Three Country Tour

In August of 2012, we spent a few delightful days with David and Amelia in the Basel area. The city straddles the Rhine and is wedged between Switzerland, France, and Germany, so the region lends itself wonderfully well to exploring places in the three countries. Within minutes, one can be in a place with a different culture, architecture, language... It really is quite fascinating.

The photos on this page were taken in the cities of Basel (Switzerland), Strasbourg (France), and Freiburg (Germany). We also visited Neuchâtel in Switzerland (where Vicki and I met in 1974), and the lovely Alsatian wine village of Riquewihr. While the best part was undoubtedly to be able to spend time together, we had a great deal of fun exploring the area.

In Basel, we were in for a special treat: both spires of the cathedral were devoid of any scaffolding. This is a rare sight, indeed, because the red sandstone is fragile and requires constant maintenance. We promptly ascended the Saint Martin spire, the one on the right when standing in front of the cathedral. As can readily be seen from the photos below, the view from above is spectacular!

Click on any image to see a larger (1500 x 1000 pixel) version!

Basel, Switzerland (August 8, 2012)


The cathedral View from Saint Martin's spire

The cathedral

View from Saint Martin's spire


View across the Rhine to 'Lesser Basel' (Kleinbasel) The colorful roof tiles

View across the Rhine to "Lesser Basel" (Kleinbasel)

The colorful roof tiles


Gargoyle Looking downstream to the Middle Bridge

Gargoyle

Looking downstream to the Middle Bridge


The cloister Looking from the Middle Bridge to Saint Martin's church

The cloister

Looking from the Middle Bridge to Saint Martin's church


View from the Rhine promenade Looking from the City Hall courtyard into Market Square

View from the Rhine promenade

Looking from the City Hall courtyard into Market Square


Strasbourg, France (August 10, 2012)


The train station (we came by rail) The 'Place Kléber' in the heart of town

The train station (we came by rail)

The Place Kléber in the heart of town


Façade on the 'Place Kléber' Old and somewhat newer architecture

Façade on the Place Kléber

Old and somewhat newer architecture


The 'Palais Rohan' Lovely flowers adorn this bridge

The Palais Rohan

Lovely flowers adorn this bridge


This bridge is decorated, too Walking along the canal

This bridge is decorated, too

Walking along the canal


'La Petite France'... ...is probably the most picturesque part of Strasbourg.

La Petite France...

...is probably the most picturesque part of Strasbourg.


Freiburg, Germany (August 11, 2012)


The top of the cathedral's single spire is being repaired Side street

The top of the cathedral's single spire is being repaired

Side street


Detail on a house on cathedral square Even the manhole covers are beautiful!

Detail on a house on cathedral square

Even the manhole covers are beautiful!


Hotel Bären, the oldest inn in Germany (1387) Oberlinden street

Hotel Bären, the oldest inn in Germany (1387)

Oberlinden street


Augustinerplatz Façade detail

Augustinerplatz

Façade detail


Restaurant Kaiser Joseph Straße

Restaurant

Kaiser Joseph Straße


All photos on this page were taken with our Panasonic DMC-TZ20 point and shoot camera.




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