Are Basel & Engelberg in the newest RS Swiss Guidebook?

In looking at the index on Amazon (this link may work? maybe not? It's super long but I'm trying, haha!) it says Basel is mentioned once on p. 356 and I don't see Engelberg in the index at all, so I would guess 'no.'

ETA: That link did not take you directly to the index, just to the main Amazon page for the book, but if you click on the picture of the book on the left, you will then see "Book Sections" and a hyperlink to the index.

I had no idea one could check the index on Amazon. Thx for the tip!

As far as I'm concerned, Basel is underrated. We had a lovely couple days there. Basel has a terrific tourism office. I contacted them via email and they mailed me maps and a couple of walking tours. Be sure to see the Muenster and the view behind it, the rathuis, and walk over the bridge by the huge art museum to view the river and the muenster from the river.

Jules, much of my research is supporting your very point. Thx for the tip about the tourism office.

I have the ninth edition (new this year). No Basel or Engelberg coverage.

It was fun to walk around the entire old town. It is so colorful. There is a huge mural of rock musicians that we discovered on our own. If you ask a local, I'm sure they'd be able to point you in the right direction. I know it was close to the rathuis

If you are in Basel in summer, you can join the locals swimming down the river.

I want to be in Basel for the Christmas markets, and am studying the on-line map. Does it make any difference on which side of the river one stays? Looks like the trams are easy to use to get from the train station to the Old Town. Any hotel/neighborhood recommendations? I want easy access to the train station for day trips. I really miss having an RS Guide to answer these basic questions. Thanks so much.

Typically, we stay at places with "local charm". In Basel, it was more difficult to find a place in our price range. We ended up at Motel One, and although the decor was more modern, it was a great place, very reasonably priced. I think about 100 Francs or so. It was close to town center/Muenster. It was very clean with wonderful staff. I believe there is a breakfast for an additional fee and they have a bar and large lounge area. I would stay there again. I think if you stay on the "other side" of the river, there is easy access to the old town area. I would want to be in the old town area, myself.

https://www.motel-one.com/en/hotels/basel/hotel-basel/

Try the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide, depending on your preference.

There are oodles of places that Rick skips. Keeps the crowds down in the good places I love (LOL),

It is worth developing a second string of guidebooks. I used to swear by the Green Books and Lonely Planet. Now I'm tending more to Rough Guides.

Pat, I answered your questions about Christmas markets and hotels in the other thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/switzerland/bern-or-basel

It doesn't matter which side of the river you stay, but be sure to go on one of the ferries across the river at least once. Click for photo.

Chris, the ferries look super cool.
Any chance of snow on the ground in Basel in early December? I'm a California gal, so snow is a delight for me.
Thanks!

Pat, Snow, maybe if you are lucky you will get some, but don't reckon on it staying on the ground for more than 24 hours.

We have had the odd snowfall late November. Usually it is Jan/Feb when we get snow, and it rarely lasts.
This year after having no snow in March or April, suddenly in the middle of the afternoon on the first Saturday in May it started to snow, latest snow ever (according to the TV news). It didn't settle.

I found a photo of the Christmas Market in Barfüsserplatz in the snow: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/travel/Spark/swiss-travel-system/basel-christmas-market.jpg

Basel does a lot of river cruise business these days- surprised to see it missing since so many people like to fly into a cruise area 2-3 days early to get over jet lag and provide a flight delay buffer to make sure they get to the boat on time.

If you are interested in the Motel One, sign up for their loyalty program right before booking the hotel- I think they still give you a free breakfast coupon if you do that, which saves you about 19 CHF

We loved Engelberg in July a few years back. We had a gorgeous day to go to the top of Mt. Titlis, and played in the snow! I really wanted our kids to have that experience. We are Michiganders and get plenty of snow in the winters..but to see it in the summer was a blast for all of us. It was also very interesting to watch other visitors experience snow for the first time in their lives!

I am a loyal Rick Steve’s guidebook reader and fan, but we got most of our information about Engelberg from this forum, Chris from Basel, and other online sources. Engelberg was not overrun with tourists with me were there. We had two nights there followed by three nights in Lucerne. Can’t wait to get back to Switzerland.

Laurie

We stayed at Hotel Roćhat, near the University Hospital. It is in a quiet neighborhood (enjoyable for walking/exploring), and was easy to walk to the Christmas market. Also is only a street or two from a tram stop. We were with a family group so were able to see several rooms. Each was very comfortable and each had its unique "old world charm". The breakfast was delicious!

I really enjoyed the Christmas markets in Basel. In addition to "standard" markets, they had (in 2015) a great kids area-enjoyed watching families on mini-train rides and making gifts (dipping candles, turning wood, etc.). Basel is a great city for walking and exploring!