The Great Collections of Switzerland: Basel, Bern and Zürich

Morning flight from London Heathrow to Basel. Transfer by private coach to Goetheanum, the huge and otherworldly concrete structure designed by Rudolf Steiner in 1923 as a centre for his philosophy of Anthroposophy, which combines spirituality and science. Continue to Arlesheimer Cathedral for a brief visit before checking in to our hotel in Basel. Enjoy an evening meal together.

A day to explore Basel on foot and admire the handsome architecture of the Old Town. Our morning is spent in the Kunstmuseum, where we will pay particular attention to works of the German Renaissance, including the museum’s comprehensive Holbein collection. After an independent lunch at the museum, we wander on to the striking red sandstone minster, built in c. 1200 and housing the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam. Some free time to continue your own exploration of Basel.

Morning spent in the Kunstmuseum Bern, covering Modeiaeval to Romantic, and Modern to Contemorary. Coach transfer to the Zentrum Paul Klee museum where we shall first enjoy a group lunch at the Schöngrün restaurant set in the villa on the estate combining art, nature, agriculture, tradition and cuisine. The museum contains the largest collection of Paul Klee works in the world. After a short walk around UNESCO designated historic Bern, coach return to Basel.

A morning spent at the Historisches Museum in the Barfüsserkirche, a former Franciscan church and home to the Treasury of Basel Minster. Highlights include fragments of the famous Dance of Death mural, painted around 1400, and an exquisite installation of a ‘Kunst und Wunderkammer’, a cabinet of art and curiosities. Basel Historical Museum has been housed in the Barfüsserkirche since 1894.

After lunch, we leave the city to visit the wonderful Foundation Beyeler in nearby Riehen. In the grounds of an idyllic park, the museum, designed by Renzo Piano to ‘serve art, and not the other way round’, houses an extensive collection of modern art, including works by Monet, Picasso, Matisse and Giacometti to name just a few.

In the afternoon we cross the border into Germany to visit the spectacular Vitra Campus, a wonderland for lovers of modern design. The remarkable complex includes buildings designed by some of the most distinguished architects of the last century, such as Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid. Vitra are manufacturers of some of the world’s most iconic examples of product design, which are on show in the VitraHaus, while exhibitions in the Vitra Design Museum explore the relationship between art, design and the everyday. Return to Basel.

We drive east of Basel, to the Roman archaeological site Augusta Raurica, a 2000 year-old settlement complete with amphitheatre. After some time to explore this remarkably well-preserved site, the largest in Switzerland, we continue to the Tinguely Museum where, after an independent lunch, we experience the kinetic creations of Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, along with some additional exhibits in the area.

Some free time in Basel followed by a farewell dinner together.

We check out of our hotel after breakfast and travel by coach to Zürich to explore the Kunsthaus, Switzerland's largest art museum, Boasting Zürich's largest collection of modern art, it also includes significant works by Picasso, Monet and Chagall. After an included lunch in the Kunsthaus restaurant, there is time for a stroll around Zürich, before heading to the airport for our return flight to London.