Basel might appear a little bit of a random choice – but as The Sunday Times’ travel section was quick to highlight in a round-up a couple of years ago, it is one of Europe’s unsung short-break heroes.
Just an hour-and-a-half on a low-cost flight from the UK, it’s located so close to the borders of both France and Germany that it would be rude not to take advantage of the regular train services running back and forth from historic Freiburg in the Black Forest of Germany, and the ridiculously beautiful Colmar in The Alsace of France.
But the Swiss city itself also has more than enough to keep the visitor occupied.
The annual Art Basel fair, for example, provides a clue to the world-class collections and exhibitions to be found in the Kunstmuseum, the Museum Tinguelyand The Fondation Beyeler – which add-up to just three of the 40 museums scattered throughout the city.
And then, there’s the Munster, the alleyways of the old town, and the restaurants and cafes on the banks of the River Rhine…
This portfolio of images were taken during a recent short break in Basel, staying at the Hotel Spalentor.