Glacier Express train on Landwasser Viaduct |
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• GoldenPass Express – If you only have a few hours , the Montreuxto-Interlaken journey is ideal : vineyard-covered hills , lakes and mountain scenery all in one trip .
• Gotthard Panorama Express – A boat and train combination from Lucerne to Lugano , this journey starts with a cruise across Lake Lucerne , followed by a rail ride through the Gotthard Pass , one of Switzerland ’ s most historic railway routes – travelling through the famous Gotthard Tunnel ( built in 1882 ).
• Lucerne-Interlaken Express – A 2-hour journey through the heart of the Swiss Alps , connecting Lake Lucerne and Interlaken . It offers views of turquoise-blue Lake Brienz , traditional Swiss villages , and the towering Eiger mountains .
Switzerland is one of the few places where you can do nothing but sit on a train for a day and still have a travel experience .
2 . Skiing : a non-negotiable If you ’ re visiting between December and April , consider a ski day . It ’ s what Switzerland does better than anywhere else .
• Engelberg-Titlis – Just 1 hour 45 minutes from Zurich , the Titlis
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Glacier has a long ski season , with slopes reaching 3,020m . While the resort has a quieter après-ski scene than others , it ’ s known for challenging terrain and deep powder , making it a favourite among experienced skiers .
• Jungfrau – Easily accessible from Zurich , the Eiger , Mönch and Jungfrau peaks create an incredible backdrop for winter sports . Even if you don ’ t ski , the Jungfraujoch railway ( Europe ’ s highest railway station at 3,454m ) is an unforgettable experience .
• Zermatt – Home of the Matterhorn and consistently ranked as one of the top ski resorts in the world . If you don ’ t ski , take the Gornergrat Railway to an altitude of 3,089m for some of the best mountain views in Europe . At the higher-end of the luxury skiing resort selection .
Switzerland is also home to some of the best night skiing in the world – so even if you only have evenings free , you can still get your skis on . It ’ s not for nothing that Switzerland has earned the second-most Olympic medals of any country in alpine skiing ( 75 in total , bested only by Austria ’ s 121 ).
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Above : Skiers in Jungfrau , Bernese Alps |
3 . Thermal spas & wellness : decompression If the idea of skiing or hiking sounds strenuous after a long conference , Switzerland offers a pure decompression option at its thermal spas .
• Baden – A historic spa town just 15 minutes from Zurich , known for its 47 ° C mineral-rich thermal waters and Roman-era bathing traditions .
• Bad Ragaz – Home to the famous Tamina Gorge hot springs , this resort town is known for its 36.5 ° C healing waters and luxury wellness hotels , including the renowned Grand Resort Bad Ragaz .
• Leukerbad – The largest spa resort in the Alps , with 65 ° C natural thermal springs that have been used for over 500 years .
These spas offer the chance to soak in 40 ° C mineral-rich water with snowcapped peaks in the background . Event organisers constantly see destinations that promise bleisure experiences . Often , however , they require extensive planning and long transit times . Switzerland is an exception to this . It ’ s a country where logistics are incredibly good , allowing travellers to end a conference and begin a holiday almost seamlessly . Add to that some of best scenery on the continent , and Switzerland is a strong contender for the gold standard of bleisure in Europe . n
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