Schauffhausen

We took the 9:02 AM train from Bern to Schauffhausen, which arrived at 10:52 AM. The train ride allowed us time to review the guidebooks and plan the busy day ahead. From the train station we caught the No 1 bus for the 10 minute ride to Rhine falls – the largest waterfall in Europe. Niagra it is not, but the views were stunning nonetheless. Rhine falls is divided by a tall rock, which has a small viewing platform and is accessible by ferry. We admired the view from a distance as we walked along the north bank to Shossli Worth castle. From there, we took the ferry in for a closer inspection. We disembarked right below the falls at the base of the rock and climbed a steep staircase to the small viewing platform. Wow! The sound of the water roaring all around us with the cool mist spraying our faces was truly exhilarating. (See video 1 or See video 2) We stayed for only a few minutes before boarding the ferry to Schloss Laufen – a castle on the southern bank overlooking the falls at close quarters – and then eventually back Shlossli Worth. We ate lunch at a nearby restaurant with panoramic views.

After lunch, we headed back to Schauffhausen for a leisurely walk through the cobbled streets of old town. We are told Schaffhausen is nicknamed Erkerstadt because of its 180 Erkers (ornate bay windows) which the citizens built as a display of their wealth. Many of the houses also had decorative 16th century frescos. We passed Haus zum Ritter and Smiths’ Guild House on our way to the Munot fortress. The steps that lead to the tower are flanked by vineyards. We headed to the rooftop terrace for a drink and views of the city below.

It was then back to station, where we caught the 4:01 PM train to Konstanz. The landscape of northern Switzerland is much flatter than in the south, but no less beautiful. We felt compelled get off the train at Stein-am-Rhine, a small village “straight out of Christian Anderson fairytales” according to our Lonely Planet guide. It was beautiful. We stayed just long enough for a few pictures and a beer, before boarding the 5:27 PM train to Konstanz.

We arrived in Konstanz, Germany shortly after 6:00 PM. We checked into our hotel (conveniently located across from the train station) to freshen up. Then we headed out for a romantic dinner before walking back to the hotel to crash. We were both exhausted, but it was a great day all around.