Spend 3 days in Basel
| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 165,529 |
| Languages spoken | German, French and some Italian |
| Currency | 1.11 CHF (Switzerland Franc) = 0.87 USD |
| Average temperature | Summer: 76.3F; winter: 28.6F |
| High season | June to August |
If you can't decide on your next vacation spot and aren't sure if you're feeling a little French, if you have a hankering for some sauerkraut, or if you want to explore the mountains of Switzerland, it's time to consider Basel, Switzerland. Nestled at the meeting point of France, Germany and Switzerland, Basel is a small metropolitan city that prides itself on sophistication, the arts and its casual elegance. It might be a little pricier than a hostel in Ibiza, but there's no place like it anywhere else on earth.
Basel was built on the banks of the Rhine and remains untouched by the history of war that has so greatly affected its neighbors, France and Germany. Because of its neutrality, Switzerland escaped with no damage and Basel is now heralded as the Swiss capital of the arts. If you've ever tried to catch a glimpse of anything worthwhile through the crowds at the Louvre, Basel might be the place for you. Drawing from the influences of Swiss history and the best in food, culture and arts from its close neighbors, Basel is a unique melting pot that represents the region as a whole. As home to Switzerland's first university, founded in 1460, it goes without saying that this small town is anything but rural.
Switzerland isn't known for being cheap, and Basel is no exception. While you can scrimp and save during your stay, it's always nice to see how the other half lives. For the first class traveler, Les Trois Rois ("the Three Kings") is the epitome of European luxury and has been in service in its present state since 1844. This majestic tourist's palace overlooks the Rhine and has the best view in town: even better, everyone from Napoleon to the Rolling Stones has stayed here. Rooms can run anywhere from $329 a night for a regular room to more than $4,256 for the Les Trois Rois Suite.
Day 1: A taste of culture
Basel is very particular about its arts reputation and has put a lot of effort into ensuring that its galleries are of the highest caliber and that special exhibits are always on order. Because of Basel’s arty nature, the galleries aren't the only places to take in some culture. Wander the town’s streets and you will encounter small squares decorated with fountains, statues, murals, and stand-alone sculptural installations. Visiting in the summer ensures that you'll have the maximum amount of daylight hours to sniff out the hidden gems around town. But don't despair if you visit in winter -- it can be just as magical when the city decks itself out for the holiday season.Dive right into the gallery scene and explore the old-town center. Most major museums and galleries are all within walking distance and can be managed on foot. The most notable stop in town is Kunstmuseum Basel, which is the most all-encompassing collection of fine art. This larger-than-life collection includes examples from just about every notable artist that has ever produced. If you're looking for Vincent van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Picasso, Pollack, or Rodin, this is the place for you. Four floors of canvases and sculptures are grouped by period, and special collections are featured regularly. When you've seen all you need to see, stop by the ground-floor cafe for lunch -- the food is some of the best in the neighborhood.
If you're up for traveling out of the city center, two more impressive places are a short drive away. The first is the Foundation Beyeler. Once a private collection, this is now the most renowned collection in Switzerland and houses rarely seen works from an incredible cross section of artists. This non-lending gallery is the permanent home to a Warhol self-portrait and iconic works by Rousseau, Klee, and Kandinsky.
Also worth the trip out of the old town is the Vitra Design Museum. In a building designed by Frank Gehry, this is one of the world's leading museums for industrial design and architecture. With a collection that spans from the early 19th century to the present day, every design period is well-represented through furniture, home furnishing, industrial design works, and architecture. The highlight of your visit is sure to be the on-premise store that offers reproductions of some timeless furniture as well as kitschy renderings of pieces in miniature form.
After a full day of taking in the sights, spend your evening at a traditional pub to see the other side of local culture. Any of the small and noisy pubs in Marktplatz will serve up traditional fare and locally brewed ales that are sure to hit the spot.
Day 2: Getting out of town
One of the best things about Basel is its proximity to some amazing sights that are as enjoyable to see as they are to travel to. The famous autobahn is a favorite of many travelers because of its speed limit flexibilities, and a quick jaunt out of the city offers amazing scenery and plenty of opportunity for quaint village stops and unique experiences.If you haven't had enough of a history fix from your day of galleries and museums, Augusta Raurica might be right up your alley. As the original settlement of Basel was a Roman establishment in 44 B.C., the ruins of Augusta Raurica are a glimpse into the humble roots of the city. Originally called Basilea ("royal stronghold"), many of the ruins -- from the original temples, forums, Roman baths, to a 10,000-person theater -- have been excavated.
After a morning fix of ancient civilization, it's time to head out into the famed German Black Forest and witness another kind of history. Don't worry, the Black Forest isn't all fairy tales and cake, it's also the number one European destination for motorcycle enthusiasts. Rent a BMW cycle and head for the hills: depending on the model you choose, expect to pay around $105 per day, plus insurance. The steep and curvy roads and flexible speed limit provide the ultimate thrill for anyone that dares to give it a try.
If you can manage to slow down long enough to enjoy the scenery, head to a picturesque chalet nestled in the mountains for dinner and some of the famous Black Forest cake. One of the most famous is Hexenlochmuhle (about an hour and a half outside of Basel), and deservedly so, as it is the center of the cuckoo clock trade, which is the No. 1 export from the area. The wall of clocks is pretty impressive, and you can pick up a fine example of German engineering of a different kind. You can look to spend anywhere from $44 for a miniature to over $7,316 for an intricately carved, oversized clock -- don't worry, they'll package and ship your purchase if it's too big to strap to your bike.
Day 3: Sights around town
After your adrenaline-filled day of touring the countryside, take a leisurely stroll through the city to soak up the old town’s ambience. The Cathedral is the focal point of the city and is well worth a visit, but Old World architecture is not just reserved for places of worship: Marktplatz and the Town Hall (built between 1504 and 1514) are impressive general meeting places that are still in full use today for outdoor markets that offer great fresh food, world-famous bratwurst and locally made wine and cheese. On the other side of the square, drop into the Grand Cafe, with a fantastic view of the city center, and enjoy traditional strong coffee and hand-made pastries to tide you over for an afternoon on the town.
Considering that the city is built on the banks of one of the most famed rivers in Europe, it's fair to say that water plays an important role for the city. A stroll along the banks is absolutely necessary, and crossing the Rhine at Mittlere Brucke ("middle bridge") lets you follow in the footsteps of many historical figures, as it's one of the oldest bridges crossing the Rhine. But the water games don’t stop there: Tinguely Fountain is a huge outdoor pool that is decked out with working and moving aqua sculptures, and the old town is home to more than 170 beautiful and historical drinking fountains, each one made unique with a story of its own.
Farther down the Rhine, the historic district of St. Alban is still home to one of the original gates to the city, though the original city walls were torn down in 1860 to allow for city expansion. This quarter of the city is the oldest and is still home to many traditional buildings and antique stores. To see how the Rhine has shaped the growth of the town, stop by the paper mill that dates back to the middle ages and take a look at paper being made in a process still powered by a mill.
Now that the history and culture have been taken care of, feel free to wander the main streets of Basel in search of another thing Switzerland is famous for: shopping. Whether you're looking for first-class leather goods, chocolate to die for or fashion of the highest quality, the stores in Basel cater to just about every need. Department stores, discount outlets, designer showrooms, and one-off boutiques line the twisting cobblestoned city center and are worth an afternoon of your attention.
tips for the trip
- Switzerland hasn't -- and won't -- switch to the euro, so it's important to convert some cash into Switzerland Francs. If you plan on heading into nearby Germany or France, you'll need those euros.
- Always carry your passport when crossing borders; they may seem fairly lax, but you don't want to be caught on the other side of the border from your hotel and be unable to get back.
- The transit system is on an honor system: tickets are purchased from machines at each stop (the big green boxes) and you need to select your destination, pay and obtain your ticket prior to boarding. Drivers are enclosed in their own car and don't inspect tickets (you can board at any vehicle entrance). Enforcement officers often board and inspect tickets, and you don't want to be caught without your ticket -- fines are $44 and must be paid immediately.
basel or bust
After a whirlwind three days in Basel, it's quite possible that you may never want to leave. Few places capture the old world European charm and aesthetic sensibilities of a cultural showcase like Basel does. While it's an often overlooked destination because of its size, no one can argue that this understated town packs more punch per square inch than any other city on earth.Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/
http://www.kunstmuseumbasel.ch/
http://basel.com/en/welcome.cfm
http://toeffcenter.ch
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