The plot of Conspiracy Suisse takes readers to numerous locations in 5 countries and 10 gorgeous cities. Some of these sites have been briefly introduced below for reference.
Locations in Switzerland
Zurich
This beautiful city by Lake Zurich is the main venue of the book. Throughout the story, it witnesses heated discussions in exquisite restaurants, thrilling chase scenes, fantastic heists, and amazing walks through city streets.
This elegant gourmet restaurant in the heart of Zurich, part of the famous Hotel Baur au Lac, is where the CEO of SWB and his Chief Legal Officer have a lavish lunch.
Heiko Nieder’s Michelin-starred restaurant, located in the 5-star luxury Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich is where the Grand Master and his companions celebrate their victory over a champagne toast and dinner.
Housed within the refined Hotel Storchen, Restaurant La Rotisserie is a classic Zurich hub for fine dining and the venue of the Grand Master’s introductory dinner with Elena Lehning, Peter Winzeler, and Belissa Ferla.
The classic Swiss confectionary is a stable of Paradeplatz, the main square in downtown Zurich, and home to the scene where Elena Lehning is first threatened by the SWB Head of Security.
This small Greek restaurant sets the scene for the Grand Master and Elena Lehning’s discussion into her past, allowing her to remember distant memories of trips to the Greek Isles as a child with her mother.
A quaint café with outdoor seating and a pristine view of the Fraumunster Church in central Zurich, this café serves as a meeting spot for Peter Winzeler and Lilith Bahti.
One of several stylish cafes in Zurich Central Station, this is the meeting spot for Elena Lehning and Peter Winzeler, prior to their embarking on a journey across Switzerland with the Grand Master.
Now known as the UBS Polybahn, Elena Lehning gets a scare in this small, red funicular in Zurich, dating back to the 1880s and connecting the Central Square to the terrace of the Swiss Institute of Technology.
Ranked one of the top 10 universities globally, ETH Zurich is a public research university with leading degree programs in science, where Helen Lehning forewent completing a degree in architecture.
Neighbor to ETH Zurich with which it shares a large terrace overlooking the city, the University of Zurich is one of Europe’s leading research universities and home to a scene where Elena Lehning finds herself running home in fear.
Sion
The capital of the canton of Valais, Sion is a small Swiss town with significant historical ties to the Knights Templar and one of the Grand Master’s key stops on his quest to locate the vault identifier.
This modern hotel in the heart of Sion is where the Grand Master and his companions stay when embarking on their trip to Valere Basilica. A dinner with the participation of the local Knights Templar takes place at its restaurant.
Facing the Chateau de Tourbillon, this fortified church and basilica is a national Swiss heritage site dating back to the 12th century, where the Grand Master seeks to locate ancient Templar documents.
Sitting atop Tourbillon hill, this castle and former residence of the Prince-Bishop of Sion plays an important role in the Grand Master and Belissa Ferla’s identification of Templar history in Sion.
Lucerne
This gorgeous Swiss city located only an hour outside of Zurich was home to Elena Lehning and Peter Winzeler’s first meeting and is a significant stop in the Grand Master’s journey to decipher the vault identifier.
Grand Hotel National is a 5-star hotel with a pristine reputation as the hallmark of quality Swiss hospitality and serves as the location for Elena Lehning and Peter Winzeler’s night-long stay in the city of Lucerne.
Chapel Bridge is a wooden footbridge spanning the river Reuss located in the heart of Lucerne, which serves as an icon of the city and a guardian of Swiss history, that the Grand Master and his companions must interpret.
This leading research university is where Professor Albero, Elena Lehning’s prior supervisor and Peter Winzeler’s friend, teaches history, and where Elena Lehning and Peter Winzeler met for the first time.
Basel
Basel is a small city in Northwestern Switzerland, famous for its industry and home to the massive congress center where the elusive SWB shareholder meeting takes place.
The Basel Convention Centre is a large event and conference venue, serving as the location for the thrilling SWB shareholder meeting.
Bern
Bern is Switzerland’s capital city and home to the meeting of different parties involved with SWB with the Swiss financial regulator FINMA in the final chapters of the book.
This luxurious Bernese hotel is where the Grand Master and his companions stay when visiting Bern for the Swiss financial regulatory authority meeting.
Locations in England
London
The capital city of England, London is the world’s leading international financial center and provides ample locations for the climax of the book.
Westminster Abbey, an Anglican church, has been the setting for every coronation since 1066 and for numerous other Royal occasions, including 16 Royal weddings. It is the location for the final confrontation between the Grand Master and his archnemesis.
This 5-star Mayfair hotel is a London landmark and houses the Grand Master, Elena Lehning, and Peter Winzeler during their stay in the city.
The Shard, the hallmark of the London skyline is the tallest building in the United Kingdom, housing the 5-star Shangri-La Hotel where the Grand Master meets QAB’s new Vice President.
Dating back to the 16th century, the historic home to Lloyd’s insurance market, the Royal Exchange is a landmark London structure outside of Bank station, in the heart of the City, where the Grand Master and his companions meet a BRB informant.
A short walk from Embankment tube station, Gordon’s Wine Bar is London’s oldest wine bar and sets the scene for Elena Lehning and Peter Winzeler’s final evening in London.
This beautifully crafted park split between the City of Westminster and Borough of Camden is home to Duke Burnthouse’s historic mansion.
A hotel and members’ club outside of Bank station housing a legendary jazz bar, the Ned is reimagined as the location where Helen Lehning and Robert Burnthouse first met.
Locations in Italy
Rome
The eternal city and capital of Italy, Rome serves as the location for the Grand Master’s first meeting with historian Belissa Ferla.
This Michelin-star restaurant in central Rome boasts an exceptional view of the Colosseum and serves as the location for the Grand Master and Belissa Ferla’s first meeting.
This innovative Michelin restaurant is where the Grand Master and his brethren feast when visiting Rome.
This historic Roman landmark café dating back to 1760 is where the Grand Master meets his old friend, the head of the Swiss Guard.
Hotel Hassler is a 5-star luxury hotel atop the eminent Spanish Steps, where the Grand Master and his brethren stay when in Rome. This is where the Grand Master’s room is broken into.
This elegant hotel, overlooking the gardens of the Villa Borghese, is where Duke Burnthouse’s disciple, James Manson, stays when tailing the Grand Master in Rome.
Milan
The economic capital of Italy and a global financial center, Milan serves as the location for the Grand Master and Belissa Ferla’s second meeting.
This majestic opera house is where the Grand Master invites Belissa Ferla to an evening excursion when being tailed by Duke Burnthouse’s assassin, James Manson.
This Milanese restaurant boasts three Michelin stars and entices the Grand Master and Belissa Ferla to dinner when the Grand Master asks the historian for her help.
This reputable Milanese restaurant is where the Grand Master enjoys a late lunch with his brethren whilst visiting Milan.
This 5-star hotel, part of the Dorchester Collection, is where the Grand Master stays when visiting Milan.
Locations in Turkey
Istanbul
This magnificent city spanning two continents is where the Grand Master and his brethren are chased by James Manson, racing across the picturesque Bosphorus Bridge, by the Golden Horn up to the Egyptian Bazaar, just downhill from the Hagia Sophia.
Locations in Qatar
Doha
The capital city of Qatar and a major financial hub boasting a majestic marina, this city is home to QAB bank which introduces the characters of the Sheikh and Vice President.