Sights and top experiences

The beauty of this place is imperial. Even Louis Napoléon marvelled at the wonderful view over the Lower Lake region. He spent his childhood and part of his youth at Arenenberg Castle in Salenstein before ascending to the throne in France. Today, the castle is home not only to magnificent gardens but also to the only German-language museum on Napoleonic history. The castle, which is still furnished in its original form, welcomes museum guests just as Queen Hortense did at the time with her friends.

Living proof that going to a monastery has nothing to do with renunciation: Ittingen brings culinary stars from the sky and is culturally the first fiddle. The most entertaining former monastery complex between Winterthur and Lake Constance is ideal for weekend excursions, weddings, meetings or overnight stays. Ittingen Charterhouse runs a hotel and seminar business, is home to the Ittingen and Thurgau Art Museum, boasts a wonderful monastery complex with rose garden and spoils its guests in the monastery's own restaurant, where practically only products from its own estate are served. And yes, it also has a bubble hotel. If you want to experience all the advantages of the Thurgau in a compact setting, you won't find a more ideal place.

Bischofszell's old town may not be spectacular, but it is well worth seeing. The eight-bay crooked old Thur Bridge is also worth seeing; it is the largest surviving medieval bridge in Switzerland. Bischofszell is best known for its rose, which has a long tradition. The fragrant flower is really celebrated once a year during the legendary Bischofszell Rose Weeks. If that is too flowery for you, you will find the most beautiful Thurgau villages on picturesque lakeside locations or with a historic past summarised here.

Many paths lead from Kreuzlingen to Schaffhausen. The most beautiful is by the water with the Untersee and Rhine Ship Company, past Stein am Rhein and the island of Reichenau. This change of perspective is worthwhile and provides an ideal insight into the beautiful lake and river landscape. The three-hour boat trip is one of the most beautiful river cruises in Europe. The highlight for many guests is the bridge crossing at Diessenhofen. The covered, historic wooden bridge connects Switzerland with Germany and is so low that the ships have to lower the bow masts, the roof of the driver's cabin and the sun awning before passing through.

Not just for pious souls: A stay at Fischinger Monastery is relaxing thanks to the very special and contemplative atmosphere of this place of power. Five Benedictine monks still live and work in the only active monastery in Thurgau. Whether it's a concert in the baroque library, an overnight stay in the former monks' cell, meditation or a guided tour through eventful history - Fischingen Monastery inspires and provides time out in green, quiet surroundings.

The apple belongs to Thurgau like it does to William Tell. Only here, fortunately, it is not shot at, it is eaten or processed into something enjoyable. Often into juice. No one knows better than the traditional Möhl cidery in Arbon how to do this. In the new MoMö cider museum, apples and juice production in Thurgau can be experienced. The entire world of apples, the role of bees and their care as well as everything to do with apple juice can be discovered interactively with all the senses at MoMö.

The apple village of Altnau is idyllically situated between meadows and apple orchards, directly on Lake Constance. For generations, everything here has revolved around the red-cheeked fruit. The apple can be experienced on the Altnau Apple Trail. The family-friendly theme trail with information boards and hands-on stations leads through the village and illustrates the local tradition wonderfully. A village like Altnau naturally also deserves an honourable trademark. The Altnau footbridge is 300 metres long and the longest footbridge on Lake Constance. You can jump into the water via a small platform attached to the footbridge and sunbathe on the raft.

With more than 210,000 standard apple trees and over 1,600 hectares of fruit crops, Thurgau is the largest fruit-growing canton in Switzerland. When the flower buds of the fruit trees open, you almost have to take cover. In many places you are immersed in a true blossom paradise. This can be experienced wonderfully on an enjoyable bike tour, such as the Bluescht bike tour from Arbon.

With its beautiful townscape and well-preserved timber-framed houses on every corner, Ottoberg has earned a place on Switzerland's list of towns worthy of protection. The much-travelled Weinfelden Wine Trail leads through the vineyards of this historic village. Various well-known vineyards, such as the Burkhart winery, are also located here. A chilled drop of wine awaits the hikers in the wine safe along the hike, the code for which can be found in the tasting backpack. At the end of the enjoyable hike, a culinary stop at a restaurant in Weinfelden is recommended.

Along with apples and Lake Constance, the spherical four-poster beds are almost part of the region's DNA. Those who could no longer get hold of one of the coveted nights in the bubble hotel now have good alternatives: How about a night in a tree house? Or would you prefer a circus wagon or a floating bed? In a tiny house, straw hotel, cultural monument or monastery? The list is long. So an unusual night in Thurgau definitely belongs on your bucket list.