April 2023 Rhine cruise ends in Basel...now what?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
April 2023 Rhine cruise ends in Basel...now what?
We are two active seniors taking our first river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel in April, 2023. We have reserved 4 extra days in Amsterdam to take in the sights. The cruise stops in Cologne, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Boppard, Mannheim, Kehl/Strasbourg, Freiburg and finally Basel.
As we have never been to Switzerland, we are looking for suggestions on how to spend an extra day or two in the area. We enjoy picturesque towns and snow-capped mountains. Ideally, we'd like to have a good train connection to a major airport. We will be flying into Detroit.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
As we have never been to Switzerland, we are looking for suggestions on how to spend an extra day or two in the area. We enjoy picturesque towns and snow-capped mountains. Ideally, we'd like to have a good train connection to a major airport. We will be flying into Detroit.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
#2
How late in April? Depending on the date, it may be too early for some options, like mountain towns in the Berner Oberland. For (possibly) more reliable/enjoyable conditions, I'd think about a city destination with some excursion options. Luzern is good for a 1-2 day visit. So is Basel. Both are closer to Zurich than Geneva, and trains rides from either city to the Zurich Airport can be 90 minutes or less.
Personally, I'd rather have more time in Switzerland after the cruise than Amsterdam before the cruise, but your interests may vary.
Personally, I'd rather have more time in Switzerland after the cruise than Amsterdam before the cruise, but your interests may vary.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Basel is a great city with a ton of museum choices. Definitely worth a day or two at least.
But for mountains, Luzern is a great place to visit. By train, there are direct routes of just over one hour and slower trains at 1 hr 45 m.
But for mountains, Luzern is a great place to visit. By train, there are direct routes of just over one hour and slower trains at 1 hr 45 m.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We live in Basel. It's definitely worth at least a day (we think it's worth much more, but there is a lot to see in the rest of Switzerland too). What are your interests? What would you like to do if it's sunny? Or if it's raining?
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any thoughts on taking the train to Wengen immediately after disembarking from the ship? We could spend 2 nights there, train back to Basel and spend one night in Basel before our return flight home to the US.
#10
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Basel is a great choice for indoor options. They have several excellent museums, including the Kunstmuseum and the Foundation Beyeler. We took a day trip from Luzern to see a Gaugin exhibit at the Foundation Beyeler. We were very taken with Basel and would have liked to spend more time there.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Staying in Basel would be fine. I’d try to stay at least 3 nights if you can. Luzern would be my first choice for a day trip. Colmar is a good choice and other parts of Alsace, depending on what you did on your Strasbourg stop. I assume you will fly out of Zurich?
#12
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stay in Basel and do some day trips into the mountains, if the weather is fine.
Some suggestions:
Basel dp 7.56 - Zermatt ar 11.14
Basel dp 7.56 - Riedealp (Aletsch Glacier) ar 10.49
Basel dp 7.27 - Rochers de Naye ar 11.06
If the weather is fine in the South, you may visit Lake Lugano or Lake Maggiore:
Basel dp 8.03 - Lugano ar 10.58 resp Locarno ar 11.14
All these itineraries aare very scenic.
Trains run at least every hr. The last trains back arrive at Basel around midnight.
Some suggestions:
Basel dp 7.56 - Zermatt ar 11.14
Basel dp 7.56 - Riedealp (Aletsch Glacier) ar 10.49
Basel dp 7.27 - Rochers de Naye ar 11.06
If the weather is fine in the South, you may visit Lake Lugano or Lake Maggiore:
Basel dp 8.03 - Lugano ar 10.58 resp Locarno ar 11.14
All these itineraries aare very scenic.
Trains run at least every hr. The last trains back arrive at Basel around midnight.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#15
Mulhouse is just over the border and has some fantastic museums https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulhouse
#16
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mulhouse is just over the border and has some fantastic museums https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulhouse
If the OP opts to overnight in Basel, recommend booking a room at the Maerthof, a newish hotel that is popular, well-reviewed and located right on Marktplatz. Other good hotels (besides Les Trois Rois, a true 5-star property on the Rhine; it has been voted the best urban hotel in Switzerland) include the Hotel Basel (a block from Marktplatz in a pretty historic area) and Motel One for a less expensive option. The Maerthof has become the default choice for business and leisure travelers not staying at Les Trois Rois. https://www.hotel-maerthof-basel.ch/en.html
#17
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FWIW, although the Kuntsmuseum and the Beyeler are the most well-known museums in Basel and justifiably so (well, our interest in the Beyeler varies depending on the main exhibition, but the Kunstmuseum is always terrific), our favorites are the lesser-known Haus zum Kirschgarten and Antikenmuseum (antiquities). Basel punches well above its weight when it comes to museums. The newest and one highly recommended for anyone with an interest in science and medicine is the Novartis Pavillon. Located at the edge of the Novartis campus (a 2-minute walk from the Novartis tram stop) it's very, very well done and is highly interactive. https://www.campus.novartis.com/en/novartis-pavillon Note: it does not promote its products, with one exception that dates back to the days when it manufactured colors and dyes, something it no longer does. They invented the distinctive red color for Ferrari, so they show a small Ferrari model convertible in that red with a tube of the pigment used to create the paint.
#20