farrermog

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...from-basel.cfm

quokka

You MUST be out and about before 4 a.m. and have found a spot to stand and watch. The city will be extremely crowded. At 4 sharp all lights in the city are turned off by one single switch (which means walking around becomes dangerous if you don't know your way), the tambourmajors give their commands and all the cliques start marching through the darkened city with their lanterns, flutes and drums. It is a magical moment.
The Morgestraich has no official ending. After about two hours things calm down a bit and people will flood the bars and cafes, or return to their hotels for breakfast.
It is no parade with a fixed route, each group find their own way. The best thing to do is follow a clique and walk with them for a while, and let them guide you through the city (they know to avoid any steps and traps). It is perfectly acceptable to do this as long as you don't get in the way of the participants. Adapt to their marching rhythm, 90 steps per minute...

I have not seen the Fastnacht in Luzern so I can't tell any details. But Basel is unique, special, and does not compare to anything.

quokka

P.S. Now that I see it mentioned: I stayed at Rheinfelderhof in 2010 for those 3 nights - the hotel is not much to write home about, a bit shabby, but acceptable for an occasion like this - the location, however, is excellent because it is in the middle of the action and the parades walk past your window, and their prices are moderate compared to the rest.

kenav

Will check out those other hotels.

I'm not afraid of walking around a city at night. In live in NYC. But with lights out, I think we would need a flashlight to find our way.

The one thing that might do us in, is the time. We would be still adjusting to jet lag.

I've watched videos on You tube for both Basel and Lucerne. Lucern's Fasnacht seems more wild. Seems the parades in Basel are almost military in the music choices (not the costumes!), while Lucerne's drum corps play more than just marches.

kenav

Just checked the Hilton and Ramada. They seem to be the same price as the hotel I booked or more expensive! The Swiss Hotel Le Plaza I booked included breakfast. At $300 night (arghhh!) the prices are crazy for me, but what can one do?

I actually think that some hotels that are labeled as "booked" actually just haven't opened up their rooms for 2015 yet. I've looked and seen that some are labeled "booked" for all of January and all of Feb through March even. I doubt they're totally booked for all those months. Perhaps I have to check back closer to the Fasnacht date.

quokka

The trouble about walking the streets in the darkness is tripping and stumbling. The use of a flashlight is an absolute no-go because it ruins the atmosphere for everyone around - it has to be dark during Morgestraich and the only lights permitted are the lanterns of the participants. People in Basel are very serious about this. Don't even think about using one.
Find your spot before 4 a.m. while the lights are still on. Then, if you want to walk, follow one of the cliques because they know their way.

HA! Look for Cortège and Guggemusik videos in addition to the Morgestraich ones and you'll see some other sides of the Basel Fasnacht!!!!

kenav

I meant using a flashlight to walk back to the hotel after its over.

quokka

You won't need it. By then you will have adapted your eyes to the dim light and dawn will already have begun.

k_marie

I recall one dish that was special to Fasnacht that we tried in a very crowded cafe that morning. It was a flour soup flavored with onion called mehlsuppe. You may want to try it!

Remember to purchase and wear the pin/badge indicating your support of the festivities. Otherwise you risk becoming the target of a confetti shower (or storm)!

kenav

Just booked the Rheinfelderhof. Website has no English translation possibility.

quokka

Cool. You'll be in the middle of action. Enjoy the adventure!

kenav

My only concern is hat we won't be able to get a good night's sleep, when it comes time to sleep, because of the activity below.

quokka

Sleep? Sleep is totally overrated. No one sleeps in Basel during the 3 most beautiful days of the year...

Pack ear plugs. And mentally prepare for a Guggemusik band to march up and down the street past your window again and again in the middle of the night. That's part of the experience.

kenav

Hi quokka - how old are you? Does it matter when it comes to sleep?

kenav

k_marie - Thanks!

quokka

I'm in my late 40's and sleep does matter to me. I would happy have thrown a bomb at that d**n Gugge band!
However, this event is special and there is nothing to be done about the round the clock action going on. Hence the ear plugs, they are essential to have.
I was just teasing you a bit! Apologies, couldn't resist!

WeisserTee

Kenav, did you go? What did you think?

The weather was ok for Morgestraich but then deteriorated into steady rain for a good chunk of Monday.

I skipped the Monday festivities and hopped a train to St. Louis where a French friend and I had a very good bistro lunch at La Cave and then went to her home to set up her LinkedIn profile.

quokka

Yes, I'd like to hear about your experiences, too! Or anyone else's, of course.