Travel Eye on Basle/Basel (Switzerland)

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Overview:

You might expect Basle/Basel (Bâle in French, and often anglicized to Bâle), situated on the Rhine exactly where Switzerland, Germany and France touch noses, to be the focal point of the continent, humming with pan-European energy. It's true that Basel's voters are the most fervently pro-European of all Switzerland's German speakers but, somehow, the close proximity of foreign languages and cultures has introverted the city rather than energized it: Basel's a curiously measured place, where equilibrium is everything. You won't find anyone shouting about the new Europe here; in fact, you're unlikely to find anyone shouting about anything at all. Even the city's massive carnival is a rigorously organized set piece. Basle is a modern city with a beautifully preserved medieval centre, Basle's history spans 2,000 years, going back to the Celts and Romans. With a wider area covering 23 sq mls, the centre is split by the Rhine into the larger Grossbasel, on the S (left) bank, and Kleinbasel, on the N (right) bank. The compact, mainly pedestrianised Old Town ? with its cathedral, Gothic buildings, fountains, lively Market Square and many medieval craftsmen's houses ? is rich in history as well as offering plenty of eating and drinking venues. Moving into the 21st century, the city has successfully reinvented itself as a metropolis of art and culture with over 30 museums, many art galleries and over 1,000 concerts each year. It is also a popular venue for international conventions and trade fairs.

Locality:

Basle/Basel is located in N Switzerland, exactly in the centre of Europe, abutting the borders with Germany and France, 62 mls N of Berne, 52 mls W of Zurich, 4 mls SE of Basel-Mulhouse airport. It is positioned at the elbow of the Rhine river where it turns N; straddling both sides of the river, one side slightly elevated and providing views of 3 countries ? Switzerland, France and Germany.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Entertainment in the area consists of guided walks around the Old City, taking in the historic 16th-century Rathaus (city hall), 11th-century cathedral and the university (the oldest in Switzerland); over 30 museums covering architecture, anatomy, local history, art, cartoons and caricature, and paper; art galleries; "3-Countries Corner" (Dreilandereck), the meeting place of France, Germany and Switzerland; zoo; botanical gardens; sports facilities including swimming pools (indoor and out), tennis, cycling, golf, bowling and squash. Annual music and jazz festivals; 3-day carnival in early spring. By night there are more than enough to do with theatres large and small, discos, opera, ballet, concerts, cinemas, nightclubs and bars; liveliest areas are found around the Old Town or up-and-coming Barfusserplatz.

Local excursions consist of full day boat trips on the Rhine to Kaiseraugst with a guided tour of the ancient Roman city of Augusta Raurica; tour around the "3 countries" region; Alsace (France) for wine tastings; the Black Forest (Germany); Swiss Alps (2-hr drive or train journey).