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Anybody been to Basel, Switzerland?

Looking for recommendations of things to see and places to stay.

Thx

Check out the zoo

When we arrived we made the mistake of getting a hotel room in France, that was a major pain as we were going on to somewhere in CH

We were just there for an long morning. Enjoyed taking the ferry across the river. Was amazed at the number of bikes in the underground parking by the train station. 10,000?

1. Ride the unpowered ferry across the river.
2. If you are into Roman history, there are ruins of a Roman compound not far from town.
3. If I ever get back to Basle in the summer, I want to go tubing down the river. This seems to be a popular activity in nice weather. I saw scores of locals with their tubes tied together with floating coolers!

Well I must admit I was surprised with the zoo response. I had no idea there was a zoo <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

I was chatting with a neighbor about our trip, and come to find out his family came from Basel, They ran a hotel, which is still in business - the Hotel Merian. I think it was his great great grandfather and his brother which started it. At some point in the late 1800s his line departed Switzerland for the US. So my lodging concerns have been solved.

Thanks for the tips!

Any favorite eating establishments?

I should add that we are headed for a Christmas Market river cruise in early December. I think riding a tube down the Rhine is not option <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

We are spending a few days in Basel before the trip and a few days in my favorite city Amsterdam at the completion of the trip.

Check out the zoo on line, it is pretty historic. Not sure what is going on there in winter.

For dining check out Blindekuh Basel. You dine in complete darkness and the staff are blind. Great reviews

Have never been there but they do have an amazing group that performs in the area. Take a look at this: Top Secret Drum Line It may not be your thing but they do perform internationally and were here in the states last year.

LMAO - I told my wife about the restaurant in the dark and the eyebrow went up. Not a chance was her reply. Sounds fun to me... but it ain't happenin'!

I watched the video on the drum corps - what timing - amazing to watch.

I haven't seen the show on for a while, not sure it's still on, but I saw a "Mystery Diners" show on one of those restaurants a while ago. One of the employees was doing things to people's food (and other stuff!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" />) and got caught. I think I would say "not a chance" also!!

I wonder if the managers wear night vision goggles.

If you have amount of time to spend on your vacations, then just start journey from Switzerland to Netherlands. Switzerland, Amsterdam and Utrecht are my all-time favorite European destinations where everything is adventurous.

Tinguely-Brunnen is a really great place with beautifully placed fountains in every season to see in basel. It's so artistically done that each fountain has a different perspective of working. Also you feel good sitting around the locals.