how to become a tour guide in switzerland

The two-hour trip from Zurich to Interlaken is 54-96 CHF, while a one-hour trip from Zurich to Bern is 40-75 CHF. If you decide to stay in Interlaken, you can still soar high above the city and its lakes, thanks to several paragliding outfittersyou see tandem riders in the skies from dawn to dusk. Basel: A city on the Rhine River in northern Switzerland near France and Germany. Living a life on the road is both a lifestyle. Some mountain cable cars, ski gondolas, and cog railways are also included with the pass, making car-free sightseeing in Switzerland a breeze. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There is a lot more to guiding than meets the eye, it is a lot of work and responsibility to be a guide and in exchange you get to expand your mind and spirit which is priceless, as well as getting paid for it. Let's take a look at how train travel works in Switzerland. Your Swiss Travel Pass grants you hop-on/hop-off access to the boats of the Lake Lucerne Navigation System, which ply the lake year-round. From the airport, take the train to Zurich's main station, where you can walk, tram, or cab to your central hotelwe recommend you make you choose a base in or close to the Altstadt, or Old Town, and figure on getting around the city on foot or via trams. So, you want to get paid to travel the world? If youve decided this is the life for you, but dont know how to go about getting your foot in the door, heres a behind-the-scenes sneak peek into what it takes to become a tour guide! Today, health specialists expertly combine nature's treasures, traditional methods and modern knowledge to beneficial, lasting effect. Being a tour guide involves taking groups of tourists into certain areas as part of their vacation. Manage Settings We accompany them in continued education and in professional and social progress and promote their professional reputation. Certified Hospitality and Tourism Management Professional. We talk about your interests and I will evaluate your specific requirements to arrange a tour according to your wishes and to satisfy your every personal expectation. Use free public transport. Or do you prefer non-stop adventure and fast-paced city hopping with todays youth? Speaking knowledgeably on a location. The role of a tour guide requires a range of knowledge, social skills and physical capabilities to cover the many aspects of the job. Step 2: Gain Experience. Getting a certification as a First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor will help you to earn more as a tour guide. Apply as soon as possible to get the process started. Skirting lakes and vineyards and twisting up and over passes in the high Alps, Switzerlands roads are beautiful on a cinematic scale, and the country has plenty of drives that are too darned scenic to rush. It'll be a good idea to develop tour guide skills before applying for a job. It does not store any personal data. Wilderness First Responder: The Wilderness First Responder . Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! The Palais des Nations, an outstanding testimony to twentieth century architecture, is situated in the beautiful Ariana park in Geneva, Switzerland. So have some confidence in yourself. You did it! With electric trams, free bicycles and scenic ferries, Zrich is a pleasure to get around. If youre looking to expand your horizons and learn a great deal of fantastic knowledge that would impress anyone at a dinner party, then this is the place for you. One Week in Switzerland: The Ultimate Itinerary, The Piemonte Region of Italy: Planning Your Trip, The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland, How to Travel From Florence to Paris by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car, How to Travel Between Italy and Switzerland by Train. guide people around a castle, gallery, historic house or garden; escort groups of tourists around a site; give information about the history, purpose and architecture of a site; accompany groups on day tours to a number of places of interest; answer questions and suggest other places to visit; organise or arrange for additional trips and visits From Bern's main station, you're about a 10-minute walk from the Alstadt, or Old Town, which dates back to the 12th century and is another of Switzerland's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Guiding groups around a location. Armed with a Swiss Travel Pass, you'll have nearly unlimited use of Switzerland's excellent network of trains, buses, and ferries. Posted by: | on September 29, 2022 It doesnt matter if yourenew to this because everyone has to start somewhere. A tour guide gives specific narration in a place, often joining the tour group for just a couple of hours. ASGT is supplying services for its members. (1325 reviews) from $ 184.81. see . Other tour operators may have much shorter training periods, but will need you to know a lot about the region you want to work in: maybe youve lived there for an extended period, or speak the language, or you have a degree related to the culture or history of the region. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Tour Guide training is essential to get the know how and be confident in delivering quality services, after all you are getting paid! This saves you from doing the planning. Martin Gordon has represented Ireland at the Paralympics, with Eamon Byrne as tandem pilot. Lead guides, which you may be promoted to at some . Just call me while you are in Switzerlandor book me in advance. Step 2: Develop tour guide skills. If becoming a tour guideis for you, maybe its time to start doing your research on which companies youd like to apply to! We suggest picking one of these sites to visit, and then spending the rest of your day enjoying Geneva's scenic lakefront, and its ancient Old Town. The keys to . You may have shed blood, sweat and tears to get here but you can finally call yourself a tour guide! Planning a ski holiday in Switzerland? Enjoy it all with a friendly local guide on a private Switzerland tour. Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. The next day, head back to your point of origin, and say your farewells to a perfect week in one of Europe's most beautiful destinations. Switzerland is a small country compared to many of its European neighbors, but you'll still need more than a week to take it all in. The journey here is more than half the funthe boat ride is more than two hours, and traverses nearly the full length of Lake Lucerne. Step 7: Apply for a tour guide job. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role: Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume. It may seem like a daunting task, but for those suited to the job, its a dream come true. Some tour operators wont require you to have any previous experience and will instead invest huge amounts of time and money in auditioning you. Sales and Marketing what does this mean. Prices are comparable to train fares. I would be delighted to show you the beauties of the region in my Old Timer, a Citroen DS dating from 1974. Even though most tour guides have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED. While organisational and personal skills probably come naturally to you, no one, no matter how much they have studied, is prepared for the questions you will face while on your first tour or training trip. Get a good nights sleep before your interview and enter the room calm, confident, and personable. Some of the more critical attributes needed to work in this industry include: Strong interpersonal skills. Body. Rating. Come with us and get to know Switzerland and its customs on tailor-made tours. If youre lucky, theyll tell you they can take an application anytime! If you're staying in a city, we usually recommend basing yourself in the historic center so that you're within walking distance of popular tourist attractions, restaurants, and bars. After you are certified and ready to work as a tourist guide, the next chapter is finding a job. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. New Orleans, LA. Drink tap water. Making it to the end of your training is a huge accomplishment in itself. There is also the Chaff Bridge. Provide enriching experiences to groups visiting a location. "Don't do outdoor tours in the winter.". Find the right fully guided tour for you in Switzerland. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The cable cars, funiculars, cogwheel railways and gondolas that climb up to the countrys highest Alpine reaches are an absolute joy to experience and a highlight of traveling in Switzerland (as long as you have a head for heights!). Your time will be split between both French and German-speaking Switzerland, so you'll also get a feel for how these two cultures blend and co-exist. Associazione Svizzera delle Guide Turistiche We are an association according to art. To provide you the best user experience on our website we do use cookies. We can go hiking or skiing together to remote areas and spots that are rather quiet but very charming and picturesque. Here's how to get around this wonderfully scenic country. Read our, Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide. Journeys in Switzerland arent just about getting from A to B they are travel moments youll be raving about for years to come. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. Passenger boats run on Lake Geneva, Constance, Lucerne, Lugano, Neuchtel, Biel, Murten, Thun, Brienz and Zug. Whats the major industry of that little town we just passed? Are you a history lover that enjoys a relaxed pace of travel with a more mature audience? But do you know what you are getting yourself into, and what it takes to land one of the best jobs ever? You will be on call 24/7, your own needs will always, always,be the last priorityand youll find yourself with little to no time to speak with your friends and family back home. When you factor in the countless opportunities for hiking, skiing, and boating; hearty Swiss food; modern, interesting cities; and what is probably Europe's best public transportation system, you're met with an accessible, exciting, and altogether satisfying vacation destination. Maintain alertness for any problem solve calls via radio and communication with management. Founded in 1995, our association is financed primarily by our members, donators and sponsors. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Upon paying the tax, you'll receive a sticker that must be displayed on the windshield. Elizabeth Heath has lived in the Umbria region of Italy since 2009 and has been writing for TripSavvy since 2017. The chart below shows how much time it takes to gain competency as a tour guide based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real tour guide resumes. Association Suisse des Guides Touristiques Plus, the process of getting a certification can teach you new skills that you can bring to your work. start somewhere. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. A guided tour takes everything off your hands. If paragliding sounds a little too spine-tingling, try a scenic boat ride on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, which is included with the Swiss Travel Pass. Also for non-skiers! By David Eisenberg. In the Altstadt, don't miss the mighty Grossmunster cathedral, and take time to wander the main drag, the Neiderdorf, and the mostly pedestrian streets that fan off from it. Education. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly. Swiss Pass holders get a discount on train tickets to the Jungfraujoch. Once you've explored Lucerne in the morning, make an afternoon excursion to Mount Pilatus, an all-season playground more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Expect to pay anywhere between 40-100 CHF for a second-class train ticket between cities. Numerous photo spots that guarantee the best views. Skywings and Twin Paragliding are both recommended operators. For the hiking tours a pair of strong hiking shoes are required. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Lonely Planet Switzerland 10 (Travel Guide) Receive multiple positive reviews on the company Facebook page. Before you begin your application, do a solid check on the work permit requirements. Making sense of cultural differences Section C: Guiding a Tourist Group 7. Your passengers have saved long and hard to come on your tour, and you need to do everything in your power, every day, to make sure they have the trip of a lifetime (no matter how challenging it might be). Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a tour guide. Best Time To Visit. If you are interested in becoming a guide you might consider: First Aid/Life Guard Training. Youll live out of a suitcase, answer hundreds of questions every day, and work with many different personalities and cultures from all over the world. Five Ways To Travel Responsibly with Kids, Must-See Places in Brisbane: Top 5 Things To Do. For details on national, regional and local routes, rental (including e-bike rental), bike-friendly accommodations, guides and maps, checkSwitzerlandMobility. Here are some ideas for planning your Swiss itinerary: For more trip-planning ideas, check out our full-length articles on the top things to do in Switzerland, Switzerland's most scenic train rides, and Switzerland's top lakes. Rick Steves. The interview round depends on the companys recruitment process. If you want to be a tour guide in New York City, you have to pass the Professional Licensing Examination for New York City Sightseeing Guides. Read on to find out how to become a tour guide! Charismatic and genuine. Step 5: Research tour guide duties. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. The famous panorama tourist trains (with big windows) are just tip-of-the-iceberg stuff: regular scheduled services, which often ply the same routes as the tourist trains, can be just as enjoyable and significantly less expensive. If you love what you do, then none of it will feel like a sacrifice, in fact, you might even say all of the above is the best feeling! Steps to becoming a Tour Guide 5. Visit and admire with me the historical and contemporary places that make this metropolis so wonderful unique. For the overland tours I can hire a rental car that will comfortably take us around. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Lucerne's most famous landmark, the 14th-century Chapel Bridge, is a must-see. Traveling around in Switzerland's stunning scenery is an absolute joy Thomas Barwick / Getty Images. Tour operators invest a huge amount in their tour guides. There I quickly discovered my passion for watersports. The majority of modern hotels also have wheelchair access (although budget accommodations tend not to have elevators). Most major cities, including Bern, Geneva, Zurich and Basel, are connected by rail with daily services. The Association is politically and confessionally neutral. You need to be patient, fierce, tenacious, and most importantly possess a genuine passion for your passengers and profession. By staying on this website you agree to our usage of cookies. Out of all the good tour guide qualities, this one is probably the hardest to come by. This all-inclusive pass even covers premium trains such as the Glacier Express. If you don't have time to plan, you can book a. From Kriens, a short bus ride from Lucerne, take the Panorama Gondola on a breathtaking 30-minute ride to the top of Pilatus, where you'll find hiking, an adventure park, restaurants, and soaring views. The best of the best! Given that youre applying for one of the most popular jobs in the world, its going to be intense, but that doesnt mean you wont get maximum satisfaction out of it. This isnt a run of the mill 9 to 5, but if youre leading a group of tourists towards the pyramids of Giza then you already knew that! A Starseed Guide Centaurus, Epsilone Erinadi and Lyra book. If you are in no hurry, Switzerlands bright yellow postal buses can be a fun way to reach the remote mountain regions. I am Cynthia and I have been guiding tours for many years and it would be my pleasure to assist you in your discovery of Switzerland. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Its a competitive field, and youll have to work hard to keep your coveted role. All in all, its important to choose an operator that fits your personality and travels to destinations you feel passionate about! The committee works on voluntary basis. Start working and continue learning. You can start your own tour guide company or seek employment. Youll be looking at 2-3 months without an income, travelling through potentially expensive European cities and without any guarantee you have the job until youve passed the finish line! At St. Pierre Cathedral and the Museum of the Reformation, you can learn about Geneva's role in the rise of Protestantism. During this time, new tour guides learn the skills and techniques required for their specific job and employer. For the hiking tours a pair of strong hiking shoes are required. Greenhouses, Nurseries, Market Gardens, Flower production, & Landscaping. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Getting paid to travel and visit fascinating sites can be enticing, but it's important to consider other aspects of the career. In fact, a little spontaneity is good. Still up for the challenge? Apply for a tour guide job in many companies to stand a chance of getting at least one job opportunity. Tourist - the customer Section B: Preparing to be a Tour Guide 4. Before investing your time, heart, and soul in a solid job application, make sure youve got the legal parts covered. We can do the city as a walking tour and using the public transport. The Swiss Tourist Guide Association celebrates its 25th birthday. The tour operator wants to see if you are the right fit for them and the real deal. If youre starting out, wait until youve got some solid experience under your belt before reaching out to these companies! Take a morning train from Lucerne to the Swiss capital of Bern, about a 60-90 minute ride. The tour operator wants to see if you are the right fit for them and the real deal. No worries, we created a resume builder to make this process as easy as possible with tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and a summary. Your trip will wind down in the largest city in French-speaking Switzerland and the diplomatic center of Europe, home to the European headquarters of the United Nations and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. 30 offers from $14.69. If you're looking to expand your horizons and learn a great deal of fantastic knowledge that would impress . Take yourself back to the avant-garde era, lean back in this special car and enjoy the wonderful Swiss countryside. If you're up for a longer day, jump down to the town of Appenzell after lunchjust a 30-minute ride from St. Gallenfor a glimpse at the Appenzell canton, Switzerland's richest in terms of folk traditions. Hotels and transportation will be arranged for you. A private guide and a tour program for your group only. These jobs are highly sought after by many young, enthusiastic adventurers, so the stakes are high. You should also find out how much experience you need for the tour operator you have your eye on. Celebrate the fact that youre here because experienced touring professionals believe you have what it takes to take passengers on the trip of a lifetime. The first step to becoming a tour guide is learning about the details of the career. 449. No matter the operator theres a tour style that will fit your own, its just a matter of doing your homework to find them. To find work, you'll need to market yourself to tour operators and other employers. People are looking for a variety of different tour guides. She has also written for Frommer's, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, and more. Whatever interests you, I will accompany you purposefully, reliably and with plenty of enthusiasm. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. While you're there, ask the tour leader exactly what they're doing on a day-to-day basis. sailing, cultureevents, winter-activities. Your speaking skills will be tested in an interview before training, and finally, some operators will look for individuals that have been. Ensuring the safety of tour attendees. It's one thing to make guests laugh, and another to laugh with them. . Your Zurich travel guide. Introduction 2. Heres what you need to do next! Getting There. Its been a tough few years for travelers, which is why were taking inspiration from these 10 travel ideas for our 2023 trips. Here are some of the best things to see during your Lucerne city walking tour: The Chapel Bridge and the water tower: The bridge is made of wood and completely covered. Spend a couple of hours in this charming town, then transfer back to St. Gallen and on to Zurich for the night. If you love train travel, youll love these new train services connecting European destinations in 2023. The pros of this job cant be counted on just one hand, but becoming tour guide doesnt mean a permanent vacation. from $ 291.87. Spearhead all creative activity for online marketing (Facebook), and other social media sites5. For example, travel agents handle book travel, answer travel-related questions, and handle customer's travel logistics every day. for more information regarding our use of cookies. What is interpretation? Switzerland is a well organized and safe country. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. It's time to convince them that you can put your money where your mouth is. In winter, it's as early as 4pm in mountain resorts. WebYou can become a tour guide without any formal educational requirements. Travel Guides are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas. You'll use the cities of Zurich, Lucerne, Bern, and Geneva for exploring Swiss history and culture, taking in the stunning scenery, and sampling Swiss cuisine. Do your research! That evening, plan on dinner at the cavernous Zeughauskeller, famous for its meter-long sausages and setting in a 15th-century arsenal. Swiss wine, from vineyards mostly south of the Alps, is so popular among the Swiss that only 2 percent is exported! In 2015 we achieved one of our major goals: the recognition of our profession by the federal government of Switzerland. Yes, YOU! The questions cover topics such as New York transportation, history and architectural landmarks. It doesnt matter if youre. The Lyrans contributed a lot of knowledge to Atlantis and Lemuria regarding the use of physical energy. 8. Here are a few basic customs and courtesies to keep in mind: Here's something you should know about Switzerland before you start planning your trip: it's expensive. For me sailing is simply a joy, recuperation and passion. It's squeezed into a bulge of land that shares just 4km of internal border with its neighbouring Swiss canton, but 108km with France. "Currency." View of Mount Pilatus from Stans. The central European country is small compared to its neighbors, but it packs a lot into its 16,000 square miles, including 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than 1,500 glaciers, and at least that many lakes. The travel industry is one of the biggest around and is continually expanding with more and more countries opening up to travellers and places where tourists have traditionally never been, are now accessible and available to you. Free kilometers and gasoline are included in my wage. As there is more demand for tour guides in summer months in most regions, the operators hire and prepare new tour guides for the peak season. Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich. By clicking Accept All Cookies you agree with the use of analytical and tracking cookies. Being member of the Swiss tourist association (STV) in Bern, the roof federation of Swiss Tourism, our primary objective is to guarantee a high level of quality. Read on to find out how to become a tour guide! Hiking and skiing in the Swiss Mountains are my leisure activities. If you visit Bern in the summer, be sure to take a swim in the Aare Riverit's a favorite warm-weather pastime of locals. The seat of our association is at the address of the president. In St. Gallen town, wander among the half-timber houses of the pedestrian-only Old Town, and take in the Textilmuseum, with its displays of historic clothing and machinery. If you want to work in a region with year-round tourism (such as South East Asia, for example), check with the company to see when they run their training trips, or when is the best time to apply. You always need a credit card. If you'd like to apply for this job, please send us an email with your cover letter, your resume, a letter of reference and a scanned copy of your driver's license, all of those items assembled into one single file. Guiding a group of 20 knowledge-hungry people or even just an easy-going couple around Mont St Michel or Notre Dame will require all your energy and a good deal of . from $4,295 per person + air. You can easily create your own itinerary and travel independently. Your speaking skills will be tested in an interview before training, and finally, some operators will look for individuals that have beenguiding or tour leading for at least a couple of years before they will even consider you. Science and history fans will enjoy a visit to the Einstein House, where the physicist lived for two years, and art lovers should head to the Zentrum Paul Klee, the museum and cultural center dedicated to the 20th century abstract artist. Geography what does this mean. Swiss national travel passes are valid, but a few tourist-oriented Alpine routes levy a surcharge. Even if employers don't require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Those tour guides may then apply or request to also have some winter work. Schaffhausen, Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein. 3. Best of Switzerland in 12 Days Tour. On your last evening in Switzerland, if you haven't had any yetand even if you have top off your vacation with a dinner of traditional cheese fondue. And of course, different operators will require different levels of experience and external certifications depending on where their tours travel and what type of experiences youd be facilitating as their guide. See Also: Everything Your Tour Guide Wants You to Know Before You Travel. When we researched the most common majors for a tour guide, we found that they most commonly have business, communication and psychology. If you can make peace with all of the above, then focus on crafting the perfect application, preferably one that touches on yourpassion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. Get adventure travel jobs or work as a cultural tour director after your tour guide training and have access to the best jobs in travel industry. What can you offer this company (that thousands of other applicants cant) to convince them they are placing their valued customers in the right hands? Stamina and patience required. You may have shed blood, sweat and tears to get here but you can finally call yourself a tour guide! You need to be dedicated, but you also need to know how to have fun. Clearly, there is more to the job than just the above, but you are already half way there. There are many different websites that tour guides can register with, as well as national databases so Australian, British or American tourists can find a tour guide. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Consider the tips below for a successful job search: Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your plumber resume. Rather, let the space and tour guide set the scene. What kind of tree is that? Tickets are purchased from the driver, though on some scenic routes over the Alps (for instance the Lugano to St Moritz run) reservations are necessary. Some intra-Europe flights might land at Basel's airport, which is actually located just over the French border. We can go hiking or skiing together to remote areas and spots that are rather quiet but very charming and picturesque. Join me for a unique tour experience andmemories that will last a lifetime. Explore Lake Geneva, one of Europe's oldest Old Towns, and see the headquarters of the UN. A 15-day pass is just shy of 500 CHF, so it's not cheap. Aid clients with matters regarding passports and visas. Whether youre looking to crawl up hills on a road bike, tear down trails on a mountain bike or simply want a gentle pedal along a shimmering lake, Switzerland is brilliantly set up for cyclists. Youll meet people from everywhere, wake up in a different city every other day, and truly become a citizen of the world. Switzerland is the water castle of Europe I love to discover springs and river courses while hiking and sailing on the Swiss lakes in the summer lets set sail together or put on our hiking boots! The Swiss scenic trains offer a wonderful way to explore the Alps. Skip the rental car for this itinerary, which we've specifically designed to be done via public transportation. It was built in 1408 and has been preserved ever since. Irregular hours means keeping in touch with loved ones or having a routine isnt easy, but standing at the foot of the worlds greatest wonders will outweigh the crazy hours and lack of routine. If a week is all you've got, this itinerary will give you a taste of the best the country has to offer, taking you from cities to mountains and medieval towns to sparkling lakes. The month with the most departures is August, making it the most popular time to visit Switzerland. So, you want to get paid to travel the world? There's snow year-round at the top (so dress appropriately! Tour Guide. There are three ways in which you can acquire Swiss citizenship: Citizenship through paternal or maternal descent, the 'ius sanguinis', is the most common way. Here are some skills commonly requested in tour guide job descriptions: Tour guides spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. Youll find car rental companies at airports and in cities and towns. What to expect when visiting Geneva your Geneva travel guide. What is the Grand Tour of Switzerland? Role of a Tour Guide 3. Spend at least part of the day on the waters of Lake Lucerne, with a scenic boat ride around one of Switzerland's most beautiful lakes. Nows time to get stuck into preparing yourself to become the rookie tour guide of the year! The highest passes are only open from June to October and, depending on the weather, you may need to use a tunnel instead. Cynthia Elizabeth T. Zurich, Switzerland. Get inspired by these sample itineraries. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. My later journeys often took me in the vicinity of water I feel really at home there. Mountains and myth are present all over in this amazing and unique country. Switzerlands roads are well signposted and maintained, but you should always check conditions before heading up into the Alps, especially in winter. Its worth checking out what money-saving passes are available locally because they often work out cheaper than individual tickets and costs can quickly mount up in a country with so much vertical. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A tour leader's monthly income can vary between 1000 to 10000 USD, depending on their work. 4. 60ff fo the Swiss civil right book (ZGB). True marvels of engineering, the mountain gondolas graze treetops, rail-bound funiculars shimmy precariously close to rock faces, and cable cars wobble across valleys (dont worry they are safe and subject to regular checks), before all emerge at a spectacularly snowy summit or glacier. Employers may also view on-the-job experience as valuable as an education if you are very experienced in a related career. Celebrate the fact that youre here because experienced touring professionals believe you have what it takes to take passengers on the trip of a lifetime. The countrys PostBus service is synchronized with train arrivals, and bus stops are handily located right next to railway stations. #1. Taking a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course. If youre interested in working in the Northern Hemisphere, its best to apply around September, as applications will usually close before the new year to have training arranged in the first months of the year. Seven years ago, Michael Dillinger was in search of a way to make some extra money so he chose to get licensed as a tour guide in New York to show visitors around his home state. Fully Guided Tours & Trips in Switzerland. Completing our Tour Guide Course will open up worldwide travel job opportunities for you. Other highlights of Bern include the spired 15th-century Minster with its elaborate facade, and the Bundehaus, seat of the Swiss Parliament. If youre one of the lucky few that lands the job you need to be prepared to give up everything about your old life. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Here are just two travel companies looking for trained guides right now: Copyright 2023 Tour Guide Course | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Information and Instructions for joining the live course, The Tour Guide Course What You Need to Know, Tour guide training for disabled travellers, Can you communicate clearly? We determined the most common certifications for tour guides. As a travel guide, you will be expected to help lead a group of around 50 study abroad students with another guide or two. Tour Group Safety. We use cookies to analyze traffic and provide you with personalized content and ads. 4. "Language distribution." Manage the canoe landing including guests, workers, and canoe traffic in a way that all run smoothly and safely. We've determined that 70.0% of tour guides have a bachelor's degree. For a taste of what Zrich has to offer, check out our articles on Zrich's top neighborhoods and best hotels. While every traveler has their own reasons for visiting Switzerland, the big draws here can more or less be broken down into three categories: scenery, outdoor activities, and Swiss history and culture. Via train, cable car, and cogwheel rail, make the journey to the "Top of Europe"the 3,454-meter Jungfraujoch station at the end of the line. So have some confidence in yourself. Our applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and the 2023 season is right around the corner! You can find out more about rail travel in Europe, including purchasing tickets, on the Rail Europe website; and about bus travel on the Eurolines website. The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket giving you complete access to Switzerland (and Liechtenstein!). If youre starting out, wait until youve got some solid experience under your belt before reaching out to these companies! ), as well as a snow park, an ice cave, observatories, and bars and restaurants. Step 1: Email us your application. She speaks four languages and enjoys cooking authentic traditional recipes, walking in the hills around Vienna and arranging beer coasters so they're all facing the same way. Knowledge of first aid, or specific country knowledge, is also good. Make sure you have specialised skills, such as a foreign language or a PCV driving licence. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Driving in Switzerland is a breeze. "You MUST plan everything out ahead of time.". Single Supplement $675. Step 3: Complete relevent training/internship. Planning your trip is much easier with a free MySwissAlps account. We would be delighted to take you on our discovery tours and show you the superb insider locations of Switzerland. Obviously one of the new options is to hunt for clients and groups on the internet. Bern is less than an hour away by train from Interlaken, which bills itself as Switzerland's "adventure capital"and that's saying a lot in a country rich with opportunities for active travel. Please note: Our Selection Process is fully virtual and our . Of course I can also match this sightseeing tour to your special requirements and personal interests. Once there, spend some time exploring the Abbey of St Gall, a complex that dates back centuries and which has also been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ASGT is an association of Swiss tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides. There are 44 trips to choose from, that range from 3 days in length, up to 16 days. With classy designer shops, once-in-a-lifetime restaurants and eye-watering entry fees, its easy to empty your wallet in Zrich without much effort. Take advantage of free public transport in certain cities to make your money last longer in Switzerland. See Dates & Prices. Also Czech databases because various tour guide companies and organizations are looking for guides. you also need to think about who their audience is! And the good news is, that tour companies are always recruiting! In between those extremes, there are concept hotels, ski-in/ski-out lodges, and a host of B&Bs, small inns, and vacation rentals. Heres what you need to do next! Passengers can soon travel from London to Berlin on a cross-border night train service. You will teach them about the different areas you are taking them, and give them opportunities to visit interesting places and the best attractions in the area. Lonely Planets experts reveal how to make the most of the newest high-speed routes and the best places to stop off along the way. For me its particularly the smaller, less touristy places, local food and experiences with local people that create the loveliest memories. The beauty of the Alps is unparalleled, and the urban experiences in Geneva, Basil, Zurich and Lausanne are rich and varied. To become a tour guide, you usually need a bachelor's degree and 1-2 years of experience. guiding or tour leading for at least a couple of years before they will even consider you. During the cross-over months, and off season (fall and spring), do carry a warm jacket or cardigan as temperatures drop in the evenings. Step 1: Explore tour guide education. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. And if you hate studying, you may as well peace out now! Going to Switzerland changed my life. With almost 700 years, it is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. Budget hotel prices - Budget hotels start around 76 CHF per night. Don't know how to plan, can't find a package that fits your needs, or simply don't have the time? Retrieved on November 9, 2021. During the winter, the water freezes to become glistening snow and ice wearing snow shoes, we will take our own paths through stunning winter landscapes. Learn about the career. The Best Halloween Parties and Events Around the World. You will see the best places, travel privately and be your own guide. Still up for the challenge? Zrich is a world city that is amazing by day and charming at night. This morning, hop on a train headed east for the hour-long ride to St. Gallentrains depart about every 20 minutes from Zurich Main Station. Many thanks to the curators of MySwissAlps. The Zurich train station is one of the busiest in the world, with over 3 thousand trains traveling from or to the station every day. The Swiss Travel Pass was designed to provide a hassle-free experience for those traveling by train, bus, and boat. Check out the Swiss Railways website to get an idea of what small towns fall on the major train lines, prices for train tickets, train stations, etc. The largest city on Lake Lucerne is worthy of a visit on its own, and is also a stepping-off point for exploring the surrounding Alps and lake region. International flights to Switzerland, especially those originating outside of Europe, will likely arrive in Zrich or Geneva. After that, you'll need a travel pass or ticket from the Swiss Travel System if you want to change trains. (166) Languages: English (fluent), German (conversational), Italian (conversational) Biography: Greetings! They can also make you a more competitive candidate. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Find out where to go and what to do in winter. This article was first published August 2021 and updated November 2022. Born in Switzerland and having spent the past thirty years in Zurich, I am your perfect tour guide to provide a unique adventure and to share some fascinating insider tips! Set between lakes Thun and Brienz, Interlaken is the perfect base for exploring a number of surrounding glaciers and mountain peaks, most notably the Jungfraujoch. Switzerland can easily and safely be explored on your own. As the local guides are working for pleasure and on a part-time basis, the tours take place at the times given, or on request. While wearing the Tour Guide Hat, players can use a pre-written message that summarizes the room they are in. For those traveling with a tent, there are a few campsites on the outskirts of Geneva. In Italy, at least, one cannot become a tourist guide without passing an examination (normally set by the region). download Lonely Planets free Accessible Travel guide, Buy Lonely Planet's Guide to Train Travel in Europe, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. We would be delighted to arrange a personal tour for you with the travel experiences you would like to have. Of course, your contact details will appear in the National Database and relevant provincial tourist guide association websites (many of which you will have to join and pay annual membership . People will still come, even in the snow. Swiss cuisine is hearty, to say the least.

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how to become a tour guide in switzerland