With its cosmopolitan and avant-garde vibe, Zurich is often mistaken as the capital of Switzerland,but it is in fact the historic city of Bern that holds the title.
I arrived in Bern following a short flight from London City airport with Skyworks Airlines and headed straight to Hotel Bellevue Palace.
Located on a terrace above the rolling River Aare, right next to the city’s parliament building, the five-star Bellevue Palace, which is part of luxury hotel group, the Victoria-Jungrau Collection, offers some of the finest views of the distant Bernese Alps.
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| Bellevue Palace, Bern |
As the official guesthouse of the Swiss Government, the 126-room hotel regularly hosts visiting statesmen and top business leaders. In fact, if you stop for a drink in the Bellevue Bar, you’re likely to catch a glimpse of a Swiss Member of Parliament or two.
The classic and luxurious decor contrasts well with the forward-thinking of this neoclassic-styled hotel, combining old world charm with the most modern comforts. For example, when dining in the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, La Terrasse, you can watch your food being prepared and send messages to head chef Gregor Zimmerman via ipads, making for a unique and state-of-the-art dining experience.
Being so centrally located, Hotel Bellevue Palace is the perfect base from which to get out and explore what Bern has to offer.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, Bern’s old town is a maze of cobbled streets, flanked by well preserved sandstone buildings and scattered with 11 16th century fountains, each with its own story to tell.
In homage to the city’s symbol, and an absolute must-see when in Bern, is the Bear Park – where a family of bears, including cubs Urs and Berna can be found.
According to legend, the bear was the first animal to be killed by Duke Berchtold V von Zahringen, who founded the city in 1191. In the dialect of the time, Barn was the word for bear, and so this is how the city received its name.
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| The view from atop Munster Catherdral |
To see Bern from a height, head to Munster Cathedral, which is undoubtedly the most impressive example of late Gothic architecture within the city.
From what is Switzerland’s highest church tower you can enjoy magnificent views across Bern’s rooftops into the depths of the Swiss Mittelland and the snow-capped mountains of the Bernese Oberland.
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| Albert Einstein's former home |
If museums are what you’re looking for, then Bern has more than its fair share – from the Museum of Fine Arts to the Zentrum Paul Klee, which houses the largest collection of Klee’s works in the world. You can even visit the former home of Albert Einstein, who lived in the city from 1903 to 1905, during which time he developed his Theory of Relativity.
Although a city with lots to see, the slow pace of life makes Berne an enjoyable and tranquil place to visit. With its stunning architecture and many restaurants and attractions, it’s no wonder the city is ranked among the world’s top 10 for the best quality of life.
TRAVEL FACTS
- For reservations at Bellevue Palace call +41 (0)31 320 45 45 or email reservation@bellevue-palace.ch
- For more information about attractions in Bern, or to organise a tour of the city, visit www.bern.com/en/index.cfm.
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