tidy

I am looking at traveling to Switzerland and the Alsace region this summer. I can get a flight to Basel using miles with limited tickets left. This seems like a good choice if I want to start the trip in the Alsace region. Seems like I will be able to homebase for several days and travel between the towns in France and the Black Forest in Germany. Then of course I will travel to Switzeland as the weather get a bit warmer. Am I correct that Basel would be a good choice for the Alsace area? Hope to book tomorrow.

kja

I loved Basel, but made no attempt to visit the Alsace region. Sorry I can't be of greater assistance.

nytraveler

No - Basel is fine to fly into (a tiny airport right on the border) but is NOT a good base for Alsace.

I would stay in Strasbourg which has by far the most to see and do. also where to stay is partly determined by how you will travel. Will you be renting a car - or trying to use public transit (not the best in the black forest or the tiny town of the Alsatian wine road).

tidy

We will be renting a car

tidy

We will homebase in the Alsace area, not sure where yet

traveller1959

Basel has a pretty old town with a cathedral and splendid gothic city hall. It also has outstanding art museums. But I would not recommend it as base for two reasons:

First, you will be a bit out of the way. You will lose the first 20 minutes or so to get out of town and then you have to drive for an hour into Alsace.

Second, Switzerland has become extremely expensive after the curreny appreciation.

The core of Alsace is between Rouffach (a pretty historical town) in the south and Strasbourg in the north. Trafficwise, the best base would be a picturesque wine village between Colmar and Strasbourg or around Colmar, e.g. Eguisheim, Turckheim, Riquewihr (very touristy) or Ottrott (several hotels in the ***/****-range).

If you want to save money do it like the Alsacians do: stay on the German side somewhere near the border, e.g. in Breisach, at the Kaiserstuhl (Sasbach and other wine villages) or in one of the fantasy hotels in the entertainment park Rust.

Once you have decided for a town to stay use the usual hotel search engines (booking.com, hrs.com, tripadvisor etc.).

tidy

Interesting information about staying in the German side. I was considering a couple of the villages that you mention the the Alsace region but will thin about what you said.

traveller1959

Today I met a Member of the European Parliament and she said that this hotel in Kehl on the German side near Strasbourg is very popular among the MEPs:

http://www.rebstock-kehl.de/en/

It has much better value than the hotels in Strasbourg and has an excellent cuisine.

pariswat

We consider Basel as a hole.
In French 'le trou de Basle'.

Seriously Basel is much less attractive than Alsace.
Good idea about staying on German side - never thought of it.

WeisserTee

Pariswat should apply that definition to his own brain, at least when it comes to Basel.

I live in Basel and with my French friends have explored the border region. You do NOT have to drive an hour to get to Alsace, it's right on the freaking border. There are plenty of wonderful little villages nearby (like Ferrette). Lots of nice restaurants and village fairs/activities.

Basel itself has several historic neighborhoods as well as outstanding examples of modern architecture, excellent museums and a superb transit system.

pariswat

Trou de balle is a common joke weisser. No need to jump on your horse.
I need some fresh air after some snob calling me names but if you want to join be welcome.

WeisserTee

Off the usual Alsace tourist radar and much less than an hour from Basel is this place to stay:
http://www.maison5temps.com/ (about 70 euros a night, breakfast inc; the self-catering gites for 4 people are about 835 euros a week)
http://www.maison5temps.com/maison-d...te-sud-alsace/
in the region
http://www.maison5temps.com/tourisme/

WeisserTee

Pariswat, you're not a victim, you started it with your stupid, crude and ill-informed description. Common, yes; very, very, very common indeed, in the worst sense of the word.

pariswat

Oh so be it mate.

And I have always disliked Basel.
Don't know what you can recommend there.

Alsace otoh is really nice.

traveller1959

C'mon guys. We want to give OP the best advice available.


Can it be that you already had your digestifs?

tidy

So now my trip is close enough that I need to book a room. We arrive in Basel, Switzerland May 14. We want to visit the small towns on the Alsace route and possibly go to the Black Forest in Germany. We will have one month and plan to spend at least 3 weeks in Switzerland. I only plan to book our first few nights and will then make reservations as we go. I think I will be able to do this as we are early in the season and I want to decide on our route based on weather because we hope to hike. It seems to me that maybe we need to move location twice because of distance. I was thinking possibly locating south first when we arrive at maybe Rizuewihr and then going north to another location. I am also considering some of the German recommendations. I would appreciate any help again to get me started. Thank you much.

kja

I found the <i>Michelin Green Guide</i> and <i>Rough Guide</i> the most useful guidebooks for planning my time in Switzerland.

Even with 3 weeks in Switzerland, I think you will find it necessary to skip a lot. The good news, though, is that you should be able to see some wonderful thing!

I'm not sure my trip report will be of particular use, but you know how to find it.