Ringhotel Goldener Knopf

Augusta Raurica

Just a short trip from Basel, Augusta Raurica is one of Europe’s most impressive Roman archaeological sites. Once a thriving settlement, this ancient city now offers visitors a chance to explore remarkably well-preserved ruins, including a grand amphitheater, a Roman house, and an intricate mosaic floor. The on-site museum showcases artifacts that reveal daily life in the Roman era, from tools to jewelry. Families can enjoy interactive experiences, such as workshops on Roman crafts, while history enthusiasts will appreciate the detailed reconstructions. With scenic views of the Rhine River and plenty of open space to explore, Augusta Raurica is a unique day-trip destination that brings history to life.

Basel

The city borders both Germany and France and this has helped to give the city the best of both worlds. Basel also boasts over 40 exciting museums to choose from, so surely there should be a few that hit the spot. A sure hit is the Foundation Beyeler museum. Designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, it boasts a unique collection of some of the greatest modern classics. It features works by Bacon, Baselitz, Warhol, Ernst Max, Kandinsky, Miró and Rodin, to name just a few of the many artists who grace the art museum's beautiful walls. The Kunstmuseum Basel is certainly also an experience if modern and more contemporary art is of interest. Their collection of sculptures, graphic works and of course paintings is simply impressive.

Although Basel is not very large with its approximately 170,000 inhabitants, it is the third largest city in Switzerland. The Rhine divides the old town in two, with Kleinbasel to the north and Grossbasel to the south, where the historic centre is also located. Kleinbasel is characterised by large pharmaceutical factories and it was here, among other things, that the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann invented the psychedelic drug LSD in 1938, which was later used in psychotherapy.

Basel offers shopping in style and class. Basel has a network of trams with as many as 10 lines, making it both convenient and quick to get around the city centre. Most shops are located in the old Grossbasler, which has a network of small and narrow shopping streets that can get quite steep at times - but it's definitely worth the effort. From the bustling Freie Strasse to the Market Square to the Spalenberg with its fine small and exclusive shops like the Johann Wanner Christmas House or the Manor, the oldest shopping centre in the city. Good deals can be found in the small design shops and galleries just outside the city centre, try St. Petersburg. Johann or Feldbergstrasse.

And finally, the most important thing - finally get a BaselCard. It includes a 50% discount on museum prices, free entry to Basel Zoo, a guided tour of the Old Town, an exciting treasure hunt, transport and much, much more. It simply doesn't pay to do anything else! The stage is set for an active holiday in Basel as there is much to see and experience.

Birkendorf

Find a cheap self-drive holiday at Risskov and visit Birkendorf in Southern Germany. Birkendorf is a cosy little village where most of the houses are built in the traditional South German style with lovely colours and flowers in all the windows. In winter, there are thick layers of snow on the roofs and in the beautiful winter landscape, the village mostly seems like a sparkling glow of cosiness and snow-covered idyll. Both in summer and winter, outdoor enthusiasts flock here, taking advantage of the many opportunities in the countryside and the surrounding forests to hike, cycle or ski, especially at the 1493-metre Feldberg and in the vast Black Forest, with over 25,000 km of marked hiking trails. Find the cheapest holiday with Risskov and make it a real family holiday filled with adventures in Southern Germany.

Rhinefall

Visit Europe's largest waterfall, Rhinefall, located near Schaffhausen. An impressive sight awaits you here. In summer, 700 cubic metres of water pass through the waterfall every second. Enjoy the impressive view from land or take a boat trip on the Rhine and get up close to the rushing waterfall. Also visit the Swiss town of Schaffhausen, just 10 km from the waterfall. Here you can have lunch in one of the local restaurants and stroll through the cosy streets of the old town.

Titisee-Neustadt

Take a trip to Titisee-Neustadt, home to one of the most beautiful lakeside promenades in the Black Forest! The charming spa town is located in the scenic Hochschwarzwald with the lake itself, Titisee, situated in its southwestern corner. The area around the lake in particular attracts people from near and far every year, who come to take part in the many recreational opportunities the place offers.

The lake is a popular spot for water sports and the surrounding wooded mountains are ideal for hiking. Enjoy the view of both Titisee and Feldberg, for example, from the platform tower on the 1,192-metre-high Hochfirst mountain. Go sightseeing with a delightful tour on the lake boat, take a ride around the beautiful surroundings on the Zäpfle-Bähnle train, taste the famous Black Forest ham and enjoy the lively atmosphere around the lake with a quite unforgettable stroll along the lake promenade. The town is also home to a large water park, Badeparadies Schwarzwald, as well as plenty of opportunities for both climbers and golfers.

Mulhouse

There is much to discover in the historic city of Mulhouse. Discover the historic centre, which houses the famous temple of Saint-Etienne, a neo-Gothic church dating from the 19th century. The town hall has a beautiful façade and you can also discover the Mieg House, a 14th century town house long inhabited by Mulhouse's wealthiest family. Mulhouse also offers great shopping, exciting museums and beautiful green parks, such as botanical and zoological gardens. Mulhouse is, in other words, a cultural centre to be explored.

Christmas market in Konstanz

Open from 28th November - 23nd December - Please note that dates and opening hours may vary. You can visit the Christmas market's own website with current information.

Experience the charming Christmas market in the southern German border town of Konstanz. Set in historic surroundings on the harbour in the town's beautiful Altstadt and directly down to Lake Constance, the Christmas market has a wonderful maritime atmosphere. The reflections of 100,000 lights dance across the shiny surface of Lake Constance and are reflected in the clear evening sky, the scent of Christmas hangs in the air and merry music and exciting laughter can be heard everywhere.

The Christmas market in Konstanz has been around for many years, but it has grown especially big after a major expansion in the 1990s. The 170 or so stalls wind all the way along the harbour, there are Santas and merry-go-rounds and, most recently, a large ship donated by the 'Weißen Bodenseeflotte' (White Lake Constance Fleet) has become a regular and very popular feature of the Christmas market. The Christmas ship is located in the harbour and here you can board and enjoy, for example, a 360° panoramic bar on the upper deck.

The cosy wooden stalls offer a large and varied selection of crafts, art, decorations, toys, clothing and household items and of course lots of lovely Christmas treats with Glühwein, sausages, roasted almonds, marzipan and pastries in all shapes and sizes. The romantic lighting sets the perfect Christmas mood and leads you down the harbour towards the beautiful Christmas ship. At the harbour you'll also find excursion boats sailing out to the beautiful island of Mainau, which as well as hosting a cosy winter wonderland at Christmas, is also home to a beautiful botanical garden, well worth a visit all year round. The market is estimated to have around 450,000 visitors annually.

Konstanz is a great shopping city at any time of year, and if you fancy a more traditional shopping trip, you're not far from the harbour and the city's main shopping streets, where there are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants to choose from.