Destination Guide Series Basel
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DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES BASEL Sponsored by: 1 ELITE GUIDE TO BASEL HIGHLIGHTS OF BASEL 4 ONLY ELITE 6 Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experience CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS 7 We asked Basel’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations DRIVE THE SWISS ALPS for the perfect day in the city WHERE TO ➤ STAY 8 ➤ DINE 12 ➤ BE PAMPERED 17 FINE DINING AT CHEVAL BLANC WHAT TO DO ➤ DURING THE DAY 18 ➤ DURING THE NIGHT 21 ➤ FEATURED EVENTS 25 ➤ SHOPPING 30 ENJOY BASEL TATTOO NEED TO KNOW ➤ PRIVATE JET TERMINALS 36 ➤ EXCLUSIVE TRANSPORT 37 ➤ USEFUL INFORMATION 37 VISIT THE TINGUELY MUSEUM TRAVELER DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BASEL www.elitetraveler.com 2 Sponsored by: ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BASEL www.elitetraveler.com 3 Sponsored by: HIGHLIGHTS OF BASEL Don’t miss out on Basel’s wealth of attractions, adventures and experiences asel has firmly established itself as glorious parks, fine-dining establishments huge earthquake, but out of the ruins B the culture capital of Switzerland. This and trendy bars, this city is a clean and safe rose the twin-towered The Cathedral, picturesque town on the banks of the Rhine environment for the elite traveler to relax which now dominates the old town and the bordering France and Germany, features in and enjoy. Undoubtedly the highlight Basel skyline. This wonderful city is one some of Europe’s standout museums of Basel is the River Rhine, which flows to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, either and galleries, with the world’s oldest art right through the heart of the city creating by perusing a museum, window shopping collection located at the Kunstmuseum. a wonderful backdrop to some of the best in the unique stores, strolling along the Basel is a city fiercely proud of its style and hotels and restaurants in Switzerland. banks of the Rhine or sipping a drink at a ambiance; with wonderful winding streets, Basel was virtually destroyed in 1356 by a riverside hostelry. BASEL TATTOO THE CatHEDRAL July 16–23, 2011; July 14–21, 2012 Taking place each year on the banks of the Rhine, the Basel Tattoo is a unique experience and a true highlight for any elite traveler visiting Basel. This military display involves a cast of over 1000 performers, with the best army, civilian and royal marching bands from around the world. These talented musicians gather at this historic base every July to deliver a truly memorable performance. The music covers a wide range of genres, from contemporary to traditional, and is supported by innovative choreography. The highlight of this spectacular is the gathering of the pipes and drums, when more than 200 performers fill the arena with their incredible sound, transporting the audience to the Scottish Highlands. Now in its sixth year the Basel Tattoo is proud to announce that Her Majesty’s Coldstream Guards from London and the Aimachi Marching Band from Japan will be featuring at this year’s event. With exceptional VIP packages on offer, this is a must-see experience for the elite traveler. THE BASEL Tattoo THE CatHEDRAL The Cathedral is the city’s most recognizable landmark and a protected heritage site. Its red sandstone architecture, colorful tiled roof and two slim towers are a much-loved landmark in this tranquil medieval town. The Cathedral sits in the Münsterplatz on Cathedral Hill, where the city was founded by the Celts in the first century BC. Originally a Catholic cathedral and today a Reformed Protestant church, The Cathedral was destroyed in the city’s 1356 earthquake. Johannes von Gmüd was commissioned to rebuild the cathedral, but it wasn’t until various extensions and re-designs that it took its current form in 1500. Today The Cathedral plays host to many of Basel’s biggest celebrations and events and is a monument to triumph over adversity. ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BASEL www.elitetraveler.com 4 Sponsored by: HIGHLIGHTS OF BASEL RAINING CONFETTI at THE BASEL CARnival A BUDDinG fasnacHT PERfoRmeR BASEL CARNIVAL MORGENSTREICH PRocession February 27 – March 1, 2012 Easily the largest carnival in Switzerland, Basel Carnival completely takes over the city from 4am Monday until 4am Thursday, providing a thrilling time for locals and tourists alike. This three-day extravaganza commences with the ‘Morgenstreich’. Taking place the Monday after Ash Wednesday, this procession of 200 illuminated canvas lanterns enthrals spectators as the sun slowly rises above the picturesque city center. The following days bring more colorful and vibrant processions of masked and costumed carnival participants, floats, horse-drawn carriages and the mischievous ‘Waggis’ character who distributes oranges, yellow mimosa, throws ‘Räppli’ (confetti) and invites spectators to become part of the show. The Basel Carnival is brought to a close by a cacophony of sound, as brass band musicians fill the streets to perform the ‘Gugge’ concert. The Basel Carnival is a truly unique experience and one that every elite traveler to this wonderful city should experience. ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BASEL www.elitetraveler.com 5 Sponsored by: ONLY ELITE Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experience BASEL LUXURY DRIVING TOUR Organizers: Elite Rent Contact: Jakub Hanus Phone: +41 79 203 1502 Email: [email protected] Website: www.eliterent.com The elite traveler in Basel can enjoy wonderful culture, architecture and peaceful walks along the Rhine. However, for those seeking breathtaking views, mountain passes and sweeping roads, the hills are alive with the sound of Super Cars. Basel‘s superb location on the borders of France and Germany, gives the elite traveler an opportunity to sample the best road driving in all three countries. Elite Rent super car rental experts offers a four-day luxury driving break where world class hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and top-of-the-range spas can be enjoyed, in addition to driving through some of the best scenery in Europe. The driving tour begins in Basel on the banks of the Rhine, before heading through the rolling hills of the Alsace wine region in France, then into the spa town of Baden Baden. This incredible experience also takes in the fast, sweeping trails of the Black Forest in Germany, before cruising back down into Switzerland. The highlight of this tour is during the final two days, where the drive cuts through the stunning peaks and mountain passes of the central Swiss Alps. With a fantastic range of vehicles on offer, such as the Ferrari F458 Italia, Aston Martin V8 Vantage S and the Mercedes SLS AMG, there is no better way for the elite traveler to take in the countryside around Basel. THE STUNNING CENTRAL SWiss ALPS THE Ferrari F458 Italia ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | BASEL www.elitetraveler.com 6 Sponsored by: CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS We asked Basel’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day in the city CRISTINA BALLY CHIEF CONCIERGE, GRAND HOTEL LES TROIS ROIS Phone: +41 61 260 5190 On the way back, you can stop off for a picnic Email: [email protected] at one of the countless scenic spots with the Website: www.lestroisrois.com gourmet picnic basket our chef will be pleased “At the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois we are to prepare for you. Enjoy the blue hour with proud to have created what we have dubbed the select culinary delicacies such as Black Forest Roadbook. This is a list of the most beautiful ham, seasonal petit fours and pastries. excursions in the Basel region. The best way to take advantage of our knowledge is to allow us Then as the sun slowly sets, return to Les Trois to rent you a vintage car so you may explore the Rois, where we will provide you a memorable region in top class comfort and exclusive style. evening to match the wonderful day you have just had.” Car enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse. This Cité de l’Automobile French national museum houses the Schlumpf Phone: + 33 38 933 2323 Collection, named after its founder Fritz Address: 15 Rue de L’épée, Schlumpf and at 80,000 square feet is the 61800 Mulhouse, France world’s largest automobile museum. Website: www.collection-schlumpf.com From there we recommend you drive to one of Sundgauer KäsKaller Europe’s cheese Meccas. In the dreamy French Phone: +33 38 940 4222 town of Vieux-Ferrette you will find the legendary Address: 5 Rue de la Montagne, Sundgauer KäsKaller of Bernard Antony. His 68480 Vieux-Ferrette, France cheeses are sought after by the most illustrious customers, including members of the Japanese CRISTINA BALLY, CHIEF CONCIERGE, GRAND HOTEL LES TROIS ROIS Imperial Family and Prince Albert of Monaco. PHILIPPE CHRISTEN FIRST CONCIERGE, SWISSÔTEL LE PLAZA BASEL Phone: +41 61 555 3333 Email: [email protected] Website: www.swissotel.com “As you look around Basel you will see why we are the culture capital of Switzerland. With more than 40 museums to visit, we recommend taking your time to soak up all the city has to offer. Begin your day of culture at Basel’s main art museum – the Kunstmuseum – which houses the oldest public art collection in the world. The second must-see museum is the exceptional Tinguely Museum, dedicated to the life and work of the sculptor Jean Tinguely, who grew up in Basel. Stop just outside the museum and admire the beautiful Tinguely Fountain. If you’re still hungry for more world-class art, your next stop must be the Fondation Beyeler. This modern Renzo Piano designed building is the perfect home for masterpieces by Cézanne, van Gogh, Klee, Warhol and Rothko to name just a few.