Basel – The Ultimate Pre Christmas Getaway

Christmas is around the corner, so why not plan the ultimate pre-Christmas getaway and visit the Basel Christmas Markets.

Christmas In Basel, Switzerland

With Christmas adverts and festivities getting underway increasingly earlier each year, it’s hard to not feel that the magic has been somewhat sucked out of the festive holiday months before it event happens, but we’ve discovered a way to make your Christmas as magical as it would be for a 5-year-old awaiting Santa’s arrival… even if you’re in your 20s!

We may have become accustomed to European themed Christmas Markets popping up in our local high streets each November but nothing will quite compare to that of the Basel Christmas Markets in Switzerland.

Last November the BBMLive team were lucky enough to fly out from London City Airport aboard a SkyWork Airlines  jet to Basel Switzerland for a truly magical Christmas themed weekend. After feeling like we were in our own private jet in the comfort of the little plane we landed in Basel and we were immediately hit with an icy and calm vibe, getting us ready to feel the crisp, cool and calm atmosphere of a winter wonderland.

Suspended between the borders France and Germany, Basel is one of the quietest cities you can ever hope to visit – mostly due to the complete lack of cars. The main mode of transport here are trams, so climbing on board the tram car we made our way to the other side of the city passing by the castellated buildings and medieval looking architecture until we reached the Hotel Basilisk  which would become our base for the next few days.

A comfortable hotel in a fantastic location with a decent adjoining restaurant close to the nearby shopping centre and the stunning Rhine we enjoyed a brisk walk along the river to get our bearings before our first taste of the Swiss Christmas Markets.

With the cold, crisp air of the high altitude of Basel we took to the Christmas Market at Claraplatz to see the gorgeous arts and crafts on show, but not before indulging on bratwurst and gluhwein to help keep out the cold. Armed with hats, scarves and gloves the native Swiss and tourists piled into the network of timber chalets as the light faded and the fairy lights above came alight.

Upon the fall of darkness the magic of Christmas came alive as the giant snowflake lights suspended from trees lit up, reflecting in the water features below creating a beautiful and eerie sight to behold… and in the middle of this market place the largest Christmas tree we had ever seen adorned in the most traditional and beautiful decorations (a thing that would become a lot clearer the next day). But tonight we would feast on the most hearty and scrumptious Swiss cuisine consisting of beetroot and potato roulade and fillet of beef at restaurant Zum Isaak.

Awaking the next day to a dusting of snow covering the rooftops, we really felt as if we had walked straight into a classic Hollywood Christmas movie but that was just the beginning of the Yuletide charm as today we were to meet the Father of Christmas himself – Mr Johann Wanner.

World famous for his Christmas decorations and Christmas shops in Basel, Mr Wanner has decorated the Christmas trees of the White House, the Monaco Royal Family and even decorated for Princess Diana! Head Elf to the stars, upon meeting Mr Wanner at his Christmas shop in Basel it’s hard to believe that this man surrounded by the finest glass Christmas ornaments in all his finery is also an avid antique Oriental and Egyptian furniture collector as we find out after he invites us to his tea room to sample the 24 different teas of advent with silver snowflakes and miniature baubles within the tea leaves and all! We spent hours talking to Mr Wanner about how he came to create the most successful Christmas shop on earth and how he began his business from trading behind the Iron curtain and importing stunning antique glass Christmas ornaments – some even from the 19th Century!

After a quick fondu (a must do) at a local Swiss pub near Barfüsserplatz, we were to embark on a tour of the Basler Munster as we learned about Christmas in Basel. Walking around the Christmas Markets it’s hard to not buy every stunning glass bauble you see as well as the hand-knitted gloves and hats on show – but if you do wish to reign in the spending a little it’s wise to keep 10 Swiss Francs handy for a couple of gluhweins as well as getting to keep the shoe shaped mugs with the date and the name of the market that you drank it in as a keepsake! (Bear in mind the bars take a 5F deposit for these mugs).

During our time in Basel we were also lucky enough to visit a handful of the fantastic museums including the Natural History Museum, which is surprisingly like the London one – aside from the fact you can actually look at the exhibitions as it’s not overrun with people and the Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel which had a rather impressive umbrella and parasol exhibition for the fashion lovers amongst you.

Flights from London City to Basel start at £215 return with SkyWork Airlines for more information or to book visit www.flyskywork.com.

Travel Tips For Visiting The Christmas Markets in Basel

• This year’s Christmas Markets open from 24th November – 23rd December 2016
• Pack plenty of warm clothing as you’ll never want to leave the markets!
• Take a proper camera – there are so many amazing views around Basel
• Leave plenty of time to explore the city and its incredible architecture
• Although the Christmas markets open from 11am, the best time to visit is from 4pm.
• Don’t expect to catch a taxi – trams are pretty much the only way to get around the city as well as walking!
• Bring Swiss Francs not Euros!
• Eating out can in restaurants can be expensive but well worth it, however pubs and the markets are more affordable.

by Hannah Shakir