Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast - Plan Your Swiss Vacation

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.

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This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

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Interlaken is known as the adventure capital of Europe so if you’re an adventure seeker, this is the destination for you!  In this episode, I chat with Hannah Robley from Outdoor Switzerland to learn about the wide variety of adventure activities available.

From paragliding in Interlaken, to canyoning, white water rafting and bungee jumping, Interlaken offers something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Listen now to learn about the fantastic array of adventure activities in Interlaken.

Happy travels,

Carolyn

👉 Show notes -  Episode 48


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If you have only a short amount of time to spend in Switzerland, or just prefer to let someone else do the planning, taking a guided day tour from Zurich or Lucerne is the perfect solution.

In this episode, I chat to Christian Landis, CEO of Best of Switzerland Tours, and Operations Manager Amanda Zurbrügg, to learn about the wide range of day tours from Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken that the company offers.

From city sightseeing to mountain excursions, adventure activities to tours perfect for foodies, multi-day tours and more personalised small group tours, the choice of tours available from Best of Switzerland Tours is excellent.

As well as day trips from Zurich to Lucerne and day trips from Zurich to the Alps, there are lots of other destinations that you can experience on one of Best of Switzerland Tours' day trips.

If you're looking for the best day trips from Zurich and Lucerne, you'll find them covered in this episode.

In this episode we discuss:

• The history behind Best of Switzerland Tours
• Who Best of Switzerland Tours are most suitable for
• The range of day tours from Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken offered by Best of Switzerland Tours
• Best of Switzerland Tours' most popular day trips from Zurich
• Best of Switzerland's tour guides
• Why visitors to Switzerland should book a day trip with Best of Switzerland Tours

You're sure to find the ideal tour (or two!) to book for your trip after hearing today's episode.

For more information - and where to book - the tours mentioned in this episode, as well as the full Show Notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode47

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

Connect with us:

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This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

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One of the many wonderful things to do in Switzerland is to ride a cable car, funicular or mountain railway to the top of a mountain peak.  There are tons and tons of choices for mountain excursions right across the country, and nowhere more so than in the Jungfrau Region.

But having such a huge choice of excursions can also cause a bit of a dilemma.  Which ones do you choose and how will you afford them? 

That’s where transport – or rail – passes come in.  With just one ticket, you can ride on mountain railways, cable cars and funiculars as well as the regular public transport system within a certain area.

On previous episodes of the podcast we’ve chatted about the Swiss Travel Pass and the Jungfrau Travel Pass and today it’s time to discover all the benefits of the Berner Oberland Pass with my special guest, Jana Amacher.

Discover all the benefits of the Berner Oberland Pass (previously called the Regional-Pass Berner Oberland) in this episode.

For more information about the boat trips mentioned in this episode, as well as the full Show Notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode46/.

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

Connect with us:

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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. ❤️

If you’re a regular listener of the podcast, you’ll be aware of Switzerland’s fantastic public transport network as there have been numerous episodes about the benefits of travelling around Switzerland by train.

But there is an alternative way to travel.  Renting a car and doing a road trip!

So if driving is your preferred mode of transport but you’re struggling to come up with the perfect itinerary, I’ve got the solution for you.

In today’s episode I’m welcoming back Livio Goetz, Director of Switzerland Tourism Australia and New Zealand, to chat to him about the Grand Tour of Switzerland. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• What is the Grand Tour of Switzerland?
• How long should visitors allow to drive the entire Grand Tour route?
• The highlights of the Grand Tour
• Why visitors should consider a driving vacation and do their own Grand Tour
• Where to find information about the different legs and the driving distances
• Navigating around the Grand Tour of Switzerland
• Scenic photo spots along the route
• Is the Grand Tour suitable for all vehicle types? 
• Tips for driving over mountain passes
• Swiss road rules

For more information about the places mentioned in this episode, as well as the full Show Notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode45/.

>> 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. ❤️

In this episode we hear from Andy Nef of Swiss Travel System who is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Switzerland's public transport network.

Andy has lots of info to share about Switzerland’s most popular boat trips as well as a couple of others that are not as well known. And the great thing about all these fantastic boat trips is that almost all of them are fully covered with the Swiss Travel Pass - Switzerland’s all-in-one transport ticket.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• What is the System Travel System?
• What is the Swiss Travel Pass?
• Boat trips included with the Swiss Travel Pass
• Combining boat trips and other forms of public transport
• International boat cruises
• River cruising in Switzerland
• Types of vessels and their onboard facilities
• Where to find boat timetables
• Theme cruises

Whether you prefer to enjoy a Swiss river cruise or a boat trip on one of Switzerland's many lakes, you will be spoilt for choice!

For more information about the boat trips mentioned in this episode, as well as the full Show Notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode44/.

>> 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. ❤️

Switzerland has a long chocolate-making history and is renowned for producing some of the best - if not THE best - chocolate in the world.

So it’s not surprising then, that eating Swiss chocolate is right up there at the top of most people’s must-do lists when they visit Switzerland.

Of course you can buy Swiss chocolate at the supermarket and at souvenir stores when you’re in Switzerland but for a really immersive experience and to learn more about Swiss chocolate, visiting a factory or taking part in a chocolate making workshop is a fun thing to do.

In today’s episode, we’re going on a virtual chocolate-tasting tour to three different places where you can learn more about the history of Swiss chocolate, watch it being made, make your own chocolate in a workshop, and eat chocolate to your heart’s content.

My guests today are Sandy Bolland from Funky Chocolate Club in Interlaken, Caroline Derungs from Chocolarium in Flawil and Kai Spehr from Lindt Home of Chocolate near Zurich.

After hearing about the fun chocolate experiences that are on offer at each of these establishments, you'll be planning your Swiss itinerary around a visit to one - if not all three - of these delicious destinations!

For more information about the places mentioned in this episode, as well as the full show notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode 43.

Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.

Connect with us:

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This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerland

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

Is it photos of the incredible scenic beauty that have enticed you to visit Switzerland? I’m not surprised.  Everywhere you turn in Switzerland you are rewarded with breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, rivers, glaciers, gorges and lush fields - it really is the most beautiful place on Earth.

But the magnificent scenery certainly isn’t the only thing that Switzerland has going for it.  The country is home to 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some rather unique traditions and customs, both of which we are going to hear about today.

My guest today is Livio Goetz, Director of Switzerland Tourism Australia and New Zealand and Livio has some fascinating facts to share with us today.

In this episode, Livio talks about:

• His background and his career in the travel industry
• Swiss customs and traditions including unique events and sports
• Switzerland's UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites
• His top 3 'must do' experiences for first time visitors to Switzerland

For more information about the places mentioned in this episode, as well as the full show notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode42.

Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.

Connect with us:

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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. ❤️

Today’s guests, Brenda Powell and Chelsea Powell, have recently returned from Switzerland where they enjoyed a wonderful vacation with four generations of their family.

With 8 adults and 3 children in their traveling party, it was a mighty effort to plan an itinerary that suited every family member from age 3 to 80!

In this episode, Brenda and Chelsea tell us all about their special Swiss vacation and give us their tips for planning a family vacation to Switzerland, or a multi-generation trip.

You'll learn:

• The reason they chose Switzerland as the destination for their family vacation
• How they planned an itinerary to suit so many different ages and interests
• How they travelled around Switzerland
• The style of accommodation they chose
• What surprised them about Switzerland
• The most memorable moments of their trip
• Tips for other folks planning a trip to Switzerland with children, or a multi-generation trip

For more information about the places mentioned in this episode, as well as the full show notes and a transcript, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode41.

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. ❤️

Today I’m welcoming back Andie Pilot from HelveticKitchen.com. Andie is a pastry chef and cookbook author and she was the special guest on episode 31 where she chatted all things Swiss food.

In this episode, Andie gives us the low down on:

• Her background and her career as a pastry chef and author of books on Swiss food and drinks
• Swiss wine
• Swiss spirits
• Swiss beer
• Other popular Swiss drinks
• Drinking etiquette in Switzerland
• Her favourite Swiss wine, beer and spirits

For more information about the places mentioned, plus the full show notes and transcript for this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode40.

Visit our shop for handy guides to help you plan your visit to Switzerland.

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. ❤️