RIKOLA Travel blog
The travel journals of a middle age couple
Basel is a city rich in history and culture, boasting several unique and interesting facts. It holds a distinctive geographical position, uniquely situated at the meeting point of three countries: Switzerland, Germany, and France. This tri-border location contributes to its diverse cultural influences.
Basel is also a centre of academic and artistic excellence. It’s home to the University of Basel, the oldest university in Switzerland, founded in 1460. The city boasts a high concentration of museums, including the renowned Kunstmuseum Basel, one of the oldest public art collections in the world. Additionally, Basel hosts Art Basel, a prestigious international art fair, attracting art enthusiasts from around the globe.
Historically, Basel has played significant roles in pivotal moments. It played a crucial role in the Reformation, and the city hosted the first Zionist Congress. The Basel Fasnacht is a famous and vibrant carnival celebration, showcasing the city’s unique cultural traditions. Furthermore, Basel is a major centre for the pharmaceutical industry, with companies like Novartis and Roche headquartered there. The Rhine River runs through the city, and has been very important to the cities development. Finally, LSD was first synthesized in Basel, at the Sandoz Laboratories.
An unforgettable winter getaway to Switzerland brought us to beautiful Basel to visit KT and Ols. From the vibrant, glowing stalls of the Christmas markets to unexpected wildlife encounters and local traditions, our short trip was packed with laughter, festive cheer, and quality time together.
The excitement began the moment we touched down, greeted warmly by KT and Ols right at the airport. After a quick trip to drop off bags and settle in, we immediately ventured into the heart of the city to soak up the seasonal atmosphere. Basel’s famous Christmas market didn’t disappoint; it was a winter wonderland where little FreBeans had an absolute blast exploring the lights, while the adults stayed cozy, sipping steaming mugs of Glühwein and tucking into traditional, sizzling bratwurst.
The following day was dedicated to the renowned Basel Zoo, a fantastic conservation space nestled right in the city. The absolute highlight of the day was the winter penguin walk, where we stood just inches away as a proud procession of king penguins marched right past us on their daily stroll. Afterward, we experienced a classic local tradition by crossing the rushing River Rhine on the famous Fähri—a clever, engineless ferry tethered to a cable that glides across the water using nothing but the power of the natural current.
Of course, no trip is complete without a little bit of mischief. While catching a football match at a local spot, the boys managed to get into a spot of trouble after enjoying one too many pints of creamy Guinness! We rounded off the wonderful weekend with a tour of KT and Ols’ beautiful new apartment, followed by a final, delicious family meal together before reluctantly heading back to the airport for our flight home. It was the perfect pre-Christmas treat.
