10 plans to come to Madrid in autumn

Posted on November 2, 2010 by admin

Shopping or museums, stroll, catch a show, to try the food, entertainment … What excuse are you going to invent this fall to rediscover Madrid? If you are in the capital or going to visit these days, here’s a handful of proposals should not miss. Which you join?

1. Festival Internacional Madrid en Danza
From 8 to November 28 in Dance Madrid celebrates its silver jubilee. And to commemorate thirty-three companies from Korea, UK, France, Belgium, Italy, Israel, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Poland, Netherlands and the United States, along with Spanish artists showed their wares in the most diverse and impressive styles.

2. MTV Europe Music Awards 2010
Over 600 million people around the world continue this event through their screens but if you want to live it live, this year’s awards spectacular MTV held for the first time in the capital of Spain. The date is November 7 at the modern campus of the Magic Box.

3. Madrid Restaurant Week
Do you want to enjoy fine cuisine for only 25 €? Between October 22 and November 1 you can do in some of the best restaurants in the capital. Menus luxury during these days will make you enjoy the best cuisine in Madrid. It is hard to choose. See the list of restaurants in Madrid Restaurant Week.

4. Passion for Renoir
With the suggestive title of the Prado Museum offers the first solo exhibition in Spain of the French artist. Between 19 October and February 6, 2011 one of the most important painters of impressionism awaits you in Madrid.

5. A small Capricho
El Retiro, Casa de Campo, Juan Carlos I …, there are many parks in Madrid in autumn wear their best clothes, but if you discover one of the most beautiful and hidden in the city at this time, do not miss The whim. The colorful show their groves, ponds, a labyrinth-a place designed for the game of love and hideouts, “the temple of Bacchus, the palace of the Dukes of Osuna and its many twists and turns make this park a perfect place for Romanticism in the autumn.

6. A chocolate feast castizo
Now that is just the summer heat, what better way to travel to Madrid and take the opportunity to make a chocolate with churros in the most famous chocolate shop in the capital: San Ginés. But if you’d rather revel in a little bit, be sure to try the cake collection autumn-winter 2010 that Oriol Balaguer has been prepared to sweeten the season. Ummmmmm, irresistible!

7. An autumn of 1800
In one of the most chic and at the forefront of Europe can still find a handful of unique shops proposed more centenarians in the city. Madrid City Council has developed a series of routes to meet espadrille, jalmerías, twine, cordage, cutlery or float that are already part of the historical heritage of this modern city.

8. A Day at the Races
A different plan for a fun weekend in Madrid with kids can be racing the Zarzuela Hippodrome scheduled for this fall every Sunday morning until 21 November. The under 14 are admitted free.

9. The best places to eat mushrooms
What would an autumn without mushrooms? A trip in search of them on the outskirts of Madrid can be a perfect plan, but success is never assured. But if you prefer to serve them at table, camaraderie and cooked in a thousand and one way, be sure to go through some of the restaurants that we suggest, are the best in Madrid to enjoy: The Chamfer, Blue Swan (C / Gravina, 19), María Luisa’s kitchen or Viridiana.

10. A luxury in style
Whatever the reason chose to come close to Madrid in the fall you will taste much better if it ends with the proposal that offers upscale hotel Eurostars Madrid. A special program that includes accommodation at the hotel with the best views of the city and spend a fantastic afternoon of shopping at the outlet Las Rozas Village, which brings together the best brands. Gift, a VIP card in your pocket with a 10% discount, which never hurts in these times.

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Piran, medieval charm in the Adriatic

Posted on November 2, 2010 by admin

You have to discover the beauty of this coastal city of Slovenia, which lies one of the most compact medieval helmets and best preserved in Europe. Nearby, Portoroz is the most exclusive marina in this small country.

At first glance, Piran Venetian influence is undeniable. There is evidence that is emerging from the slender tower of the church of St. George, patron of the city, but still walking and secluded by its compact old town with colorful surprises Gothic facades and gates. The Baroque is also mixed in its medieval, almost as naturally as gulls stalk the unsuspecting tourist.

Piran retains its Mediterranean spirit and seaworthy. And to feel anything like dining in one of the terraces of its restaurants by the sea or watch the sunset hangs off leisurely on the horizon, such that clear day can see from here the coast of Italy and Croatia.

Border crossroads and meeting point of empires, Piran is a monument of art, with the elegant and sober Tartini Square as the center. Named after the great violinist Giuseppe Tartini, the country’s favorite son, and she balconies overlook the beautiful fifteenth-century houses that surround it, as some of the most emblematic buildings of the city.

You have to climb the hill where stands the church of St. George, with its bell tower inspired by the Campanile of the Church of San Marco in Venice, to get the best views of the old town of Piran, surrounded by medieval walls, built between VII and XVI centuries, served as a brake on successive attacking the city.

Seven gates still stand today and among those the city keeps its greatest treasure: a lovely set of narrow streets are crowded interesting monuments, including the Venetian House, the Courthouse, City Hall, the Maritime Museum, but also taverns wood, maritime shops, restaurants overlooking the sea … and a promenade, along the bay, leading to Portoroz, the lively marina of Slovenia.

Modern, worldly, famous for its casinos, Portoroz history however goes back to the thirteenth century, when monks of the monastery of San Bernardino then discovered the healing power of hot springs. Later in the nineteenth century, spas took over and became the main attraction of the place. Today, all that tradition combines perfectly with its seafaring tradition and cosmopolitan, with an abundance of celebrities and where the sea continues to cast a spell to anyone who dares to enjoy it up close.

PRACTICAL GUIDE

Directions
Piran is located 125 kilometers from Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. Adria Airways opens new season, May to October, with two weekly direct flights from Madrid and Barcelona to Ljubljana.

Getting around
Piran is a delightful town to explore on foot, by taxi or bus. In five minutes you get to Portoroz. However, if you want to extend the travel and discover more of this small country, it is best to rent a car.

When to Go
Spring and autumn are the best times to enjoy a warm and a special light. In summer the main attraction are water sports, although August is abuzz with Italian tourists.

Where to sleep
In Portoroz, the Kempinski Palace Hotel is one of the most luxurious and refined in Slovenia. It goes back to 1910 and beautifully renovated, yet retains all the charm of the classics, where he found a complete thermal spa. Offers trips by speedboat to nearby points outstanding, including Venice. Also in Portoroz, the elegant Bernardin. The secluded hotel Piran, in the historic center of this coastal city, you have a wonderful terrace overlooking the sea, a good choice for exploring all corners of the city.

Where to eat
Altana Restaurant, Hotel Tartini is an interesting option to try the Mediterranean cuisine and, especially in good weather and sit in a quiet terraces its pasta, salads and, of course, seafood. Clearly influenced by Italian and beautiful views, the sea is the main protagonist of Riva Restaurant (Tel 00 386 56,732,225), which offers dishes throughout the Mediterranean essence. In Portoroz, Barka Restaurant, Hotel Bernardin, has a select and varied menu of seafood cooked in a thousand ways.

Do not miss
Slovenia is a great Gruyere cheese, dream more than 9,000 caves. One of the most spectacular is the Postojna cave. About fifty kilometers from Ljubljana, lies five miles of corridors, halls and galleries excavated by the river Pivka that are a haven underground. Nearby is the medieval castle of Predjama, built on a vertiginous cliff, not far Škocjan caves, near the town of Divaca, declared Patrimony of Humanity.

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How to get flowers “Free” in your cruise

Posted on August 23, 2010 by admin

Many years when I come by cruise and never stopped being amazed by the experiences of other cruisers much more experienced than me. It was so sipping tea in the stern of the “Constellation” I met John that takes equally lay on the couch next. John is American and cruise makes its way of life, living with them more than seven months a year. It was in this first conversation where I discovered the trick to have fresh flowers in the cabin for free.

The told me I would be shocked to know the amount of waste generated by a cruise ship, from food, paper, office supplies, furniture, pulled daily.

Even the beautiful flowers that adorn the various rooms of the ship are thrown away daily by garbage. Cruise ships want to maintain the best possible image at all times so that the degree of excellence to our guests is always at the highest level. They are the flowers that adorn the boat which gives the feeling of freshness and floating hotel. That’s why most carriers replace the flowers daily.

Of course flowers can retain its freshness over those 24 hours. But once they have been removed from public areas, there’s nowhere to store them in the trash except crush.

As you cruise addict should visit the florist on board the cruise sometime. In some ships is a real store somewhere in the boat, but always somewhere accessible to passengers.

As easy as talking about the flowers on board, how to preserve them and even more they use them every day after withdrawal. This is where you ask if you could take some punishment as it gives you that will pull these beautiful flowers. Normally there is no reason for the florist does not comply, because once classified as junk has no value for the company, but the flowers continue to hold all its beauty. Of course you should offer a small tip and ask whether it would be possible to receive some of these flowers in the cabin. In general, and in my personal experience, if the florists have accepted willingly.

Plain and simple floral arrangements you can have in your cabin, they are given greater use to the beauty of the flowers and the florist is also happy for his little tip for what was about to throw away.

It is ridiculously easy and cheap to have flowers in your cabin, John told me while we were still enjoying the tranquility in the stern of the “Constellation”.

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Air Europa, another airline to charge for seats near exits

Posted on June 19, 2010 by admin

If you think you sit in the seats of the row of emergency exits is a bonus, many airlines also believe and therefore recharge the fare that is in occupation. Air Europa is one of them, which recently began to implement the measure.

The premium prices of the seats from the ranks of the emergency exit range from 10 to 50 euros, paid charge online check in for international flights of the company.

The company has called these seats “XL” because there is more room to stretch your legs and therefore what the surcharge, in addition to many other commercial aviation is implemented as a somewhat diffuse to alleviate the crisis.

Vueling is another company that charges for occupying these seats, increasing the rate of ten euro banknotes. However, in both cases you must meet certain requirements in addition to the additional payment, to ensure that these people be able to block or enable the emergency exit if directed staff if needed.

This current is followed by all airlines, including foreign ones, looking to increase their income in some way or another.

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Hotels industry analysis

Posted on May 11, 2010 by admin

The crisis in the hotel and tourism has been reflected in problematic economic, social, cultural and political figures that has devastated the housing and foreigners in our country. Beginning in 1999, experienced the largest depression because of the violence, the government and the misdistribution of money. This was manifested dare of the figures and the delay of tourism development.

It is also evident, and has been shown historically that the economy and tourism are closely linked and there is a strong correlation in their behavior. When economic growth is high, tourism is growing and improving, but instead in times of contraction and a slowing economy and performance indicators fall tour. Today investments are key to the success of the hotel. Millions of investors are still plotting and dynamic hotel projects that are based on trends and prospects informed because the hotel is linked to the full with the economy and more than a growing country like ours. The government has also played a roll too important in the growth of hotel projects because they have implemented ideas to promote hotel investment and tax cuts in new or remodeled hotels.

What impact has created in our country hotel employment from 1999 to this year?

In Colombia, the economy in 1999 historical record ends. The first by low inflation and the second for his sharp recession and high unemployment. The problem that is generated in our country was so sharp economic contraction, which had many causes, some immediately and the international financial crisis unleashed in 1998 and others that were brewing slowly.

Faced with this grave situation the country was also lived social crisis that prevented tourism and its sub-industry, hotels, could see an improvement in their views and accommodations. During these years, felt the economic downturn and insecurity on the roads prevented the mobilization of domestic tourists as in previous years. In support of this research even better, I received great help from someone who consider making a major contribution to research. Giovanny Paez, hotel auditor studio apartment five years ago Andes and student research training at the university and externally, who wanted to share his experience in the hospitality and figures of the industry that created impact on our country, says that 1999 was the most difficult in the economy and hotel accommodation which recorded an average of 39.1% in contrast to the year 2008 where the occupancy reached 95% this year and continues to grow in absolute terms. “The country has not experienced any notary crisis that has affected the hotel directly from the current government because of the importance it has given the country race, which makes foreign investment and with it increased employment.”

Despite having registered its lowest level in the hotel for the past five years, it is noteworthy that despite the problem of unemployment that the country was in 1999, the number of jobs remained in hotels and agencies tourism sector.

To create a change in these figures, and as a government strategy to exit the hotel crisis, tax reform was approved by Act 788 of 2002, which established incentives for investment in tourism. Were declared exempt from income tax for a term of 30 years for new investments for the provision of accommodation and lodging and 15 years for renovations or extensions. This measure incentive to create new investment and renovations, and was essential for foreign investment through an efficient promotion and delivery of national treatment, simplifying procedures and providing incentives for different points sectored national geography.

From the excellent performance between 2002 and 2007, and even part of 2008, there has been a boom in hotel investment, not only in construction but in the remodeling of resorts. There are 15 000 new rooms and a growth of 18% of installed capacity. An investment in 2007 was U.S. $ 550 million and for 2009 is projected to reach $ 700 million for a 30% growth. Although the occupation falls, investment in the sector increases because the hotel projects are dynamic and are based on trends and prospects informed.

In conclusion then, if we recognize that the hotel is linked to the full with the economy of a growing country like ours. We have seen a positive impact by foreign investors who believe that our country has to be given the war and stand against other developing countries and also of course our government has implemented ideas to promote the hotel investment. Also I would like to share perspectives as COTELCO Tourism for the current year 2009 and thus give insight into the expectations of our country.

• Continue to improve the image and perception of confidence

• More resources via the Tourism Promotion Fund to:

- Competitiveness

- Internal Promotion

- International Promotion

• Quality Programs

- Categorization

- Quality Certification

- Environmental Certification

• Hotels Control (serious situation for the hotel formal)

• More national and international air connectivity

• More short trips – less long distance travel

• More investments in hotel

• More investment in Parks

• More investment in convention centers

• Bilingual Program

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How to find ideal hotel in Paris

Posted on May 8, 2010 by admin

When choosing the right hotel you may want to check with your local travel agent or you may even want to go online to check out the site for hotels. However, I like to go for the stars. Stars rate the hotel in Paris. The more stars they have the better hotel they are. For this reason, I will tell you about the three best hotels in Paris. Remember the stars will tell you which hotel offers the best choices. The hotels include the 3, 4, and 5 star hotels. The higher the stars, the better you choice of staff, room, amenities, and more that you have.

How to look for options in 4-start hotels:
When you are looking for a good hotel in Paris, you need to decide what and where you want to be, like near a historical site or in the gardens of Paris. Perhaps you would even like to rest near the banks. Whatever meets your needs will help you decide where to spend time in Paris. In hotels in Paris, you have amenities, which include Internet connection. If you are on a business trip, this is the ideal hotel for you. Most hotels in Paris have restaurant. You also have hotels near shopping centers, financial districts, and so forth.

How do I choose the hotels?
Paris has many four star hotels to select from. One of Paris’ finest hotels is the Le Meridren Etoile. This hotel is located on the right side of the riverbank looking over the Palais De Congres. The hotel has up to 1026 rooms that were all redecorated in 2001. The rooms offer you a warm and modern surrounding.

The hotel has a restaurant, as well as room service. You can choose rooms, including the non-smoking rooms. All rooms in this hotel have soundproof walls. The hotel offers you babysitting availability. For those who want go and have a few after dinner drinks, you will not have to worry about the little ones. The children will be safely waiting for your return.

In the morning, you can wake up to a hardy breakfast buffet. Throughout the day or night hours you can enjoy Internet connectivity. This hotel is nice, since many famous people have stayed here, as well continue to rent rooms in this hotel today.

Perhaps you like outdoor surroundings. Paris has a wide array of garden-like hotels. The Hotel Exelmans in Paris is 10 minutes via transportation from the Porte de Versailles Exhibit Center. Surrounding the hotel is the Parc des Princes, which is also near the famous Roland Garros. The hotel is suited for business guests or those enjoying leisure time in Paris.

The hotel overlooks the beautiful garden. The hotel provides you with garage and convenient distance to the Shuttle. You have many room features, including cable TV, which you can watch on color platforms. A private bath, alarm clock, and direct in-house phone line is available as well.

How do I book a room or make reservations?
Online you will find travel sites. The sites offer you the ability to book rooms or make reservations. When you visit online sites to book rooms or make reservations take note. If the site is unsecured and has no proven history, avoid giving your credit card or other personal information. Conduct a quick BBB (Better Business Bureau) check of the site, as well check for reviews. The reviews should offer you verified details on the site operation.

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Great travel place for 2010 Winter Olympics Vancouver

Posted on January 17, 2010 by admin

It’s time to make plans and choose the international event that most appeals to you. From one end to another of the world map, here are the most suggestive and most will talk about.

Santiago de Compostela has been responsible for opening the calendar with the Holy Year. It is the second of the twenty-first century will never occur again until 2021, when the feast of St. James the Greater, July 25 match on Sunday. The call wills Jacobea special relevance in different walks of Santiago, a meeting point for pilgrims from all over the world. But especially in the Galician capital, which are scheduled to celebrate that great event high-level actions, such as Cirque du Soleil, the former leader of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, and Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

The irresistible Istanbul this weekend will kick-start the Cultural Capital of Europe, which holds for any excuse will demonstrate their cultural values and heritage. New museums and art centers, monuments restored, major exhibitions and a multitude of activities, festivals and concerts make up a comprehensive agenda for the event have chosen the motto Istanbul, a city of four elements.

And about 2,500 acts are those which organized the German region of the Ruhr, with which the share capital of the Ottoman Empire title of Cultural Capital 2010, in addition to Pécs, in Hungary. The region has focused miner in strut dismantled cultural fabric of their program. The Folkwang in Essen, destroyed by Allied bombing in 1945 and reissued by the British architect David Chipperfield, and Zolverein, the largest coal complex in the area, witnessed the power of the local steel industry and architectural heritage site by Unesco, will The epicenter of the Ruhr 2010 program.

If you are fond of skiing let yourself fall in February by Vancouver, which will be held from 12 February 28 Winter Olympics. This sporting event that inaugurates the year is a great opportunity to travel to this Canadian city, which is considered the highest quality of life in the world. The various tests will be performed in False Creek at Cypress Mountain Station, and in the town of Whistler, 150 km from the city.

The bicentenary of the birth of composer Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) will be held in 2010 worldwide, mainly in France and Poland, organized more than 2,000 concerts, festivals, exhibitions and even pathways in honor of the genius of musical Romanticism. But also coming to Spain specifically to the Monastery of Valldemossa, on the island of Mallorca, where he lived with George Sand between December 1838 and January 1839.

If you plan to do this year and between May and October one of those trips once in life, what better choice than China? After the power sport in Beijing, the People’s Republic becomes ready again to astonish the world with the Universal Exposition in Shanghai. It is located near the Huangpu River and has the theme Better City, Better Life. It is an opportunity not only to know the new architecture of the century, also to discover one of the most developed metropolises in recent years.

You could travel the world enjoying one by one from the 19 Grands Prix in Formula 1. But if you want to move far, two of these appointments will take place in Spain. In early May in Montmelo, while the occasion of the European Grand Prix, Grand Circus landed in the Valencia Street Circuit for the last weekend of June. And run to see Fernando Alonso with the monkey red Ferrari is enough reward.

More distant, but one that is going to talk much this summer is in South Africa, held from June 11 and July 11 World Cup, the first major international sporting event to be held in Africa. Living live the inauguration of the spectacular Soccer City in Soweto is an experience almost as much as attend the confrontation between the boys in the Red and Honduras in the Ellis Park Stadium on June 21. But beyond the sports venues, the World may be the perfect excuse for once, started the adventure, discover the city of Johannesburg, a safari or visiting Cape Town.

And in October, the center of all eyes will be the Basilica of St. Peter’s Basilica, the date on which Pope John Paul II will be beatified, five years after his death. The ceremony will be officiated by Pope Benedict XVI, the same month in 32 years to satisfy the election of Karol Wojtyla as Pope.

And if you go looking for pretexts to travel also can help you: Impressionist Normandy Festival, the Summit of Biodiversity in the Japanese city of Nagoya, the thousand-year history of Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital to satisfy the 10 — 10-10 – The Bicentennial of Independence and Centennial of the Mexican Revolution or the sight in Dubai’s Burj Dubai, the new roof of the world, with its 818 meters. Destinations all to dream, who knows, may also be realized.

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Doñana: Contrasts in perfect harmony

Posted on September 5, 2009 by admin

Pine forests and marshes, lakes and riversides, beaches, dunes and reserves, cork and Algaida adorn one of the most fascinating natural areas of Europe, declared a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by Unesco.

In this region cornered flat and located between the provinces of Huelva and Seville, near the mouth of the Guadalquivir, water has created an ecosystem of incalculable value, a true sanctuary for waterfowl. It has an area of over 50,000 acres, surrounded by additional belt similar extension of the Natural Park of Doñana.

In his rich botanical and fauna plus ethnological and cultural legacy that the inhabitants of these lands have nurtured over the past centuries, where the village of El Rocio is a good example of this. In this village of white houses, all Whit Monday the festival is held more crowded, known in Spain.

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Canary Islands: A piece of Africa in the Atlantic

Posted on September 5, 2009 by admin

Its mild climate eternal spring, its more than 1,100 kilometers of coastline, magnificent beaches and clear blue waters, its huge white sand dunes, hidden coves its brilliant black sand, sea life, its wide range of water sports and aquatic, exotic nature subtropical-full of volcanoes, forests and spectacular landscapes, a total four national parks, its people, its traditions and cuisine make the coast of the Canary Islands a tourist must.

Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Seven islands to enjoy and seven worlds to discover, in addition to six islets. A little over two hours by plane from the Iberian Peninsula, each of which is an ideal destination to experience the best vacation.

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Basel-end architecture

Posted on August 24, 2009 by admin

Opens on Wednesday Art Basel, the most important art fair in the world. ABC TRAVEL runs the most interesting buildings of the city and its environs; signed by the creators more pointers

Basel is prepared, as every year, to receive the best galleries and collectors the finest in prestigious art fair. The great fortunes will focus the next few days there with checkbooks fuming after a binge of art at the Biennale in Venice, ready to take over the most coveted piece of time. No crisis worth.

Transactions will multimillionaires. This beautiful Swiss city, which is cast fancifully the Rhine, through Sunday will be the nerve center of world art. Nestled in the meeting place of Switzerland, France and Germany (some say that when you move through it you do not know exactly in which country you are), Basel offers endless cultural activities as cultural guests. Not for nothing has the highest per capita number of museums across the country: up to 40 to just 200,000. But Basel is an added attraction: the leading architects are leaving their mark on the city and may make interesting architectural tours, including guided-through its streets.

Roger Federer is undoubtedly the most famous citizen of Basle in the world, as famous as their Läckerli, delicious pastas, spices and honey, but not the only one who walks the name of this city in the world. Architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron as well. We start with this pair of luxury travel for the best architecture that can be seen today in Basel. One of its most interesting buildings and is valued Schaulager (2000-2003). Built by order of the Laurenz Foundation, was inaugurated in 2003 in Münchenstein, on the outskirts of Basel. It comes in a flash with the tram 11. It is a mix of public museum (exhibits the collection of the Emanuel Hoffmann Foundation), art warehouse open to visitors and artistic research institute. Opens its doors from April to September. Currently hosting the exhibition “From Holbein to Tillmans’ in addition to the Kunstmuseum masterpieces that have been let down by reason of the shows of Van Gogh. The building of 7,500 square meters, is a curious combination of granite, wood and concrete. Its facade minimalist, white stone (pierced by a few cracks), and its very original gateway hidden inside marvelous architecture. Appointment required.

Nearby, taking the same car 11, we can admire the Signal Tower (1998-99). Herzog & De Meuron created this beautiful copper irregular trapezoid, with slats on the surface, in a railway network. The building, which is twisted, changes color depending on the light. Tricolor, the French flag (blue, red and white) the Swiss architects stained glass door Elsässtor or Alsace (2002-2005), an office building next to the station Basel SBB. It comes with trams 1, 2, 8 or 16. With him, we admire a rigorous white building by Richard Meier (now converted into a garage and office mall) and a former brewery, which Diener & Diener became UBS training center.

The route Herzog & De Meuron in Basel is endless: the colorful St. Jakob Stadium, which opened in 2002 (tram 14 or bus 36), Suva-Haus (a tribute to the myth of Icarus), Pharmacy (green , evoking the old pharmaceutical bottles) … Mario Botta has also left its mark in Basel. His best-known building in the city is BIZ (1990-95). This cylinder 28 meters in height, six-story, reminiscent of the Colosseum in Rome, is built in natural stone of two colors. As a curiosity, cost 150 million francs and there he brought in 150 employees. Although it was commissioned by UBS, it was finally Regolamenti Internazionali dei Bank (Tram 3, 8, 10, 11, 14 or 15/Bus 41, 70 or 80). Botta also signs the Museum Tinguely (1994-96), in red sandstone (Bus 31 or 36). It contains an area of 6,000 square meters, with an impressive garden, which installs the amazing artifacts that devised the Swiss artist. In the downtown, next to the theater, is the famous Source Tinguely, one of the most photographed attractions in the city.

Renzo Piano Basel bequeathed to one of its most beautiful buildings, the Foundation Beyeler (1993-97). One is in the suburb of Riehen, an idyllic place in spring, full of plants and flowers. The Beyeler, now directs with his usual good sense Samuel Keller, former director of Art Basel is home to the splendid collection of Hildy and Ernst Beyeler: 200 works by Picasso, Klee, Leger, Monet, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Bacon, Lichtenstein … The elegant building, straight and sober, merges with the environment. Since some steps of the large window front lawn of the museum are often admired the “Water Lilies” by Monet. In the beautiful gardens, a large sculpture of Calder. Reached by tram 6. Just opened a monograph by Giacometti. This is another city appointments required. Hard to leave this place.

Very close to Basel, but on German soil, in the Charles Eames Strasse in Weil am Rhein (it is bus 55) is the Vitra Design Museum. It is much better than the temple of twentieth century design. It is an architectural campus (there are guided tours), which contains gems such as Gehry’s first building in Europe (1989), sinuous curves of white-houses the museum, factory, store …-, the first building designed by Zaha Hadid , 1993 (a fire station in the Iraqi Pritzker Prize points and some lines of what would become his acclaimed architecture, as the absence of straight lines) or an original station of Jean Prouvé. There were six, but only two of. The Portuguese Alvaro Siza is present on the Vitra Campus in a building with little windows for production and a bridge-tunnel in the roof of which is movable and connecting it to another building, metal facade by UK Nicholas Grimshaw.

The showroom is transferred to the new building under construction, which have been designed by Herzog & De Meuron. Another treasure is the Vitra Campus building by Tadao Ando. The Japanese fell in love with this place and, in contrast to the movement of the Gehry building, created one, whose facade is made of concrete rectangles, integrated in nature. In memory of the three trees that had to be cut can be seen in the front three leaves that fell. This building is dedicated to meetings.

Is great and excellent architecture in Basel? Very little Spanish, though. Just find a footbridge to the station Bahnhof SBB (2001-2003), who made the Seville Cruz y Ortiz. And just this journey with one of the architectural treasures of Basel, the Novartis Campus, and the best kept secret of the powerful pharmaceutical company (it is impossible to visit for that of espionage). Gehry’s building houses, Diener & Diener, Sejima and Nishizawa …

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