Basel

Known as the third largest city in Switzerland, hometown of chemical and pharmaceutical giants, and headquarter of Bank of International Settlement. These notions may give people a preconception of a bleak, impersonal industrial city.

But the reality is totally on the contrary; chic and picturesque old townscape mirrored on the Rhine, renowned university founded in 1460 where numerous prominent scholars gathered, art museum with full of prominent masterpieces, and centuries old “Fasnacht(Carnival)” festival.

On the streets you can hear people speaking French besides local Swiss-German and High(Standard) German. Indeed, just few miles northward of the city center there is a point where the borders of three countries, Switzerland, Germany and France, meet.

In a sense, it is one of typical old mid-sized city in German speaking area. If you actually land in Basel, you will also be fascinated by the calm and idyllic atmosphere.

It is really a charming city. But frankly, I wish to recommend Basel only to those who can truly appreciate the charm.