Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast - Plan Your Swiss Vacation

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 TourWhy visitors should consider a driving vacation and do their own Grand TourWhere to find information about the different legs and the driving distancesNavigating around the Grand Tour of SwitzerlandScenic photo spots along the routeIs the Grand Tour suitable for all vehicle types? Tips for driving over mountain passesSwiss road rulesFor 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 | Facebook group | InstagramThis podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf 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 PassCombining boat trips and other forms of public transportInternational boat cruisesRiver cruising in SwitzerlandTypes of vessels and their onboard facilitiesWhere to find boat timetablesTheme cruisesWhether 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 | Facebook group | InstagramThis podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf 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:Website | Newsletter | Facebook group | InstagramThis podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf 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 industrySwiss customs and traditions including unique events and sportsSwitzerland's UNESCO World Heritage-listed sitesHis top 3 'must do' experiences for first time visitors to SwitzerlandFor 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:Website | Newsletter | Facebook group | InstagramThis podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf 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 vacationHow they planned an itinerary to suit so many different ages and interestsHow they travelled around SwitzerlandThe style of accommodation they choseWhat surprised them about SwitzerlandThe most memorable moments of their tripTips for other folks planning a trip to Switzerland with children, or a multi-generation tripFor 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 | Facebook group | InstagramThis podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf 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 drinksSwiss wineSwiss spiritsSwiss beerOther popular Swiss drinksDrinking etiquette in SwitzerlandHer favourite Swiss wine, beer and spiritsFor 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 | Facebook group | InstagramThis podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism.#ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

In this episode of the podcast, Natascha Martin from Basel Tourism shares the many wonderful - and sometimes unique - things to do in Basel, the Swiss city located on the borders with both France and Germany.Topics covered in this episode include:Natascha’s background and her career in the tourism industryImportant things to do about BaselWhy visitors to Switzerland should include Basel in their itineraryWhere Natascha recommends visitors stay in BaselThe top things to do in BaselUnique experiences to enjoy in BaselPopular events to attend in BaselLocal specialties to try in BaselNatascha’s one day Basel itinerary for first-time visitorsFor more information about the places mentioned, plus the full show notes for this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode39.Visit our shop for handy guides to help you plan your visit to Switzerland.Connect with us:Website | Newsletter | Facebook group | InstagramThis podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism.#ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

In this episode we're joined by a regular guest of the show, Andy Nef, from Swiss Travel System.  Andy tells us all about the Swiss Travel System and why travelling by train, bus and boat in Switzerland is the perfect way to travel, and he updates us about changes - and price reductions - for the Swiss Travel Pass in 2022.Andy also tells us about Switzerland’s dedication to offering a sustainable public transport network.  It’s something the Swiss take very seriously and there are some really interesting renewable power sources that are being used.Topics covered in this episode:Andy’s long career working with different Swiss rail companiesAn overview of the Swiss Travel System which includes nearly 30,000 kilometres of rail, road and waterwaysThe Swiss Travel Pass – what it includes, plus changes and updates for 2022Travelling between Switzerland and neighbouring countries by trainNight train services to and from SwitzerlandWhat Switzerland is doing to ensure travelling by public transport is sustainableFor more information about the Swiss Travel Pass and the public transport options mentioned, as well as the full show notes for this episode, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode38Visit our shop to purchase your Swiss Travel Pass and other handy guides to assist with your Swiss vacation planning.This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism. #ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

My guests in this episode are Gary and Cathy Martin from Seattle who recently spent a month’s vacation in Switzerland.After a couple of very brief visits in the past, they were longing to return to Switzerland and planned this trip to celebrate Gary’s retirement.Gary and Cathy created a trip that combined some of Switzerland’s most popular destinations with a number of incredible authentic experiences that they have a personal connection with.With four weeks to explore the country, they were able to slow down, stay longer in each destination, meet the locals and really appreciate the beauty of Switzerland and the peace and quiet it offers.In this episode you'll learn:Gary and Cathy's story and why they chose to visit Switzerland for their month-long tripTheir itinerary and why they chose each destinationHow they travelled around SwitzerlandWhere they stayed and what they did in each locationAuthentic experiences they enjoyedTheir tips for making the most of your Swiss vacationFor more information about the places mentioned and the full show notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode37Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.This podcast is sponsored by Switzerland Tourism.  #ineedswitzerlandSupport the showIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

If you’re a cheese lover, you’re going to love this episode! I’m joined by Nadia Nadif, the US brand manager for Cheeses from Switzerland, who is going to tell us all about Swiss cheese and what makes it so special.You’ll learn about some of the most famous types of Swiss cheese including Gruyere, Sbrinz, Emmentaler, Vacherin and Appenzeller cheese.If you’ve always wanted to do a cheese factory tour, Switzerland has plenty of options and Nadia gives us all the details on where to watch cheese being made.And if you’ve ever wondered what makes holes in Swiss cheese, you’ll learn the answer in this episode. Of course you’ll learn about Swiss cheese Fondue and Raclette, too.Tune in to learn everything you need to know about cheese in Switzerland.For more information about the different Swiss cheeses and Show Dairies mentioned, and the full show notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode36.Visit our shop for helpful Switzerland travel guides and resources.Support the showIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️