Hey, folks,
My wife and I are visiting Europe for the first time. We're flying into Zurich and will be spending 3 days in Basel, and 3 days (in Germany) in Freiburg im Breisgau.
We've done enough basic investigation to satisfy ourselves, but are wondering if there are any "Don't Miss" sights/experiences we might have missed.
Thanks!
Shawn
Don't know what you have so don't know what you may have missed. Apparently you're satisfied already?
Will you be visiting other places? I ask because very close to Basel is one of my favorite cities in Europe, Luzern. If you are not already going there, you could consider a day trip, but I would want to spend at least two days there. One to visit the old town/river areas and another to take an excursion to the top of a mountain (Rigi, Pilatus or Titus).
I really liked Basel. "Don't miss" for me would be the (1)Muenster and be sure to catch the Rhine view from behind it.(2)Rathuis and the market square in front of it. I would go morning to midday to be sure to catch the market.(3)Meander around the very colorful old town area and (4) Cross the river by the bridge by the art museum and walk to the bridge that crosses back into the old town.
Basel has a wonderful website, Basel.com. It has wonderful ideas. I contacted them and asked for maps of walking tours and they were happy to mail them.
We're not big tourists. We'll probably spend most of our time during in cafes or wandering around the medieval old town. Maybe a museum or two. But if there's anything really amazing that we should absolutely see, we'd love to have about it.
-- Thanks, Jules! We'll take your suggestions!
We will also be spending a few days in Freiburg Im Breisgau.
The Kunstmuseum has a very high quality collection and is far less crowded than a lot of bigger name art museums.
You don't say when your trip is.
If it is warm and fine, take a ferry across the river and walk back, or ferry both ways. There are 4 ferries, powered by the river itself.
Design Museum just across the German border.
If it is very warm, get a fishie and float down the river.
Go to the zoo.
Ride the trams. Your Basel hotel will give you tickets valid on the trams.
Thanks, selkie!
Nigel -- what's a fishie?
Shawn, here is my recommendation (copied from a previous post I did):
When you check in to your hotel, you will be given a pass for free public transport in Basel for the duration of your stay.
It is a city for wandering around. The city centre is car-free. Either side of the main shopping streets there are old lanes, where you can get lost and it is impossible to tell which century you are in.
The highest point is the Münster (Minster = Cathedral) on Münsterplatz.
The tourist office has leaflets about signposted walks you can take.
It is also a city for museums. There are over 30, starting with the Kunstmuseum (conventional Art museum) and the Fondation Beyeler (20th century Art). Both recommended.
P.S. The "fishie" Nigel is referring to is a "Wickelfisch" which is a waterproof bag you use to put your dry clothes in while you swim (float) down the Rhine. He probably forgot the word.
See this video (its a news report from an Austrian newspaper): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAXbN2hWodc
Cool. Thanks, Chris.
no, he didn't - thought our new guest might appeciate an American version of the word. Poetic too.
hey hey
@Chris and Nigel LOL
the video was great,
nigel is just being nigel
aloha
