Tattoo will leave its mark
If you missed the Edinburgh Tattoo and are fond of military displays there is another option – a Swiss city break with Christmas markets, history, culture and the Basel Christmas Tattoo.
Basel, on the banks of the Rhine, is a city to fall in love with whatever the season.
So, when scouring the web for Christmas shopping get-aways, you could let the magic of the winter tattoo be your decider.
The four-day show, which runs from Wednesday, December 10, to Saturday, December 13, is held at St Jakobshalle indoor arena and includes performances from some of the world’s finest military, civilian and marching bands.
Just days before Christmas, it promises to be as traditional as it is awe-inspiring – with a few surprises along the way, too.
Picture yourself walking along the banks of the Rhine, fresh from the Christmas markets, wrapped in a scarf and gloves and full of festive merriment – not to mention a bellyful of locally-brewed beer Ueli Bier.
Basel itself is Switzerland’s cultural capital, and the country’s third most populous city, where 200,000 inhabitants enjoy the highest quality of life. Many move there to work in life science industries and they stay because of the laid- back vibe from modern architecture against the traditional and the feeling that anyone is welcome.
Perhaps that is due to the multi-cultural demographic, hundreds of years in the making.
As a visitor, you will become immersed in 2,000 years of history, starting with the area’s main historic landmark, Basel Munster.
The red, sandstone, former Episcopal cathedral was built between the 12th and 15th centuries in the picturesque Old Town, an area that houses the city’s best independent shops, cafes and markets.
Basel was once a fortified city, with evidence of a former Roman city wall running beneath at least one of the restaurants.
For a change from the tattoo military display and Christmas markets, delve into Basel’s culture at any of the city’s 40