20 days in Basel & Zurich Itinerary

Escape the urban bustle at Parasailing & Paragliding and Creux du Van. Venture out of the city with trips to Saint Beatus Caves (in Sundlauenen), Swiss Mountain Market Unique Regional Souvenirs (in Interlaken) and Garuda Massage (in Thun). There's still lots to do: steep yourself in history at Basel Minster, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Zoo Basel, admire the natural beauty at Rose Garden (Rosengarten), and make a trip to Town Hall.

To find ratings, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, go to the Basel day trip planning website.

Washington, USA to Basel is an approximately 17.5-hour combination of flight and car. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Central European Standard Time, which is usually a 6 hour difference. In March, daily temperatures in Basel can reach 53°F, while at night they dip to 34°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 5th (Mon) early enough to catch the train to Zurich.

Step out of the city life by going to Lake Zurich and Titlis. Change things up with these side-trips from Zurich: Hammetschwand Lift (in Obbuergen), Lucerne (Rigi, Altstadt Luzern, &more) and Hohle Gasse (in Immensee). The adventure continues: wander the streets of Old Town, admire nature's wide array of creatures at Zoo Zurich, hit the slopes at Grindelwald-First, and explore the world behind art at Museum Rietberg.

To find maps, where to stay, photos, and tourist information, read Zurich tour itinerary planner.

You can take a train from Basel to Zurich in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In April, daytime highs in Zurich are 58°F, while nighttime lows are 41°F. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 18th (Sun) to allow time for travel back home.