Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast - Plan Your Swiss Vacation

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. ❤️

Learn 15 top tips for making your Swiss vacation budget go further, from booking flexible airfare to enjoying high-quality experiences while saving money. Discover valuable tips on saving money on accommodations, including comparing rates for holiday apartments and staying outside popular destinations. Find out how to make the most of your budget with transport passes and local city cards. Get tips for saving money on food, such as shopping at supermarkets and dining at affordable restaurants.

From late November until Christmas Eve, market stalls appear in many cities and towns across Switzerland. These Christmas Markets are a much loved tradition and offer not only a place to purchase gifts and specialty items for Christmas, but also a chance to socialise and catch up with friends.In this episode of the podcast, I chat with three Swiss locals - Natascha Martin from Basel Tourism, Diccon Bewes from Bern, and Celine Guido from Montreux-Vevey Tourism - who share the highlights of their city's Christmas Market and tell us about other festive events that are worth a visit.Even if a Swiss Christmas isn’t on the cards for you this year, after hearing what my guests have to say, I’m sure there will be plenty of reasons to make a Swiss Christmas a priority for you in the future.For more information about the Christmas markets and events mentioned, and the full show notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode34.Visit our shop for great Switzerland travel resources.Support the showIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

In this episode, I chat with Beth who recently returned from a week-long trip to Switzerland. Despite only having seven days in Switzerland, thanks to her careful planning, Beth and her husband were able to maximise their available time and see plenty of highlights.  In this episode you'll learn:Beth and Jay's story, where they are from, and why they chose Switzerland for their celebratory trip An overview of their tripHow they travelled around SwitzerlandWhere they stayed and what they did in each locationSpecial meals they enjoyedWhat surprised them about SwitzerlandWhat they wish they had done differentlyFor details of Beth's itinerary, more information about the places mentioned, and the full show notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode33.Visit our shop for great Switzerland travel resources.Support the showIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

In this episode I chat to Diccon Bewes, best selling author of seven books about Switzerland and a confirmed Swiss chocolate lover!Diccon lives in Bern and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Switzerland - ask him about Swiss history, chocolate, watches, famous Swiss residents or practically any topic related to Switzerland, and there’s a fair chance Diccon will know the answer.You'll learn all about his books on Switzerland, and where to get them, as well as Diccon's  top tips for visiting his home city of Bern.For more information about the places, events and food mentioned, and the full show notes, visit https://holidaystoswitzerland.com/episode32/Visit our shop for great Switzerland travel resources and trip planning tools.Support the showIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider leaving a rating or review on your favourite podcast app. ❤️

Discover the delicious Swiss specialties you must try, including raclette and rosti. A Swiss-Canadian pastry chef shares childhood memories of Swiss food and cultural differences. Learn about the origins and versatility of rusch dee. Explore Swiss dessert specialties like zugrkirstorte cake and Rivella. Hear about the experience of making and photographing cookies for a book. Get information on where to find the featured books and resources.