Where to go from Basel

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I just returned from Zurich/Lucerne/Engelberg and loved it. This could be an option.
I really enjoyed all 3 cities. And Mount Titlis (Engelberg) was just magical...you get to breath the freshest of air up there!

Switzerland has plenty to see, with the Berner Oberland region being our top mountain choice for a couple of days. Then you could stop at Luzern and fly home from Zurich or take the Golden Pass route via Zweissimmen to Montreux, and later fly from Geneva. Since Switzerland is small, Basel/Mulhouse airport is also not far from either area. I suggest using Rick's Switzerland guidebook for your planning.

The southern Black Forest (Titisee, Triberg, Schwarzwaldbahn) is nearby, also the French Alsace. A little to the east is the Bodensee (Lake Constance).

Basel itself is a very nice city, and worth at least one day (but maybe I am biased, I live here). It has a lovely old town with buildings dating from the 1400's, a cathedral overlooking the Rhine and lots of museums.

After the Rhine, for a contrast I suggest you go up into the Alps. 2½ to 3 hours in a train from Basel will get you to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald or Mürren, well into the Alps. I am not suggesting Luzern because that is on a lake and you will probably want a change from boats. From there you can get to Zürich airport fro your return flight in a similar time.

Bruges is definately recommended.

I agree with Chris F about Basel. Just because the boat ends there don't just hop off and go elsewhere.

Basel has a really neat sense of humour. Unique.

Another vote for spending at least a few hours in Basel. The Spalentor (medieval gate) and the Rathaus (medieval Town Hall) are just amazing. That is in addition to what Chris mentioned above.

Thank you all very much for your suggestions. I will definitely look into all of them as possibilities. It was mentioned that it would be helpful to know what kinds of things we enjoy and are interested in. Generally we like to learn about the local history and way of life and how it differs from our home in Canada, try new food& drink and see beautiful and interesting scenery and architecture.

In Basel try "Rösti mit Leberli", even thinking about it is making my mouth water.
With Nüsslisalat as a starter (it's called Feldsalat in Germany, Rampon in French, it hasn't got a common Englsih name). Salads are served as a starter.

I was in the city centre a few hours ago, they are currently celebrating the 500th anniversary of the building of the town hall, with concerts and a "Fest" in the market place outside the town hall all weekend.

I'm taking the reverse trip Basel to Amsterdam next fall as well and I am also planning a 4,5, or 6 days in Switzerland prior to the trip and 2 nights in Amsterdam at the end of the cruise. It sounds like Basel is worth a one night stay prior to boarding the boat, any suggestions on where to stay?

What sort of hotel? What price range?

http://www.basel.com/en is the official tourist site for the city. This lists all hotels in the city with prices and booking.

If you like modern art, the Fondation Beyeler in Basel is a really important collection. If you have a car, I'd consider the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhine, moments from Basel. Recent star-chitects have produced a little publicity for this unusual campus/gallery/museum. Take the longest tour that's not fully booked. There's a sweet Roman site nearby called Augusta Raurica.

Alternatively, there's the southern end of Alsace, if you haven't been there before.

But if you don't want to drive, and can afford Switzerland, the previous ideas are excellent. Zurich is often a good place to fly home from. I personally don't consider Bruges to be close to Amsterdam, but everyone else seems to. There are some charming cities with (much smaller than Bruges) medieval centers within an hour by commuter train of Amsterdam. They're not as romantic as Bruges, but they have more to do. And you don't have to change hotels if you return to Amsterdam. A little farther away are the Hanseatic League cities, and the Kröller-Müller Museum, as important as the Beyeler. Kröller-Müller has great no-car bicycle riding (free) in a national park.