This is how you discover Switzerland, even with a full working week

Many physios in Switzerland work 80%, 90% or full-time. The days are full, patients follow each other in quick succession, and after work, your couch is sometimes more tempting than the mountains. And that's exactly when you miss what you once came to Switzerland for.

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That's why it's great that Switzerland is one of the easiest countries to see a lot, even when your working week is full. Nature often starts a few minutes from your front door. You don't have to have an entire weekend off to experience something beautiful.

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Personally, I notice that the threshold feels high after a busy day, but it's those nights when I go outside that make me most happy afterwards. Not because it's big, but because it gives some air. So you don't have to make it bigger, just plan smarter.

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Use those long summer nights

In the summer, this is perhaps the best advantage of living in Switzerland. It stays light for a long time and the evening temperature is often lovely.

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Instead of going straight home after work, pack one night a week for a short walk. In many cities and towns, you can be out in nature within 20 to 30 minutes. A 1 to 2 hour walk sounds like little, but often feels like a mini adventure. Fresh air, a view of mountains or a lake, and your head is clear again.

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By the way, it doesn't have to be a mountain. A trip through the woods around the corner or along the river in Bern works just as well. It's those kinds of small, easy moments that are the easiest to do on a busy day.

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A few places that work well after work: an evening walk on the Rigi, a short climb to the Pilatus from Kriens, a trip along Lake Lucerne, or a walk on the Uetliberg near Zurich. You can quickly find routes via the right apps, which we list in our blog about must-have apps in Switzerland.

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Over a whole year, it is precisely these short moments that make the big difference.

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Combine a village and a walk in one weekend

Not every weekend has to be a tough mountain trip. A great way to discover Switzerland is to combine a village with a short walk.

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Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are ideal for this. You explore the village, drink coffee somewhere, stroll around and take a nice walk in the same region. In Grindelwald, for example, you can walk to Bachalpsee in 2 to 3 hours, with a view that stays with you. In Lauterbrunnen, you can walk along the falls or towards Mürren. Stoos is also recommended: a short trip across the ridge to Fronalpstock, ideal for half a day.

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So even a short weekend feels like a little vacation without it being too hard. You don't have to cram everything into one day, a leisurely pace makes it more fun. By the way, these kinds of trips are also great for: family or friends come to visit you.

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Plan one small trip per month

If you're working 80, 90 or 100%, it's often not realistic to do something big every weekend. Only planning one small trip per month? That already makes a huge difference.

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It should be simple. A new lake, a short walk in a region you've never been to, or just catch a train to somewhere you don't know. Think of a walk at Lake Walensee, a day trip to Ticino where it's often just a little warmer, or a round around the Caumasee near Flims. Even a train ride to Interlaken feels like a little adventure.

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Put such a moment in advance in your agenda. The chance of it actually happening is then much higher. Otherwise, you'll be a month away without seeing anything new. Invite a colleague or neighbor to come along, then you also have a great way to making new friends in Switzerland.

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You don't need more time, just plan smarter

Working 80, 90 or 100% in Switzerland doesn't mean you miss the country. In fact, with a little bit of planning, you can actually see an awful lot. It's not about more time, it's about what you do with the time you have.

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If you look back in a year, you'll probably have discovered more than you thought possible before. So: what place are you putting on your list this month?

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Still orienting yourself to work in Switzerland? Check out our current vacancies for physiotherapists or read how takeoff works.

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