As an alternative to the standard scientific seminar, the surrounding countryside of the Bern-Mittelland district, home to the valley of the rivers Aare and Emme, and some of the foothills of the Bernese Alps, offers other options
Words Stuart Derrick
Bern is increasingly a hub for telecoms, medical technology and IT services. There are experts in many research areas, including sustainability, medicine and politics. Around 140 institutes in the city offer their experts as event speakers, as well as the opportunity for delegates to visit, allowing them to network with Swiss and international peers.
Day 1
Why not help delegates focus on the task at hand by visiting the beautiful valley of Emmental?
9am
Book into the
Hotel Kemmeriboden Bad, which offers 30 homely rooms and a range of meeting rooms for up to 60 delegates.
10am
For a more bracing start to the day, a fully equipped log cabin is located around 2.5km from the hotel – a 35-minute hike away. Arrive at the venue with a clear head, ready to engage with colleagues. This delightful spot is fully kitted out for seminars and can be used for smaller groups of up to 30 people.
5pm
Head back to the hotel for dinner. As you might expect, entertainment in these parts is decidedly traditional, with guests treated to music from alphorn and accordion players, or maybe even some yodelling. Food has a strong regional and seasonal emphasis, so expect favourites such as cheese fondue, rösti and Swiss chocolate and meringue.
Day 2
11am-6pm
Enjoy a restful morning and brunch at the hotel before heading out to work off some of last night’s chocolate. Given the hilly nature of the region, it’s hardly a surprise that the Swiss are leaders in e-bike technology, and the nearby
Flyer factory allows you to see the bicycles being constructed. Visitors can then head for the hills for a scenic ride, confident that they can let the bike take the strain. Flyer even produces electric mountain bikes to help you tackle the toughest of terrains.
Still looking for a reason to meet in Bern? Here are 10:
+ Easily accessible from all over the world
+ The Bern Ticket (free on a first night at tourist accommodation) allows unlimited public transportation for guests
+ It’s the political and economic heart of Switzerland
+ A lively student town with a host of research centres
+ Some of the most advanced conference centres in Switzerland
+ Multilingual locals
+ The relaxed Bernese lifestyle
+ Unesco World Heritage Site status
+ Culinary diversity
+ You can visit a family of bears at The BearPark
This article was first published in SquareMeal Beyond 2017