Introducing Bern

The Unesco World Heritage city of Bern is a sleeper hit if ever there was one. The unassuming Swiss capital (for some reason everyone thinks it’s Geneva) is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. The Old Town is an enchanting medieval gem with trickling fountains, glorious sandstone buildings, leafy parks, handsome town homes, a vibrant café society, and over three miles of arcades that offer fine shopping for every taste and tendency. It’s no surprise that the man who would become the world’s most famous physicist found inspiration here. In 1905, a young Albert Einstein was making ends meet in Bern’s Patent Office when he experienced a eureka moment. During a ‘wonder year’ in Bern, Einstein developed his seminal Theory of Relativity. Bern Historical Museum celebrates Einstein’s achievements within the context of Europe’s 19th-century flux.

Bern may not have the dynamic edge that drives many great cities, but perhaps that’s because it doesn’t need to. Wealthy, proud, and a little bit smug, Bern’s charms are the quiet kind. It’s a conservative city, a place where excess is defined as a rich fondue, and a feisty cocktail often comes with a two per person limit. For a faster pace, hit the nearby slopes where the adrenaline pumps freely. Within just an hour of the city, four ski resorts epitomize the joys of Swiss skiing. Adelboden, Grindelwald, Little Wengen, and Mürren boast epic ski runs, quaint pedestrianized streets, rickety railways, and stunning mountain views.

Airports within a 20-mile radius of Bern:

  • Bern Belp Airport (BRN, 3 miles from downtown Bern)
    • Grenchen Airport (ZHI, 16 miles from downtown Bern)

Popular aircraft charters* in the Bern area include:

  • Citation Excel (super light)
  • Learjet 45 XR (super light)
  • Citation CJ3 (light)
  • Learjet 31ER 400A (light)
  • Learjet 60 XR (midsize)
  • Citation III (midsize)
  • Gulfstream G200 (super midsize)
  • Citation Sovereign (super midsize)

*This is just a sample. Zephyr provides access to aircraft at every end of the spectrum, from luxurious VIP airliners, to ultra long range business jet, helicopters, and economical turboprops.