Basel Situated by the River Rhine, this multi-faceted and cosmopolitan city is home to Switzerland's oldest university and the largest musical theatre. History is palpable here in the medieval red sandstone buildings and the Baroque townhouses. The world's oldest public art collection can also be found here.  Its zoo is known beyond the borders for its extraordinary variety of species. The playful Tinguely Fountain and the Museum Tinguely designed by Mario Botta are the landmarks of this congenial city.