15-22.07.24

This July, after a successful interview with a veterinary clinic in Basel, I was invited to join their team for a three-day trial and explore the city.

Since my parents live just across the Swiss border in northern Italy, and I hadn’t seen them since Christmas, I seized the chance to kill two birds with one stone. I asked them to meet me after my trial, and for old times’ sake, suggested we embark on a campervan trip together.

I owe my parents countless childhood and teenage years spent roaming Europe, which undoubtedly shaped my insatiable appetite for adventure.

BASEL (Switzerland)

When I wasn’t at the clinic, I made the most of my time exploring the city in my usual way: walking and getting lost. In my experience, the most authentic places are often off the beaten path. What I discovered was a charming city that beautifully blends tradition with avant-garde architecture. The riverbanks were alive with locals and tourists enjoying beers, snacks, and long summer evenings with friends: a wholesome sight to behold.

However, I have to admit the city felt a bit dull, with nearly zero diversity. But then again, after escaping small-town life for the hustle and bustle of Milan, London, and Berlin, I’m admittedly biased. Basel is undoubtedly a lovely place to visit, but am I ready to make the leap and move there? Maybe not just yet.

EGUISHEIM and COLMAR (Alsace, France)

Beauty and the Beast coded, the quintessential representation of quaint, stork nests towering over idyllic cobblestone streets, and flower-adorned town squares hosting cheerful crowds of wine enthusiasts. Alsace in an extremely representative nutshell. Visiting this region, like many other European gems, during the summer holiday can be problematic due to the hordes of tourists and unforgiving heatwaves. However, if you’re willing to rise early and stay out late, you can experience these places almost on your own, maximizing that fairytale feeling.

Start your morning by hitting the bakery, enjoying a freshly baked buttery croissant and sipping your coffee in the shade while watching the locals carry out their morning chores. Explore the hidden alleys before they’re overtaken by tourists, and indulge in those picture-perfect corners. Treat yourself to one crémant too many, savoring their uniqueness and differences (especially if you have someone like my dad, who actually knows what they’re talking about) as you break the caramelized surface of a crème brûlée, just like in Amélie.

Lastly, unlike us, make sure to book your camping spot or accommodation well in advance to avoid last-minute compromises.

SCHWARZWALD and FREIBURG (Germany)

Just two hours east of Alsace, the Black Forest awaits, offering a completely new twist to your Upper Rhine Valley experience. We spent a day at a secluded campsite nestled in a valley between forest-covered hills. Although my dad inadvertently made me book the wrong camping, which offered few hiking or mountain biking trails, we embraced the change and opted for a relaxing day of river bathing, practising yoga, and grilling under the canopy of trees.

Freiburg, a vibrant university city surrounded by the Black Forest in southwestern Germany, is known for its medieval old town and unique brook system. Despite being caught in two sudden summer storms, we managed to wander around long enough to soak in the city’s charm and indulge in traditional beer and southern German delicacies like käsespätzle (think German mac and cheese) and schweinshaxe (pork knuckle) with sauerkraut.

As the golden hour bathed everything in a warm glow, my parents headed back to the van to assess the storm’s aftermath (my mum had left the windows open). Seizing the moment, I climbed to the top of a wooded hill and marveled at the breathtaking view of the city. The majestic gothic cathedral stood tall amidst the old town’s rooftops, and the sounds of a secret rave echoed from somewhere below. By this time it was quite clear to me why many people choose to work in Switzerland and live here, enjoying the best of both worlds.

My time with my parents had come to an end. Before they dropped me at Zurich’s airport, we made a detour to Rheinfall (Rhine Falls) in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. The most powerful waterfall in Europe turned out to be far more impressive and touristic than we had imagined.

Considering it was the first time we had done something like this together in at least 15 years, I’m genuinely pleased with how things turned out. Being in such a situation took me back in time, making me reflect on the person I was and the person I’ve become and how the dynamics between us have evolved. Three opinionated adults and a big dog in a van might not sound like the easiest combo, but instead of letting our differences spark arguments, we worked together and made choices that pleased everyone.

I’m eternally grateful to my parents for giving me regular access to these kinds of experiences and allowing me to grow through them. I’m already looking forward to our next adventure.

Canon EOS 300, Kodak Gold 200 (35)