SUMMITS OF SUCCESS. 54 Squaremeal.co.uk. The view from Lake Thun WORDS MILLIE MILLIKEN PHOTOS SAM RILEY

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1 SUMMITS OF SUCCESS From its mountains peaks to the cities at their feet, the dramatic canton of Bern has venues to suit a variety of events. We went way up high to take everything in WORDS MILLIE MILLIKEN PHOTOS SAM RILEY The view from Lake Thun 54 Squaremeal.co.uk switzerland_44.indd 54 4/12/2016 5:35:56 PM

SWITZERLAND INT E R NAT IONAL FOCUS Hypobaropathy, soroche or the bends. Whatever you call it, altitude sickness begins to occur at 2,400m above sea level.

2 SWITZERLAND INT E R NAT IONAL FOCUS Hypobaropathy, soroche or the bends. Whatever you call it, altitude sickness begins to occur at 2,400m above sea level. At 3,571m, in the Sphinx Observatory of the Jungfraujoch Top of Europe mountain station, I m not faring well. Then again, I m of a far more delicate disposition than most and, my word, the resulting views are worth it anyway. The 360 view over the Aletsch Glacier the largest in the Alps has my photographer frenetically snapping vistas that stretch all the way to Germany s Black Forest, almost 90 miles away. It s these views from the Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch mountain range that make the Bernese Oberland region (within the canton of Bern) so obviously appealing to tourists. The area has been an inspiration for creative heavyweights like Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn, and, with its icing sugar-dusted peaks, vast lakes and unobstructed panoramas, it s easy to see why. Unsurprisingly then, it makes for an uplifting destination for businesses. Two of Switzerland s top five congress centres are here, not to mention a plethora of fivestar hotels and more hands-on activities than you can shake a ski pole at. Even the first-class carriage of the train I catch from Zurich Airport features banquette seating designed for meetings. CHIC PEAKS The gateway to the Bernese Oberland is Interlaken. Overlooked by the trio of aforementioned mountains, the name reflects its location between two lakes, Thun and Brienz. We re met on our first morning by Fritz 70 years old and completely unfazed by the crisp climes our Segway guide from tour company Mobileo ( ). Groups of six can be taken around the town s sites with excursions ranging from short trips, to classic, alpine and picnic tours. The first leg takes us past the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa ( ). Its vast exterior, five stars and trademark stripy yellow balcony Squaremeal.co.uk 55 switzerland_44.indd 55 4/12/2016 5:36:00 PM

INT E R NAT IONAL FOCUS SWITZERLAND Les Miroirs ballroom at Hotel Royal-St Georges The Panorama at Hotel Eden It makes for an uplifting destination for businesses two of Switzerland s top five

Twenty event spaces include the strikingly ornate La Salle de Versailles ballroom, which is good for receptions or slightly smaller conferences with space for 400 delegates.

Its metallic exterior even more dramatic with the sun glinting off its surface houses an auditorium that can host up to 1,200 delegates. The eastern part of the centre harks back to the 15th century.

The rest of our tour is a white-knuckle ride (of 12.5mph) down the Interlaken canal, past the first trout fishermen of the year and through the suburbs before we alight back at base.

A short stroll down the city s main Höheweg street brings us to the Hotel Royal St Georges (+41 33 822 75 75), where we lunch in The Verandah, which wraps around the outside edge of the old part of

3 INT E R NAT IONAL FOCUS SWITZERLAND Les Miroirs ballroom at Hotel Royal-St Georges The Panorama at Hotel Eden It makes for an uplifting destination for businesses two of Switzerland s top five congress centres are here Thun Castle covers make it one of the town s grandest venues. Twenty event spaces include the strikingly ornate La Salle de Versailles ballroom, which is good for receptions or slightly smaller conferences with space for 400 delegates. The Congress Centre Kursaal Interlaken ( ) stands in stark contrast. Its metallic exterior even more dramatic with the sun glinting off its surface houses an auditorium that can host up to 1,200 delegates. The eastern part of the centre harks back to the 15th century. Its focal point is the 1,200sq m Concert Hall. Locals regularly enjoy live music here and, with a curved balcony, gala dinners for up to 1,150 guests could be just as impressive. The rest of our tour is a white-knuckle ride (of 12.5mph) down the Interlaken canal, past the first trout fishermen of the year and through the suburbs before we alight back at base. All that standing still is hungry work. A short stroll down the city s main Höheweg street brings us to the Hotel Royal St Georges ( ), where we lunch in The Verandah, which wraps around the outside edge of the old part of the hotel. Exclusive dining on plush fuchsia chairs can be booked for up to 80 people. My favourite space, though, is Les Miroirs. As you can guess, this 150-capacity art nouveaustyle ballroom is resplendent with opportunities to look at yourself. But it s the romantic scenes painted on the walls and ceiling that have me throw my notepad to the wind and free my hands for a couple of snaps. During the day, the sun creates a soft haze over the space, but I d wait for the evening, when candle-lit banquets could be really special. For business, the contemporary part of the building has three meeting rooms, all with separate breakout spaces and handy magnetic walls. KEEP IT COOL While Interlaken acts as the main gateway to the mountains, the other towns that surround Lake Thun offer just as much event space in more laid-back surroundings. And Swiss efficiency makes first-class train travel to each a breeze. Dating back to 2,500BC, Thun (pronounced Toon ) is chocolatebox Switzerland at its most alluring. In the old town, we climb a tunnelled stairway up to Thun Castle ( ) where there s a chance to take in the city. In 2014 a conference space was added to the 12thcentury building its Grand Congress Centre Kursaal Interlaken Hall can host up to 250 people amid the suits of armour. Down below, Konzepthalle 6 ( ) would be my choice for anyone chasing something more contemporary. The old industrial hall from 1917 sits next to the river Aare. Used to hosting jazz concerts and film screenings, it can do conferences for up to 250 delegates and dinners for twice that number. For something really special, I champion the Hotel Eden ( ) in Spiez. Built in 1903, the original hotel houses 44 individually designed bedrooms. Its modern conference centre was built in 2010 and comes with its own reception and breakout area. The Panorama stands out for its integrated AV, acoustic-friendly walls and floor-to-ceiling windows with knockout views. The adjoining outdoor terrace is the spot for alfresco drinks receptions for 40 guests. We check out the antiquarian library over a glass 56 Squaremeal.co.uk switzerland_44.indd 56 4/12/2016 5:36:14 PM

Arrival at Interlaken train station Tropenhaus Frutigen HIGHER & HIRE It wouldn t be a trip to the Alps without the sight of skis and snowboards, and that s just what our next stop gave us.

If you re hosting a small group, get in touch with chalet rental company GriwaRent (+41 33 854 11 40). I had a nosy around its five-star gingerbread house-like property, the Princess.

Guinea fowl with maize, polenta and popcorn; a dainty asparagus dish served on a tree trunk; and the snowy peaked bircher muesli dessert all shine.

Probably the most surprising venue on the eastern side of Lake Thun is Tropenhaus Frutigen (+41 33 672 11 44).

Groups of 80 can take a tour that ends at the aquarium, where we spot our first beluga. From there, we move into the Tropenhaus, where more than 300 species of plant are grown.

4 Arrival at Interlaken train station Tropenhaus Frutigen HIGHER & HIRE It wouldn t be a trip to the Alps without the sight of skis and snowboards, and that s just what our next stop gave us. It sounds like a town straight out of a Tolkien novel and, indeed, Grindelwald could be confused with Hobbiton. If you re hosting a small group, get in touch with chalet rental company GriwaRent ( ). I had a nosy around its five-star gingerbread house-like property, the Princess. As well as a groundof champagne with hotel director Jürgen, before heading into the Belle Époque restaurant. Guinea fowl with maize, polenta and popcorn; a dainty asparagus dish served on a tree trunk; and the snowy peaked bircher muesli dessert all shine. A post-dinner dip in the pool allows a peek at the spa which, come November, will be extended. Probably the most surprising venue on the eastern side of Lake Thun is Tropenhaus Frutigen ( ). It s both a tropical greenhouse and since someone realised the 18 C water from nearby Lötschberg mountain is perfect for breeding Siberian sturgeon Switzerland s only caviar producer. Groups of 80 can take a tour that ends at the aquarium, where we spot our first beluga. From there, we move into the Tropenhaus, where more than 300 species of plant are grown. Did you know that by stressing out a papaya (by stabbing its tree s trunk with a frosty nail) you can make a male fruit reproduce? It s here that the most enchanting events take place. Drinks in the raised open hut can be followed by dinner at the table d hôte: up to 12 guests can dine under the canopy, surrounded by cinnamon, banana and sugar cane plants. IN THE ROE Warm water comes out of a spring in the middle of Lötschberg mountain and is diverted to the aquarium. Siberian sturgeon are bought by the Tropenhaus and kept in quarantine. Grindelwald has fine ski chalets Events venue Tropenhaus Frutigen is also Switzerland s only caviar producer. Here s how it all works After two years, they are separated into male and female. Males are released into the cold water outside to breed for meat, while the females are kept in the warm water for production of caviar. After six to eight years females are placed in cold water to release the roe. About 10% of the fish s weight is caviar and workers have only 15 minutes to get it out to ensure it stays as fresh as can be. The caviar is then ready to be packaged and sold (below, from 92). Squaremeal.co.uk 57 switzerland_44.indd 57 4/12/2016 5:36:32 PM

INTERNATIONAL FOCUS SWITZERLAND Inside the Ice Palace The view from the Sphinx Observatory GriwaRent s Princess chalet The Ice Palace is a vast tunnel 30m beneath the glacier.

dining table (over which hang giant cowbell lamps). Hot toddies on the balcony, after a day on the slopes would go down well here, and the team can even organise catering.

A quartet of seminar rooms cater for groups of up to 74, and Barry s restaurant will have guests warming their cockles over saucepans of fondue, before deer and veal mains, and tartare made fresh at

5 INTERNATIONAL FOCUS SWITZERLAND Inside the Ice Palace The view from the Sphinx Observatory GriwaRent s Princess chalet The Ice Palace is a vast tunnel 30m beneath the glacier. Groups can hire its Ice Bar exclusively for aperitifs floor ski room and sauna, there are four double bedrooms, a kitchen and a lofty open-plan living area with animal skin rugs, a fireplace and a dining table (over which hang giant cowbell lamps). Hot toddies on the balcony, after a day on the slopes would go down well here, and the team can even organise catering. We stay at the Hotel Eiger Selfness ( ) where stone and wood walls mirror the surrounding scenery. A quartet of seminar rooms cater for groups of up to 74, and Barry s restaurant will have guests warming their cockles over saucepans of fondue, before deer and veal mains, and tartare made fresh at the table. The alpine hut at the back would be fun for semi-private dinners while keeping hold of the main restaurant s atmosphere. We bed down early as it s up at 7am to meet Brigitte in the hotel lobby. We need a head start on the day s tourists who will be travelling up to the Jungfraujoch Top of Europe ( ), the continent s highest train station. Travelling along the narrowgauge railway, we take in the scenery. An avid Bond fan, I make note of the Schilthorn mountain, home to Blofeld s allergy clinic in On Her Majesty s Secret Service, and consequently the setting for cinema s most intense bobsled chase (quite the accolade). After emerging from the top of the Jungfrau tunnel, groups of up to 15 can be taken through the Top of Europe attraction. I d suggest getting up there early to avoid the hordes (last year it broke the 1m visitor barrier). Then it s up another 108m to the dizzying heights of the Sphinx Observatory for those spectacular views. Back inside, the Alpine Sensation part of the tour takes us to the Ice Palace, a vast, frozen tunnel FLIGHT DETAILS Swiss offers up to 170 weekly flights from the UK and Ireland to Switzerland, starting from 55 one-way. swiss.com SkyWork Airlines offer direct flights (one stopover) from London City Airport. flyskywork.com 30m beneath the glacier s surface. Groups of 20 can hire its Ice Bar exclusively for aperitifs. I end on a sugar rush at the highest Lindt Chocolate Shop in the world. Its opening ceremony in 2014 saw Roger Federer swing his racquet on a purpose-built court on the Aletsch Glacier. You can see the spot from the Restaurant Eiger, where groups of up to 200 dine privately. The top of this mountain is a fitting end to a trip that started at its feet. Meetings, fine dining and teambuilding: the Bernese Oberland has it covered usually in snow. As I leave, Jungfraujoch employees are strapping on skis for the commute home. I ll just be trying my best to keep my feet firmly on the ground. Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau Livio.goetz@switzerland.com JUNGFRAUJOCH RAILWAY TIMELINE 1893 Adolf Guyer- Zeller makes first application for line to run from Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfrau Parliament grants concession and 100 Italian workers start the construction Blasting work in the tunnel begins Adolf Guyer-Zeller dies of pneumonia and an explosion kills six workers Eigerwand station is opened, followed by Eismeer station two years later Work is suspended for two years Sixteen years after construction started at a cost of 16m Swiss francs, Europe s highest train station opens at Jungfraujoch. 58 Squaremeal.co.uk switzerland_44.indd 58 4/12/2016 5:36:43 PM

BE TOP BE NATURAL BE HAPPY BE TRADITIONAL BE 2 B Ice Palace, Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe HOLD YOUR EVENT WHERE AN IMPRESSIVE WORLD OF ICE OFFERS A UNIQUE SETTING.

6 BE TOP BE NATURAL BE HAPPY BE TRADITIONAL BE 2 B Ice Palace, Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe HOLD YOUR EVENT WHERE AN IMPRESSIVE WORLD OF ICE OFFERS A UNIQUE SETTING. The Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe is the highlight of any Swiss visit. The highest railway station in Europe is located 3,454 metres above sea level. For memorable events the Ice Palace offers a one-of-a-kind frozen world in the heart of the glacier. For all our convention, event and incentive offers visit madeinbern.com switzerland_44.indd BE_Inserat_MICE_SquareMeal_296x221_Mai2015_RZ.indd /12/ :36:45 15:34:29 PM

2 (SATURDAY) // PARIS: DISNEYLAND

2 (SATURDAY) // PARIS: DISNEYLAND presents BEST of PARIS & SWITZERLAND 8 night (Friday departures) 2018 April 27, 2018 May 04, 2018 May 11, 2018 May 18, 2018 May 25, 2018 June 01, 2018 June 08, 2018 June 15, 2018 June 22, 2018 June 29,