You don't have to play golf to enjoy a stay at PGA National Resort & Spa. But it helps.

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The invitation came via an innocent e.mail from a source I did not know.

Swiss International Airlines, a 10-year-old carrier that had succeeded the bankrupt SwissAir, was inviting me to join a small group of American journalists on a four-night trip that would include one night on the plane and three in Swiss hotels.

With fading memories of my only previous press trip to Switzerland, I jumped at the chance, joining two women and one other man in an adventure so full that it…