2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide - (Page 36)

SWITZERLAND Basel Basel's myriad museums, tree-lined avenues, gardens and green spaces are sure to be a feast for the eyes for aesthetes looking to soak up Europe's rich culture while avoiding the more congested tourist areas. SEE: Basel Zoo is a year-round family-friendly destination with a newly remodeled lion habitat and recently opened monkey house. SAVOR: Make sure to visit Mittlere Brucke, an international trade route dating back to the 14th century; The Spalentor, an impressive entrance gate to the old walled city; and the Rathaus in Marktplatz, a historic seat of power that presently houses the city council, all while taking a relaxing stroll around Basel's historic Old Town. SIGNATURE EVENT: You'll need a ticket to watch Basel Tattoo 2016 (a musical military performance) when it returns to the city's historical barracks July 20-30 with the best bands from across the globe covering a range of music genres, including rock and folk. STAY: This January, Basel's first apartment building, located on Brunngassle 8 in the city's art and business district, became the 65-guestroom Hotel Nomad, a modern hangout for locals and international travelers alike where the onsite restaurant, The Eatery, serves international cuisine during the weekdays, and during the weekend, serves as an event space hosting open mic jam sessions, jazz brunches and DJ parties. CRUISE: The Port of Basel in the northern region of Switzerland is a popular stopover for river cruises sailing the Rhine River-AMAWaterways, Avalon Waterways and Viking River Cruises, to name a few. A gateway to Alsace and Germany's Black Forest region, the port is the closest landlocked Switzerland will come to having a seaport. FACTS June to September Fans of the children's novel "Heidi" visit Switzerland from around the world to explore the country's trails and paths inspired by the story GETTING THERE: Delta flies to Zurich from Atlanta and New York (JFK); to Basel connecting through Amsterdam and Paris; and to Geneva connecting through Amsterdam, Paris and Rome ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport CURRENCY: Swiss Franc LOCAL FOODS: Typical specialties of Switzerland include fondue; Alplermagronen (Swiss mac & cheese); and chocolate BEST BUYS: A Swiss watch-95 percent of Swiss watches are exported around the world INFORMATION PLEASE: myswitzerland.com BEST TIME TO GO: FUN FACT: Geneva At the tip of Lake Geneva lies the small but mighty cosmopolitan city of Geneva. Here, 200,000 French-, Germanand Italian-speaking locals make up Switzerland's third-largest city, which is headquarters to around 200 governmental and nongovernmental international organizations, including Europe's United Nations and the Red Cross. Known as both the "Smallest Big City in Europe" and the "City of Peace," this green expanse embedded between the Alps and the Jura mountains is also an economic hub for business and finance. SEE: About 20 percent of Geneva's land is devoted to green spaces. Bastions Park in Place Neuve is a favored meeting place for students; however, all ages enjoy playing the set of life-size chess boards at the north end of the park. SAVOR: Converted barns, renovated factories, second-hand bookshops and turn-of-the-century apartment buildings commingle in the city's bohemian Grottes neighborhood. This international district is also sprinkled with ethnic restaurants and street shops. SIGNATURE EVENT: Each summer, Geneva hosts a range of musical acts on more than 50 stages in venues throughout the city for its annual Fete de la Musique summer music festival (June 17-19). Don't be surprised to hear classical music, rock, hip-hop, rap and many genres in between. STAY: In 2014, the 115-guestroom Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva added three new suites to its Presidential Collection, all featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and lake views. Bastions Park in Geneva. 36 http://www.myswitzerland.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide

Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Ghana
Kenya
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Senegal
Tanzania
Egypt
India
Israel
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide