"Gosh, can Switzerland be hot," must have been my most immediate reaction as I laid foot on the roasting asphalt of Basel, the country's buzzy creative capital, for the very first time last Tuesday at noon. Heading to the preview days of the latest edition of the world's foremost art fair, Art Basel 2025 (June 17-18, open June 19-22), one of the most anticipated appointments on the agenda of globetrotting collectors, gallerists, and fine arts practitioners alike, and an unmissable mingling opportunity for all-round bon vivants, it was impossible not to immediately start noticing all the little details that make the nation a bucket list destination across the globe.
The grass might not always be greener on the other side, but trust me, despite the heat, it certainly is in this quaint, postcard-like northwestern slice of Switzerland. From locals letting the Rhine River guide them back home after a long day at work, floating peacefully down the balmy basin in swimwear with their belongings safely stored in a waterproof bag for a stress-free commute, to the countless, panoramic al fresco dining spots for savoring food, drinks, and great company late into the night, and the just as many architectural marvels, museums, and design showrooms to discover along the way, it takes less than a few hours to feel like you'd be better off living there — a couple of minutes when the sun hits its fascinating blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque mixed uber-modernist buildings, casting choreographic shadows all over the pavement.
