This year, our main vacation—packed with trips, hikes, and socializing—took place near Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Austria, together with four friends (six of us in total). We take a trip like this every year, with whoever can make it—sometimes the group is bigger, and sometimes the lineup changes, but the six of us are the core of our friend group.
Travel Day
We arrived by car, giving us plenty of flexibility to explore as much as we wanted. The six-hour drive was—by now—an easy feat, since we’re used to long road trips (last year in Namibia, for example, we drove about 4,000 kilometers in just two weeks).
We stopped for lunch at a lovely park just outside Munich—highly recommended. Like proper Central Europeans, we were prepared with our own lunch and had a little picnic there.
Our accommodation was in a house in a village near a river, about 500 meters away. The house was large, suitable for 9–10 people, but with two bathrooms, it was perfect for our group of six (we originally anticipated more friends would join). One of the bathrooms had a slow-draining bathtub, and we spotted some tiny bugs—they seemed harmless, but I’m not quite used to this type of lodging (my husband has already spoiled me with nicer places). Still, everything else worked fine, and for one week, it was comfortable.
The river near the house was stunning, with smooth rocks sticking out of the water—almost like dunes. The shallow water felt very cold at first, but we quickly got used to it, and it was simply wonderful. The entire atmosphere amazed me. While our accommodation was in Austria, Bodensee was close by, and we had easy access to Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
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| First Evening by the River Near Our House |
Day 1: Waterfall Hike
On our first full day, we headed into Germany for a hike to see a waterfall. I was a bit apprehensive at first, but the trail included only two major climbs; the rest was a gentle mix of up and down. We covered 12 kilometers in total. Chatting with friends always helps distract me from the tough parts—especially with my bad knees, going down can be just as challenging as going up.
We also waded in the water beneath the waterfall. The water, at about 10°C, was far too cold for swimming, and none of us had swimsuits anyway. However, many people there seemed eager for a swim—very brave!
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| The Waterfall Hike in Germany |
Day 2: Liechtenstein
Our second full day was devoted to visiting Liechtenstein—my husband, our group leader, made the call. We explored the capital’s main street and admired the beautiful, well-maintained buildings. It’s one of the richest countries in the world, and you could feel the luxury everywhere: luxury cars like BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Rolls Royce were abundant—even I, someone who doesn’t know much about cars, noticed the difference.
Prices reflected that luxury, too. Everything was so expensive that we stuck to our homemade sandwiches again. My husband visited a local shop to buy a bottle of wine, but returned with just ice cream—wine was outrageously overpriced! Even as someone who’s not an ice cream fan, I have to admit it was delicious.
This hike was a bit shorter but more demanding—uphill for nearly three hours straight. We made several stops, including a visit to Liechtenstein’s castle (the prince actually lives there). After more climbing, we reached the ruins of another castle—nice, but typical for Europe. The views from the top were spectacular.
The descent was tough on my knees, but I survived, feeling the effects of the hike all over my body the next day.
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| Mountain Panorama from Liechtenstein |
Day 3: Konstanz and Rhine Falls
We planned a more restful excursion to Konstanz and Rhine Falls to avoid anyone getting hurt. Konstanz is particularly significant for Czechs because Jan Hus was imprisoned and later executed there—there’s a small museum dedicated to him.
The city itself is beautiful, with architecture reminiscent of mountain villages—colorful shuttered windows and painted facades. However, it was extremely crowded and felt very touristy, which was a big change for us, since our hikes usually don’t attract many people. Walking on city pavement also proved much harder on my feet than strolling through forests.
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| Historic Jan Hus House in Konstanz |
The Rhine Falls were breathtaking—Europe’s most powerful waterfall, with an average flow of 600 m³/s in summer. The main viewing spots were packed, and there were pricey boat rides to the base of the falls or even to a rock offering the best angles. Yet, once we wandered away from the crowds, it was almost deserted—and it was beautiful.
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| Rhine Falls |
All three days, we struggled to find parking. It seemed like there was never any available anywhere. The maps would show a spot, so we’d head there, but then the parking lot would either be closed, private, or just not exist at all. Great. Still, we managed every time, even though it usually meant a longer walk because we had to park farther away than we expected.
Day 4: Zurich
On the fourth day, we visited Zurich—another wonderful but expensive city. Finding an affordable lunch spot was nearly impossible, so we ended up at a local Coop supermarket. It was much larger than we’re used to, with a big selection of takeaway food (complete with cutlery). We had a picnic in the park with our finds.
We originally planned to float down the river through Zurich (it’s a thing there, kind of like a natural water taxi), but the weather wasn’t warm enough. Perhaps next time. Still, we squeezed in a swim at the lake in the city later that day.
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| Lakeside Afternoon in Zurich |
Day 5: Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen
This was a more relaxing day, spent at the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen. I’d never seen an airship before, and there was one floating above the city—possibly as an advertisement. The museum was genuinely interesting, even for non-technical people. The many kids, likely on summer camp field trips, were manageable.
We spent two to three hours in the museum, then enjoyed lunch on the promenade overlooking Lake Bodensee. We also climbed the lookout tower for a magnificent—if slightly unnerving—view, as you could feel the tower swaying in the wind (I’m a bit afraid of heights).
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| View from the Friedrichshafen Lookout Tower |
Day 6: Swimming Day
Our final full day was all about relaxing by the water. In the morning, we returned to the river by our accommodation. Unfortunately, heavy rains two days earlier had raised the water level, making it dirtier and much colder. The weather wasn’t especially hot, so I was happy just to wade, although a couple of friends braved the chilly currents. One friend later admitted she still hadn’t warmed up by the afternoon.
That afternoon, we finally walked about 3.5 kilometers to Lake Bodensee itself and spent the rest of the day at the nearest beach. I was a little disappointed, as the water wasn’t as clear as the other rivers and lakes we’d visited. Instead, there was mud, algae, and the water quickly became very deep—you had to swim vigorously if you wanted to throw a ball far or just enjoy a swim. It was still nice, but I preferred our “private” river spot near the house.
Travel Boundaries: Saying No (or Yes) to Activities and Socializing
Group trips promise fun and connection, but for introverted, sensitive travelers, they can also quickly become overwhelming. The pressure to join every activity or participate in endless socializing often feels at odds with our need for quiet and rest. Over the years, I’ve learned that setting gentle travel boundaries—knowing when to say “yes” or “no”—is an act of self-kindness, not selfishness.
What Does Setting Boundaries Look Like?
- Choosing downtime: I rarely skip our main plans, but I’ve learned to adapt them to fit my needs. Sometimes, I’ll join a hike but take a shorter route, or I’ll quietly bow out of a board game session in favor of some solo time. There are evenings when I simply head to bed early instead of staying up to socialize. These small adjustments—leaving a group activity a bit earlier or enjoying my own company for a while—allow me to recharge, especially after a busy, energetic day. Often, a peaceful hour by the river or a quiet moment away from the group is all I need to feel balanced and ready for whatever comes next.
- Opting out (without guilt): When friends wanted to take a swim in icy water or explore just one more city spot, I listened to my energy level. Sometimes that meant I cheered them on from the shore or found a quiet café nearby. I chose presence over pressure.
- Making suggestions: If a plan felt hectic, I offered quieter alternatives—a picnic lunch, a stroll in a less crowded neighborhood, or an early evening by the lake. Often, others in the group welcomed these changes too, even if they wouldn’t have suggested them.
- Time for reflection: I tried to find small pockets of alone time most days—a walk back from the bakery, a cup of tea before bed. These moments helped me process new experiences and recharge for the next adventure.
Practical Tips for Gentle Travel Boundaries
- Check in with yourself daily: Before you agree to plans, pause. “What do I actually need right now?”
- Communicate kindly: Let your friends know if you’re skipping something or need a break. Most will understand, especially if you frame it as recharging so you can fully enjoy other moments.
- Pack comfort rituals: Bring along a journal, favorite tea, headphones, or a cozy sweater—tools that help you retreat and reset, even in a full house or busy city.
- Celebrate your choices: Instead of feeling bad about missing an outing, notice what you gain—calm, clarity, or just a moment to breathe.
Why It Matters
Setting boundaries isn’t about missing out; it’s about making space for genuine joy and connection. When I’m honest about what I need, I enjoy travel more—and I’m a better, more present friend to those around me. For anyone who struggles with “FOMO” or feels guilty for stepping back, remember: your preferences deserve a place on the itinerary, too.
How do you honor your own boundaries while traveling with others? What’s one small adjustment you could make next time to feel more at ease and true to yourself?
I’d love to hear your experiences or strategies!
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