Fasnacht is the most important date in Basel calendar and, in my opinion, the best time to visit the city regarded as the cultural capital of Switzerland.
Morgenstreich kicks off 72-hours of festivities at 4am on Monday morning with a procession of lanterns and piccolo players through the streets of Basels Old Town. Cold Feburary mornings aren't usually very appealing but get to to Marktplatz or Barfusserplatz early (3am-ish) to bag yourself the best vantage point.
Pick up some Mehlsuppe (a traditional flour soup) to keep yourself warm.
My personal advise on what to do and see in Rome
Mt Egmont seen from the King Edward Park playing fields in Stratford
The Stratford Glockenspeil in Taranaki
The Antelope - your local, dog friendly, beer friendly pub
Must see ancient monuments around Rome
Historical information about the gothic Antwerp Cathedral
What to see, where to stay and eat in historic Antwerp
Recommended hotels in Vienna, Salzburg and Bregenz
Eclipse chasing - Essential total eclipse trip planning information from 2010 to 2019
Europe - Travel information from around Europe
New Zealand - A personal guide to things to do, see, eat and drink in New Zealand
Berne - Information on and about Berne
Travel pictures - Pictures from my travels in Switzerland, Italy and New Zealand
Total Solar Eclipse 2006 - Travelogues from a trip to Libya to see the Total Solar Eclipse in 2006
New Zealand pictures - A gallery of pictures from my travels in New Zealand
Taranaki pictures - A gallery of pictures from my travels in Taranaki
Belgium - Travel information on and about Belgium
Germany pictures - A gallery of pictures from my travels in Germany
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook