Les meilleurs hôtels à Bâle

Basel borders both Germany and France, but it has a character that is decidedly Swiss (as well as a great variety of food). As snow and skiing are to the southern portions of Switzerland, culture is to Basel. It is quite proud of its 30 plus excellent museums, so much so it has applied for the title "European City of Culture" for the year 2001. It wouldn't be the first time it was the hot bed of the arts and intellect. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the likes of Nietzche taught at the university, which boasts a 500-year-old history. Before the Rhine flows into Germany's famous wine growing country, it flows through Basel. Here, in the city, is the famous Rheinknie -- where the river turns from the west to the north. Every spring the city throws a carnival (you show your tourist stripes if you call it the Carnival instead of its proper name, Fasnacht). For three days, the city becomes a big party. People walk through the town in costumes, playing traditional pipes, drums and Guggemusigg. Say the folks at Basel Online: "The big secret behind the "Guggemusigg" is that they often don't play the right notes but it sounds great anyway."