FREE INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN VISITORS.......
by eden_teuling
As a visitor to Switzerland, you only need to remember ONE number: that of the Swisscom Mobile Travel Assistant.
Call 0800 66 24 54 (or 0800 M-O-B-I-L-E)
for information on accomodation, restaurants, taxis, weather, travel, events and much, much more!
Daily from 8AM to 8PM, FREE OF CHARGE and efficient....
Further information: www.swisscom-mobile.ch
Have you ever nibbled a famous laeckerli?
by csordila
While walking around Basel I discovered the Laeckerli Huus with its famous Laeckerli, which is a kind of original Basel speciality.
"Lecker" means "delicious" in German. That small gingerbread biscuit is composed of many ingredients like honey, almonds, nuts, orangeat, zitronat, kirsch and some spices.
The name " Laeckerli" emerges only around 1720, however the popular biscuit was offered already much earlier in good "Bürgerhaeusern" during Advent time.
Nowadays Laeckerli are consumed year round in the Basel area and you can find several stores in the city.
One of the shops, where you can buy it in all variations and gift-wrap:
Laeckerli Huus, Gerbergasse 57
Opening times Mon-Thu: 9am - 8pm, Fri: 9am - 10pm, Sat: 8am - 5pm,
Swimming in the Rhine
by Nemorino
Photos:
1. A man swimming in the Rhine River
2. People walking up the river so they can swim back down
3. More people walking up the river
As in Bern, where the local people like to go swimming in the Aare River, people in Basel like to go swimming in the Rhine.
Since the current is strong, there is only one way to swim, namely downstream, so people walk upstream along the riverbank and then find a place to get into the water and swim or float back down.
Though the Aare is said to be faster and colder, the Rhine is also a dangerous river, so swimming in it is only for very strong and experienced swimmers, who nearly always do it in groups.
Remains of the city wall
by german_eagle
Just below the St. Alban city gate you can find the remains of the city wall. Not more than 150 m long, but picturesque. It stretches from the little creek down to the Rhine, where one of the towers - called "Letziturm" - is preserved.
The scene is very picturesque and again peaceful - like the entire St. Alban quarter. I am glad I found this place. It is literally off the beaten path.
Bicycle station at Basel SBB
by Nemorino
Photos:
1. Bicycle station at Basel SBB
2. One of the four ramps leading into the bicycle station
Like most major Swiss railroad stations, "Basel SBB" has a large and very well-organized bicycle station where you can park your bike safely for a small fee, and also get it repaired if the need should arise.
They also have bicycles for rent here. The one I rented here was in excellent condition, and I was very satisfied even though the rental was more expensive than it would have been in neighboring France or Germany.
Unfortunately Basel does not yet have a free bicycle lending service like the ones in Bern (Bern rollt) or Geneva (Genève roule) or seven other Swiss cities.
GPS 47°32'54.40" North; 7°35'12.40" East