The Switzerland Traveler

Most of the Fanzones seem to be near water.
In Basel, where most of the games in Switzerland are being played, there is really an amazing fan-mile, with a route of bars and tents that have sprung up since last Friday.
It stretches through the old town, out to the Rhine, which is where you see these people watching the big TV screen that’s been set up on one of the bridges.
I’m not sure what the bridge is called, but it’s the one by the Three Kings hotel, so you can’t miss it.
Just on the other side of the bridge are three …read more

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 Basel is one of the four cities hosting matches for the EM.
And down at Basel zoo, it looks like some of the animals are getting interested too.
Don’t think I’d want to be the one to tell him, or her, that they don’t get to play…
Photo: Flickr – Tambako the Jaguar

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I went into town last week to watch the final of the Champion’s League in a bar, and I have to admit, it’s now time to start mentioning the football.
The European Championships (which is essentially all the world class teams apart from the South American nations) is being held in Switzerland and Austria from 7-29 June.
So, to put it simply, if you’re planning to be in Switzerland over that time and haven’t already booked flights/hotels, do it now. On match days, the authorities haver even extended the allowed night-flying times, to allow more efficient handling of passengers.
 It’ll be a great event with …read more

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A few years back, I worked in Basel, and each year around the beginning of April, it suddenly became a nightmare to get to the office.
The reason? Quite simple, the jewelry crowd were in town for the biggest exhibition of the lot.
Loads of elegantly dressed people flood from all over the world for this one, and hotels as far away as Zurich get booked out, and very pricey.
So, if you’re aiming to visit Basel, it’s best to check www.baselworld.ch just to check your dates don’t clash.
Of course, if it’s diamonds and watches you’re after, then this is the time …read more

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Sometimes I get the impression that there is a major new art exhibition starting every week in Switzerland.
OK, that’s across the whole country but there’s not that many people living here, way less than in Greater london for example.
Today we’re featuring Basel Art Museum’s retrospective about Chaim Soutine, which runs until 6 July.
Born in Russia before the revolution, he travelled to Paris where he worked alongside Chagall and Modigliani.
His work is said to have influenced the painting of Francis Bacon and Willem de Kooning. His landscapes are also said to resemble some of Van Gogh’s paintings, but I’ll leave …read more

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From March 20 until Monday 24th (over Easter) there’s a tango festival at the Volkshaus in Basel.
It appears to do pretty much what it says on the tin: colour, music and dancing.
Exciting orchestra, dance performances as wel as films and workshops.
So it’s your choice; participate or just watch and enjoy. 
Volkshaus, Tangoschule Basel, Clarahofweg 23, Basel
www.tangobasel.ch
Photo: Flickr: szpyreczka

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The Beyeler Foundation in Basel has an exhibition running at the moment, entitled “Action Painting”.
It runs until the 12th May, and is open daily from 10:00 until 18:00; 20:00 on Wednesdays.
The exhibition covers what is known as “Gestural Painting” over the period 1945 to 1965.
The theory goes that as modern painting developed, artists began to more clearly reflect artists’ personality.
The canvas became (so they tell me) a theatre, a field of action where the artist was able to spontaneously perform.
The exhibition features works by Jackson Pollock, Arshile Gorky, Wols, Morris Louis, Sam Francis, Pierre Soulages, Lee Krasner, and many others.
Fondation …read more

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Switzerland is not renowned for its tall buildings.
Mountains yes, buildings no.
So there are very few opportunities to get high above the city and look down on the lights at night.
But the Messe Hotel in Basel does offer that opportunity. It’s the tallest building in Switzerland that I know of, and rather sensibly, they put a bar at the top of it.
It’s located on the 31st floor, and I know this is going to sound weird, but make sure you visit the toilets/restrooms. Let’s just say it’s an unusual experience…
It can get pretty crowded (the bar, not the toilets) leading …read more

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October and November is the time when Switzerland goes crazy for fairs, or shows as they used to be known when I was a young lad.
This week it’s Basel’s turn (you may have worked out I don’t like to use English spellings, like Basle).
It’s at the Messe, and entrance is (can you believe this) free!
The fair is marketed as representing seven different “worlds”: Wellness, Fashion, Sport,  Living, Leisure, Household and Food&Drink.
If this was in any other country, the homeless would be queueing up to sample all of the free foods and wines on offer, but in Switzerland it’ll be a …read more

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