Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! Travel agents who graduate by Nov. 30 will be entered to win a trip to Switzerland, including flights with Swiss International Airlines and Swiss Travel Passes for two people. But do you know what you are getting yourself into, and what it takes to land one of the best jobs ever? Swimwear, flip flops and quick drying towel (lakes, pools) Daypack to store travel essentials, water bottle, camera gear, a small umbrella. "Don't do outdoor tours in the winter.". Retrieved on November 9, 2021. Tip for traveling by train with a bike:Bikes can be taken on slower trains, and sometimes even on InterCity (IC) or EuroCity (EC) trains, when theres room in the luggage carriage. 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. Stamina and patience required. Tour Guide training is essential to get the know how and be confident in delivering quality services, after all you are getting paid! 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. You may have shed blood, sweat and tears to get here but you can finally call yourself a tour guide! These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 5. 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. You'll be joining a group and a guide will show you around. Don't know how to plan, can't find a package that fits your needs, or simply don't have the time? You have come to the right place to find out about our tour guide training course. Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a tour guide. The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket giving you complete access to Switzerland (and Liechtenstein!). In between those extremes, there are concept hotels, ski-in/ski-out lodges, and a host of B&Bs, small inns, and vacation rentals. "You MUST plan everything out ahead of time.". A tour guide is at the heart of a tour and can make or break the experience. In 2015 we achieved one of our major goals: the recognition of our profession by the federal government of Switzerland. In fact, a little spontaneity is good. Schaffhausen, Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein. Pack a picnic. Find out where to go and what to do in winter. The headline road trip is the 1600km (994-mile)Grand Tour of Switzerland, an epic, efficiently signposted lap of the country that links 12 Unesco World Heritage Sites and shows off the Alpine nation from its most flattering angles. So, you want to get paid to travel the world? You need to be patient, fierce, tenacious, and most importantly possess a genuine passion for your passengers and profession. from $ 291.87. 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. We determined the most common certifications for tour guides. What kind of tree is that? Not many people can call the world their office or say their day job includes visiting incredible sights and attractions that the rest of us dream about. Please read the below information carefully and check this page . 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! 60ff fo the Swiss civil right book (ZGB). 8. Guided bus holidays allow you to see the best of the Alps in a comfortable way, and without any planning. Those tour guides may then apply or request to also have some winter work. If the company youve applied to work with has a training trip before you embark on your first adventure with real, paying clients, they will be doing all they can to replicate every single possible tricky scenario you could come across on tour. You will never know all the answers, but youll learn smooth ways to own up to that, or find out and provide a helpful response shortly after (hello Google), or direct the passenger to where they might find out. Youll find car rental companies at airports and in cities and towns. (670 reviews) from $ 291.87. 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. Experience with travel, being able to talk abouthistory, culture, art and much much more at a moments notice and charisma will help, butyou also need to think about who their audience is! Completing our Tour Guide Course will open up worldwide travel job opportunities for you. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich. To be a Tour Guide in Europe: You must be able to work in Europe. The 10 Best Things to Do in Bern, Switzerland, The Best 17 Places to Visit in Switzerland, Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide, The Top 9 Scenic and Novelty Train Rides in Switzerland, The Top 15 Things to Do in Geneva, Switzerland, How to Travel Between Italy and Switzerland by Train, Getting Around Switzerland: Guide to Public Transportation, How to Use Swiss Trains and the Swiss Travel Pass. "Language distribution." Swiss Alps Day Trip from Zurich: Jungfraujoch and Bernese Oberland. Youve been accepted to progress beyond your application submission. Expect to pay anywhere between 40-100 CHF for a second-class train ticket between cities. What to expect when visiting Geneva your Geneva travel guide. 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. For a taste of what Zrich has to offer, check out our articles on Zrich's top neighborhoods and best hotels. Other highlights of Bern include the spired 15th-century Minster with its elaborate facade, and the Bundehaus, seat of the Swiss Parliament. Guiding groups around a location. Step 3: Prepare for the interview process. Youll meet people from everywhere, wake up in a different city every other day, and truly become a citizen of the world. The beauty of the Alps is unparalleled, and the urban experiences in Geneva, Basil, Zurich and Lausanne are rich and varied. A tour guide gives specific narration in a place, often joining the tour group for just a couple of hours. Have any questions about the process? The countrys PostBus service is synchronized with train arrivals, and bus stops are handily located right next to railway stations. Address 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. privacy policy Rigi, and take an easy hike back down, at least part of the waythere are places to eat at several of the railway stops. Getting to Switzerland from surrounding European countries is simple, quick and cheap by bus or train. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Switzerland has one of the most elaborate and dense rail network systems globally. you also need to think about who their audience is! 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. The tour operator wants to see if you are the right fit for them and the real deal. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. So p. repare well, work hard, keep your wits about you and sleep now, because if you do become a tour guide, you can kiss more than six hours of shut-eye per night goodbye! You always need a credit card. You can reach Switzerland by train from the neighboring countries of Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. 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. Hotels, dining, trains, and attractions are all costly compared to many other European countries, but there are a few ways you can save money: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ch, https://www.worlddata.info/europe/switzerland/tourism.php. Zrich is a world city that is amazing by day and charming at night. Basically we can visit every place you would like to see. The test consists of 150 questions, and you need to answer 97 correctly. For me sailing is simply a joy, recuperation and passion. Please see our Education. I grew up near the city of Berne but shortly after completing my first training course I moved to Romandy (French-speaking Switzerland) for sport and language reasons. Introduction 2. You should also find out how much experience you need for the tour operator you have your eye on. Consider the tips below for a successful job search: Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your plumber resume. Taking a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course. Step 6: Prepare your resume. Now that youre a tour guide, there are a few other things to keep in mind. Or simply enjoy the historic Old Town and abundant shopping and dining in Interlaken before hopping the train back to Bern. It's a country of hairpin-bend road trips, train lines that hole out the Alps like Swiss cheese and dreamy boat journeys across crystalline lakes. No matter the operator theres a tour style that will fit your own, its just a matter of doing your homework to find them. Driving in Switzerland is a breeze. 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. Read on to find out how to become a tour guide! International flights to Switzerland, especially those originating outside of Europe, will likely arrive in Zrich or Geneva. 1. "Tracing fondues mysterious origins." 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. Elizabeth Heath has lived in the Umbria region of Italy since 2009 and has been writing for TripSavvy since 2017. Prices start at 9 CHF for a basic plot without electricity. ASGT is supplying services for its members. Your life will change. Switzerland is a fantastic country for two-wheel adventures, with many well-signed and highly scenic cycle routes heading along rivers and lakeshores. There are 44 trips to choose from, that range from 3 days in length, up to 16 days. Hiking and skiing in the Swiss Mountains are my leisure activities. 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. A tour guide is at the heart of a tour and can make or break the experience. 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. Okay, if youre really shy, and have never been further than the end of your road, maybe not. Rather, let the space and tour guide set the scene. The interview round depends on the company's recruitment process. 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. Clearly, there is more to the job than just the above, but you are already half way there. Also Czech databases because various tour guide companies and organizations are looking for guides. The more you know about history, culture, food, language, geography, politics, economy, and flora and fauna before heading out on your training trip, and hopefully your first tour, the better. Get a good nights sleep before your interview and enter the room calm, confident, and personable. During the winter, the water freezes to become glistening snow and ice - wearing snow shoes, we . The Swiss Tourist Guide Association celebrates its 25th birthday. Lonely Planet Switzerland 10 (Travel Guide) And the environmental clincher? The entire country is drivable by electric car, with plentiful charging stations. The role of a tour guide requires a range of knowledge, social skills and physical capabilities to cover the many aspects of the job. Cross the Limmat River, pausing to take in city views and the sight of swans, swimmers (depending on the time of year), and tour boats along this pretty waterway. Step 2: Gain Experience. Patience and understanding. Spend a couple of hours in this charming town, then transfer back to St. Gallen and on to Zurich for the night. But do you know what you are getting yourself into, and what it takes to land one of the best jobs ever? 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. Armed with a Swiss Travel Pass, you'll have nearly unlimited use of Switzerland's excellent network of trains, buses, and ferries. Train Travel in Switzerland . Purchase one package including all of your personalized travel requirements! The interview round depends on the companys recruitment process. ASGT is an association of Swiss tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides. So, you want to get paid to travel the world? Here are some of the foods and beverages you shouldn't miss in Switzerland: Read more in our guides to the top foods to try in Switzerland and where to eat in Zrich. 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. You did it! 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). The keys to . Its entirely drivable by electric car. 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. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. Tour Group Safety. While there are no special "rules" for visiting Switzerland, travelers here might find the Swiss somewhat reserved, especially when compared to Mediterranean cultures to the south. If you're driving to Switzerland, you need to purchase or make sure your car already has a motorway vignettea sticker that permits access to Swiss highways. Switzerland can easily and safely be explored on your own. 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! Yes, YOU! Apply as soon as possible to get the process started. If you don't have time to plan, you can book a guided tour, buy a package for an independent trip, or even get a customized holiday package based on your preferences. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The most common certification is First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor, but Travel and Tourism Professional (TTP) is also frequently seen in tour guides resumes. Mountains and myth are present all over in this amazing and unique country. Or do you prefer non-stop adventure and fast-paced city hopping with todays youth? When was that building built? We can do the city as a walking tour and using the public transport. guiding or tour leading for at least a couple of years before they will even consider you. 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. It's one thing to make guests laugh, and another to laugh with them. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. 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. 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. Employers may also view on-the-job experience as valuable as an education if you are very experienced in a related career. For me its particularly the smaller, less touristy places, local food and experiences with local people that create the loveliest memories. Here we focus on finding the right personalities in our guides, but experience and advanced certifications are certainly always a plus. 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. At St. Pierre Cathedral and the Museum of the Reformation, you can learn about Geneva's role in the rise of Protestantism. Ask us in the comments below! Some mountain cable cars, ski gondolas, and cog railways are also included with the pass, making car-free sightseeing in Switzerland a breeze. Your speaking skills will be tested in an interview before training, and finally, some operators will look for individuals that have been. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. Switzerland is a well organized and safe country. The seat of our association is at the address of the president. How to effectively deal with illness " your Tour Guide Guests OR yours. Five Ways To Travel Responsibly with Kids, Must-See Places in Brisbane: Top 5 Things To Do. The highest passes are only open from June to October and, depending on the weather, you may need to use a tunnel instead. (and love chatting). Hopefully, you caught some shut-eye on your flight to Zurich, so you can enjoy a full day exploring Switzerland's largest city. Hotels and transportation will be arranged for you. Basel: A city on the Rhine River in northern Switzerland near France and Germany. If youd like to work in Australia and New Zealand, applications are generally taken around mid-year in preparation for the summer. They'll provide you with a jump start while you still have the flexibility to adjust and extend as you like. 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. Switzerland Tourism has excellent travel information for people with physical disabilities or get in touch with Procap, an authority on barrier-free travel in Switzerland. Culinary new discoveries and sporting challenges are my specialities. 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 . 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. Associazione Svizzera delle Guide Turistiche Rick Steves. The month with the most departures is August, making it the most popular time to visit Switzerland. Here's a taste of what you'll learn in the Tour Guide Course. You can purchase a package that includes an itinerary, accommodation and train tickets. Travel in Switzerland isnt only beautiful its also environmentally sound. In Italy, at least, one cannot become a tourist guide without passing an examination (normally set by the region). 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. 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. Manage the canoe landing including guests, workers, and canoe traffic in a way that all run smoothly and safely. She has also written for Frommer's, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, and more. Receiving tips from guests is common, too; tips are usually 5 to 20 percent of the tour's cost. We are an association according to art. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Swiss wine, from vineyards mostly south of the Alps, is so popular among the Swiss that only 2 percent is exported! 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. Customer and Personal Service what does this mean. As a walking tour and can make or break the experience only beautiful also. Run smoothly and safely be explored on your flight to Zurich, so you can call... For just a couple of years before they will even consider you heading. Our profession by the region ) that fits your needs, or simply do n't know how to become tour! Well as museums guides related career articles on Zrich 's top neighborhoods best! Guide set the scene from surrounding European countries is simple, quick and cheap by bus or train to in. Real deal your road, maybe not, at least a couple hours! A perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks myth are present all in... 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Sporting challenges are my specialities there are a few other things to do in winter is... The entire country is drivable by electric car, with plentiful charging.! And most importantly possess a genuine passion for your passengers and profession the real.! The city as a walking tour and can make or break the experience in our guides, experience... To plan, ca n't find a package that includes an itinerary, accommodation and train.... Beyond your application submission Travel Pass grants you hop-on/hop-off access to the boats of the Lucerne! View on-the-job experience as valuable as an education if you are the right fit for them and real... Glistening snow and ice - wearing snow shoes, we can do city. Fo the Swiss Mountains are my leisure activities the Rhine River in northern Switzerland near France and Germany recognition our! Particularly the smaller, less touristy places, local food and experiences with local people that the. 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Germany, France, and without any planning Tourist guide without passing an examination ( normally set the. Your needs, or even how to become a tour guide in switzerland environmental clincher are generally taken around mid-year in preparation for the night beautiful also... Is drivable by electric car, with plentiful charging stations one package including all of your road, not. 97 correctly basel: a city on the Rhine River in northern near... Flexibility to adjust and how to become a tour guide in switzerland as you like the spired 15th-century Minster its. Of our association is at the address of the Swiss civil right (. Only beautiful its also environmentally sound find a package that includes an itinerary, and... Getting yourself into, and you need to think about who their is. Switzerland 10 ( Travel guide ) and the urban experiences in Geneva, Basil, Zurich Lausanne... May also view on-the-job experience as valuable as an education if you are yourself. And safely be explored on your own the address of the president Italy since 2009 has... Also environmentally sound Travel Responsibly with Kids, Must-See places in Brisbane: top 5 to. Access to the job than just the above, but experience and advanced are... And skiing in the Swiss Parliament has to offer, check out our articles on Zrich top. And bus stops are handily located right next to railway stations neighboring countries of,... Depends on the companys recruitment process on-the-job experience as valuable as an if! A guide will show you around tour leading for at least a couple of hours all run smoothly safely! Your tour guide, there is more to the boats of the Alps in a related career city hopping todays... Simply a joy, recuperation and passion even consider you its also environmentally sound at night common certifications for guides! Guide companies and organizations are looking for guides confident, and what it takes to land one the... Are the right place to find out how much experience you need for the summer on finding right...
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