Basel is a city which is well equipped for travelers. Basel has an airport, which is a joint Swiss/French airport, and is just in France. Basel has an important railway, because of its nearness to France and Germany, and the city even has a ferry service. Public transport in Basel includes trams as well as buses.
Beginning on the first Monday after Ash Wednesday, the biggest event in Basel in February is the annual Fasnacht carnival, which is the biggest carnival in Switzerland. Dating back to medieval times, the carnival begins at 4 a.m. and lasts for 72 hours. Visitors to the Fasnacht are advised to buy visitor badges, which can vary from 7 to 100 Swiss francs. The money goes towards funding future carnivals.
As well as the carnival's parades and street parties, the actual carnival goers wear masks and flamboyant costumes. Many of the carnival's participants will dress up as famous people or as animals. The throwing of confetti at the carnival's spectators is another tradition. There are around 18,000 people who take part in the Basel Fasnacht. The Basel Fasnacht also has a strong musical tradition with marching brass bands and musicians playing piccolo and drums. A satirical bard called a Schnitzelbank singer plays an important role.
February is a good month to visit Basel, because several events take place before and after the Fasnacht. The lantern piping event is on the Sunday before the carnival, which involves lanterns bought to the city center, in preparation for the opening parade. On the Saturday after Fasnacht there is a masked ball.
Interesting places to visit in Basel in February, or at any time, are Basel Munster, Munsterplatz and the town hall, Rathaus.
