Basel is credited with being the second largest city in Switzerland. It is located on a bend in the Rhine between the Jura Mountains and Black Forest ridges. Aside from being the first community in Switzerland to have a railway line, Basel had the world’s first international rail station.
With the launch of the TGV East line in early June, you can reach Basel in about 3 1/2 hours. Take advantage of the rail systems available to you in Europe and visit Basel. A warm, welcoming city with character and charm. A Swiss Rail pass will provide you with access to the Swiss rail network, or you can get yourself a Eurail Select Pass with France, Switzerland and Germany and travel all over!
For this issue of Explorer, we’ll be focusing on everything that makes Basel so spectacular!
Upon arrival in Basel, it is best to begin your visit in the Old Town. Basel has one of Europe’s best preserved and most beautiful Old Towns. Authentic medieval buildings along with elegant Baroque Patrician buildings fill the area. A great place to take a stroll and take it all in.
After you’ve had a visit to the Old Town, make your way to the Cathedral. The Roman-Gothic Cathedral dates back to the 11th century. It is situated on
Müsterhügel (Cathedral Hill). Behind the cathedral, high above the Rhine, you will find the Pfalz platform. From this point, you have an amazing view of the city.
Be sure to have a look around the City Hall of Basel as well. Built from 1508-1514. Here you will find precious furnishings and decor. The walls within the courtyard contain beautiful paintings. City Hall is located in the heart of the city. Nearby you will find a daily food, flower and vegetable market in Market Square.
A number of internationally-renowned architects have designed many contemporary buildings for Basel. These contemporary designs show that though Basel is an traditional city, they have an appreciation for a modern twist!
The city of Basel has over 35 museums within its borders. There truly is something for everyone! The most well-known museums are: Fondation Beyeler. This museum was designed by Renzo Piano. It contains a collection of 200 odd works of classic modernism that reflect 20th century art. A must see!
The Kunstmuseum contains the oldest public art collection in the world. This Museum of Fine Arts displays works by Holbein to Picasso along with special world-class exhibitions.
We don’t want to leave out the Basel Paper Museum! This superbly restored, medieval Gallician Mill house showcases the history of paper, writing and printing. You can not only watch the craftsmen at work, but are invited to make your own paper and print on it. A lot of fun especially for families!
Some other things to keep you busy while vacationing in Basel are going to the zoo or taking a trip on the Old-Timer Tram.
Basel has the largest zoo in all of Switzerland. Witness the feeding of sea lions, the Etoscha house, the underwater world of vivarium and you can’t look away from the playful fights between the baby apes!
The Old-Timer Tram is a great deal of fun! Embark on the nostalgic old-timer tram and enjoy a wonderful journey across 2,000 years of history throughout Basel. A relaxing way to spend an afternoon while sightseeing and learning about your surroundings!
Basel is a fantastic destination to venture to. There is much to do and see. Once you’ve absorbed all Basel has to offer, with the Swiss Travel System being top-notch, you can easily hop on a train with a Swiss Rail Pass and go exploring the rest of the country! Trains in Switzerland are known for their frequency and punctuality.
Be sure to take a look at all Swiss products offered by Rail Europe. There are many products such as FastBaggage that can help turn your trip from good to beyond great!
For those of you who may be looking for further information on Basel, we invite you to visit the Basel Tourism website: www.basel.com.
Tags: basel, rail travel, Switzerland
