Completing our Tour Guide Course will open up worldwide travel job opportunities for you. The Palais des Nations, an outstanding testimony to twentieth century architecture, is situated in the beautiful Ariana park in Geneva, Switzerland. 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! When was that building built? Sleep on Straw (minus the cows) 3. 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. "Don't do outdoor tours in the winter.". For the hiking tours a pair of strong hiking shoes are required. You can become a tour guide without any formal educational requirements. Cynthia Elizabeth T. Zurich, Switzerland. You did it! Youll need skills, of course, but you can learn them. In fact, a little spontaneity is good. 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. If youre one of the lucky few that lands the job you need to be prepared to give up everything about your old life. 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. Step 3: Complete relevent training/internship. To provide you the best user experience on our website we do use cookies. 1. Acquiring Swiss citizenship by means of naturalisation (i.e. Learn about the seasons and weather. Nowadays, budget travelers have so many options in finding a place to stay. Swiss cuisine is hearty, to say the least. download Lonely Planets free Accessible Travel guide, Buy Lonely Planet's Guide to Train Travel in Europe, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The 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. Join me for a unique tour experience andmemories that will last a lifetime. 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. Even though most tour guides have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED. from $ 291.87. 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. Being a tour guide involves taking groups of tourists into certain areas as part of their vacation. When you decide to become a tour guide, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. 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). 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. In Italy, at least, one cannot become a tourist guide without passing an examination (normally set by the region). 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. For the hiking tours a pair of strong hiking shoes are required. Getting to Switzerland from surrounding European countries is simple, quick and cheap by bus or train. Skywings and Twin Paragliding are both recommended operators. The tour operator wants to see if you are the right fit for them and the real deal. There I quickly discovered my passion for watersports. Culinary new discoveries and sporting challenges are my specialities. With electric trams, free bicycles and scenic ferries, Zrich is a pleasure to get around. New Orleans, LA. Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. A tour leader's monthly income can vary between 1000 to 10000 USD, depending on their work. Those tour guides may then apply or request to also have some winter work. Introduction 2. Explore and discover with me the natural beauty of Switzerlandand let me take you off the beaten track and into the hidden landscapes. We determined the most common certifications for tour guides. ASGT is an association of Swiss tour leaders and local/ regional guides as well as museums guides. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing renovations in the Palais des Nations, our tour offers are limited and subject to changes. a job. The two-hour trip from Zurich to Interlaken is 54-96 CHF, while a one-hour trip from Zurich to Bern is 40-75 CHF. 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 Are you legally able to work in the country where youll be touring, or is there a visa or work permit youll need? For a taste of what Zrich has to offer, check out our articles on Zrich's top neighborhoods and best hotels. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Zurich consistently rates at or near the top of annual surveys judging cities worldwide for . sailing, cultureevents, winter-activities. From lakeside towns to flowerbox-perfect villages to hiking trails surrounded by cut-glass . Explore Lake Geneva, one of Europe's oldest Old Towns, and see the headquarters of the UN. 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. Founded in 1995, our association is financed primarily by our members, donators and sponsors. Taking a National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course. 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. 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. Your trip will likely start or end in one of Switzerland's big cities, where that history and culture are on full display. The keys to . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. A 15-day pass is just shy of 500 CHF, so it's not cheap. Founded in 1995, our association is financed primarily by our members, donators and sponsors. From Bern's main station, you're about a 10-minute walk from the Alstadt, or Old Town, which dates back to the 12th century and is another of Switzerland's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. , Geneva is only nominally within Switzerland's borders. Often referred to as the Cultural Capital of the country. (1325 reviews) from $ 184.81. see . Body. 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. Day 4: Boat Ride to Rigi or Rutli. This morning, take an early train from Bern to Geneva and get there in less than two hours. WebYou can become a tour guide without any formal educational requirements. Zrich is a world city that is amazing by day and charming at night. Once you've explored Lucerne in the morning, make an afternoon excursion to Mount Pilatus, an all-season playground more than 2,000 meters above sea level. The Best Halloween Parties and Events Around the World. 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. Irish Paralympic cyclist, Martin Gordon, has spoken of his "humiliation" at being refused entry to a restaurant in Dublin because he was using a guide dog. Prices start at 9 CHF for a basic plot without electricity. 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. you also need to think about who their audience is! So have some confidence in yourself. For me sailing is simply a joy, recuperation and passion. 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. Still up for the challenge? We've determined that 70.0% of tour guides have a bachelor's degree. It may seem like a daunting task, but for those suited to the job, its a dream come true. Role of a Tour Guide 3. 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. Avoid these traps: "12 (or 20) people on the tour is the max.". 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. Even if employers don't require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Great communication/public speaking skills. Or simply enjoy the historic Old Town and abundant shopping and dining in Interlaken before hopping the train back to Bern. 2. 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. 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. This experience translates very well for those that wish to become . Hop on board Europes railway network and discover a sustainable and stress-free way to explore the continent. 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