Zurich to Basel and Bern: Private day trip

Settled since antiquity, Basel’s position along the Rhine at the meeting point of the French, German, and Swiss borders solidified its status as an important trade and transportation hub, often making it the site of international peace negotiations and meetings. Today, it’s still retained that station, with visitors flocking from all over the world to attend its ART Basel festival. Home to the country’s highest concentration of museums, visitors have over 40 options, ranging from the world famous Basel Art Museum, to the Museum of Cultures, or the museum devoted to the iron sculptor Jean Tinguely. At the heart of the city’s historic old town, visitors can enjoy the the large market square, faced by the vibrant red sandstone town hall and the late Romanesque-Gothic cathedral.

Founded by the Duke of Zähringer in 1191, Bern was made a free imperial city by the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II following the duke’s death. While the city flourished, a major blaze in 1405 destroyed many of the original wooden buildings. These were gradually replaced by half-timbered houses the characteristic sandstone buildings that still grace the Old Town today. Within the UNESCO Heritage Site, visitors can wander the 6 kilometers of arcades, shopping, or just soaking in the local architecture. Among the many fountains and historic towers is unique, visitors can find an elevated Rose Garden, which sits above the Bear Park, home to the city’s heraldic beast. Bern’s 15th-century Gothic cathedral is the tallest in Switzerland and for those undeterred by heights, a viewing platform in its 101-meter tower offers the best views of the old town.