothic palazzi, baroque churches – countless art treasures trump each other in just a few square kilometers. Like St. Mark’s Basilica on St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace or the Teatro Felice. Even if it’s touristy, a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, which flows through Venice’s six districts, is a must. And of course a Bellini, Veneziano or Sprizz and the typical small bites of cicchetti – in one of the many romantic cafés and bars.

6. Old Town Island in Lake Constance: Good mood in Lindau

There are also romantic cities on the water in Germany – and away from mass tourism. Example Lindau on Lake Constance. The town of 25,500 inhabitants is located on the most beautiful side of the largest lake in Germany – with a view of the majestic Alps with their snow-covered peaks. What’s special: Only the old town is on an island. This is connected to the new town by a bridge. At the harbor entrance, the landmark, a Bavarian lion, rises six meters high, and on the other side is the 33-meter-high New Lighthouse.

Anyone who climbs its 139 steps will be rewarded with a spectacular panoramic view of the island city, Lake Constance and the Austrian and Swiss Alps. And there are even more towers from the Middle Ages: the Mangturm and the Diebsturm with its colorful bricks and playful corner turrets. The baroque city palace “Haus zum Cavazzen” on the market square is also an eye-catcher. Thanks to its facade paintings and the mighty hipped roof, it is considered the most impressive house on Lake Constance.