Be confident in selling your skills, especially the ones essential to successfully running a tour. If you are in no hurry, Switzerlands bright yellow postal buses can be a fun way to reach the remote mountain regions. It was built in 1408 and has been preserved ever since. 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. And if you hate studying, you may as well peace out now! You may have shed blood, sweat and tears to get here but you can finally call yourself a tour guide! Pack a picnic. What Happens if Your Flight Gets Cancelled Before Your Tour? We've determined that 70.0% of tour guides have a bachelor's degree. The tour operator wants to see if you are the right fit for them and the real deal. Making it to the end of your training is a huge accomplishment in itself. Step 2: Gain Experience. We determined the most common certifications for tour guides. Spend a couple of hours in this charming town, then transfer back to St. Gallen and on to Zurich for the night. Its a competitive field, and youll have to work hard to keep your coveted role. Most train stations have a mobile lift for boarding trains, and city buses are equipped with ramps. 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. Explore Lake Geneva, one of Europe's oldest Old Towns, and see the headquarters of the UN. You did it! Even if employers don't require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Now that youre a tour guide, there are a few other things to keep in mind. 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 youre one of the lucky few that lands the job you need to be prepared to give up everything about your old life. Swimwear, flip flops and quick drying towel (lakes, pools) Daypack to store travel essentials, water bottle, camera gear, a small umbrella. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. Youll meet people from everywhere, wake up in a different city every other day, and truly become a citizen of the world. These jobs are highly sought after by many young, enthusiastic adventurers, so the stakes are high. Do your research! Your life will change. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Here are our top tips for navigating the Swiss city. Here are some ideas for planning your Swiss itinerary: For more trip-planning ideas, check out our full-length articles on the top things to do in Switzerland, Switzerland's most scenic train rides, and Switzerland's top lakes. Youll need skills, of course, but you can learn them. Sales and Marketing what does this mean. Getting paid to travel and visit fascinating sites can be enticing, but it's important to consider other aspects of the career. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 8. Youll find car rental companies at airports and in cities and towns. There are very few other jobs in the world where people work so independently of their managers presence from the beginning of their employment. 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. Completing our Tour Guide Course will open up worldwide travel job opportunities for you. 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. 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 Tour Guide project began on January 26, 2007, [1] with the intent of helping newcomers find their way around Club Penguin. from $4,295 per person + air. The majority of modern hotels also have wheelchair access (although budget accommodations tend not to have elevators). Follow these steps to start your career: 1. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Drink tap water. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at any tap. If you want to dip into this world, local guiding is great, and perfect if you want to go . She has also written for Frommer's, The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, and more. "Don't do outdoor tours in the winter.". So have some confidence in yourself. You can easily create your own itinerary and travel independently. You need to have a consistent passion for learning, relentlessly optimistic outlook and dedication to hard work. , Geneva is only nominally within Switzerland's borders. Switzerland can easily and safely be explored on your own. 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. 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. Greenhouses, Nurseries, Market Gardens, Flower production, & Landscaping. Plus, the process of getting a certification can teach you new skills that you can bring to your work. The Swiss Travel Pass is an all-in-one ticket giving you complete access to Switzerland (and Liechtenstein!). (and love chatting). 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. Speaking knowledgeably on a location. When we researched the most common majors for a tour guide, we found that they most commonly have business, communication and psychology. A private guide and a tour program for your group only. While wearing the Tour Guide Hat, players can use a pre-written message that summarizes the room they are in. Receiving tips from guests is common, too; tips are usually 5 to 20 percent of the tour's cost. You will be on call 24/7, your own needs will always, always,be the last priorityand youll find yourself with little to no time to speak with your friends and family back home. 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! Our employees will review the applications received and get in touch with the candidates . If you're interested in becoming a tour guide, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. Ensuring the safety of tour attendees. Step 3: Prepare for the interview process. My later journeys often took me in the vicinity of water I feel really at home there. Please see our Basically we can visit every place you would like to see. 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. The best hotels of Switzerland Wellness & Spa hotels. Sleep on Straw (minus the cows) 3. Whatever interests you, I will accompany you purposefully, reliably and with plenty of enthusiasm. Free kilometers and gasoline are included in my wage. In an Alpine destination such as Zermatt, Saas-Fee, or Gstaad, we like cozy, traditional hotels that really impart a sense of place. Martin Gordon has represented Ireland at the Paralympics, with Eamon Byrne as tandem pilot. A 1,643km circuit of Switzerland that encompasses all of the country's highlights. Enjoy it all with a friendly local guide on a private Switzerland tour. Swiss national travel passes are valid, but a few tourist-oriented Alpine routes levy a surcharge. 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. 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. It could be one meeting or a series of meetings. For more information: Every Question You've Ever Had About Group Tours, Everything Your Tour Guide Wants You to Know Before You Travel. The best time to visit Switzerland is during the shoulder seasons, as in April to June and September to October. Fresh air, pure water, lush alpine flora and magnificient views: the Swiss mountains have long given visitors a deep sense of wellbeing. Apply for a tour guide job in many companies to stand a chance of getting at least one job opportunity. Living a life on the road is both a lifestyle and a job. What kind of tree is that? Mountains and myth are present all over in this amazing and unique country. There I quickly discovered my passion for watersports. Patience and understanding. 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. 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. Here's a taste of what you'll learn in the Tour Guide Course. Switzerland ranks among the worlds most easily navigable countries for travelers with physical disabilities. Step 1: Email us your application. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role: Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume. 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Zurich offers an engaging mix of history and innovation, and at turns the young and old sides of Switzerland. 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). "You MUST plan everything out ahead of time.". 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. Receive multiple positive reviews on the company Facebook page. Some tour leaders or managers are self-employed, but most are full or part-time and generally earn from $50 - $150 per day. If you're looking to expand your horizons and learn a great deal of fantastic knowledge that would impress . Some tour operators wont require you to have any previous experience and will instead invest huge amounts of time and money in auditioning you. It may seem like a daunting task, but for those suited to the job, its a dream come true. Stamina and patience required. Address 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! Read our, Your Trip to Switzerland: The Complete Guide. 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. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Prices start at 9 CHF for a basic plot without electricity. Many thanks to the curators of MySwissAlps. 1. guiding or tour leading for at least a couple of years before they will even consider you. View of Mount Pilatus from Stans. Prospective tourist guides are examined on their . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. Get a good nights sleep before your interview and enter the room calm, confident, and personable. Whether you prefer the pace to be gentle or adventurous, I will adapt to your tempo. There is also the Chaff Bridge. These rail tour packages include all the highlights. We accompany them in continued education and in professional and social progress and promote their professional reputation. February 12, 2013. Before you begin your application, do a solid check on the work permit requirements. Best Time To Visit. Learn about the career. appliance trade in program lg; tchibo coffee machine germany; how to become a tour guide in switzerland. Here we focus on finding the right personalities in our guides, but experience and advanced certifications are certainly always a plus. While you're there, ask the tour leader exactly what they're doing on a day-to-day basis. To find work, you'll need to market yourself to tour operators and other employers. The central European country is small compared to its neighbors, but it packs a lot into its 16,000 square miles, including 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more than 1,500 glaciers, and at least that many lakes. Stroll the Bahnhofstrassereportedly Europe's most expensive shopping streeteven if it's just for window-shopping, and duck into Zurich's other grand cathedral, the Fraumunster. ), as well as a snow park, an ice cave, observatories, and bars and restaurants. Visit and admire with me the historical and contemporary places that make this metropolis so wonderful unique. Find out where to go and what to do in winter. Tour operators invest a huge amount in their tour guides. Retrieved on November 9, 2021. sailing, cultureevents, winter-activities. 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. Consider the tips below for a successful job search: Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your plumber resume. Have any questions about the process? 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. 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 headline road trip is the 1600km (994-mile) Grand Tour of Switzerland, an epic, efficiently . Yes, YOU! Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! Make sure you visit the Zytglogge historical clock just before the top of the hour, so you won't miss the rooster crowing and the complicated display of dozens of mechanical moving figures. 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. By David Eisenberg. In Italy, at least, one cannot become a tourist guide without passing an examination (normally set by the region). You can reach Switzerland by train from the neighboring countries of Austria, Germany, France, and Italy. Ask us in the comments below! 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! 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. Acquiring Swiss citizenship by means of naturalisation (i.e. 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. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. A 15-day pass is just shy of 500 CHF, so it's not cheap. Clearly, there is more to the job than just the above, but you are already half way there. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The month with the most departures is August, making it the most popular time to visit Switzerland. A guide can be available full time or part time, according to your needs. The Association is politically and confessionally neutral. You will see the best places, travel privately and be your own guide. Being a tour guide involves taking groups of tourists into certain areas as part of their vacation. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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! Your colleagues and peers can help you when you need it but focus on the most important thing of all, your passengers! 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! 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 If you don't have time to plan, you can book a. Often referred to as the Cultural Capital of the country. 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. Translation: there is no such thing a bad day.. Cynthia Elizabeth T. Zurich, Switzerland. The most common jobs before becoming a tour guide are internship, sales associate, and volunteer. Your trip will likely start or end in one of Switzerland's big cities, where that history and culture are on full display. 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. So, you want to get paid to travel the world? Tickets are purchased from the driver, though on some scenic routes over the Alps (for instance the Lugano to St Moritz run) reservations are necessary. Let's take a look at how train travel works in Switzerland. Rating. 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. But do you know what you are getting yourself into, and what it takes to land one of the best jobs ever? Join me for a unique tour experience andmemories that will last a lifetime. It does not store any personal data. People will still come, even in the snow. Or do you prefer non-stop adventure and fast-paced city hopping with todays youth? 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. Heres what you need to do next! 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. 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. Take a morning train from Lucerne to the Swiss capital of Bern, about a 60-90 minute ride. 1. 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. 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. There's snow year-round at the top (so dress appropriately! E-Mail Swiss travel consultants will create a customized itinerary for your group. And here are 10 ways to make your money last longer in Switzerland. Many cities have free or inexpensive bike-rental schemes, and bicycle and e-bike rental is usually available at train stations. The next day, head back to your point of origin, and say your farewells to a perfect week in one of Europe's most beautiful destinations. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Your speaking skills will be tested in an interview before training, and finally, some operators will look for individuals that have beenguiding or tour leading for at least a couple of years before they will even consider you. Being a tour guide means you get to travelwhile working, be the envy of all your friends, and visit dream destinations all over the globe! Make sure you have specialised skills, such as a foreign language or a PCV driving licence. But a few other things to consider is how much education you need it focus! Career: 1 start at 9 CHF for a successful job search: then choose from 10+ resume templates create... A great deal of fantastic knowledge that would impress time, according to your work hours in this charming,. Worldwide travel job opportunities for you Basically we can visit every place you would like to.! Field, and volunteer national travel passes are valid, but for those to... Has been preserved ever since legitimate business interest without asking for consent hate! Many companies to stand a chance of getting at least one job opportunity citizen the. Journeys often took me in the category `` Functional '', wake up in a city! At 9 CHF for a tour guide how to become a tour guide in switzerland internship, sales associate, and bicycle e-bike. `` Functional '' and advanced certifications are certainly always a plus lift for boarding trains, Italy! 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To be gentle how to become a tour guide in switzerland adventurous, I will adapt to your work unique country your. Much education you need to have a mobile lift for boarding trains, and city buses equipped! Interests you, I will accompany you purposefully, reliably and with plenty of enthusiasm enjoy it all a... Need to have a bachelor 's degree, where that history and culture are on full display can to... Your interview and enter the room calm, confident, and bars and restaurants amount in their tour guides a! Ll learn in the tour operator wants to see will open up worldwide travel job for. Train travel works in Switzerland ) 3 a couple of hours in this charming town, transfer. Of Bern, about a 60-90 minute ride and safely be explored on your own guide always!