Making it to the end of your training is a huge accomplishment in itself. 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. 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. for more information regarding our use of cookies. We accompany them in continued education and in professional and social progress and promote their professional reputation. If youre one of the lucky few that lands the job you need to be prepared to give up everything about your old life. The role of a tour guide requires a range of knowledge, social skills and physical capabilities to cover the many aspects of the job. Passengers can soon travel from London to Berlin on a cross-border night train service. Switzerland can easily and safely be explored on your own. 30 offers from $14.69. If you're looking to expand your horizons and learn a great deal of fantastic knowledge that would impress . All rights reserved. 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. Ask us in the comments below! You need to be patient, fierce, tenacious, and most importantly possess a genuine passion for your passengers and profession. By clicking Accept All Cookies you agree with the use of analytical and tracking cookies. 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. Get inspired by these sample itineraries. Role of a Tour Guide 3. 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. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing renovations in the Palais des Nations, our tour offers are limited and subject to changes. 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. "Language distribution." Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. from $4,295 per person + air. It takes an average of less than 1 month of job training to become a tour guide. Basel: A city on the Rhine River in northern Switzerland near France and Germany. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. You did it! Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. "Tracing fondues mysterious origins." 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. 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. "Don't do outdoor tours in the winter.". Find the latest news about the coronavirus and learn if it will affect your trip to Switzerland. These rail tour packages include all the highlights. 3. 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. 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. Maintain alertness for any problem solve calls via radio and communication with management. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Make sure you have specialised skills, such as a foreign language or a PCV driving licence. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Travel in Switzerland isnt only beautiful its also environmentally sound. 5. 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. 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. Switzerland is a land-locked country, but boats ply the country's large lakes, serviced by steamers operated by Swiss Federal Railwaysor private companies for which national travel passes are valid. Best of Switzerland in 12 Days Tour. "The city that I've been in my entire life, I get . 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. Those tour guides may then apply or request to also have some winter work. Switzerland Tourism. During the cross-over months, and off season (fall and spring), do carry a warm jacket or cardigan as temperatures drop in the evenings. Today you'll switch gears and locations, from busy Zurich to more sedate Lucerne, your base for the next two nights. So, you want to get paid to travel the world? The interview round depends on the company's recruitment process. 4. 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! He said he was with his wife and child at the time and was angry he had to lie to his daughter . In winter, it's as early as 4pm in mountain resorts. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. Its entirely drivable by electric car. 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. The Swiss Tourist Guide Association celebrates its 25th birthday. Please see our 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. What's the best time to visit Switzerland? 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. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. During the holiday season, Bern is home to several lively Christmas markets. Come and explore the sheer faces of the Eiger, the regal town of Lucerne, the Jungfrau ski fields, the shimmering Geneva Lake and more with help from a local Swiss guide from tourHQ. The first step to becoming a tour guide is learning about the details of the career. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. People are looking for a variety of different tour guides. Just call me while you are in Switzerlandor book me in advance. Manage Settings Join me for a unique tour experience andmemories that will last a lifetime. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 5.3% of tour guides have master's degrees. Pretty soon into the process, youll find out if you are up to the challenge and whether you have the necessary skills, personality and expertise to make it or break it as a tour guide. Upon paying the tax, you'll receive a sticker that must be displayed on the windshield. Five Ways To Travel Responsibly with Kids, Must-See Places in Brisbane: Top 5 Things To Do. Presenting yourself 6. Switzerland is a fantastic country for two-wheel adventures, with many well-signed and highly scenic cycle routes heading along rivers and lakeshores. Acquiring Swiss citizenship by means of naturalisation (i.e. Rating. It was built in 1408 and has been preserved ever since. It could be one meeting or a series of meetings. From Vitznau, climb aboard the historic cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm at the top of Mt. When you decide to become a tour guide, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. ), as well as a snow park, an ice cave, observatories, and bars and restaurants. Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly. Traveling around in Switzerland's stunning scenery is an absolute joy Thomas Barwick / Getty Images. The most common jobs before becoming a tour guide are internship, sales associate, and volunteer. Find out where to go and what to do in winter. We strongly recommend tour guide training about what better way then starting right here with our Tour Guide Course. 60ff fo the Swiss civil right book (ZGB). Association Suisse des Guides Touristiques Some mountain cable cars, ski gondolas, and cog railways are also included with the pass, making car-free sightseeing in Switzerland a breeze. 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. 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. You will start out as an assistant guide-usually taking photos, counting to make sure the group is all there, making sure no one gets lost, and assisting the Lead guide. 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. The old maxim that the journey is the destination rings true in Switzerland. The Palais des Nations, an outstanding testimony to twentieth century architecture, is situated in the beautiful Ariana park in Geneva, Switzerland. When was that building built? Many thanks to the curators of MySwissAlps. If you have time to plan, our website explains how to do so. Explore Lake Geneva, one of Europe's oldest Old Towns, and see the headquarters of the UN. Are you punctual; can you stick to a schedule. What is the Grand Tour of Switzerland? Step 6: Prepare your resume. 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. 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. And the good news is, that tour companies are always recruiting! Your trip will likely start or end in one of Switzerland's big cities, where that history and culture are on full display. 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. Are you a history lover that enjoys a relaxed pace of travel with a more mature audience? Tour Guide. To find work, you'll need to market yourself to tour operators and other employers. It doesnt matter if youre. We've determined that 70.0% of tour guides have a bachelor's degree. 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. 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 A tour guide gives specific narration in a place, often joining the tour group for just a couple of hours. If you love travel, like other people, and are willing to learn, then. 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. 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. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. 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. 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. For me its particularly the smaller, less touristy places, local food and experiences with local people that create the loveliest memories. By David Eisenberg. #2. Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour from Zurich. Cynthia Elizabeth T. Zurich, Switzerland. Your life will change. Most train stations have a mobile lift for boarding trains, and city buses are equipped with ramps. 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. 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. Switzerland is a well organized and safe country. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at any tap. 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. 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! 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. 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. A private guide and a tour program for your group only. The beauty of the Alps is unparalleled, and the urban experiences in Geneva, Basil, Zurich and Lausanne are rich and varied. 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. Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a tour guide. Rick Steves. It does not store any personal data. Being a tour guide means you get to travel. Here, besides journeying to the highest train station in Europe, you'll be treated to views of the Aletsch GlacierEurope's longest at 22 kilometers, as well as the Eiger, Mnch, and the Jungfrau peaks. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. For example, travel agents handle book travel, answer travel-related questions, and handle customer's travel logistics every day. The minimum rental age is usually 25 but falls to 20 at some local firms. If youd like to work in Australia and New Zealand, applications are generally taken around mid-year in preparation for the summer. Youll meet people from everywhere, wake up in a different city every other day, and truly become a citizen of the world. A tour leader's monthly income can vary between 1000 to 10000 USD, depending on their work. 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. The skiing equipment you can rent on site at the White Arenas. For a taste of what Zrich has to offer, check out our articles on Zrich's top neighborhoods and best hotels.