With the dire state of the world, with wars erupting left, proper, and middle and crime charges surging throughout all the most well-liked vacationer locations––Paris and London, we’re taking a look at you––we do not actually blame you for feeling anxious about leaving your little nook of America.
Flying overseas has by no means come with out dangers, however it appears as if it is a very completely different period for worldwide journey.
Naturally, some locations are more neutral than others, and never solely have they not seen battle just lately, however their security ranges stay very excessive.
That’s the case with Bern, a lesser-known metropolis within the coronary heart of Europe that also exists in its personal microcosm of peace, shielded from the Russo-Ukrainian Struggle and the migrant disaster plaguing many city facilities.
Because of the newly launched Risk Map 2025 from Safeture and Riskline, we all know now that Bern has been named the most secure metropolis vacation spot on this planet for 2025.
However Wait… I Thought Zurich Was The Capital Of Switzerland?
We hate to interrupt it to you and make you’re feeling like you can do with one other yr at school, however Zurich is not Switzerland’s capital.
That title is claimed––form of––by the smaller, way more charming Bern, nestled within the Alps.
We are saying ‘form of’ as Switzerland, as a federation of cantons, doesn’t have an official capital, with lots of its establishments scattered across the nationwide territory, however Bern has historically been thought of the executive middle because it concentrates a number of of them.
In the event you’ve by no means heard of Bern earlier than, which is the case for a lot of, it is best to know it’s amongst Europe’s most culture-charged, and well-preserved medieval settlements:
Bern Is A Storybook City Come To Life
The Altstadt (Previous City) is criss-crossed by cobblestone-covered alleys, resulting in both a picturesque Platz (German for sq.), the place you are more likely to discover an ornate fountain and a laid-back cafe or two, or an imposing cathedral.
Talking of, should you’re approaching Bern with one of those scenic trains, the cathedral is more likely to be the primary landmark you notice from a distance:
Its hovering tower makes it one of many largest in Switzerland, and the expansive stained glass assortment inside is to not be missed.
It’s considered one of many historic websites dotting the UNESCO-protected middle, with different noteworthy examples together with the Twelfth-century Zytglogge, a clock tower that is most likely Bern’s best-known attraction, and the eerie Ogre Fountain, which depicts the foul creature devouring kids.
Cheery.
Bern’s notorious fountain could also be a fairly uncommon addition to a fairly romantic, idyllic townscape, however it’s most likely the one unsettling sight you may come throughout:
That’s as a result of Bern was just lately named the most secure metropolis not solely in Europe however in the entire world, charting forward of common low-risk locations like Reykjavik in Iceland, Kyoto, Japan, and even the considerably sleepy micro-nation of Luxembourg.
How Is Bern So Protected?
In response to the Risk Map 2025, which categorizes locations taking into consideration their security ranges, vacationers going to Bern face the bottom potential dangers.
The town is joined within the prime 3 by Doha in Qatar and Melbourne in Australia.
Corroborating these findings, estimates supplied by Numbeo present that the extent of crime within the Swiss de facto capital is ‘very low’, with a charge of solely 15.65––in Paris, Europe’s prime vacationer vacation spot, it is a staggering 62.03.
The analysis notes that Europe has been going through ‘elevated’ dangers just lately, with a number of international locations now positioned within the U.S. State Division’s Stage 2 itemizing, reminiscent of France, Spain, Sweden, and the UK, although Switzerland stays at Stage 1.
They attribute the worsening security scenario in Europe to ongoing political unrest, rising public demonstrations, and even environmental dangers: just lately, a complete metropolis in southern Spain confronted its deadliest flood in many years.
Bern, then again, has had no latest pure disasters, it is hardly ever agitated by protesting, and as it’s a smaller city middle, dwelling to round 134,000 folks, it doesn’t endure from the identical fast urbanization points, unregulated migration, and ghettoization seen in bigger European capitals.
In other words, it’s the city where you’re least likely to get pickpocketed or robbed at knifepoint across the pond.
How To Get To Idyllic, Peaceful Bern From America
Bern is gorgeous and secure, and the breathtaking Swiss Alps backs it, however how do you get there within the first place?
For a metropolis that performs such a key position within the Swiss Federation, internet hosting the Federal Palace of Switzerland, the World Commerce Institute, and extra, you’d count on it to be served by a big worldwide airport, proper? Proper…?
Effectively, whereas it is true Bern has an aerodrome, it is a very small one, providing flights primarily to sunny locations in Europe throughout summer time.
Evidently, you’ll be able to’t fly straight there from the USA.
You’ll be able to, nonetheless, fly into Zurich from as many as 14 U.S. airports or Geneva from 3 departure factors: amongst them, you’ve a few of the States’ best-connected hubs, with JFK, Newark, Chicago, Washington-Dulles and Boston, to call a number of.
From Zurich, it is a quick 1h11 prepare trip to Bern, and you may need to ensure you guide a window seat for the journey, as you may be gliding by means of some mesmerizing alpine surroundings.
Trains from Geneva take longer, with the shortest trip taking 1h45, however the best way there’s simply as stunning, with tracks operating alongside the serene Lake Geneva, considered one of Europe’s prettiest lake destinations.
Zurich is, after all, essentially the most handy choice, and you can at all times couple a visit to Bern with a stopover in Switzerland’s monetary coronary heart––simply ensure you maintain your wits about you and a watchful eye in your belongings.
Zurich continues to be very secure, however it’s actually not as peaceable as Bern.
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Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.
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