worldaltem: 9/29/2019 Sunday Basal, Switzerland

9/29/19 Sunday Basal, Switzerland GCT Day 5, Total days 34 Phone says I walked 2.4 miles, 5771 steps and climbed 4 floors. Basel Ave. 65 high 48 low 31% rain

• Included Meals: Breakfast

Tour info. After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Basel to join your Romance of the Rhine & Mosel River Cruise.

Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-221-2610

RIVER CRUISE STARTS

9/29 Day 2 Basel, Switzerland • Embark ship • Included Meals: Dinner Ave. 65 high 48 low 31% rain

• Accommodations: River Ship

TOUR INFO "Arrive today in Basel. A Grand Circle representative will meet you at the airport and assist with your transfer to the pier. If you began your explorations early with our pre-trip extension to Lucerne, Switzerland, you will join the main group today to begin your cruise along the Rhine and Mosel rivers. The balance of the day is at leisure to relax after your overseas flight or do some exploring on your own.

In the early evening, you’ll gather for an introductory briefing about your ship. Throughout your Rhine and Mosel River Cruise, you’ll receive these evening briefings from your Program Director—called Port Talks—as you cruise toward your next destination so you can make the best use of your free time when you arrive.

After that, get better acquainted with your Program Director and traveling companions over dinner."

9/29/19 Sunday Basal, Switzerland Grand Circle Travel Day 5, Total days 34 Phone says I walked 2.4 miles, 5771 steps and climbed 4 floors. Basel Ave.Temp. 65 high 48 low Average chance of rain 31%.

The most interesting thing that happened this morning was realizing that the nightclub next door to our hotel continued to play music with a lot of bass until 8:45 AM Sunday morning. The club was next door to our breakfast room. I did hear the bass in my room throughout the night Friday night, but luckily I didn’t hear it last night.

The transfer to Grand Circle Travel's River Rhapsody on the Rhine in Basal, Switzerland was uneventful. We passed through a lot of farm country. We had lunch, took some time to get settled. I unpacked completely for the first time since 8/26/2019. Looking forward to sleeping in the same bed for two weeks. Later in the afternoon, we went to the Old Town. When I returned to the ship it was time for the Captain’s Greeting, the hotel manager’s talk, the port talk and dinner.

Basel is a quite hilly, medieval city. Basel was untouched by the World Wars, as Switzerland remained neutral. There are many beautiful old buildings and narrow alleys. Today's picture is the Basel Minster. The church is located in Grossbasel, the highest part and offers incredible views of the Rhine River and Kleinbasel across the river. The there is a lovely terrace behind the church. Originally, it was a Catholic cathedral and today is a Reformed Protestant Church. The building is red sandstone with colored roof tiles and twin towers. The stained glass is beautiful. The design is late Romanesque completed about 1225. There was much damage done to the church by the people during the Protestant Reformation. The two towers are named Georgsturm (1429) and Martinsturm (1500). Equestrian sculptures next to the main entrance on high pilasters honor these saints of the knights.

Phone says I walked 2.4 miles, 5771 steps and climbed 4 floors.