Elite Traveler September-October 2018

JUNGFRAUJOCH, INTERLAKEN Though this is a long day tour outside the city, it’s certainly worth the trip. Jungfraujoch is considered the “Top of Europe,” as the mountain stands 11,353ft above sea level. It isn’t easy getting there — first you need to get to Interlaken before hopping on the old cogwheel railway and cable cars; the final ascent takes 40 minutes. At the top, tour the incredible ice caves and visit the Sphinx Observatory, where you can step outside and take in the breathtaking views of the Aletsch Glacier and snowcapped mountains. After admiring the spectacular panoramas, head to the alpine villages of Wengen or Lauterbrunnen. From $800 per person for 10-hour tour with local guide, viator.com

Clockwise from top The chilly heights of the Sphinx Observatory; the old brewery building WerkraumWarteck; Fondation Beyeler

MUST-SEE MUSEUMS

THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE Swissôtel Le Plaza Basel More contemporary in architecture and decor, this hotel is the perfect place to stay if you are visiting Messeplatz for Art Basel or Baselworld, or if you are looking for a location closer to the Fine Arts Museum. The Presidential Suite with living room, bar and entertainment center, as well as a separate work space, has everything you need. The marble-laden bathroom is perfect for those who love a spa-like space to get ready in, and those who seek solace within the comfort of their own room can be treated to massages from the hotel’s wellness spa. You’ll still feel right at home when you leave the suite thanks to the spacious lobby bar. Sip on a refreshing cocktail in a cozy chair and soak up the swanky living room–style atmosphere with floor-to-ceiling windows and a charming fireplace. Swissôtel also has a state-of-the- art Purovel Sport gym with sauna and steam bath, and a lovely spa. From $660 per night. Contact Bettina Jayawickrama, rooms division manager, bettina.jayawickrama@swissotel.com, +41 615 553 333, swissotel.com ARCHITECTURE AND CHURCH TOUR Originally a small medieval town, Basel expanded through the ages. With each new era came a new form of architecture, and it grew according to the day’s design codes and philosophies. The result is a charming mishmash of buildings from vastly different times including its well-preserved 15th-century Old Town, full of narrow cobblestone streets and petite homes, to ultra- modern marvels such as theWerkarum Warteck, and everything in between. An all-day walking tour is well worth the miles traveled to witness firsthand some of the wonders of the city. Starting in Old Town at the charming Marktplatz courtyard, one can visit the highly decorated, red City Hall building. From here, cobblestone streets lead up, down and sideways to indulge you in great views of the Rhine River. Walking across the 13th-century Mittlere Brücke bridge with its canton flags and locks reminds you of the city’s history. And no walking tour is complete without a visit to the top of the St Johanns-Tor clock tower and the historic Basel Minster, filled with beautiful stained-glass windows.

Although Basel has dozens of museums, there are three not to be missed. Fondation Beyeler (pictured below) is a unique and open museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. In Museum Tinguely, there are masterpieces from Jean Tinguely and magnificent outdoor favorites. The most popular, Kunstmuseum, also called the Fine Arts Museum, holds the important title of having Europe’s first collection of art accessible to the public — in 1661. The largest art museum in Switzerland, it has a beautiful courtyard where you can rest after visiting the three buildings. Each is full of paintings from famed artists including Hans Holbein, Eugène Delacroix, Salvador Dalí, Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso and Andy Warhol, to name a few. Plan to spend a few hours perusing its galleries. fondationbeyeler.ch, tinguely.ch, kunstmuseumbasel.ch

TAKE THREE/// SWISS SUITES

SLEEPING IN A QUESTION Hotel Der Teufelhof Situated on a quiet hill just a fewminutes walk to Old Town and Marktplatz, Hotel Der Teufelhof looks more like a private, old mansion than a place for visitors to stay. In fact, this off-the-beaten-track accommodation is actually two 18th-century mansions — each its own hotel — that come together as a complex, complete with a brewery bar, theater and courtyard that is perfect for enjoying some quiet garden time. For those who love art and culture, Der Teufelhof lets you experience it in an entirely different way as each room is considered an immersive work of art in itself. The top-floor art suite in the Kunsthotel building, Sleeping in a Question, was designed by American artist Joseph Egan and features two separate rooms on two floors. If the artistic nature of the suite is not enough, take a stroll down the hallways and into the lobbies: the entire Galerie building is an ongoing exhibition space with constantly changing installations. From $400 per night. Contact Elena Humphries, reservations and project manager, elena.humphries@teufelhof.com, +41 612 611 010, teufelhof.com

LES TROIS ROIS SUITE Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois

The most luxurious place to rest your head is the famous Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, or the Three Kings. The hotel — one of the oldest in Europe — sits right on the river, with gorgeous views of the water and city from its stately rooms. On the top floor, Les Trois Rois Suite has a Jacuzzi on the roof terrace, perhaps the best place in the city to enjoy the views. The two-floor suite, with two bedrooms, three bathrooms and a fireplace, is decorated in Art Deco style, unique for Basel. With gold draperies, stunning silver and wood accents, and a grand staircase, this suite is so alluring that you just might not want to leave to explore the nearby historic downtown. The hotel hosts an exceptional wine cellar, and the Cheval Blanc restaurant has three Michelin stars. From $5,500 per night. Contact Marina Gully, revenue and reservation manager,

marina.gully@lestroisrois.com, +41 612 605 050, lestroisrois.com