Basel (Switzerland) in a day-and-a-bit

[anat0l]

[cross-posted from FlyerTalk - because I'm getting no pulse from there]

Greetings all.

I am planning to spend a day and a bit in Basel in early May. Arrival will be from LHR in the evening of the first day, leaving in the afternoon of the third day, which gives me a full day (the second day) and a morning.

So - for those with the experience and/or the know - what can I see in Basel in a day and a bit?

Now having had the heavy dose of Europe before, and knowing that Basel has two dozen museums if not more (plus churches as well), are there any particular museums or churches people would say, "you must visit this - it's something everyone does when in Basel"? (Yeah, silly question, but I'll try my luck)

Apart from that, I do love walking around and observing various architecture, styles etc..

I suppose there is no point trying to find the point in Basel where all three countries converge (let alone the points where two countries converge)?

I have to make sure I get some nice Swiss chocolates before I leave. The ladies back in my office will have my genitals on a platter if I don't placate them with something.

Does anyone have recommendations on reasonable hotels, preferably no more than US$100 per night (OK, may be optimistic there....). I have HH (not a lot), SPG (ditto) and PC (quite a bit) points available to burn...

Danke / Merci everyone!

 

[tgh]

My son works in Basel..he might have some suggestions .. pm me and I will pass on his email..

 

[drmikki]

With the need for chocolate hanging over your head (or other parts~!), I thought I would share our chocolate hunting experiences. Chocolate is everywhere, and we found that the Swiss chocolate was ALL good. As in, the 'home brand' chocolate that you could get in any store was just as good as the more recognisable 'name brand' chocolate. So, if quantity will placate the women in your office, you can get bags of a dozen or more blocks in any supermarket for a few francs. If you must go for name brand (and since it's your nether regions on the line, its an undertandable choice) I would recommend Caillier - YUMMMM!!! You can get a kilo bag of wrapped bite-sized pieces in a variety of flavours, which should make everyone happy.

Can't give you much else on Basel - we went through it by train on the long ride FRA-Zurich and didn't explore it.

 

[albatross710]

I would like to think that Basel is one of my favorite cities.

The border of France, Germany and Switzerland can be reached by public transport and is worth a visit. Various Swiss museums are worth a visit to understand how their neutrality and precision came to be their hallmarks.

The Rathouse is worth a visit as will be the city markets nearby. Rathouse is an apt name for city hall.

As for Chocolates I go to the Coop and buy chocolates from there. In Feb I picked up 8 blocks for $5. Good quality and makes the souvenir dollar go a long way. Another thing I buy at Coop are Vitronox steak knives. ~$4 ea compared to Aus at >$10 each. Pack in checked bag to travel home.

You can also spend some time traveling on the teams to see more of the outskirts.

Generally, you will easily enjoy your time.

I have no hotel recommendations as I usually stay with friends in CH.

 

[docjames]

:shock: Expect almost everything to be expensive.......

 

[TonyHancock]

I'll be interested in how you go anat0l. My one flight to Basel landed late evening and involved me walking out of the "wrong door" into France, walking back into Switzerland, and then walking through the "right door" into Germany. A somewaht odd experience all round!

I never had a chance to see Basel at all...much to my disappointment.

 

[casanovawa]

Always a reasonable place to start looking at a destination...
Basel Vacations, Tourism and Basel, Switzerland Travel Reviews - TripAdvisor

I only went through Basel as well on the way to Geneva in 2008... Yes CH is an expensive place, at the time the aussie dollar was only like US$0.60cents but arrived in Geneva at about 10pm on traina nd decided to just get a Mcdonald's meal and cost me like A$20 or so... so the 4-5 days in CH i didn't eat/drink to heartily...

and stayed in Basel-Mulhouse-Freiberg airport for 3 hours on the way to madrid in 2010 but yeah strange you can walk out different doors into different countries...

As for what to see, always hard to suggest... in terms of museums a place might have one of the great art museums of the world for example, but me personally i am into science, history, natural history sort of museums... the big arty farty places don't do a huge amount for me... secret is with so short a time to have a plan and hit the ground running...

 

[kezsco]

Ooh, a question that I can answer! GF is from Colmar and we travel into BSL (via LHR) twice a year. When we lived in Colmar, we would have weekends in Bssel. Plenty of nice hotels in Basel, but on your budget... we would stay at Hotel Krafft, on the river. Nice designer style rooms, breakfast and transport pass (nearly twice your budget unfortunately). There are other options around there... try and stay near the river in the middle of the city, it'll be great in May (I hope so anyway, GF and I will be there again mid to end May).

It is getting cheaper with the recent depreciation of the CHF. The city centre is great to walk around, with plenty of walking streets only. The trams are easy, and there is a tourist pass to enable unlimited use of trams, comes free with some stays at hotels, it's called a mobility ticket.

Museum Foundation Beyeler is very good, in Basel but in the suburbs. A tram should still get you there (sorry, we drove..).. It houses some great pieces (hope you're a fan of modern!). Think Van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet etc...

Otherwise, just walk around and enjoy the city centre.

 

[albatross710]

When is Switzerland and on a budget I often swing by the train stations for breakfast. Expect fast and convenient food, reasonably priced.

I was a regular at Migroslino (Mini Migros) in February this year. Self serve pastries etc. The takeaway bircher muselie was excellent.

SO for economical foods check out the food halls of Migros & Coop.

 

[Flashback]

Flights booked, cya at LHR in the lounge!