Author Archives: admin
The Beyeler Foundation in Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, General, Guide, Tips
Leave a comment
|
The Great art dealers Hildy and Ernst Beyeler established the Beyeler Foundation or the Foundation Beyeler. Ernst Beyeler was excited by the vision of combining groups of works by major artists from the last hundred years with sculptures from Africa and Oceania in a compatible setting. And that is why he set off to build a magnificent house for the collection he had acquired over the long years of his career.
The location had to be such that it gave justice to the masterpieces included in his collections and the beautiful grounds of the Villa Berower estate, provided by the municipality of Riehen proved to be the perfect choice. Iots quite beautiful gardens provided the serenity one required to enjoy the taste of paintings like Monet’s water lilies.
Renzo Piano worked with Ernst to design the building. The roof seems to Renzo’s masterpiece for he designed it such that the varying hours of daylight could be used to the advantage of the viewers. The building was designed to radiate simplicity while maintaining harmony with its setting. The building mainly consists of three sections integrated into the terrain in a series of steps.
The main display consists of around 140 works of modern classics, including 23 Picassos. The garden around the building is also well known for holding exhibitions of its own. Some 25 objects of tribal art from Africa, Oceania and Alaska are also found here.
Museum Jean Tinguely in Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, Fun, General, Guide, Hotels, News, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Basel happens to be one of the choicest tourist destinations of Switzerland with a beautiful medieval old town center, a famous Carnival and several world class art museums built by architects like Renzo Piano, Mario Botta and Herzog & De Meuron.
Museum Jean Tinguely is a museum worth a visit in this city and a popular one among the kids standing at just a 15 minute walk east from Mittlere Brücke. You can also take the bus no. 36 to reach the museum. The building was designed by Mario Botta. The entry fee is 10 CHF adults and is free for children up to age 16.
The museum contains some spectacular animated mechanical works dedicated to Swiss artist Jean Tinguely and other similar “kinetic” modern artists. It is devoted to the life and work of this major sculptor in iron.
Tinguely was one of Basel’s most beloved artists. Jean Tinguely was a Swiss painter and sculptor. He is best known for his sculptural machines or kinetic art, in the Dada tradition; known officially as metamechanics. Tinguely’s art satirized the mindless overproduction of material goods in advanced industrial society.
The permanent exhibition shows works from the artist’s beginnings in the fifties – with motordriven reliefs, drawing machines and the scrap assemblages of the sixties – through the black-painted machine sculptures, to the large sculptures and pandemonic cycles of his last creative period.
The Kunstmuseum in Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, Fun, General, Guide, Hotels, News, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Basel happens to one of the best tourist destinations of Switzerland with natural beauty at its best as well as several world class art museums built by architects like Renzo Piano, Mario Botta and Herzog & De Meuron. Basel also takes pride in its rich architectural heritage which includes a Romanesque cathedral, a Renaissance town hall and various examples of high quality contemporary architecture, including more buildings by Herzog & De Meuron, Richard Meier, Diener & Diener, and various others.
Kunstmuseum in Basel, St. Alban-Graben 16, city center, happens to be an exquisite art museum which is home to an impressive permanent collection of 19th and 20th century works as well as an extensive collection of medieval and renaissance paintings from European artists like Hans Baldung Grien, Hans Holbein and many others. One full room is dedicated to the masterpieces of Picasso. A separate building in the museum at St. Alban-Rheinweg 60 (10 minute walk from the main facility) is the Museum für Gegenwartskunst which has collection on contemporary art. The museum holds international fame being one of the most notable museums of its kind owing to its unique collection of paintings and drawings by artists active in the Upper Rhine region between 1400 and 1600 and on the art of the 19th to 21st centuries.
The Kunstmuseum Basel houses the largest and most significant public art collection in Switzerland, and is listed as a heritage site of national significance. Its lineage extends back to the Amerbach Cabinet purchased by the city of Basel in 1661, which made it the first municipally owned museum. Its collection is distinguished by an impressively wide historic span, from the early 15th century up to the immediate present.
Parks and gardens in Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, Fun, General, Guide, Hotels, News, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Though Basel cannot exactly be called a green city, the city still has quite a few notable parks and gardens, the best among them being the Basel Botanical Gardens. However, children would prefer to see the wildlife at the Tierpark Langen Erlen more and footballers should pay a visit Basel’s St. Jakob’s Park, which sports a modern stadium. Some of the best parks and gardens in Basel are:
Botanical Gardens
Vorder Brüglingen, Basel, CH-4052, Switzerland, CH
Locally known as the Botanischer Garten Brüglingen, these gardens have many exotic plant collections and themed areas. The park features variety of flora and also has the enormous life-size model of a diplodocus dinosaur, which is the parks most photographed sight.
Kannenfeldpark
Burgfelderstrasse / Strassburgerallee, Basel, CH-4055, Switzerland, CH
Standing close to the heart of the city, this park was earlier used as a graveyard but now is a popular recreational spot. This public park is bordered by a number of busy roads and many summer events and celebrations take place here each year. The admission is open daily for free.
Wildlife Park
Erlenparkweg 110, Basel, Switzerland, CH
Children love to see wide variety of animals here which include the likes of wild pigs, native deer, various donkeys and ponies, inquisitive goats, chickens, water fowl and many friendly guinea pigs and rabbits, which can be petted. The park is open daily from May to September – 07:00 to 19:00 and from October to April – 08:00 to 17:00.
Solitude Park
Solitude-Promenade, Basel, CH-4058, Switzerland, CH
This peaceful green space has large trees and during the summer season, plenty of flowers provide areas of bright colour. A playground area is available for children and there are plenty of benches for elders too.
St. Jakob’s Park
St. Jakob Strasse 395, Basel, CH-4052, Switzerland, CH
The park is famous for its modern stadium where many football games, sporting events, athletics games and concerts are regularly held. There are also plenty of places to shop and eat, the St. Jakob’s Stadium is conveniently close to the A2 and has a capacity of more than 6,000 seated spectators and further standing spaces.
Travel tips for Basel tourists
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, Fun, General, Guide, Hotels, News, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Basel is considered to be the third largest city in Switzerland having a population of around 166,000. It is culturally extremely developed and is also a major tourist attraction. It is even considered to be the hub of pharmaceutical and banking industries. It is well known for its extraordinary museums. Below are a few travel tips. These guidelines will definitely help you to plan out your itinerary.
How to travel?
The taxi facility is excellent out there but to avail any of the public transports, it is mandatory for you to have a mobility pass which will be supplied by your hotel. You may even hire bikes. There are even ferries available in the Rhine River. The mobility pass is valid only for thirty days but it even includes free rides on buses and trams.
Weather
Basel experiences an extreme hot climate in the summer month while the weather is very cold during the winter months. During the winters, the city is covered with snow while during summers the temperature might hit seventies. Spring and autumn months have moderate weather. It is neither too hot nor chilly cold.
Accommodation
There are several hotels located near the city’s attraction with suitable budget. The rooms are comfortable with all the basic facilities available. You will find several hotels near all the major tourist attractions. Public transport is also available.
Tourist Attractions
You may visit the busy market place at Markplatz where you’ll get hold of fresh fruits, vegetables and lovely flowers. You can even take a look at the display of Roman ruins at Augusta Raurica as well as the dry port where the three countries meet. Basel even has several museums and art galleries.
Rochat Hotel Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, General, Guide, Hotels, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Overview of the Hotel: 50 rooms with 95 beds, a cozy garden, 2 conference and banquet rooms for up to 200 people available for trainings, conferences, exhibitions and various private occasions are offered by this hotel. Its location is somewhat central, close to the university and the cantonal hospital and it is housed in a historic listed building in the old town of Basel.
Amenities at the Hotel: Restaurant, 24-Hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Garden, Non-Smoking Rooms, Family Rooms, Elevator, Express Check-In/Check-Out, Safety Deposit Box, Soundproofed Rooms, Heating, Luggage Storage, Allergy-Free Room Available are some of the facilities provided. Other facilities include Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Packed Lunches, Tour Desk, and Fax/Photocopying. Casino, Library, Cycling, Bowling are provided to entertain guests. Free Wi-Fi in the public areas is available.
Hotel Rules: The Check in time for the hotel is from 14:00 hours and the Check out time is until 07:00-12:00 hours. All children under 5 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years stay free of charge for cots. All older children or adults are charged CHF 40 per night per person for extra beds. 1 is the maximum capacity of extra beds/babycots in a room. Any type of extra bed or baby cot is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Supplements will not be calculated automatically in the total costs and have to be paid separately in the hotel. American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Carte Bleue, Diners Club, Maestro are all acceptable credit cards. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival. Pets are allowed at extra charges.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Double room: CHF380
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Single room: CHF140
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Single room king-size bed: CHF130
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Alexander Hotel Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, General, Guide, Hotels, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Overview of the Hotel: Located right at the Messe Basel fairgrounds, close to the SBB train station this hotel features a restaurant serving Swiss specialties and offers free Wi-Fi. Shuttle transfers from the Basel, Zürich and Geneva Airports as well as city tours can be organized by the hotel at an additional cost. All rooms are equipped with a cable TV and feature an en-suite bathroom. It’s located close to the Deutscher Bahnhof train station.
Amenities at the Hotel: Restaurant, Bar, Garden, Non-Smoking Rooms, Elevator, Safety Deposit Box, Heating, Luggage Storage, Designated Smoking Area are some of the facilities provided. Other facilities include Dry Cleaning, Currency Exchange, Packed Lunches, Car Hire, and Fax/Photocopying. Wireless Internet Hotspot is available in the entire hotel and is free of charge. Private parking is possible on site (reservation is needed) and costs CHF 25 per day.
Hotel Rules: The Check in time for the hotel is from 13:00-23:00 hours and the Check out time is until 06:00-11:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 12 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years stay free of charge for cots. All older children or adults are charged CHF 60 per night per person for extra beds. Maximum capacity of extra beds/babycots in a room is 1. Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable. American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, Maestro are all acceptable for payment. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.
Hotel Room Types and Tates:
Double room: CHF 170
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT, breakfast
FREE cancellation
Single Room: CHF 110
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT, breakfast
FREE cancellation
Hotel Victoria Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, General, Guide, Hotels, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Overview of the Hotel: Located right next to the Basle’s Swiss railway station (SBB), this hotel charms its guests with its stylish appearance and provides facilities like traditional hospitality and modern hotel comforts. Included in the price is also A Mobility-Ticket (free use of public transportation in Basle). Blend of an exclusive Victorian ambience with all the comforts of modern life is found in all of its non-smoking rooms. All rooms are equipped with an ISDN phone line with voice mail, high-speed Internet access, wireless LAN as well as analogue and digital modem plugs. Its ambience is welcoming and very appealing to most of the tourists.
Amenities at the Hotel: Restaurant, bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Non-Smoking Rooms, Elevator, Luggage Storage – are some of the facilities provided. Other facilities include – Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Currency Exchange, Shoe Shine, Packed Lunches, and Fax/Photocopying. Wi-Fi is available in the entire hotel and costs CHF 15 per 24 hours. Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs CHF 25 per day.
Hotel Rules: The Check in time for the hotel is from 14:00 hours and the Check out time is until 12:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 12 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years are charged CHF 0 per night per person for cots. All older children or adults are charged CHF 40 per night per person for extra beds. Maximum capacity of extra beds/babycots in a room is 1. Any type of extra bed or baby cot is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Supplements will not be calculated automatically in the total costs and have to be paid separately in the hotel. Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable. American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, Maestro– are all acceptable. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Standard Queen Room: CHF298
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
Non-Refundable
Standard Queen Room: CHF320
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Economy Single Room: CHF230
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
Non-Refundable
Economy Single Room: CHF270
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Junior Suite: CHF320
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
Non-Refundable
Junior Suite: CHF383
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Comfort Twin Room: CHF272
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
Non-Refundable
Comfort Twin Room: CHF320
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Comfort King Room: CHF272
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
Non-Refundable
Comfort King Room: CHF320
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Superior Double Room: CHF298
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
Non-Refundable
Superior Double Room: CHF350
Included in room price: 3.80% VAT
FREE cancellation
Hotel Spalentor Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, General, Guide, Hotels, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Overview of the Hotel: Located across from the Botanic Gardens, close to the center of Basel and the University The Hotel Spalentor features free bikes, free Wi-Fi and a quiet yard. A tea and coffee maker, a large flat-screen TV, a DVD Player and a large choice of free DVDs are provided in each of its rooms. A fitness area and a playroom with pool table, darts and foosball and Baby seats and rental bikes are also available.
Amenities at the Hotel: Bar, Newspapers, Grounds, Non-Smoking Rooms, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled Guests, Elevator, Express Check-In/Check-Out, Safe, Heating, Baggage Storage, All Public and Private spaces non-smoking– are some of the facilities provided. Other facilities include – Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Bicycle Rental, Shoe Shine, Fax/Photocopying, and Ticket Service. Pool Table, Darts – are provided to entertain guests. Wireless Internet Hotspot is available in the entire hotel and is free of charge.
Hotel Rules: The Check in time for the hotel is from 14:00-22:00 hours and the Check out time is until 07:00-11:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 2 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years stay free of charge for cots. All older children or adults are charged CHF 30 per night per person for extra beds. Maximum capacity of extra beds/babycots in a room is 1. Any type of extra bed/cot or crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Supplements will not be calculated automatically in the total costs and have to be paid separately in the hotel. Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable. American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB– are all acceptable. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Twin Room: CHF 240
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
FREE cancellation
Single Room: CHF 195
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
FREE cancellation
Deluxe Double Room: CHF 255
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
FREE cancellation
Double Room: CHF240
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
FREE cancellation
Euler Hotel Basel
Posted by in Basel LandMarks, Basel Tour, General, Guide, Hotels, Shopping, Tips
Leave a comment
|
Overview of the Hotel: Located right in the heart of Basel, Euler Hotel is across from the SBB Train Station. Guests receive a Mobility Ticket, granting free access to all means of public transportation. Located at only 550 yards from the historic part of Basel, the hotel is within less than half a mile from The Basel Cathedral, the town hall and the Tinguely Museum. The hotel has 66 rooms which feature modern dark wood furniture and bright accents. Each has a flat screen TV, a tiled bathroom and a minibar. Wi-Fi access is free of charge in all rooms.Restaurant Caspar’s serves daily breakfast and Mediterranean cuisine. Guests can dine indoors or on Hotel Euler Basel’s terrace, one of Basel’s main gathering places in summer. The on-site bar features live piano music. The hotel also offers a business center with free internet access.Euler Hotel Basel is only 6 miles from Euro Airport Basel. The Euro Airport shuttle bus stops right around the corner and depart every 20 minutes. A print out of the reservation enables guests to travel free of charge.
Amenities at the Hotel: The hotel offers Restaurant, Bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Terrace, Non-Smoking Rooms, Elevator, Safe, Heating, Design Hotel, Baggage Storage, All Public and Private spaces non-smoking, and Air Conditioning. Other services include Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Business Center, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Breakfast in the Room, Currency Exchange, Shoe Shine, Car Rental, and ATM on site. Wi-fi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge. Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs CHF 35 per day.
Hotel Rules: The check in time for the hotel is from 14:00 hours and the check out time is until 12:00 hours. Cancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. All children under 5 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All children under 2 years stay free of charge for cots. All older children or adults are charged CHF 70 per night per person for extra beds. Maximum capacity of extra beds/babycots in a room is 1. Any type of extra bed/cot or crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the hotel. Supplements will not be calculated automatically in the total costs and have to be paid separately in the hotel. Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges. Accepted credit cards are American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, and Maestro. The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorize credit cards prior to arrival.
Hotel Room Types and Rates:
Economy Double Room
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
Not included in room price: CHF 3.50 city tax per person per night.
• Non refundable: CHF 280
• FREE cancellation: CHF 280
Economy Single Room
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
Not included in room price: CHF 3.50 city tax per person per night.
• Non refundable: CHF 219
• FREE cancellation: CHF 230
• FREE cancellation
• Breakfast included: CHF 250
Junior Suite
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
Not included in room price: CHF 3.50 city tax per person per night.
• Non refundable: CHF 219
• FREE cancellation: CHF 230
Deluxe Single Room
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
Not included in room price: CHF 3.50 city tax per person per night.
• Non refundable: CHF 238
• FREE cancellation: CHF 360
• FREE cancellation
• Breakfast included: CHF 175
Deluxe Twin Room
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
Not included in room price: CHF 3.50 city tax per person per night.
• Non refundable: CHF 162
• FREE cancellation: CHF 315
Deluxe King Room
Included in room price: 3.80 % VAT
Not included in room price: CHF 3.50 city tax per person per night.
• Non refundable: CHF 315
• FREE cancellation: CHF 250