Editing Lake Constance (section)

== Tourism, leisure and sports ==
The tourism and leisure industry is important for this region. Overnight stays reached 17,56m visitors in 2012 with a turnover of about 1.9bn Euros. The same amount comes from the 70 million visitors that visit Lake Constance each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dwif.de/news-events/news/item/wirtschaftsfaktor-tourismus-bodensee-2014.html|title=DWIF – dwif Wirtschaftsfaktor Tourismus Bodenseeregion|access-date=2017-01-02}}</ref>

[[File:Lake Constance SPOT 1130.jpg|thumb|Eastern part of Upper Lake Constance seen from Spot satellite.]]

This region is known for sightseeing, water-sports, winter-sports like [[Skiing]], summer-sports like [[Swimming (sport)]], [[Sailing]] and recreation. It is also one of the few places where modern [[Zeppelin]] airships operate and 12–14 people can take a trip above the lake around various points of interest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bodensee.eu/de/was-erleben/bodensee-highlights/top-erlebnisse/Zeppelinflug_poi223|title=Zeppelinflug : Bodensee Tourismus|website=www.bodensee.eu|access-date=2017-01-02}}</ref>

In cooperation with tourism service providers, tourism organizations and public institutions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and [[Liechtenstein]], the International Bodensee Tourismus GmbH (IBT GmbH)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bodensee.eu/de/service/ueber-uns/ibt|title=Internationale Bodensee Tourismus GmbH : Bodensee Tourism – About us|website=www.bodensee.eu|language=de|access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref> is responsible for the tourism marketing of the Lake Constance region.
[[File:Pilgrimage church of Birnau, Lake Constance.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Pilgrimage church]] of Birnau]]

=== Sights and cultural heritage ===
The lake and the region around it have a substantial touristic infrastructure as well as many attractions and points of interests. Important are especially towns like [[Konstanz]], [[Überlingen]], [[Meersburg]], [[Friedrichshafen]], [[Lindau]], [[Romanshorn]], [[Rorschach, Switzerland|Rorschach]] and [[Bregenz]] as they are the big hubs for boating tourism and lake crossing ferries. The main tourism attractions are places like [[Rhine Falls]], one of the three biggest waterfalls in Europe (located near [[Schaffhausen]]), the islands of [[Mainau]], [[Lindau (island)|Lindau]] and [[Reichenau Island|Reichenau]] (UNESCO world heritage), the [[Überlingen|pilgrimage church Birnau]], castles and palaces like [[Salem Abbey]], [[Meersburg Castle]] as well as another UNESCO world heritage site, the [[Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen]] (German for [[Stilt house]] museum), [[Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen]] as well as the [[Church of St. George, Oberzell, Reichenau]] or the ''[[International Rhine Regulation Railway|Rheinschauen]]'' heritage railway.

==== Overlooks ====
High mountain ranges are mainly located near the southeastern shore of the Upper Lake (''Obersee''). The lower [[foothills]] of the [[Appenzell Alps]] in Switzerland are accessible by bus routes and two railway lines: the [[Rorschach–Heiden railway]] between {{rws|Rorschach Hafen}}/{{rws|Rorschach}} near the lake shore and {{rws|Heiden}}, and the [[Rheineck–Walzenhausen mountain railway]] between {{rws|Rheineck}} and {{rws|Walzenhausen}}. Both lines are operated by [[Appenzell Railways]] and part of [[St. Gallen S-Bahn]] and [[Bodensee S-Bahn]], respectively. A popular overlook near [[Heiden, Switzerland|Heiden]] is ''Fünfländerblick'' ({{lit|five countries view}}). In Austria, the [[Pfänderbahn]], an [[aerial tram]], takes passengers from the [[valley station]] near {{rws|Bregenz Hafen}} to the [[top station]] on [[Pfänder]] mountain ([[Allgäu Alps]]).

The [[Hegau]] region adjacent to Lower Lake Constance (''Untersee'') contains several higher mountains of volcanic origin, many with ruins of fortresses on their tops (e.g. [[Hohenkrähen]], [[Mägdeberg]]). The southernly located of these Hegau volcanoes (e.g. [[Hohentwiel]]) also offer a view over the lakes.

=== Cultural events ===
Lake Constance is the location for the annual [[Bregenzer Festspiele]], a well-known arts festival that, among other venues, takes place on a floating stage in [[Bregenz]]. The operas, plays and concerts performed are usually popular works, e.g. ''[[The Magic Flute]]'' by [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]] or ''[[Rigoletto]]'' by [[Giuseppe Verdi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bregenzerfestspiele.com/en/company/history|title=History of the Bregenz Festival {{!}} Bregenz Festival|website=bregenzerfestspiele.com|access-date=2020-03-21|archive-date=29 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429015724/http://bregenzerfestspiele.com/en/company/history|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Since 2001, the ART BODENSEE takes place in [[Dornbirn]]. It is an annual meeting point for the exchange between collectors, artists and art appreciators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://artbodensee.messedornbirn.at/themen-aussteller/|title=ART BODENSEE – Messe für zeitgenössische Kunst|website=artbodensee.messedornbirn.at|access-date=2020-03-21}}</ref>

=== Biking ===
Biking around the lake is also possible on the {{convert|261|km|mi|abbr=on}} long trail called "Bodensee-Radweg". It brings its visitors to the most interesting sites and goes around the whole lake. Nevertheless, various shortcuts via ferries allow shorter routes and the trail is suitable for all levels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bodensee-radweg.de/|title=Bodensee-Radweg|website=Bodensee-Radweg|language=de-DE|access-date=2017-01-02}}</ref> Note: There is also a trail that goes by the name "Bodensee-Rundweg".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fernwege.de/d/bodensee/index.html|title=Wandern rund um den Bodensee|website=www.fernwege.de|access-date=2016-12-30}}</ref> This road was intended for pedestrians so biking is sometimes not suitable or allowed.

=== Hiking and pilgrim trails ===
[[File:Wegzeichen - Bodensee-Rundweg.svg|thumb|upright|Sign of the "Lake Constanze circular route"]]
The 260 kilometers long Lake Constance circular route, signposted as "Bodensee Rundwanderweg", leads around Lake Constance through the territories of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is mainly intended for hiking; cyclists follow the sometimes slightly different managed Lake Constance cycle path.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wanderkompass.de/Deutschland/Bodensee-Rundwanderweg.html|title=Bodensee-Rundwanderweg|last=Sven|access-date=2018-02-28|language=de-de}}</ref> The trail can be walked in smaller stages of various lengths and offers nice views of the lake, landscape and wildlife. However, due to industrial settlements, buildings and nature reserves, not all the coastal zones are readily accessible. Furthermore, in the estuary of the rivers, such the [[Leiblach]], [[Bregenzer Ach]], [[Rhine|canalized Rhine]] and [[Alter Rhein|Old Rhine]] ([[Fußach|Fußacher breakthrough]]), considerable distances have to be covered inland to the next bridge or river crossing point. Due to busy riverside roads, the Bodensee-Rundweg sometimes runs as a trail above the lake with some lookout possibilities.

Lake Constance is also a hub for [[Hiking|long-distance hikers]] and pilgrims. It has been a crucial reference point of important [[Pilgrimage|pilgrimage routes]] since ancient times:<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ueberlingen-bodensee.de/Themen/Aktiv/Wandern-am-Bodensee/Der-Jakobsweg|title=Der Jakobsweg (Pilgrimage trail of St. James) {{!}} Ueberlingen near Lake Constance {{!}}|work=Ueberlingen am Bodensee|access-date=2018-02-28|language=de}}</ref>
* Via Beuronensis, a [[Way of St. James]] from the [[Neckar]] region over the [[Swabian Jura|Swabian Alb]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.via-beuronensis.de|title=Home – Startpunkt|website=www.via-beuronensis.de|language=de|access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref>
* the Upper [[Swabian Jura|Swabian]] pilgrimage-route of St. James, which leads from Upper Swabia to the lake and branches north of the lake both in the direction of [[Nonnenhorn]] and in the direction of [[Meersburg]]
* the Bavarian-Swabian route of St. James, which leads down from the West [[Allgäu]] to the lake
* the Schwabenweg, which ensures the connection to Switzerland to the lake near [[Konstanz]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jakobsweg.ch/en/eu/ch/routes/constance-einsiedeln-en/|title=Constance-Einsiedeln (Swabian way)|website=Route of St.James|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref>

=== Swimming ===
[[Swimming]] in the lake is usually best from mid-June to mid-September. Depending on the weather and exact location, the water temperatures reach {{convert|20| to |27|°C|°F|1}}. Within one day, differences of up to {{convert|3|°C-change}} are possible with appropriate sunlight, so that the lake invites to swim, especially on warm summer evenings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wetter-kressbronn.de/wassertemperatur-bodensee.html|title=Weather-station in Kressbronn (in German)|website=www.wetter-kressbronn.de|language=en|access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref>

=== Diving ===
[[File:Teufelstisch-Bodensee-01.jpeg|thumb|Diving spot "devils table" at Lake Constanze]]
[[Underwater diving|Diving]] in Lake Constance is considered attractive and challenging. Most of the diving areas are located in the northern part of the lake ([[Überlingen]], [[Ludwigshafen]], [[Marienschlucht]] and others), a few also in the south.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tauchakademiebodensee.de/tauchplatze-im-bodensee/|title=Diving Spots at Lake Constanze (in German)|website=www.tauchakademiebodensee.de|language=de-DE|access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref> The areas should be dived exclusively by experienced divers under the guidance of one of the local diving schools or a seasoned diver. Diving at some spots like the devils table ("Teufelstisch") called rock needle in the lake in front of the Marienschlucht, is only allowed after approval by the district office Konstanz.

A famous [[Fresh water|freshwater]] [[Wreck diving|wreck]] in Europe is the [[paddle steamer]] Jura, which lies in front of [[Bottighofen]] at a depth of  {{convert|39|m|ft|abbr=off}}. The [[canton of Thurgau]], the office for [[archaeology]] in Frauenfeld, has placed the Jura under protection as an underwater industrial monument.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://tauchboot-bodensee.ch/jura-tauchen-bootsfahrten/|title=Wrack der Jura – Tauchen vom Boot im Bodensee|work=Tauchen vom Boot im Bodensee|access-date=2018-02-28|language=de-DE}}</ref>

For all divers, the water in Lake Constance—even in summer—is already below {{convert|10|°C|°F}} from a depth of {{convert|10|m|ft|sigfig=3}} which requires suitable [[Diving regulator|cold-water regulators]] that do not freeze at such temperatures.

=== Boating, recreational boating ===
[[File:Rundum05 047.jpg|thumb|"Rund-um" (All-Around) Regatta next to Lindau]]
Pleasure boating is important. At the beginning of 2011, 57,875 amusement vehicles were registered for Lake Constance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vorarlberg.at/vorarlberg/wirtschaft_verkehr/wirtschaft/maschinenbauundelektrotec/weitereinformationen/maschinenwesen/schifffahrt/bodensee-schiffsstatistik.htm|title=Land Vorarlberg – Bodensee-Schiffsstatistik 2011|website=www.vorarlberg.at|language=de|access-date=2018-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210320/http://www.vorarlberg.at/vorarlberg/wirtschaft_verkehr/wirtschaft/maschinenbauundelektrotec/weitereinformationen/maschinenwesen/schifffahrt/bodensee-schiffsstatistik.htm|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The legal basis for all shipping on the lake is the ordinance on shipping on Lake Constance, or "Bodensee-Schifffahrtsordnung". It is monitored on Lake Constance and on the Upper Rhine by the German, Swiss and Austrian Water Police, the "Seepolizei".

All boats must be registered, and boat drivers must hold a "Bodenseeschifferpatent" (authorization to drive a patented vehicle on Lake Constance). It is issued in Germany by the shipping offices of the district of Constance, the Lake Constance district, and the district of [[Lindau]]; in Switzerland by the cantonal authorities; and in Austria by the District Commission [[Bregenz]]. For pleasure boaters short-term guest licenses are possible (for the categories A for [[motorboat]]s over 4.4 kW and D for [[sailboat]]s over 12 m<sup>2</sup> sail area).

'''Boating events'''
* Since 1979, every year to the [[assumption of Mary]], Europe's largest ship procession is held on Lake Constance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gebetsstaette.de/gebetsstaette-wigratzbad/schiffsprozession/|title=Schiffsprozession: Gebetsstätte Wigratzbad|website=www.gebetsstaette.de|language=de|access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref> 
* Every year (early summer) the spectacular all-around ("Rund-um") [[Regatta]] from Lindau to [[Lindau]] via [[Meersburg]], [[Überlingen]], [[Romanshorn]] is organized.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lindau.de/en/dossier/rund-um-regatta|title=Sailing Days "Rund Um" in Lindau at Lake Constance|work=Lindau Tourismus|access-date=2018-02-28|language=en-US}}</ref> 
* Since 2009, the annual [[List of water sports|water sports]] and sailing festival "International Lake Constanze week", a joint sports event takes place in Konstanz. 
* In Friedrichshafen, one of the most important water sports fairs in Europe, the Interboot, takes place annually.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.interboot.com/ib-en/index.php|title=INTERBOOT|website=www.interboot.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-28}}</ref>