Bâlehoo

Let’s face it. No matter who your Daddy is, Switzerland is a Father’s Day dream come true.

The Swiss may be out of the running in the EUFA Euro Cup 2008 (insert sobbing noises here), but you can still give your favorite sports fanatic a great football gift from the FC Basel Fanshop (St. Jakob-Strasse, tel: 061 272 9250). Or how about a weekend at the Hotel Caprice in Wengen to explore the great outdoors (and take his mind off the matches)?

If your Dad likes things on the cutting edge - literally - head to Messerschmiede (Glockengasse 4) in Basel for all things knife-like. He’ll be thrilled with a Swiss army knife, complete with computer flash drive, German-made steak knives, or a full set of wood carving tools. Any father will cut a fine figure with a gift from Emporio Armani (Aeschenvorstadt 55) or Herren Globus (Freie Strasse 50) or Lacoste.

If Pop’s a hop-head, why not get him a Meter of Beer from Paul Ullrich or perhaps a bottle from their wide selection of single-malts and locally made kirsch. Meat-loving dads will enjoy a man-sized steak at El Gaucho Restaurant in Lörrach, Germany.

A Swiss railway clock or watch is a timely gift for Dads on the run. Head over to the SBB and get one straight from the source. Or splurge on one of Basel’s own Zeno Watches. With its exposed watch mechanism, its sure to please the gear-head in your life. Don’t forget Swatch for fun-loving Dads. Of course, if he’s a cheese-head, like mine, you’ve almost no choice but to take your mister for the multi-course cheese meal at Monsieur Antony’s.

Finally, for a truly Swiss treat, head over to the Heimatwerk Shop in Basel ( Schneidergasse 2 61-261-9178) and pick up something every Dad truly needs: cowbells and lederhosen.

Looking for the perfect Swiss gift for your time-obsessed friends? Forget PATEK Philippe! Pick up a Zeno watch made right here in Basel. With sleek design and trademark exposed gears (see below), these timepieces are as stylish as they are (relatively) affordable. You can view the complete collection online or stop by the shop in downtown Basel, near the Post Office, just off of the Freiestrasse.

Zeno Watches
Elsässerstrasse 207
061 321 69 29
www.zeno-watch.ch

(Magellano Collection Zeno Watch and watch backing photos from the Zeno Watch website)

Are you longing for a great steak, but Swiss prices turn your stomach? Head to El Gaucho Restaurant in Lörrach, Germany. This casual Argentinian eatery offers up tasty grilled steaks at reasonable prices. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed and evokes your favorite American steakhouse - right down to the oversized steak knives. Don’t forget to get a baked potato and corn on the cobb on the side. Yum!

El Gaucho Restaurant
Marktplatz 7, 79539 Lörrach (Germany)
Phone +49 7621 168 959
www.elgaucho-loerrach.de

A reader came to me with what I (and my knotty shoulder muscles) view as a critical question: where to find a good spa in Basel? An informal poll yielded the following results:

•Yves Rocher. This Basel shop is not the most soothing or sophisticated of environments but they do offer massages (and waxing services as well) by appointment only. Freie Strasse 11, +41 61 261 10 90
•Kurzentrum Rheinfelden, about 15 minutes away offer spa services that have found repeat customers in some of the most discerning shoulders I know in Basel
•Badenweiler. If you’re really big on spas, why not try Badenweiler - a whole spa town in Germany, less than an hour away from Basel.

If you have a favorite local spa email me at karena.meehan@balehoo.com or post a response here.

(Picture ed: Nothing says “spa” like elephant towel oragami, no?)