Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitant, Basel functions is a major industrial centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Also an important cultural centre, the city comprises a large number of theatres and many museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the world's oldest art collection accessible to the public.

Things to do:

1. Constructed of red sandstone the Munster Cathedral is an imposing structure with magnificent architecture. What makes this an unusual building is the uneven construction of its two towers.

1. Spread over 25 acres, the Basler Zoologischer Garten houses more than 4,500 animals. The zoo has been in existence for over 135 years.
2. Renowned for its variety of fascinating museums, the Naturhistorisches is a top attraction. Displays date back to prehistoric times with fossils and replica dinosaurs alongside their fossilized skeletons.

Accommodation: A host of first class hotels and guesthouses

Best time to visit: August to October

Getting  around: Trains and taxis

Time zone: +1hr GMT

Currency: Euro

Languages:German