In Switzerland, Basel is celebrating some impressive innovations and also looking back on its heritage. Here's what you need to know about this city that balances the classic with the contemporary...
Trendy St. Johann
On the Grossbasel side of the Rhine, new cafes and bars have helped turn St. Johann into a popular, trendy neighborhood. Besides the park restaurant "Johnny Parker," the French café-bar "Saint Louis," the "St. Johann" café and the "Conto 4056" bar, St. Johann's former post office has become a popular lunch spot for weekdays and a bar in the evenings.
The Market Hall
Basel's market hall, for starters, is returning to its roots: The building with the soaring concrete dome was recently reopened with a new concept, focusing on products and services related to eating, drinking and living it up. Foodies can go shopping at the stalls before unwinding in the seating areas directly beneath the dome.
Christmas in Basel
There are other markets in town worth exploring, too: We hear that the Basel Christmas market at Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz is one of the prettiest and largest in Switzerland, with 188 stalls. This year, there are also lots of new things to discover: Along with the traditional mulled wine, mulled beer will also be served (because not everyone likes wine). There is also a new bar designed in the shape of a Christmas pyramid.
Good to know: Basel is also getting a new river cruise from Tauck next year.
At the beginning of 2013, Basel Tourism launched a series of six short films on different themes. "Culture and Events" shows a cross-section of Basel's events: the Basel Festival of Youth Culture, the Basel Autumn Fair, Art Basel, the Rhine Swimming event, Im Fluss (an open air concert held on the Rhine), the Basel carnival, the Swiss Indoors Basel, the Basel Tattoo as well as many other highlights. Take a look!