Recent travel videos
Flight over and landing in Milford Sounds, New Zealand
Basel - Morgenstreich at Basler Fasnacht 2010
Fasnacht is the most important date in the Basel calendar and one of the the best times to visit the cultural capital of Switzerland.
72-hours of festivities commence at 4am on Monday morning with Morgenstreich, a procession of lanterns and piccolo players, through the streets of Basels Old Town. I know early morning in Feburary in Basel can be cold but get to Marktplatz or Barfusserplatz early (3am-ish) to get yourself the best place.
Pick up some Mehlsuppe (a traditional flour soup) to keep yourself warm.
Solothurner Fasnacht Cortege 2010
16 Feb 2010
Today, I attended, for the first time, the Solothurner Fasnacht. I've long been a fan of Solothurn - Switzerlands finest baroque city.
I've attended the Fasnacht celebrations in Luzern this year and in Basel over the years and found the Soloturner Fasnacht Cortege to be one of the most convivial of the three. Although the Basler Morgenstreich remains, by far, the most unique.
Luzerner Fasnacht 2010 - a band playing in the Old Town
On the Saturday of Luzerner Fasnacht various bands roam the streets, restaurants and bars of the old town of Lucerne.
This band, with a penchant for English tunes, dressed in the uniforms of the Chelsea Pensioners sported Union Jacks on their left arms - each emblazened with their bands motif.
Luzerner Fasnacht 2010 - band playing in an Old Town Square
Saturday in Luzerner Fasnacht (or Carnival) sees bands wandering through the Lucerne Old Town often taking up position in one of the many historic squares. More often than not, the squares are also full of other participants, Fasnacht revellers and a convivial atmosphere.