// BASEL // BASEL |
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country , numbering about 40 – staggering for a city with a population of roughly 200,000 . Fondation Beyeler , Museum Tinguely and Kunstmuseum are just some of the highlights for art lovers , while Basel Toy World Museum and Musikmuseum at Basel Historical Museum impress with their vast collections of teddy bears and musical instruments respectively .
The locals also love a quirky , playful sculpture , and there are reckoned to be 200 or so ornate fountains spread around the city . Sometimes the two forms combine , as with the animated sculptural antics at Tinguely Fountain .
The magic of Christmas in Basel aside , one of the best times to visit is during the threeday carnival ( Basler Fasnacht ). Proceedings kick off at 4am on the Monday after Ash Wednesday with the Morgestraich march , when the city ’ s lights are extinguished and ‘ cliques ’ of costumed revelers take to the streets ahead of daybreak .
Art Basel , the city ’ s world-famous arts fair , is another renowned event . Showcasing
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major artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries , it ’ s a huge draw for art collectors and aficionados . This year ’ s edition is set to run from June 16-19 .
Food & Drink
Basel ’ s rich gastronomy can change with the seasons , but the Rhine remains its constant beating social heart . On warmer days , the riverside benches , terraces and pavement bars of Rheingasse , the bank opposite the cathedral , throng with locals come day ’ s end , as the daily al fresco party is fueled by informal riverside café bars , known as ‘ buvettes ’, serving up a procession of beer , wine and Aperol Spritz .
There ’ s many a scenic perch in the city ’ s squares from which to take in the scenery , too . Visitors can savor those Münsterplatz cathedral views over a bite at Zum Isaak or Museumsbistro Rollerhof , for example , while Huguenin is a popular spot on Barfüsserplatz and , elsewhere , Confiserie Schiesser and Café Bohemia offer welcome respite .
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Above : Basel ’ s Middle Bridge ,
which spans the Rhine
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image : alamy |
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