I visited a hidden european gem - reconsider your next holiday

I WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY BY THE LANDSCAPE, DAY TRIP OPTIONS AND CULTURE - AND SURPRISING HEAT 15:54, 28 May 2025 A recent holiday to one of Europe's underrated gems has left a

lasting impression. My partner and I ditched the typical sun-kissed tourist spots and bustling city stays for a landlocked location most only correlate with skiing - Switzerland. The country

is famous for its breathtaking mountains, the Swiss Alps, sapphire blue lakes, and mouthwatering chocolates and cheese fondue. Besides my own surface level knowledge, I wasn't too

clued in on what to expect. In August, Basel was revealed as this year's Eurovision Song Contest host city, creating a mad dash for flights for thousands of fans who probably never

heard of the city until then. The contest was the reason for my visit but I can't stress how perfect our time in the country was even away from the music. My partner and I booked a

Basel-based Airbnb apartment for the trip but it didn't stop us venturing to Zürich for the day. Below is a rundown on why Switzerland's magnificent neighbour cities should be next

on your holiday list. DAY TRIP FROM BASEL TO ZÜRICH Basel and Zürich are in close proximity to each other. Basel SSB and Zürich Hauptbahnhof are the cities' respective largest train

stations and easily accessible by foot or tram from most accommodations. A ticket between Basel and Zürich will set you back around £33 or less if you book well in advance. The hour-long

journey is picturesque in its own right with rolling countryside views and snowy peaks decorating the skyline far into the distance. WHAT TO SEE IN BASEL Located in the border triangle of

Switzerland, France and Germany, Basel is the gateway to Europe. No other European city offers a cultural density comparable to that of Basel. The cultural capital of Switzerland is home to

almost 40 museums, some of them world-famous, as well as Art Basel, the world's most important trade fair for modern and contemporary art. The city is split by Rhine River which you can

float along if you get your hands on a Wickelfisch. These fish-like devices are filled with air to become a floatation bag which you can use to bob along for quite a distance. The unusual

past time to foreigners is actually quite common for locals as a method to get home after work or cool down during the summer. Basel Minster church is perched at the top of the river's

high surrounding walls with phenomenal views of the city. You can also pop in to take a look at the Roman catholic architecture free of charge. The compact city was handed the Eurovision

Song Contest because it is easily accessible, has great transportation, a daunting number of bars and restaurants, and has plenty to offer for all ages. WHAT TO SEE IN ZÜRICH Zurich is the

country's largest city so you won't be short of day out options. As soon as you step outside Zürich Hauptbahnhof, you'll be met with Bahnhofstrasse, a luxury shopping district

that's not too bad to stroll even if you're broke. Lake Zürich is perfect for a relaxing day snacking on ice cream with plenty of walks, parks and even a Chinese garden dotted

along its perimeter. You can take a boat trip or simply wet your feet along the rocks. The old town (Alstadt) is a charming look into the past with boutique shops and classic architecture,

filled with plenty of cafes and restaurants to take the weight off. SKI SLOPES, FONDUE AND THE WORLD'S HIGHEST TRAIN STATION A trip to Switzerland wouldn't be complete without

fondue. Diners can melt cheese in a pot (caquelon) and dip bread or veggies until their heart's are content. The national dish is every bit as delicious as you'd imagine and fairly

inexpensive compared to other items on the menu. Switzerland is quite a pricy visit when it comes to food and drink so prepare yourself. The Jungfraujoch is not only the highest railway

station in Europe at 3454 metres, but also offers an unforgettable view far beyond the national border and of the monumental ice flow of the Aletsch Glacier. You'll be surrounded by

ice, snow and rock as far as the eye can see if you fancy escaping the city for a little bit of classic Swiss iconography. The journey is an all day experience which you can begin at either

station but one you won't regret making. Our visit was pretty hot with highs of 25C so don't be deterred if you're not a fan of the frost. I returned with a little bit of a

sun burn. HOW TO GET TO BASEL FROM LIVERPOOL Liverpool John Lennon Airport doesn't fly direct to Basel or Zürich. The only Swiss city you can access is Geneva, which isn't bad

either. Holiday goers will need to take a short journey to Manchester Airport where they can choose from Basel, Zürich _and_ Geneva. Article continues below The flight to Zürich is only an

hour and 50 minutes so you'll be there in no time. Flights taking off on W.C. June 9 are available for only £180. You can take a look at flights and prices here.