I had posted last year about a pending trip to Switzerland, and that trip was cancelled at the last minute. Another opportunity to travel to Switzerland is on the horizon. This time to Basel.
I have no experience with travel to Europe so I am already a bit intimidated, and the meeting is in February so I am concerned about making the best of my wardrobe to avoid the need for extra luggage or bulky clothing. (I live in "The South" so I don't own heavy winter clothing).
We will arrive and leave from Basel by air. We have 3 days for exploration around the meeting, and then I'll have 3 half-days on my own in the town during the meeting.
I'd like to know if there cultural, historical, and/or architectural sites in the city which are accessible in the winter that I should make a point to visit during the half-days in town ( no skiing or winter sports); if it would be best to concentrate on seeing Switzerland with our additional days, or if day-trips from Basel to Germany and or France would be feasible and worthwhile use of our time; and what would be good souvenirs to bring home that are made in Basel, or the suggested towns from other countries if applicable. I have something in the way of handcrafts or "local art" in mind for ths souvenirs as opposed to something like watches or chocolate which are more of a commercial venture.
I only have 2 weeks to figure this out and the guidebook I bought for the other trip doesn't have anything on Basel! So any help is greatly appreciated.
REposting for assistance
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I don't have personal experience to share for Basel but here are my five favorite quick ways to scope out a destination:
New York Times website travel page (search "Basel" for their archive of articles about the city)
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/travel/index.html
Fodors online destination guides
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/switzerland/basel/
Frommers online destination guides
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/basel/
Lonely Planet guidebooks (purchase just a chapter for download as a pdf - this is the only one of the five here that isn't free but if you buy just a chapter it is still alot cheaper than the whole book)
http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/switzerland/switzerland-travel-guide-7/
Local Tourism Websites (here's the one for Basel, quite lovely)
http://www.basel.com/en
I don't have any sites to recommend but I have places. I went to Geneva and took the train to Verbier. It was an amazing place with several world-class ski mountains in one area. I also loved Geneva. I'd visit both if you can (and if you love skiing and are a good skier - the terrain was difficult!). Have a wonderful time! For guidebooks, just buy a Fodors Switzerland, of course
And in Geneva try to stay in the old city. From Geneva it's only a 2 hour train ride to Paris I think , so you could also visit Paris.
Packing tips Plan to layer clothes. slacks, T or turtleneck and sweater. And buy a couple of pairs of top and bottom silk long underwear. LL Bean carries. So do others. It packs small. It is easily handwashed and dries quickly. Under ordinary slacks and sweater you would be fine with a medium weight coat. Doubles as comfortable sleepwear too. And lightweight wool socks. The "smartwool" brand is great. A couple of pairs, wash in sink, is all you need. Tell us what you already have and we might have other suggestions how to make that work.
otherfootloose:
It might be important, WHEN exactly you are going to Basel this February. The week end of february 16/17 might be booked solid.
Also it would be interesting to know, what your precise interests might be. I might be able to advise you.
Awaiting your next post, you might be interested in this website:
http://www.basel.com/en
Enjoy your trip
Phil.
Basel's Fasnacht will be February 18-21; it's unlikely that a business meeting would be scheduled in that time period. In the weeks before and after, however, you'll find figurines, masks,drums, and other souvenirs and necessary paraphernalia of Fasnacht. Think h-u-g-e bags of confetti! Look in the Manor department store and in the independent shops near Spalentor (city gate). Festivities begin at 4 am Monday morning.
You'll find a links to Basel's museums here--
http://www.museenbasel.ch/en/index.php
If it appeals to you, travel the few miles to the Beyeler Foundationby tram (#6 I think) for a pleasant ride out of the city, past fields and farms, to Riehen where you'll find the Renzo Piano building.
Ooops! >Due to collection change-over, the Collection rooms are closed starting January 2nd 2013 through February 15, 2013. However the DEGAS exhibition [until January 27] as well as the Calder Gallery can be seen entirely
Oh this is so helpful! Thanks everyone.
The meeting is the first week of Feb, and it looks like I'll miss that Degas exhibit ( BIG Bummer) but Calser would also be interesting.
laurie ann, thanks extra for the silk undies idea. Never would have thought of that and it makes good sense.
And I will explore the resources you suggest as well.
I was in Basel a couple years ago. Here is my short report. Hope it can be of some use.
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/basel-short-trip-report.cfm
Ideas for Basel:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/a919b/
In those three (full) days for exploring I'd probably do a day trip to the Alps (Jungfrau region prefered, jungfrauregion.ch), Mt. Rigi or Lucerne/Engelberg and Mt. Titlis.
I was thinking that a trip to the ski region should probably find a way into the itinerary; is this something we can do pretty easily by train? We are not skiers, so what would we do if we were to visit these areas?
The regions I suggested are ski regions. You could take a cable car/gondola/cog-train take up, hike on the groomed trails, do sledding (rent there in town, Grindelwald is very good e.g.)
Wanted to follow up with y'all...and say thanks for all the great suggestions. Unfortunately, once again the trip was taken out from under us as budget constraints zapped funding. Geeze I hate budgets....