Germany's medieval charm, unique Fasnet carnival, beautiful Lake Constance, Black Forest treks, and delicious Swabian cuisine.
Stockach, a small town in southern Germany, has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages and is known for its traditional carnival celebrations, called 'Fasnet'.
Stockach sits between Lake Constance and the Black Forest. With a population of just over 16,000 residents, it's a town that is small enough to explore by foot yet big enough to have its own unique character.
Visitors to Stockach are often pleasantly surprised by the Hauptstraße, the main street of the town. Walking through this street will give you a sense of the town's history. The main square, or Marktplatz, is surrounded by beautiful half-timbered houses and is the venue for most of the town's events, such as the farmer's market and the popular Fasnet carnival celebration.
The Fasnet, held in February or March, is definitely the highlight of the year. It's a traditional Swabian-Alemannic carnival with a history dating back to the 14th century. People dress up in elaborate costumes and masks, and there are parades, music, and plenty of local food.
For nature lovers, Stockach is a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. It's close to Lake Constance, Germany's largest lake which it shares with Austria and Switzerland. The lake offers water sports, boat tours and swimming in the summer. Nearby is also the Black Forest, known for its beautiful scenery and hiking trails.
A visit to Stockach wouldn't be complete without trying the local cuisine. Swabian food is hearty and filling. Don't miss out on Swabian Maultaschen, a type of dumpling filled with meat and spinach, or Schwäbischer Zwiebelrostbraten, a roast beef dish served with fried onions.
A fun fact for the car lovers: The town is also home to the Aicher Park, which houses the museum and factory outlet of the car brand RUF, famous for manufacturing and tuning Porsches.
