Choice between visiting Strausburg, France, Basel Switzerland and Freiburgh, Germany

My order of preference is Freiburg, Strasbourg then Basel. Freiburg has a nice centre, a couple of nice churches, a busy market (I don't know which days) and some pleasant hiking above town. If travelling by public transport, Strasbourg will be the better option.

I'm presuming you are visiting some of the local wine villages in Alsace. Ideally, on my day off I'd drive to Bad Krozingen, walk along the creek to Staufen, have a pleasant lunch, walk around the village and up the hill, down again to the village for a coffee and then back to your car. Staufen is a little gem. Coffee always tastes better in Germany, even the common Italian and French varieties.

Thanks for your response. Since we are traveling by train Strasburg would be easier. I noticed Rick Steve's left Basel out of his Switzerland Book.

The three cities you list are very different from each other.

The reason Colmar and Freiburg im Breisgau are so long apart despite being very close to each other is because there is the Rhine River between them and no direct train service By car it is extremely easy and quick, just over the bridge and a few miles either side.

To take the train between the two you take a French train up to Strasbourg, change to a little train to Offenburg, and then change to a German train towards Basel to Freiburg im Breisgau. Or a French train south to Basel and then a German one back north to Freiburg im Breisgau. Both take a long time, and go through the other cities on your list.

I love Freiburg im Breisgau for its architecture, general feeling, layout, nice trams, and its great spa. Water runs down the kerbs of the streets, look up Bächle or for a description click here:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freiburg_B%C3%A4chle

I like Strasbourg well enough but over the years I've only visited it the once, a few years ago. It has a very modern station and is well served by the very modern trams.

I absolutely love Basel, for its hills, trams and electric buses everywhere, neat modern art and installations, great market and a special sense of humour. With the Rhine running through the middle (swimming is encouraged) and having motorless ferries which are moved just by the river current. Gosh it is a beautiful place.

So the three places are not only in three different countries, they are in their own right very different from each other.

I agree with Gundersen. However, Freiburg and Strasburg get almost equal billing. However, since Strausburg is closer, you might do it and save Freiburgh when you can do Triberg as well. The Black Forrest is great.

I have not done the Colmar - Freiburg trip, but I researched it a few years ago for a trip that never materialized. You can go from Colmar to Freiburg via Breisach. Part way is bus and part is train. It seems to take about 1.5 hours. You can search for particulars at https://www.bahn.com/. Choose English or another language in the navigation at the top of the page.

I had a car coming from Burgundy (and a couple empty days in the schedule) so I started in Colmar, saw the Route du Vin from there, drove to Freiburg for a day, then up to Heidelburg for a day and ended back down in Strasbourg before turning in the car and training to Reims. I generally stay in one country but this was a corner of Germany I hadn't visited before.

I've visited Freiburg twice, once for an overnight, and while I enjoyed it, I have no plans to return. It has a magnificent church and a charming old city surrounded by hills and good wine.

I've visited Basel 4 times, one overnight staying in the city, one two night visit staying at a friend's mom's place in suburb, and twice as a day trip. I have always been surprised to enjoy Basel more and more every time I go. That said, it's in unique circumstances - I've always gone to visit a friend from home who does an artist residency program there, or with a friend who is from Basel to particpate in their truly unique "Fasnet" carneval processions. However regardless of this Basel is a stunning mix of old and new on the Rhine. The drawback is you're in Switzerland and everything is significantly more expensive.

And then we have Strasbourg. I don't know how many times I've visited Strasbourg but even now I want to go back. It has, in my opinion, the most amazing Cathedral in Europe (and I like my churches!) I would wholeheartedly recommend Strasbourg to you if you weren't already staying in Colmar, which is basically "little Strasbourg". If you want an amazing Cathederal and a couple great museums, Strasbourg is your place. If you want a (slightly) different culture, Freiburg or Basel.

I guess my point is you can't go wrong! Honestly despite my love from Strasbourg because of it's similarities with Colmar I'd point you to Basel because it's easier to get to than Freiburg, more impressive (IMO), with better activities if you're into museums/art and for a day trip you won't find the Switzerland expense to be so bad.

I have visited both Strasbourg and Freiburg im Breisgau from Colmar using public transportation. I loved both and you can't go wrong with either. If you have to choose only one, Strasbourg is easier to reach using the direct train that runs fairly frequently. No reason to pay more money for the TGV, the TER takes only 32 min.