THE CANTON OF BASEL LAND
The Jura Mountains stretching from Geneva to Basel cover about 1/8th of Switzerland. The wooded rolling hills in the Canton of Basel Land, its valleys, mountains & plateaus are ideal in Spring, Summer, & Fall for cyclists & hikers, and a paradise for cross-country skiers in Winter. The Canton has a long-recorded history going back to the Roman era. Due to its strategic location, the Romans under Ceasar established a colony there in 44BC. Today you can visit the largest Roman Theater north of the Alps at Augusta Raurica. A fun thing to do is to attend the “Roman Festival” which this year takes place August 26th & 27th. It’s a great place to visit anytime. Lots of things to see and do.
For many, a visit to Washington D.C. in Spring to see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom is an item on their bucket-list. The Japanese have “Hanami” (flower-viewing) on their list, and in Switzerland a visit to the Canton of Basel Land is a great way to celebrate the coming of Spring. Serious cyclists can follow a well-known “Chirsi” Tour from Liestal to Laufen which will take them along a region reputed to have 10,000 cherry trees. (“Chirsi” is Swiss-German for “cherry”). Personally, I especially appreciate the product of those beautiful cherry trees. Yes! Some of the finest Kirsch comes from the Canton of Basel Land.
In our Spotlight on Basel City we told you about the “Morgestraich” Parade which takes place the Monday after Ash Wednesday. On the Sunday night after Ash Wednesday & the night before “Morgestraich” you have to go to the capital of the Canton of Basel Land, Liestal, for a truly unique, once in a life time, experience. An incredible fire spectacle “Chienbäse” is held in the medieval town center. You’ll see a procession of people carrying burning bundles of pinewood chips as well as carts being pulled carrying bonfires with flames & sparks shooting as high as the houses. Needless to say, you definitely don’t want to wear artificial fibers that could melt.
If you want to explore Switzerland on two wheels, you’ll readily find rental facilities to meet your needs be they for bicycles, mountain bikes or e-bikes. In Reigoldswil in the Wasserfallen Mountain, you can actually rent scooters ("Trottinett” in Swiss) to take you down a four kilometer-long run down the mountain. Feel like a kid. Give it a try.
Checkout the videos & web sites by clicking on the highlighted links above.
The Jura Mountains stretching from Geneva to Basel cover about 1/8th of Switzerland. The wooded rolling hills in the Canton of Basel Land, its valleys, mountains & plateaus are ideal in Spring, Summer, & Fall for cyclists & hikers, and a paradise for cross-country skiers in Winter. The Canton has a long-recorded history going back to the Roman era. Due to its strategic location, the Romans under Ceasar established a colony there in 44BC. Today you can visit the largest Roman Theater north of the Alps at Augusta Raurica. A fun thing to do is to attend the “Roman Festival” which this year takes place August 26th & 27th. It’s a great place to visit anytime. Lots of things to see and do.
For many, a visit to Washington D.C. in Spring to see the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom is an item on their bucket-list. The Japanese have “Hanami” (flower-viewing) on their list, and in Switzerland a visit to the Canton of Basel Land is a great way to celebrate the coming of Spring. Serious cyclists can follow a well-known “Chirsi” Tour from Liestal to Laufen which will take them along a region reputed to have 10,000 cherry trees. (“Chirsi” is Swiss-German for “cherry”). Personally, I especially appreciate the product of those beautiful cherry trees. Yes! Some of the finest Kirsch comes from the Canton of Basel Land.
In our Spotlight on Basel City we told you about the “Morgestraich” Parade which takes place the Monday after Ash Wednesday. On the Sunday night after Ash Wednesday & the night before “Morgestraich” you have to go to the capital of the Canton of Basel Land, Liestal, for a truly unique, once in a life time, experience. An incredible fire spectacle “Chienbäse” is held in the medieval town center. You’ll see a procession of people carrying burning bundles of pinewood chips as well as carts being pulled carrying bonfires with flames & sparks shooting as high as the houses. Needless to say, you definitely don’t want to wear artificial fibers that could melt.
If you want to explore Switzerland on two wheels, you’ll readily find rental facilities to meet your needs be they for bicycles, mountain bikes or e-bikes. In Reigoldswil in the Wasserfallen Mountain, you can actually rent scooters ("Trottinett” in Swiss) to take you down a four kilometer-long run down the mountain. Feel like a kid. Give it a try.
Checkout the videos & web sites by clicking on the highlighted links above.
