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Switzerland : the ultimate ‘ bleisure ’ destination in Europe
WITH SOME OF THE BEST SCENIC TRAIN RIDES AND SKIING RESORTS IN EUROPE , SWITZERLAND IS A COMPELLING DESTINATION FOR BLEISURE . WE BREAK DOWN WHAT THE SMALL , MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY HAS TO OFFER
T here are a lot of destinations that claim to be great for ‘ bleisure ’ ( that nowubiquitous blend of business and leisure travel ). Some places have the infrastructure , some have the scenery and others have the cultural pull . In Europe , however , you ’ d be hard-pressed to beat Switzerland in any of those three categories . For scenery and rail infrastructure alone , Switzerland sets itself up as one of the best bleisure destinations on the continent .
The pull of Switzerland is that the transition from boardroom to holiday experience is faster and more varied than almost any other destination . You can finish a morning keynote in Zurich and , in under two hours , be hiking in the Alps , skiing in Engelberg or soaking in a thermal spa at Baden with mountain views . At just over 40,000sqkm , Switzerland is a small country with a huge density of attractions .
Here ’ s why Switzerland ranks as one of the most naturally suited countries in Europe for bleisure travel :
Speed and connectivity : the backbone of bleisure Most European business hubs – London , Paris , Berlin – have world-class infrastructure , but extending a work trip in those cities often involves longer transfers and rental cars . Switzerland , by contrast , has arguably the most efficient and accessible public transport network on the continent .
• Zurich Airport is consistently ranked among Europe ’ s best for efficiency . In 2023 , Skytrax rated it Best Airport in Europe for
Left : Bernina Express , highest railway pass in the Alps passenger satisfaction and it takes 12 minutes to get from the terminal to the city centre by train . Compare that to a 45-minute transit from Heathrow into London or Charles de Gaulle to Paris .
• The Swiss Travel Pass is one of the best investments a business traveller can make in the country . For a fixed price ( starting at CHF 244 – US $ 268 – for three days ), it offers unlimited access to trains , buses and boats across Switzerland . Also , the pass gives you free access to over 500 museums .
• Distances are short , but scenery is dramatic . Zurich to Interlaken ( one of the most famous adventure destinations in Europe ) is just 1 hour 50 minutes by train . Geneva to Montreux – where the Alps meet Lake Geneva – 1 hour 15 minutes .
In short , you don ’ t need to plan out every detail . You just decide to go somewhere after your meetings , make a reservation , and in less than two hours , you ’ re there .
Outdoor experiences : the Swiss USP Switzerland ’ s outdoor offerings are some of the best in Europe . Here ’ s what ’ s on offer : 1 . Scenic rail journeys : the best of Switzerland If you only have a day and want to see Switzerland without hiking gear or physical exertion , one of the country ’ s many legendary train routes is the best way to do it .
• The Glacier Express – Arguably Europe ’ s most scenic train ride , running from Zermatt to St Moritz in 8 hours . Yes , it ’ s long , but you ’ ll see a cross-section of Switzerland ’ s most dramatic landscapes – glacial valleys , mountain passes and wooden villages – all in one journey .
• The Bernina Express – A UNESCO World Heritage route from Chur to Tirano ( Italy ), taking in the highest railway pass in the Alps . In winter , it looks like something out of a Christmas postcard .
30 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 135