Switzerland's largest city (population over 420,000) has shaken off its reputation as Europe's sourpuss and you'll find its still pristinely clean streets abuzz with newfound confidence on the back of global recognition. Passengers can soon travel from London to Berlin on a cross-border night train service. The Lyrans contributed a lot of knowledge to Atlantis and Lemuria regarding the use of physical energy. Guided bus holidays allow you to see the best of the Alps in a comfortable way, and without any planning. And if you hate studying, you may as well peace out now! Your life will change. 1. Stamina and patience required. It's squeezed into a bulge of land that shares just 4km of internal border with its neighbouring Swiss canton, but 108km with France. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Maintain alertness for any problem solve calls via radio and communication with management. Learn about the career. Spearhead all creative activity for online marketing (Facebook), and other social media sites5. While you're there, ask the tour leader exactly what they're doing on a day-to-day basis. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Certified Hospitality and Tourism Management Professional. Journeys in Switzerland arent just about getting from A to B they are travel moments youll be raving about for years to come. 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! 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. 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. Give examples of past experiences and anything else that will make your application jump off the page. Becoming qualified as a registered tourist guide is just the start. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing renovations in the Palais des Nations, our tour offers are limited and subject to changes. Swiss wine, from vineyards mostly south of the Alps, is so popular among the Swiss that only 2 percent is exported! Learn all about Switzerland and get in touch with us quickly if you have questions.Learn more, Who's MySwissAlps.com?We're passionate tourists and locals. 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. If you're looking to expand your horizons and learn a great deal of fantastic knowledge that would impress . 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. See Also: Everything Your Tour Guide Wants You to Know Before You Travel. The Swiss Tourist Guide Association celebrates its 25th birthday. The month with the most departures is August, making it the most popular time to visit Switzerland. Those tour guides may then apply or request to also have some winter work. Geneva: A city full of history, diplomacy, and natural beauty. If becoming a tour guideis for you, maybe its time to start doing your research on which companies youd like to apply to! Tour Guide training is essential to get the know how and be confident in delivering quality services, after all you are getting paid! Aid clients with matters regarding passports and visas. The Best Time to Visit Switzerland: A Complete Guide; Best Banks in Switzerland: All Features and Prices; 10 Things to Do in Locarno Switzerland; 16 Best Things to Do in Gstaad, Switzerland in 2022; 16 Amazing Sights and Things To Do in Lugano; The Top 17 Things to Do in Montreux, Switzerland (2022) 17 Best Things To Do in Interlaken, Switzerland At St. Pierre Cathedral and the Museum of the Reformation, you can learn about Geneva's role in the rise of Protestantism. Get a good nights sleep before your interview and enter the room calm, confident, and personable. Role of a Tour Guide 3. Okay, if youre really shy, and have never been further than the end of your road, maybe not. A tour guide who is likeable and personable can light up a destination and make every guest feel like the most important person in the group. Still up for the challenge? While they aren't essential for all jobs, they are for some, and give you a great advantage. We would be delighted to take you on our discovery tours and show you the superb insider locations of Switzerland. Continue with Recommended Cookies. (670 reviews) from $ 291.87. Primarily aimed at tourists, these named panoramic trains often have cars with extra large windows to make the most of the incredible scenery. The beauty of the Alps is unparalleled, and the urban experiences in Geneva, Basil, Zurich and Lausanne are rich and varied. Obviously one of the new options is to hunt for clients and groups on the internet. The Felines are the geneticists who created humans (Lyrans) to begin with so they have a big place in the story of our planet. 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. E-Mail If you have time to plan, our website explains how to do so. ASGT is an association of Swiss tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides. We would be delighted to take you on our discovery tours and show you the superb insider locations of Switzerland. Are you a history lover that enjoys a relaxed pace of travel with a more mature audience? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You can easily spend a few hours wandering the sites of the abbey, which include a library that contains more than 150,000 books, including priceless early medieval illuminated manuscripts, and the Baroque abbey cathedral. Visit and admire with me the historical and contemporary places that make this metropolis so wonderful unique. 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. 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. 260% Slots Bonus + 60 Spins on Plentiful Treasure. Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich. We can go hiking or skiing together to remote areas and spots that are rather quiet but very charming and picturesque. Highlight any professional experiences like being able to perform under pressure, working with groups, and any relevant language or academic knowledge that will help you to stand out. If youre starting out, wait until youve got some solid experience under your belt before reaching out to these companies! 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. Schaffhausen, Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. As mentioned above, if you plan on doing a lot of train travel, consider the Swiss Travel Pass or the Half Fare Card. Be confident in selling your skills, especially the ones essential to successfully running a tour. sailing, cultureevents, winter-activities. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You did it! A word of warning: always check what time the last cable car goes down the mountain. by official decision) is steadily becoming more common; all the various procedures will be explained on these pages . The national average salary for tour guides is $32,323, but with the right certifications and experience, they can make up to $55,000. 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. Sales and Marketing what does this mean. 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! They can also make you a more competitive candidate. Some of the more critical attributes needed to work in this industry include: Strong interpersonal skills. For more helpful travel tips, download Lonely Planets free Accessible Travel guide. "You MUST plan everything out ahead of time.". Posted by: | on September 29, 2022 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. 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. 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! The pros of this job cant be counted on just one hand, but becoming tour guide doesnt mean a permanent vacation. Youve got to hand it to the Swiss their trains really are the dream: efficient, slickly modern, eco-friendly and with views that keep you glued to the window for the entire duration of the journey. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. Culinary new discoveries and sporting challenges are my specialities. 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. It was built in 1408 and has been preserved ever since. Going to Switzerland changed my life. Best Sellers in Switzerland Travel Guides. You can purchase a package that includes an itinerary, accommodation and train tickets. 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. Its time to convince them that you can put your money where your mouth is. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Please read the below information carefully and check this page . Rick Steves Switzerland. 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. 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. The majority of modern hotels also have wheelchair access (although budget accommodations tend not to have elevators). 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! Our applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and the 2023 season is right around the corner! Day 2: Day Trip to St. Gallen and Appenzell, Day 6: Day Trip to Interlaken and the Jungfraujoch. But do you know what you are getting yourself into, and what it takes to land one of the best jobs ever? 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. With this transport pass, you're allowed unlimited travel by train (including premium panorama trains), bus and boat, as well as local public transportation in cities and free entry to 500 museums. Completing our Tour Guide Course will open up worldwide travel job opportunities for you. Drink tap water. Day 4: Boat Ride to Rigi or Rutli. while working, be the envy of all your friends, and visit dream destinations all over the globe! Planning your trip is much easier with a free MySwissAlps account. 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. Tourist - the customer Section B: Preparing to be a Tour Guide 4. Lead guides, which you may be promoted to at some . Are you legally able to work in the country where youll be touring, or is there a visa or work permit youll need? The charge is payable (in cash, including euros) at the border, at Swiss gas stations, post offices and at Swiss tourist offices abroad. If you gain their respect and they can see you know what youre doing, youre well on your way to being a roaring success. Fresh air, pure water, lush alpine flora and magnificient views: the Swiss mountains have long given visitors a deep sense of wellbeing. 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 best hotels of Switzerland Wellness & Spa hotels. Receiving tips from guests is common, too; tips are usually 5 to 20 percent of the tour's cost. ASGT is an association of Swiss tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides. Enjoy it all with a friendly local guide on a private Switzerland tour. Just call me while you are in Switzerlandor book me in advance. Some tour leaders or managers are self-employed, but most are full or part-time and generally earn from $50 - $150 per day. Armed with a Swiss Travel Pass, you'll have nearly unlimited use of Switzerland's excellent network of trains, buses, and ferries. Step 3: Complete relevent training/internship. All these geologic wonders add up to some of the more stunning scenery in the world. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Elizabeth Heath has lived in the Umbria region of Italy since 2009 and has been writing for TripSavvy since 2017. Planning a ski holiday in Switzerland? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. For the hiking tours a pair of strong hiking shoes are required. Swiss national travel passes are valid, but a few tourist-oriented Alpine routes levy a surcharge. 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. In an Alpine destination such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, or Gstaad, we like cozy, traditional hotels that really impart a sense of place. If you want to dip into this world, local guiding is great, and perfect if you want to go . Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! Cheap or Free Accommodations. The Swiss scenic trains offer a wonderful way to explore the Alps. 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! Paperback. All in all, its important to choose an operator that fits your personality and travels to destinations you feel passionate about! Heres what you need to do next! As a travel guide, you will be expected to help lead a group of around 50 study abroad students with another guide or two. We are an association according to art. Spend a couple of hours in this charming town, then transfer back to St. Gallen and on to Zurich for the night. Driving in Switzerland is a breeze. 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 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. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. Best of Switzerland in 12 Days Tour. Apply as soon as possible to get the process started. 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. Skip the rental car for this itinerary, which we've specifically designed to be done via public transportation. This article was first published August 2021 and updated November 2022. 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.. We would be delighted to arrange a personal tour for you with the travel experiences you would like to have. "Language distribution." With almost 700 years, it is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Many cities have free or inexpensive bike-rental schemes, and bicycle and e-bike rental is usually available at train stations. Here's how to get around this wonderfully scenic country. Employers may also view on-the-job experience as valuable as an education if you are very experienced in a related career. Most major cities, including Bern, Geneva, Zurich and Basel, are connected by rail with daily services. Prices are comparable to train fares. Guiding groups around a location. To be a Tour Guide in Europe: You must be able to work in Europe. Tour Group Safety. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. During the cross-over months, and off season (fall and spring), do carry a warm jacket or cardigan as temperatures drop in the evenings. Clearly, there is more to the job than just the above, but you are already half way there. (166) Languages: English (fluent), German (conversational), Italian (conversational) Biography: Greetings! Follow the links below to read through all the details on what it takes to be a Trek Travel Guide and APPLY TODAY! Making it to the end of your training is a huge accomplishment in itself. Getting to Switzerland from surrounding European countries is simple, quick and cheap by bus or train. And here are 10 ways to make your money last longer in Switzerland. 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. Follow these steps to start your career: 1. Please see our 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. Most tour operators will hire in preparation for their peak season. 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. For example, travel agents handle book travel, answer travel-related questions, and handle customer's travel logistics every day. Switzerland is a well organized and safe country. 3. Step 4: Get tour guide certifications. Sleep on Straw (minus the cows) 3. It'll be a good idea to develop tour guide skills before applying for a job. 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. Switzerland can easily and safely be explored on your own. The best time to visit Switzerland is during the shoulder seasons, as in April to June and September to October. 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. You can reach Switzerland by train from the neighboring countries of Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. It may seem like a daunting task, but for those suited to the job, its a dream come true. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Association Suisse des Guides Touristiques And the environmental clincher? The best of the best! Advance booking is sometimes necessary. He said he was with his wife and child at the time and was angry he had to lie to his daughter . It does not store any personal data. Explore Lake Geneva, one of Europe's oldest Old Towns, and see the headquarters of the UN. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Switzerlands roads are well signposted and maintained, but you should always check conditions before heading up into the Alps, especially in winter. Step 1: Explore tour guide education. Read on to find out how to become a tour guide! You should also find out how much experience you need for the tour operator you have your eye on. Schweizerischer Verein Reiseleiter und Stadtfhrer. Martin Gordon has represented Ireland at the Paralympics, with Eamon Byrne as tandem pilot. 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. 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. Come with us and get to know Switzerland and its customs on tailor-made tours. The Palais des Nations, an outstanding testimony to twentieth century architecture, is situated in the beautiful Ariana park in Geneva, Switzerland. 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. Apply for a tour guide job in many companies to stand a chance of getting at least one job opportunity. Some tour operators wont require you to have any previous experience and will instead invest huge amounts of time and money in auditioning you. Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. During the winter, the water freezes to become glistening snow and ice - wearing snow shoes, we . 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. Basel: A city on the Rhine River in northern Switzerland near France and Germany. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Introduction 2. And that's enough to bring travelersabout 12 million of them per yearto Switzerland.