Our Alps skiing trip began with a drive south from Germany toward Ischgl, Austria, but we couldn’t resist making a stop along the way in Lindau, a stunning lakeside town on the eastern edge of Lake Constance (Bodensee). Nestled near the borders of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Lindau has been a crossroads of cultures for centuries — once a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire and an important trade port in the medieval era.

The town’s harbor is postcard-perfect, marked by a Bavarian lion statue on one side and a lighthouse on the other. Both date to the mid-1800s, when the region was part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Across the lake, the snowcapped peaks of Switzerland and Austria framed the horizon, reflecting off the still water.

We walked through the Old Town, built on a small island connected by a bridge, filled with cobblestone streets, pastel facades, and cozy cafés. It’s hard to believe that during World War II, this peaceful area sat near key transport routes used by both Axis and Allied forces — and just across the lake, neutral Switzerland became a haven for refugees and intelligence operatives. After the war, U.S. occupation forces operated nearby as part of the postwar stabilization efforts in southern Germany.

Today, Lindau feels far removed from that turbulent past. The town’s blend of German precision and Alpine charm made it the perfect stop before heading into the high mountains. We ended the day watching the sunset over Lake Constance — a calm, golden start to our adventure in the Alps. 🇩🇪🇺🇸