Basel or Zurich for 2 nites
 

My husband has one days business in Basel. Should we stay in Basel or in Zurich. We will be overnighting for 2 nites, and then driving up to Germany for the Christmas Markets, and fly out of Frankfurt. We have reservations at the Marriot in Zurich right now for only about $100 a night. Any suggestions about Basel?

I have not been to either, but have looked into to, by both talkind to Swiss friends and research (possible job opportunity) and understand that Basel is a good town, only mostly industrial. Not much to see from a "touring" standpoint. I have always heard wonderful things from friends who have traveled to Zurich.

Kathy, <BR> <BR>If you are travelling from Zurich to Germany, you could consider staying at the Rheinhotel Fischerzunft at Schaffhausen, on the Swiss/German border. It is less than an hour from Zurich, on the Rhine, in the town where the Rhine Falls are. <BR> <BR>It is a small and expensive hotel. In many ways, I think it is unique - one of the most inventive restaurants in Europe, and the most surprising lavatories! It will be more than $100, I have to admit.

Absolutely stay in Zurich...all there is to see in Basel can be seen in an afternoon. Unless you are there at carnivel time which is usually the end of Feb...carnivel in Basel is the most amazing event! Otherwise Zurich is a much better choice for two nights.

kathy: <BR> <BR>Maybe you should check out Fodor's Guide to Switzerland: <BR> <BR>Author: jennifer ([email protected]) <BR> Date: 9/07/1998, 5:04 pm ET <BR> <BR> Message: Hello---I'm the editor of our Switzerland guide, and visited Basel just a few months ago. The posted suggestions have <BR> been good ones, but I do have a couple of cents to pitch in. If you like museums, I'd definitely recommend spending your whole <BR> time in the city. The new museum, the Fondation Beyeler, is phenomenal. It's a private collection in a modern, beautifully <BR> subdued building. The building's large windows create some stunning images, like the room where huge Giacometti statues seem <BR> to almost walk out into the garden, or the room where large panels of Monet paintings are visually echoed by the pool of water <BR> seen to one side. In contrast to this modern art/architecture is the rural neighborhood; I heard cowbells ringing from the <BR> neighboring fields. It's very easy to get to the museum; you can catch a tram right by the western end of the Mittlere <BR> Rheinbrucke bridge, near a visitors' info center. The Kunstmuseum, Paper Museum, and Cathedral are all wonderful as well; <BR> there's also a museum for the offbeat work of Jean Tinguely (you can see one of his metamecaniques in the train station). For <BR> Roman ruins, you can take a boat to Augusta Raurica. And simply walking along the shady promenades on the edge of the river is a <BR> pleasure. In short: don't rush. It's a great city, and you'll have more than enough on your sightseeing plate.

The Marriott in Zurich is a beautiful, contemporary building-more like in the States. It is in the center of the business area, and in walking distance of many interesting areas, and the food is excellent. <BR> <BR>In Europe though, unless you need the comfort of a familiar place, I'd recommend one of the older Hotels recommended by the others.