Sightseeing In Style In Switzerland (With Swiss Wine!)
If you want to cruise the Rhine River while in Basel, Switzerland but don’t want to be on one of those big cruise boats to do it – after all, this is a dynamic little city much more worthy than a brief shore excursion – then the solution is simple.
Take your own boat!
Using the Rhytaxi, you can do this by taking a private tour of the Rhine. You can even bring along some good Swiss wine to enjoy it Swiss style. And that is to say at a calm, leisurely pace.
The boats are small – they only seat 8-10 people and at first glance appear to be a simple water taxi – which makes them ideal for getting up close to the Rhine.
So close, in fact, can dip your hand into the river as you glide across it. You can sit inside where there is a long table (for your wine, of course) or go out on the bow, which PubClub.com definitely recommends at least for part of the trip.
The low vantage point from the boat gives you a great perspective of things, such as passing under those bridges you cross dozens of times on the tram or on foot, getting up close to the unique “gravity” boats that use the current to cross from one side of the Rhine to the other while being connected to a wire, being eye level with the people sitting on the banks and even saying a close-up “hello” to the occasional swimmer.
Yes, people swim in the Rhine in Basel!
The boats travel up and down the river under those scenic bridges, along the historical waterfront buildings of Basel, past the grassy countryside, the commercial port and even by a small beach on the French border that’s a popular hangout for Basel’s teenagers.
They even poke into both France and Germany, as Basel is on the borders of both countries.
This is a great, and different, was to see Basel and one of the city’s top to-do activities.
The per-person price is 60 CHF for one hour but, of course, the best way is to do it is with your group (it’s also ideally romantic for a couple). The skippers will even cater the cruise by stocking the boat with wine and food, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the ride. There is a 10 CHF corkage fee if you bring your own wine.
Rhytaxi Basel
Phone: 061 273 14 14
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: rhytaxi.ch
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