Kassel to Basel train

Located in central Germany, Kassel is a city with roots dating to the 10th century. These days, Kassel is perhaps best known for hosting documenta, a remarkable contemporary art exhibition that takes place every five years. However, if you're visiting outside of a documenta year, Kassel has many other exciting experiences to offer.

One of the most popular sites in Kassel is the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a landscape park covering over 2.5 square kilometers of hillside. Construction of the park began in 1689, and the Baroque style of the Bergpark took 150 years to complete. The park's defining feature is a giant statue of Hercules, surrounded by a system of fountains and waterworks.

Kassel is also famed for being near the hometown of the legendary writers, the Brothers Grimm, and Grimm World is the newest attraction in the city. It commemorates the brothers’ legacy through interactive and multimedia exhibits inspired by their iconic works, such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Frog Prince, and Snow White. The museum is not just for children, though. Prepare your worst insults to shout into the swear word generator, which translates modern German curse words into older linguistic versions.

The easiest way to reach Kassel is via one of the ICE (Inter-City Express) trains that run throughout Europe. Rail service is convenient and affordable from nearby destinations like Berlin, Leipzig, and Hamburg. Buses also provide easy travel into Kassel, and FlixBus and Sindbad operate most bus routes.

Basel is bordered by France to the west and Germany to the east, with the river Rhine running directly through the city. This culture-centric destination is known for containing Switzerland's highest concentration of museums. With over 40 museums, roughly one per square kilometer, you're guaranteed to find at least one museum that fits your interests. Of course, it's got classic art museums like the Fine Arts Museum and the Jean Tinguely Museum, but you'll write home about the niche ones like Basel Paper Mill (a museum about paper and printing) and Toys Worlds Museum.

Basel's Old Town area will give you a taste of the city's history, with its cobblestoned streets and medieval churches, as well as several beautiful fountains. In the Marktplatz, or market square, check out the bold red City Hall, as well as even more museums, these ones devoted to Basel's history.

Basel is also home to Switzerland's oldest zoo, founded in 1874. Conveniently located in the heart of Basel, the zoo lets you get up close and personal with animals from the tiniest insects to the grandest elephants. Plus, you can learn more about the zoo's conservation projects.

Basel is well-situated for easy travel to other countries due to its proximity to France and Germany, as well as its transportation options. The world's only tri-national airport, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, is only 4km from Basel. This unique airport is located on both French and Swiss territory but also serves travelers to nearby Freiburg, Germany. Basel also welcomes national and international train routes, and many European bus services stop in the city.