The Carefree Traveller
Carnival and Mardi Gras Celebrations
Kölner Karneval (Cologne Germany)
Fasching in Munich (Munich,Germany)
Carnival of Binche (Binche, Belgium)
Kölner Karneval (Cologne Germany)
Fasching in Munich (Munich,Germany)
Carnival of Binche (Binche, Belgium)
Morgestraich
The Morgestraich on Monday morning at 4am marks the beginning of the Carnival in
Basel. Exactly at 4am all the lights in the old town of Basel are turned off, the "Basler
Stadtwerke" (power plants) even shut down the streetlights. The only light remaining
comes from the laterns of the Cliques.
This is a procession of about 200 illuminated canvass lanterns decorated with paintings
and rhymes that make fun of a particular “subject” - a local event from the past year.
After the city's streetlights are switched off, these lanterns are paraded through the
darkened streets, accompanied by the cliques with their drummers and piccolo players.
The bars and restaurants serve the three dishes traditionally associated with Fasnacht:
Mehlsuppe (a hearty broth made from flour and onion), and onion and cheese pies.
There are 2 major types of laterns, the big ones called "Zugslaterne", that are wheel
mounted or carried by 2 to 4 people in front of the Cliques and the head mounted
"Kopflaterne" that every participant wears. A Clique usually consists of a Vortrab
(vanguard), the Pfeifer (fifers), the Tambourmajor (drum major) and the Tambouren
(drummers). Except on Cortège the Cliques do not follow fixed routes.
The Morgestraich on Monday morning at 4am marks the beginning of the Carnival in
Basel. Exactly at 4am all the lights in the old town of Basel are turned off, the "Basler
Stadtwerke" (power plants) even shut down the streetlights. The only light remaining
comes from the laterns of the Cliques.
This is a procession of about 200 illuminated canvass lanterns decorated with paintings
and rhymes that make fun of a particular “subject” - a local event from the past year.
After the city's streetlights are switched off, these lanterns are paraded through the
darkened streets, accompanied by the cliques with their drummers and piccolo players.
The bars and restaurants serve the three dishes traditionally associated with Fasnacht:
Mehlsuppe (a hearty broth made from flour and onion), and onion and cheese pies.
There are 2 major types of laterns, the big ones called "Zugslaterne", that are wheel
mounted or carried by 2 to 4 people in front of the Cliques and the head mounted
"Kopflaterne" that every participant wears. A Clique usually consists of a Vortrab
(vanguard), the Pfeifer (fifers), the Tambourmajor (drum major) and the Tambouren
(drummers). Except on Cortège the Cliques do not follow fixed routes.
The best way to get to the Fasnacht:
If you are not staying in Basel, the best way is to come to Basel by train. If you come by
car, park on the outskirts, preferably in an attended car park, and use public transport.
The city's transport system continues to operate trams and buses during the Fasnacht
period according to a timetable especially adapted for the event, providing fast and
convenient travel in and out of the city, even during the night.
If you are not staying in Basel, the best way is to come to Basel by train. If you come by
car, park on the outskirts, preferably in an attended car park, and use public transport.
The city's transport system continues to operate trams and buses during the Fasnacht
period according to a timetable especially adapted for the event, providing fast and
convenient travel in and out of the city, even during the night.
Processions
There are two main processions, starting at 1.30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday. More
than 10,000 masked carnival members parade along a set route through the city centre
displaying their “sujets” or special carnival topics, accompanied by the sound of drums,
piccolos and “Gugge” music. They travel by foot, on carnival floats or horse-drawn
carriages, carrying lanterns and many other comical accessories. People in the
procession throw confetti and distribute oranges, yellow mimosa and many other things
to the spectators along the route. Most groups also hand out their own colourful sheets
of paper (“Zeedel”) which make fun of local events and personalities in verse form,
written in the unfathomable local Basel dialect.
There are two main processions, starting at 1.30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday. More
than 10,000 masked carnival members parade along a set route through the city centre
displaying their “sujets” or special carnival topics, accompanied by the sound of drums,
piccolos and “Gugge” music. They travel by foot, on carnival floats or horse-drawn
carriages, carrying lanterns and many other comical accessories. People in the
procession throw confetti and distribute oranges, yellow mimosa and many other things
to the spectators along the route. Most groups also hand out their own colourful sheets
of paper (“Zeedel”) which make fun of local events and personalities in verse form,
written in the unfathomable local Basel dialect.
Carnival badges
Over the Fasnacht period, everyone traditionally wears a carnival badge (Plakette).
They come in four versions: copper, silver, gold an as “Bijou”.. All the money from the
sale of these badges goes to cover some of the considerable costs of the groups who
participate in the carnival. You can buy these badges from street vendors, from carnival
participants themselves and from a number of kiosks in town. They are also available at
one of the official kiosks of the Fasnachts-Comité: one on the 'Laternenareal” during
the Exhibition of carnival floats an accessories, an other one during the Exposition of
the lanterns on the “Münsterplatz” or a third, permanent kiosk during all the three days
of Carnival on the “Marktplatz”. There you can also purchase the colourful sheets of
paper (Zeedel) and the "Schnitzelbänke" which contain texts and verses on local
subjects
Over the Fasnacht period, everyone traditionally wears a carnival badge (Plakette).
They come in four versions: copper, silver, gold an as “Bijou”.. All the money from the
sale of these badges goes to cover some of the considerable costs of the groups who
participate in the carnival. You can buy these badges from street vendors, from carnival
participants themselves and from a number of kiosks in town. They are also available at
one of the official kiosks of the Fasnachts-Comité: one on the 'Laternenareal” during
the Exhibition of carnival floats an accessories, an other one during the Exposition of
the lanterns on the “Münsterplatz” or a third, permanent kiosk during all the three days
of Carnival on the “Marktplatz”. There you can also purchase the colourful sheets of
paper (Zeedel) and the "Schnitzelbänke" which contain texts and verses on local
subjects
| Basler Fasnacht Monday March 14, 2011 - Thursday March 17, 2011 |
Fasnacht lasts exactly three days, from 4.00 a.m. on Monday morning to 4.00 a.m. on
Thursday. It is always held in the week after Ash Wednesday, and most of the action
is concentrated in the city centre.
Many people of Basel describe this event as the "drei scheenschte Dääg" (the three
most wonderful days of the year). Once every year, at four o'clock on a Monday
morning, the city is plunged into darkness as the carnival queen begins her reign. In
2009, the "Basler Fasnacht" will take place from 2 through 4 March.
Fasnacht is one big family party for the whole of Basel, although guests are more than
welcome.
Thursday. It is always held in the week after Ash Wednesday, and most of the action
is concentrated in the city centre.
Many people of Basel describe this event as the "drei scheenschte Dääg" (the three
most wonderful days of the year). Once every year, at four o'clock on a Monday
morning, the city is plunged into darkness as the carnival queen begins her reign. In
2009, the "Basler Fasnacht" will take place from 2 through 4 March.
Fasnacht is one big family party for the whole of Basel, although guests are more than
welcome.
Gugge Concerts
On Tuesday evening, the area around Marktplatz, Barfüsserplatz and Claraplatz
belongs to the Gugge music groups, who play their brass instruments. The pipe groups
retreat to the side streets.
The groups march through the city centre, then stop and play four to five songs and
then go on. It is also typical for the groups to stop in cafés and restaurants and
serenade the guests
On Tuesday evening, the area around Marktplatz, Barfüsserplatz and Claraplatz
belongs to the Gugge music groups, who play their brass instruments. The pipe groups
retreat to the side streets.
The groups march through the city centre, then stop and play four to five songs and
then go on. It is also typical for the groups to stop in cafés and restaurants and
serenade the guests
Costumes
Each of the approximately 18,000 active Fasnächtlers wears a costume including a
Larve (a mask). Wearing a costume means being incognito and it is not appropriate to
identify oneself. In the cliques they wear uniform costumes (except for Morgestraich
and Fasnacht Tuesday) that fit a specific "Sujet" (see below). Very often the masks
represent famous persons (politicians or the like), sometimes even comic characters or
animals. There are also more traditional masks that are reminiscent of the french army
of Napoleon and are called Harlekin or the famous Waggis, an affectionate spoof on the
Alsatian farmers who in the past regularly rolled up to Basel markets to sell produce.
These Waggis are also the main source of the famous Basel confetti. The throwing of
confetti is a typical tradition from Basel and later spread to the rest of the world.
Originally the confetti used was sweets in the form of small sugar balls that were
given away (or thrown at the crowd) during the processions. Prohibited in the 19th
century, it was first replaced by straw untill banned in the mid 1900's and people
started to use small shards of paper, the origin of the confetti of today. In the evening,
the routes of the Cortège are covered with confetti ankle-deep.
Each of the approximately 18,000 active Fasnächtlers wears a costume including a
Larve (a mask). Wearing a costume means being incognito and it is not appropriate to
identify oneself. In the cliques they wear uniform costumes (except for Morgestraich
and Fasnacht Tuesday) that fit a specific "Sujet" (see below). Very often the masks
represent famous persons (politicians or the like), sometimes even comic characters or
animals. There are also more traditional masks that are reminiscent of the french army
of Napoleon and are called Harlekin or the famous Waggis, an affectionate spoof on the
Alsatian farmers who in the past regularly rolled up to Basel markets to sell produce.
These Waggis are also the main source of the famous Basel confetti. The throwing of
confetti is a typical tradition from Basel and later spread to the rest of the world.
Originally the confetti used was sweets in the form of small sugar balls that were
given away (or thrown at the crowd) during the processions. Prohibited in the 19th
century, it was first replaced by straw untill banned in the mid 1900's and people
started to use small shards of paper, the origin of the confetti of today. In the evening,
the routes of the Cortège are covered with confetti ankle-deep.
Round Trip Flights to Europe
Zurich Airport Arrival Private Transfer
Zurich Airport Departure Private Transfer
Zurich Airport Arrival Private Transfer
Zurich Airport Departure Private Transfer
The Great Tour of Zurich
See all the main sights of Switzerland's cultural capital as your motor coach takes
you for a drive around Zurich. Enjoy spectacular views of the Alps on your way to
visit the rose gardens, deer park and castle in the village of Rapperswil, before
enjoying a boat cruise on Lake Zurich
Details and Booking Information
See all the main sights of Switzerland's cultural capital as your motor coach takes
you for a drive around Zurich. Enjoy spectacular views of the Alps on your way to
visit the rose gardens, deer park and castle in the village of Rapperswil, before
enjoying a boat cruise on Lake Zurich
Details and Booking Information
Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe (from Zurich)
Venture aboard an unforgettable Alpine tour to the majestic world of the Jungfraujoch
- Towering at 11,333 feet (3,454 meters) you're officically at the top of Europe! Your
guided full day coach tour from Zurich takes you to the magnificent mountain world of
the Bernese Oberland. Ride the cogwheel train from Lauterbrunnen via Kleine
Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station. Enjoy the incredible
world of eternal snow and ice. Visit the Ice Palace, experience the breathtaking
panorama view from the Sphinx Observation Terrace overlooking the Aletsch Glacier
(Europe's longest glacier) and the snow-capped peaks of the neighboring countries
Details and Booking Information
Venture aboard an unforgettable Alpine tour to the majestic world of the Jungfraujoch
- Towering at 11,333 feet (3,454 meters) you're officically at the top of Europe! Your
guided full day coach tour from Zurich takes you to the magnificent mountain world of
the Bernese Oberland. Ride the cogwheel train from Lauterbrunnen via Kleine
Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station. Enjoy the incredible
world of eternal snow and ice. Visit the Ice Palace, experience the breathtaking
panorama view from the Sphinx Observation Terrace overlooking the Aletsch Glacier
(Europe's longest glacier) and the snow-capped peaks of the neighboring countries
Details and Booking Information
Discover the beauty of Switzerland on these tours:
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Online carefree travel service for festivals, special events, villa and vacation home rentals, vacation packages,
tours, family vacations and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The
Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.
tours, family vacations and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The
Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.
Mount Titlis Day Tour from Zurich
Spend a full day at Mount Titlis. Appreciate the Alps and their unmatched views from
such great heights, including a cable car ride to the summit, a ride on the ice flyer
and free time in Lucerne. Your coach tour includes the mountain resort town of
Engelberg where the breath taking journey skywards begins.Experience panoramic
views of alpine glaciers and ice boulders as you ascend 10,000 feet (3020 meters).
Details and Booking Information
Spend a full day at Mount Titlis. Appreciate the Alps and their unmatched views from
such great heights, including a cable car ride to the summit, a ride on the ice flyer
and free time in Lucerne. Your coach tour includes the mountain resort town of
Engelberg where the breath taking journey skywards begins.Experience panoramic
views of alpine glaciers and ice boulders as you ascend 10,000 feet (3020 meters).
Details and Booking Information
