0:00 Welcome back to my channel. Today we're going to be exploring two of Switzerland's most iconic cities, Basil and Zurich. If you're planning a trip to either one of these, this video is going to walk you through everything you need to know before you go. From easy transportation tips to must-sea spots, everything you need to know, keeping it simple so that your visit goes smoothly. Basil and Zurich may be close together, but they each have their very own unique different vibe. Basil has a lot of colorful old towns, river life, and Zurich is much more of a big city energy with a beautiful lake. So, let's jump in and make your Switzerland trip a lot easier and smoother and fun along the way. Is one of Switzerland's most charming cities, and getting around is incredibly easy thanks to the modern trams and buses. Some trams, like the Line 10, even crosses the border into France, arriving in Basil, which makes public transportation here truly a unique experience. For visitors, the Basel card is a great way to explore the city. It usually comes with your hotel stay and gives you unlimited access to 1:01 public transportation for the duration of your visit as long as you're staying in Basil. If you are planning on exploring other parts of Switzerland, there is a Swiss travel pass, which is another excellent option, offering unlimited train, tram, and bus travel throughout the country. One of the first things you'll notice when entering Basel is the historic city gates. The city originally has seven gates, but most of them were torn down in the mid 19th century as Basil expanded to modernization. Today, only three gates remain. Passing through one of them gives you a glimpse into the city's medieval past. It's simple, powerful, and a reminder of how Basil has grown over the centuries. We are in Basil, Switzerland. We were staying in San Lou, France, and we just took the tram over to Basil. And this is literally like a story book. I feel like I'm in a magical, magical place and it is just so gorgeous. I cannot believe we're here and we're so grateful to be in Switzerland. Basel is also famous for clean, fresh water. You can drink directly from the public fountains or 2:02 taps anywhere in the city. It's safe, refreshing, and tastes amazing. Bring a reusable water bottle cuz you can refill it as you explore. As you're walking through Oldtown, you might come across a street fair. These pop up often, especially in the summer or on weekends, and are full of local food, craft, lively music, and such a fun way to experience local culture and meet some people. Okay, this place had like the longest wait. Everyone who's here at this little market was getting one of these, and we had to try it. Had to try it. It's like fondue cheese in bread. How do you go wrong? Oh my gosh, >> I love cheese. >> This is good. >> This is so good. You want a bite? >> No. Right there. 3:03 >> Good. Bite of that. >> My son wanted [laughter] this. And let me try. 3:19 This is better. This is better. One of the things that really makes Basil special is the Ryan River. In the summer, locals and visitors alike, they float down it. It's honestly how I first discovered Basil. I saw people on TikTok using the river as a way to commute home from work, and I knew that one of these days I had to come here and I had to see it for myself. But unfortunately, we were here in the winter, so we didn't get to witness it, and we will be back to see it in the summer. Here's how it works. You use a witchel fitch, which is a waterproof bag to keep your clothes and belongings completely dry. You pack your stuff inside, seal it tight, and then the current carries you downstream. It's a slow, relaxing ride and such a fun experience, and a great way to see the city from the water. If swimming or floating isn't your thing, you can still enjoy the Ryan River. One of Basil's traditional fairies is a great way to do that. The fairies don't have engines. They move across using only the current. You ring the bell, hop on, and glide across the water. It's so peaceful, quiet, and totally a different way to see Basel. Afterwards, the river bank is 4:20 perfect for relaxing. You can sunbathe, grab a snack from the river kiosk, or just watch the boats and fairies go by. The Ryan really is the heart of the city. And you know what? We were here in the winter, and we still enjoyed it. It was beautiful and so iconic. Another spot you don't want to miss is the drylanderek. This is where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet. The monument marks the spot right on the river's edge, but it's actually in the middle of the river, but this is still iconic and so fun to see all three countries with your own eyes in one spot. It's really fun, too. My son loved running around it, pretending he was in each country, and it says he ran three countries in less than a minute. So, it's really fun for the kids, too. It's a beautiful way to see how connected Basil is to its neighbors. Now that we've covered Basil, from its medieval gates to the Ryan River and the three country point, it's time to move on to Zurich. Getting around Switzerland is simple. The train system is fast, clean, and well connected. You can get that Swiss travel pass to save some money, especially if 5:21 you're going to be here for an extended period of time. If you do decide to rent a car, just make sure that you're aware that you do need a vignette pass to drive on the highways. And parking can be pretty challenging in anywhere other than Zurich pretty much. We had some trouble, which you'll see in future videos, but for Zurich, it was pretty easy. One great money-saving tip when you're in Switzerland is to go to a local bakery in the morning for breakfast and then buy some sandwiches and salads and food to go take it with you for lunch because Switzerland is expensive and that is not a shock to anyone. It's one of the most expensive countries in the world. You are paying for pure beauty and bliss. Had so many locals recommend this spot to us so we knew we had to check it out. This is the Wildness Park of Zurich. And the best part about this, it's completely free. This amazing park combines forest trails with wildlife where animals like deer, wild boar, elk, and even wolves live in large natural enclosures. It's an 6:21 ethical way to see wildlife up close without disturbing them, and the space they have is impressive. It's much bigger than a typical zoo. The walking paths are easy and familyfriendly, and there's spots to pause, watch the animals in their natural environment. The forest feels peaceful, untouched, making it the perfect way to enjoy nature, get some fresh air while still being close to the city, see the animals, and it's an educational experience for your kids. We loved it. My kids loved it, and we were all just soaking it up, exploring, and the best part is we never thought we'd get to see these animals while we were in a city. This is one of the coolest animal parks I've ever been to. I love that they're wild animals and I love that they're just hanging out in giant cages. They're not cramped up or anything. They all look super comfortable and the nature here is gorgeous, out of this world. Oh, the wilderness. I love it here. Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and a hub 7:21 of culture, history, modern energy. The city is built around the Lumbbit River, which flows out of Lake Zurich, right through the heart of the city. The river and the lake aren't just scenic. The water is incredibly clean. You'll see locals swimming in the lake, floating along the river all summer long. Just like elsewhere in Switzerland, the water is safe to drink directly from the fountains all around the city. So bring your reusable water bottles and fill them up because the water is so crisp and so clean. Oldtown is a historical core of Zurich. The narrow cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and charming square. Here you can wander past century old churches, visit small boutiques, and stop at cozy cafes or bakeries for local treats. Zurich is also very walkable and extremely bike friendly. The public transportation is excellent if you want to cover more ground. There's trams, buses, trains, and they make frequent stops, making it easy to move between Oldtown, the lake, and neighborhoods. It truly balances 8:22 natural beauty, history, modern life. Whatever you're looking for, Zurich probably has it to offer. The winding streets of Oldtown, strolling along the river, taking in the stunning lake views, the city has something for every traveler. From families to solo explorers. My name is April. I'm traveling the world with my two kids and my husband. Being a full-time travel family is something we are so grateful for. Making it to the end of this video supports us and our journey. We love sharing it with you. So, give us a follow and we'll see you in the next one. Bye. We're in Switzerland. I cannot believe we are in Switzerland. And if you've ever dreamed of coming to Switzerland, I hope you make it here because it is so beautiful. We're specifically in Zurich right now. And I am blown away by the beauty.
