Retrieved on November 9, 2021. I decided to follow my dream and become a mountain guide. 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. Charismatic and genuine. 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. Our applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and the 2023 season is right around the corner! 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. Avoid these traps: "12 (or 20) people on the tour is the max.". Learn about the career. Learn about the seasons and weather. This is simply best travel-related site I have ever seen. 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. While they aren't essential for all jobs, they are for some, and give you a great advantage. If you are in no hurry, Switzerlands bright yellow postal buses can be a fun way to reach the remote mountain regions. 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. Head to Vitznau, where you might be tempted to spend the night at the 5-star, lakefront Park Hotel Vitznauor at least consider a scenic lakeside lunch there. 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. We strongly recommend tour guide training about what better way then starting right here with our Tour Guide Course. Your Zurich travel guide. Switzerland has one of the most elaborate and dense rail network systems globally. My later journeys often took me in the vicinity of water I feel really at home there. Passenger boats run on Lake Geneva, Constance, Lucerne, Lugano, Neuchtel, Biel, Murten, Thun, Brienz and Zug. 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. Getting There. You did it! After that, you'll need a travel pass or ticket from the Swiss Travel System if you want to change trains. The committee works on voluntary basis. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Tickets do not need to be bought in advance, and they can be purchased at stations on the day of travel or on the official Swiss Railways website. Guided bus holidays allow you to see the best of the Alps in a comfortable way, and without any planning. 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. Read our, Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide. To find work, you'll need to market yourself to tour operators and other employers. Guiding groups around a location. Swiss Alps Day Trip from Zurich: Jungfraujoch and Bernese Oberland. For more helpful travel tips, download Lonely Planets free Accessible Travel guide. The seat of our association is at the address of the president. 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. Switzerland's accommodation options range from rustic mountain bunkhouses for hikers to luxurious 5-star hotels with spas, Michelin-star dining, and every imaginable amenity. In fact, a little spontaneity is good. Out of all the good tour guide qualities, this one is probably the hardest to come by. Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts. you also need to think about who their audience is! info@asgt.ch. Please read the below information carefully and check this page . Maintain alertness for any problem solve calls via radio and communication with management. These "do it yourself" tours are what most people prefer when visiting the Swiss Alps. From Vitznau, climb aboard the historic cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm at the top of Mt. ASGT is an association of Swiss tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides. We determined the most common certifications for tour guides. The Association is politically and confessionally neutral. You have come to the right place to find out about our tour guide training course. Receive multiple positive reviews on the company Facebook page. The interview round depends on the company's recruitment process. Lead guides, which you may be promoted to at some . What is interpretation? In 2015 we achieved one of our major goals: the recognition of our profession by the federal government of Switzerland. 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. Transportation, hotels and attraction tickets will be included. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Living a life on the road is both a lifestyle and a job. Most major cities, including Bern, Geneva, Zurich and Basel, are connected by rail with daily services. Consider the tips below for a successful job search: Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your plumber resume. 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. Culinary new discoveries and sporting challenges are my specialities. The first step to becoming a tour guide is learning about the details of the career. By David Eisenberg. In an Alpine destination such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, or Gstaad, we like cozy, traditional hotels that really impart a sense of place. Best Time To Visit. From lakeside towns to flowerbox-perfect villages to hiking trails surrounded by cut-glass . Heres what you need to do next! 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. Some tour leaders or managers are self-employed, but most are full or part-time and generally earn from $50 - $150 per day. "Language distribution." 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. Free kilometers and gasoline are included in my wage. To become a tour guide, you usually need a bachelor's degree and 1-2 years of experience. (1325 reviews) from $ 184.81. see . 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. The historical museum has living history presentations that will interest kids and adults, and a short bus ride away, the Swiss Transport Museum is easily one of the top museums in the country. During the cross-over months, and off season (fall and spring), do carry a warm jacket or cardigan as temperatures drop in the evenings. If youd like to work in Australia and New Zealand, applications are generally taken around mid-year in preparation for the summer. Train Travel in Switzerland . These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Get inspired by these sample itineraries. For a big dose of Swiss history, take the boat from Lucerne to the Rtli Meadow, the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation in 1291. If youre one of the lucky few that lands the job you need to be prepared to give up everything about your old life. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. 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. Make sure you have specialised skills, such as a foreign language or a PCV driving licence. #1. Some mountain cable cars, ski gondolas, and cog railways are also included with the pass, making car-free sightseeing in Switzerland a breeze. Take a morning train from Lucerne to the Swiss capital of Bern, about a 60-90 minute ride. With some of the best ski resorts in the country, its time to discover why winter in California might just be the best time to visit. BBC. Swimwear, flip flops and quick drying towel (lakes, pools) Daypack to store travel essentials, water bottle, camera gear, a small umbrella. 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. How to effectively deal with illness " your Tour Guide Guests OR yours. Step 3: Prepare for the interview process. 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. Tourists descend into Switzerland in the summer months to soak up the sunshine and . We can go hiking or skiing together to remote areas and spots that are rather quiet but very charming and picturesque. 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? 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. We have placement opportunities for Canadians in a group of diverse countries which offer jobs in sectors such as: Crops, Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Equine, Beekeeping. If you can answer yes to those questions, fill in the following form: Contact us by filling in this form to apply for our course, or if you have any questions. Before investing your time, heart, and soul in a solid job application, make sure youve got the legal parts covered. 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! Do your research! Before you head out for a day of adventures, stop at a grocery store and pick up bread, cheese, cold cuts, or whatever else you want for a picnic. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Schweizerischer Verein Reiseleiter und Stadtfhrer. Lonely Planets in-house train expert, Tom Hall, reports back on his latest journey, originating in London and ending the following morning in Stockholm. Here we focus on finding the right personalities in our guides, but experience and advanced certifications are certainly always a plus. 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 . 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. Swiss Tourist Guide Association A guide can be available full time or part time, according to your needs. What a way to commute! Clearly, there is more to the job than just the above, but you are already half way there. Now that youre a tour guide, there are a few other things to keep in mind. ), as well as a snow park, an ice cave, observatories, and bars and restaurants. And if you hate studying, you may as well peace out now! Switzerland in winter is a playground for the rich and famous; even non-skiers recognize the legendary names of Zermatt, St Moritz, Gstaad and Verbier. 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. Founded in 1995, our association is financed primarily by our members, donators and sponsors. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 10. Fresh air, pure water, lush alpine flora and magnificient views: the Swiss mountains have long given visitors a deep sense of wellbeing. Primarily aimed at tourists, these named panoramic trains often have cars with extra large windows to make the most of the incredible scenery. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Apply for a tour guide job in many companies to stand a chance of getting at least one job opportunity. privacy policy Switzerland can easily and safely be explored on your own. Journeys in Switzerland arent just about getting from A to B they are travel moments youll be raving about for years to come. Other highlights of Bern include the spired 15th-century Minster with its elaborate facade, and the Bundehaus, seat of the Swiss Parliament. 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. Switzerland can easily and safely be explored on your own. Some intra-Europe flights might land at Basel's airport, which is actually located just over the French border. 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. We can do the city as a walking tour and using the public transport. We've determined that 70.0% of tour guides have a bachelor's degree. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Swiss travel consultants can make a customized itinerary for you. Hiking and skiing in the Swiss Mountains are my leisure activities. Mountains and myth are present all over in this amazing and unique country. 650 road signs to point the way (or simply let your GPS guide you) 46 top attractions, 22 lakes, 5 Alpine passes, 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites on 8 stages. Or do you prefer non-stop adventure and fast-paced city hopping with todays youth? 1. Take yourself back to the avant-garde era, lean back in this special car and enjoy the wonderful Swiss countryside. If you don't have time to plan, you can book a. She has also written for Frommer's, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, and more. Today you'll switch gears and locations, from busy Zurich to more sedate Lucerne, your base for the next two nights. Lonely Planet Switzerland 10 (Travel Guide) Pack a picnic. That said, look out for sizable discounts when booking supersaver tickets ahead of travel. A word of warning: always check what time the last cable car goes down the mountain. Your life will change. Also for non-skiers! guiding or tour leading for at least a couple of years before they will even consider you. To take the quiz to become a tour guide, players must be at least 45 days old. Whats the major industry of that little town we just passed? 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. 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. Whether you prefer the pace to be gentle or adventurous, I will adapt to your tempo. Rick Steves. Start working and continue learning. Tour Group Safety. This morning, take an early train from Bern to Geneva and get there in less than two hours. As a travel guide, you will be expected to help lead a group of around 50 study abroad students with another guide or two. The Lyrans contributed a lot of knowledge to Atlantis and Lemuria regarding the use of physical energy. By staying on this website you agree to our usage of cookies. Though travel in Switzerland is efficient and convenient, it can also be expensive, and visitors planning to use inter-city routes should consider investing in a Swiss Travel Pass. And here are 10 ways to make your money last longer in Switzerland. If youre one of the lucky few that lands the job you need to be prepared to give up everything about your old life. Stamina and patience required. You did it! 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. Find out where to go and what to do in winter. 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. 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!). Versatility is my strength Im your wild card! Explore the Alps and Swiss lakes by booking a driving holiday. Travel in Switzerland isnt only beautiful its also environmentally sound. 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. "Always have a backup plan in case it . Before you begin your application, do a solid check on the work permit requirements. That evening, plan on dinner at the cavernous Zeughauskeller, famous for its meter-long sausages and setting in a 15th-century arsenal. Even if employers don't require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Switzerland ranks among the worlds most easily navigable countries for travelers with physical disabilities. Many cities have free or inexpensive bike-rental schemes, and bicycle and e-bike rental is usually available at train stations. What's the best time to visit Switzerland? sailing, cultureevents, winter-activities. 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. 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. Read our Privacy Policy. Switzerland is a well organized and safe country. You will be on call 24/7, your own needs will always, Spend plenty of time tailoring your application letter and resume to fit the role and the company youre applying for. The old maxim that the journey is the destination rings true in Switzerland. Come with us and get to know Switzerland and its customs on tailor-made tours. 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! Heres what you need to do next! Many now rent out electric cars, too. Skywings and Twin Paragliding are both recommended operators. Ensuring the safety of tour attendees. Step 2: Gain Experience. 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! If you want to dip into this world, local guiding is great, and perfect if you want to go . Important to note: Though a lot of people living on the road are referred to as tour guides, in some countries, theyre tour leaders, managers, directors the list goes on! It doesnt matter if youre. Cynthia Elizabeth T. Zurich, Switzerland. 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. 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. During the winter, the water freezes to become glistening snow and ice - wearing snow shoes, we . Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. However, if you plan to travel every two to three days, having a pass could be more affordable than buying many different point-to-point tickets. The minimum rental age is usually 25 but falls to 20 at some local firms. You may have shed blood, sweat and tears to get here but you can finally call yourself a tour guide! Advance booking is sometimes necessary. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Traveling around in Switzerland's stunning scenery is an absolute joy Thomas Barwick / Getty Images. 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. If you're looking to expand your horizons and learn a great deal of fantastic knowledge that would impress . from $4,295 per person + air. But do you know what you are getting yourself into, and what it takes to land one of the best jobs ever? 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. Arrange for a group tour in Switzerland. "You MUST plan everything out ahead of time.". The Best Halloween Parties and Events Around the World. 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! So prepare 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! Bern is built into a sharp bend in the Aare River, which historically made it easier to defend and, aesthetically, placed it in a beautiful setting. Or simply enjoy the historic Old Town and abundant shopping and dining in Interlaken before hopping the train back to Bern. Where is the closest cash machine? 449. 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. Spend plenty of time tailoring your application letter and resume to fit the role and the company youre applying for. Cheese, chocolate, potatoes, and meat feature heavily on Swiss menus everywhere, and risotto is popular in the cantons bordering Italy. Going to Switzerland changed my life. Switzerland Tourism. 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. Some of the more critical attributes needed to work in this industry include: Strong interpersonal skills. Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. Acquiring Swiss citizenship by means of naturalisation (i.e. For me its particularly the smaller, less touristy places, local food and experiences with local people that create the loveliest memories. We would be delighted to take you on our discovery tours and show you the superb insider locations of Switzerland. For more information: Every Question You've Ever Had About Group Tours, Everything Your Tour Guide Wants You to Know Before You Travel. 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. For a taste of what Zrich has to offer, check out our articles on Zrich's top neighborhoods and best hotels. 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 role of a tour guide requires a range of knowledge, social skills and physical capabilities to cover the many aspects of the job. It's one thing to make guests laugh, and another to laugh with them. 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. Its important to know that when youre looking for travelling job opportunities, many tour guide job advertisements will be looking for licensed city tour specialists, who unlike you will be looking to stay put in one city, See Also: Every Question You've Ever Had About Group Tours. 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. 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. from $ 291.87. Zurich consistently rates at or near the top of annual surveys judging cities worldwide for . Use This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This TemplateUse This Template. Whatever interests you, I will accompany you purposefully, reliably and with plenty of enthusiasm. Youll meet people from everywhere, wake up in a different city every other day, and truly become a citizen of the world. The skiing equipment you can rent on site at the White Arenas. For example, travel agents handle book travel, answer travel-related questions, and handle customer's travel logistics every day. 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. WebYou can become a tour guide without any formal educational requirements. It'll be a good idea to develop tour guide skills before applying for a job. 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? Issued for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days, the Swiss Travel Pass includes unlimited travel all over Switzerland. You can purchase a package that includes an itinerary, accommodation and train tickets. So have some confidence in yourself. 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. Getting to Switzerland from surrounding European countries is simple, quick and cheap by bus or train. Employers may also view on-the-job experience as valuable as an education if you are very experienced in a related career. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. For those traveling with a tent, there are a few campsites on the outskirts of Geneva. Are you punctual; can you stick to a schedule. Here's a taste of what you'll learn in the Tour Guide Course. Step 7: Apply for a tour guide job. Apply as soon as possible to get the process started. Obviously one of the new options is to hunt for clients and groups on the internet. Swiss cuisine is hearty, to say the least. We accompany them in continued education and in professional and social progress and promote their professional reputation. You can reach Switzerland by train from the neighboring countries of Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. The charge is payable (in cash, including euros) at the border, at Swiss gas stations, post offices and at Swiss tourist offices abroad. 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. Give examples of past experiences and anything else that will make your application jump off the page. Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! Making it to the end of your training is a huge accomplishment in itself. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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! 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. Enjoy it all with a friendly local guide on a private Switzerland tour. Associazione Svizzera delle Guide Turistiche Expect to pay anywhere between 40-100 CHF for a second-class train ticket between cities.
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how to become a tour guide in switzerland