Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast - Plan Your Swiss Vacation

In this episode, Carolyn is joined by Peter Niederberger who has lived most of his life in a majestic Swiss town called Engelberg. Peter fell in love with his beautiful surroundings at a young age and he joins us today to tell us about the many things to see and do in Engelberg and its home mountain, Mt. Titlis.  If you'd love to explore the beauty of central Switzerland's mountains,  glaciers and lakes, Engelberg is the ideal destination to visit.

Listen now to learn:

• Things to do at Engelberg and Mt. Titlis
• How to get to there and prepare for your trip
• How long to allow for an excursion to Mt. Titlis
• Why should you visit Mount Titlis
• Operating dates of Mt. Titlis cableway
• Useful tips for planning a visit to Mt. Titlis
• Best spots for skiing and secret tips from Peter

For further information and the full Show Notes from this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode58 

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.

Connect with us:

Website
Instagram
YouTube channel

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

In this episode, Carolyn is joined by Celine Deplazes from Lucerne Tourism to learn all about the history and must-see places in the Lake Lucerne region.  Celine was born and raised in the region and now calls the city of Lucerne home and she generously shares her local knowledge and tips for visiting the Lake Lucerne region with us. 

Listen now to learn:

• History of Lucerne City
• Local monuments including Chapel Bridge, Water Tower,  Jesuit Church, Dying Lion Monument, Glacier Garden and Bourbaki Panorama
• Interesting museums such as Swiss Transport Museum, Richard Wagner Museum and Sammlung Rosengart Art Museum
• Breathtaking excursions to Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi and Mount Titlis
• Beautiful boat trips on Lake Lucerne and to the surrounding towns of Vitznau, Brunnen and Bürgenstock
• Fun family activities such as Mirror Maze, Fox Trails, Food Trails, Frakmuntegg Rope Park and Max Chocolatier Experience
• Best traditional restaurants in Lucerne and Lucerne’s local specialty, Lucerne Puff Pastry - both savoury and sweet varieties
• Lucerne’s Light Festival, Christmas Markets and local secrets for travellers

For further information and the full Show Notes from this episode, visit the https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode57 

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.

Connect with us:

• Website
• Instagram
• YouTube channel

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Two of the best mountain excursions in the Jungfrau Region are Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn.  Both will leave you with lasting memories from your visit but if you only have the time or the funds to visit one, how do you choose?

In this episode  you'll learn what each excursion entails so you can choose the one that's right for you.

Listen to discover:

• How to get to each mountain summit
• Things to see and do at the summit and intermediate stations
• How long to allow for your excursion
• Excursion prices
• Dates of operation
• and more

For further information about visiting Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn, and the full Show Notes from this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode56

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resource including Carolyn's Jungfrau Region Travel Guide.

Connect with us:

Website | Newsletter | YouTube channel | Instagram

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism.
#ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

In this episode, Carolyn is joined by Seraina, a Swiss local who was born near Zurich. Whilst the Swiss borders were closed during the pandemic, avid traveller, Seraina, started exploring her own country and is here to tell us what to expect when you visit Switzerland in winter.

Listen now to learn:

• How unpredictable the weather can be
• How to get around during the winter
• Sport and non-sport activities visitors can do
• The wonder of Christmas in Switzerland
• Seraina’s favourite ski locations

For further information and the full Show Notes from this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode55

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources including Carolyn's Switzerland Itinerary Planner.

Connect with us:

Website | Newsletter | YouTube channel | Instagram

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

In this episode, Carolyn is joined by Chris, an American who has been living in Geneva for the past 18 months. Chris' mission is to share free and inexpensive things to do in Geneva and in this episode she shares parts of Geneva that you won’t find on Instagram or in regular  travel guides.

Listen now to learn:

• Where to find amazing 360 views of Geneva
• Hidden spots to discover in Geneva
• A unique chocolate experience that’s only found in Geneva (December)
• Tips for getting around whilst staying in Geneva 
• Child-friendly things to do in Geneva
• How Chris would spend a perfect Sunday

See Geneva through Chris’s eyes on Instagram and Tiktok

For further information and the full Show Notes from this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode54

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources including Carolyn's Switzerland Itinerary Planner.

Connect with us:

Website | Newsletter | YouTube channel | Instagram

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

In this episode, Carolyn shares her highlights and insights from her recent trip to Switzerland.  There are also updates on a number of new experiences she enjoyed for the first time.

Listen now to learn:

• Carolyn's itinerary
• The highlights of Carolyn's trip
• Carolyn's thoughts on the Swiss Travel Pass
• Her thoughts on the Regional-Pass Berner Oberland
• The apps that were most helpful during Carolyn's trip
• Useful things to know when traveling in Switzerland

For further information and the full Show Notes from this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode53

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources including Carolyn's Switzerland Itinerary Planner.

Connect with us:

Website | Newsletter | YouTube channel | Instagram

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Visiting some of the lesser-known places when you travel is always a highlight. Just because a town is not as well known doesn't mean it isn't as attractive as its more famous neighbours.

In this episode of the podcast, Livio Goetz from Switzerland Tourism tells us about eight of his favourite towns and villages that are featured on a new list of 50 Magical Places in Switzerland.

All are worthy inclusions in your very own Grand Tour of Switzerland.

In this episode we chat about:

• The Federal Inventory of Swiss Historical Sites (ISOS)
• Switzerland Tourism's 50 Magical Places list
• The Grand Tour of Switzerland
• 8 of Livio's favourite towns and villages that are included in the list

For further information and the full Show Notes from this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode52

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.

Connect with us:

Website | Newsletter | YouTube channel | Instagram

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

With what is probably the world’s most recognisable mountain as its backdrop, it’s not surprising that Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s most popular tourist destinations. Whilst there’s hardly a spot in Zermatt where you can’t see the Matterhorn, to get even better views, there are a number of mountain excursions you can take - each offering a different perspective.

We’re going to hear all about those excursions in this episode from guests Catherine Wichmann and Gabriele Aberle.  

You'll hear the top tips, things to do and how to get to:

• Matterhorn Glacier Paradise
• Rothorn
• Gornergrat

After hearing from Catherine and Gabi, you'll know which excursion - or excursions - to include in your visit to Zermatt.

For further details about the excursions mentioned in this episode, and the full Show Notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode51

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.

Connect with us:

Website | Newsletter | YouTube channel | Instagram

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Most visitors to Switzerland head to the hot spots of  Zurich, Lucerne, the Jungfrau Region and Zermatt, and all are worthy destinations.  There are lesser known destinations that are worth a visit, too, and one such place is St. Gallen, Switzerland's eighth largest city.

In this episode, I'm joined by Toby Treichler, Deputy Director of St. Gallen Bodensee Tourism, who tells us about his beautiful city and the surrounding region, and why you should consider including it in your Swiss itinerary.

We discuss:

• Toby's background and his role at St. Gallen Bodensee Tourism
• Important things to know about St. Gallen
• St. Gallen's highlights and must-visit attractions
• Culinary specialties of St. Gallen
• Other destinations that St. Gallen Bodensee Tourism are responsible for
• Best time of year to visit St. Gallen
• Toby's tips for spending one day in St. Gallen
• 'Secret' places to visit near St. Gallen

For further details about all the places and foods mentioned in this episode, and the full Show Notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode50

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.

Connect with us:

Website | Newsletter | YouTube channel | Instagram

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

My special guest in this episode is Nansi Martin from New Jersey in the United States, who, along with her husband Rob, rented a car and did a road trip around Switzerland in September 2021.  They loved the freedom that having a car gave them as they were able to travel at their own pace and not have to adhere to timetables.

In fact, they loved Switzerland - and driving around the country - so much, they’ve booked another trip for September 2022!

In this episode we discuss:

• Nansi and Rob's itinerary
• Why they loved renting a car and driving in Switzerland
• The things that surprised Nansi about Switzerland
• The plans for Nansi and Rob's return trip to Switzerland
• Nansi's tips for first-time travellers to Switzerland

Listen now for practical tips and advice to help you plan your own Swiss vacation.

For more information about the places mentioned in this episode, and the full show notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode49.

>> Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.

Connect with us:

Website | Newsletter | YouTube channel | Instagram

This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

Support the show

If you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️