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Essential Switzerland & Germany along the Rhine

Les Trois Rois Basel Exteriors 1

Basel - Cultural Canton

The cultural capital of Switzerland is located on the river Rhine where Germany, France and Switzerland meet. Basel has also created for itself a contemporary edge as the host of Art Basel held annually in June.

Basel has some of the best museums in the country, such as Kunstmuseum, the Fondation Beyeler, the Museum Tingely and the Vitra Design Museum. It has stunning narrow and hilly cobblestoned streets, small boutiques and art galleries. One of the highlights of Basel’s old town is Mittlere Brücke (Middle Bridge), the oldest crossing on the Rhine. We recommend at least two nights in this great city.

Trinkhalle_Baden-Baden

Follow the Rhine to Baden-Baden

Today,  transfer to Baden Baden, located about two hours away. Your journey will take you along the river Rhine, and pass cities such as Freiburg and Strasbourg.

Baden Baden is known as the “summer capital of Europe” – an elegant spa resort-town, it was once the favorite vacation spot for the European aristocracy and still remains as one of the most beautiful and exclusive cities in Germany. Its abundance of green spaces, thermal baths and cultural offerings makes it a fabulous destination!

Baden-Baden, gateway to the Black Forest

Baden-Baden is the ideal base to explore the Black Forest’s enchanting scenery, from valleys, lakes, and waterfalls to charming towns, such as Freiburg and Baiersbronn. This is the perfect area to hike and get active or simply enjoy meandering through the countryside by car.

Baden-Baden has been a famous spa town for centuries. Between May and October, the original Roman baths dating back to the reign of Caracalla (3rd century AD) are open for viewing. You can still enjoy the warm thermal waters at the 43,000-square-foot Caracalla Spa.

The town is also hone to Germany’s largest music and  performance venue – the Festspielhaus. We recommend at least two nights here.

Baden Baden
Heidelberg Castle Germany

Heidelberg - Germany's most charming town?

Make your way to one of Germany’s most beautiful towns, Heidelberg. This town is a cultural center and it is where the country’s first university was established in 1386. See one of the landmarks of the city, the Heiliggeistkirche, which is the town’s older sanctuary. Continue through the Market Square to the Alte Brücke, or Old Bridge, an imposing construction over the Neckar River built in the late 1700s – the bridge was also destroyed, this time during WWII, and was later completely rebuilt.

Afterwards, you may want to walk to the top of the Heidelberg Castle, where you will be rewarded with wonderful views over the valley. The castle is a vast residential complex which is now mostly in ruins, but that once was one of Germany’s most beautiful renaissance constructions.

Continue your journey

Why not extend your stay? Switzerland & Germany combine ideally with Austria.

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