Episode 192 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features Angie Sparks sharing highlights from her recent 18-day European adventure through Istanbul, Switzerland, and Lake Como. The episode covers current points-and-miles news, including an elevated Southwest business card offer that can help build towar…Episode 192 of the Award Travel 101 podcast features Angie Sparks sharing highlights from her recent 18-day European adventure through Istanbul, Switzerland, and Lake Como. The episode covers current points-and-miles news, including an elevated Southwest business card offer that can help build toward Companion Pass, Citi’s move to lifetime language on some Strata cards, and Bilt adding Amtrak as its 25th transfer partner. Angie and Cameron also discuss their current credit-card spending goals...more
We’re taking you on an unforgettable journey through the Interlaken region of Switzerland, the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. We’ll share insider tips to make the most of your Interlaken getaway, recommend the best towns and villages to visit and detail the hikes and experiences we did including t…We’re taking you on an unforgettable journey through the Interlaken region of Switzerland, the gateway to the Bernese Oberland. We’ll share insider tips to make the most of your Interlaken getaway, recommend the best towns and villages to visit and detail the hikes and experiences we did including toboggan rides, steam locomotives, waterfalls, fondue, glaciers, and more!
Download our 4 day Interlaken itinerary to take this exact trip yourself!
• Episode Highlights:
• How to get to Interlaken and the other towns
• Using Interlaken as a base
• Jungfraujoch Adventure
• Staubbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen
• Grindelwald First & First Cliff Walk
• Harder Kulm Viewpoint and panorama restaurant
• Oeschinensee Lake Gondola, Hike & Toboggan
•
We stayed at: Hotel Lotschberg in Interlaken, but if you are traveling by train we recommend staying closer to the train station at Hotel Interlaken or Royal St. Georges Hotel Interlaken. You can also check out other highly rated hotels in Interlaken, just remember to book early for the most options and best prices!
Other Switzerland travel tips and advice:
• Purchase an E-Sim to have cellular data on the go
• Check out our Switzerland Activities & Tours for all activities we recommend and even some that we wanted to do but couldn't get to.
• Purchase a Swiss Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass/Flex, or Bernese Oberland Card
• Pack a collapsible day backpack, umbrella, and world travel plug adapter
Find a great flight deal to Switzerland, or anywhere else, with Thrifty Traveler Premium’s flight deals. Use our promo code TSP to get $20 off your first year subscription.
Connect: YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and contact us at [email protected] to submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising. Submit a question of the week or inquire about guest interviews and advertising.
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If you have a sweet tooth, this episode is for you! We’re trying the best of Milan including Panetone, all kinds of chocolate in Switzerland, a cookie called Spitzbuben, Malaysia’s delicious answer to Shave Ice, and a purple tuber that makes great sweets! Plus, why sugar cane is grown in The Philipp…If you have a sweet tooth, this episode is for you! We’re trying the best of Milan including Panetone, all kinds of chocolate in Switzerland, a cookie called Spitzbuben, Malaysia’s delicious answer to Shave Ice, and a purple tuber that makes great sweets! Plus, why sugar cane is grown in The Philippines. [Ep 396]
Switzerland is known for precision, with trains that arrive to the minute, watches accurate to fractions of a second, and chocolate engineered to perfection. So what's a hot air balloon doing in the mix? Turns out, the country that prides itself on timeliness also embraces drifting wherever the wind…Switzerland is known for precision, with trains that arrive to the minute, watches accurate to fractions of a second, and chocolate engineered to perfection. So what's a hot air balloon doing in the mix? Turns out, the country that prides itself on timeliness also embraces drifting wherever the wind takes you.
In this episode, host Angie Orth welcomes back travel writer Crai Bower to count down his top five most unexpected discoveries in Switzerland, each one worth a spot on your itinerary.
You'll hear about the food traditions worth seeking out, a cultural obsession hiding in plain sight, and what Crai believes best captures Switzerland's quirky spirit.
What You’ll Learn:
0:23 Why watching raclette melt over an open fire is a can't-miss Swiss food moment
1:50 The pickled food culture that surprised even a seasoned traveler
3:05 The facade paintings of Lucerne and why they're worth slowing down for
3:43 How a timekeeping-obsessed culture also became the birthplace of hot air ballooning
7:20 What Switzerland's four national languages and cultural mix feel like on the ground
Connect with Crai Bower:
Instagram
What are YOU most excited to experience in Switzerland? Tell us in the comments!
Switzerland is famous for precision watches, world-class skiing, and secretive banking—but there's a stranger, more fascinating side to this small, landlocked country that most travelers overlook.
This episode digs into the Switzerland that doesn't make it into the guidebooks—like a carnival where…Switzerland is famous for precision watches, world-class skiing, and secretive banking—but there's a stranger, more fascinating side to this small, landlocked country that most travelers overlook.
This episode digs into the Switzerland that doesn't make it into the guidebooks—like a carnival where crowds are rewarded with root vegetables, and a train called "Express" that takes its time on purpose.
Host Angie Orth is joined by award-winning travel writer Crai Bower, who recently covered the country for Westways and AAA Explorer magazines. This journalist's eye for the offbeat will have you looking at Switzerland in a new way.
You'll hear how Switzerland's four official languages and cultural influences shape each city's personality, why the country is more budget-friendly than its reputation suggests, and which experiences make it worth visiting year-round.
What You’ll Learn:
05:53 The Swiss museums worth adding to your itinerary
09:03 What makes the Glacier Express one of the world's great train journeys
12:23 The folklore and mythology rooted in Switzerland's Alpine landscape
20:31 Inside Basel Fasnacht: a three-day carnival unlike anything else in Europe
26:43 Why Switzerland is one of the easiest countries to navigate without a car
Connect with Crai Bower:
Instagram
What’s the quirkiest thing you’ve experienced in Switzerland? Tell us in the comments!
This week, we're honored to welcome Andrew Delmenhorst, founder of Pygmy Elephant, a company that designs self-guided adventures for travelers around the world. Growing up with a restless curiosity and an early love of exploration, Andrew's life took a defining turn when a bungee jump in Switzerland…This week, we're honored to welcome Andrew Delmenhorst, founder of Pygmy Elephant, a company that designs self-guided adventures for travelers around the world. Growing up with a restless curiosity and an early love of exploration, Andrew's life took a defining turn when a bungee jump in Switzerland, a leap he was terrified to take, cracked open something profound inside him and set the course for everything that followed.
Andrew takes us on a journey through his transformation from corporate professional to passionate architect of life-changing travel experiences. He describes that pivotal moment standing at the edge, heart pounding, knees shaking, and ultimately jumping, and how that single act of courage made him ask: if I can do this, what else am I capable of? That question sparked a sabbatical, a 35-day solo hike across the Camino de Santiago, a bicycle journey over the Alps, and ultimately the birth of Pygmy Elephant in 2015.
In this episode, we explore the profound philosophy behind the Pygmy Elephant name, the idea that small trips can have an overarching impact on your life, the unique self-guided adventures the company offers across Patagonia, the Tour du Mont Blanc, Scotland, the Dolomites, and beyond, and how Andrew's business has become a bridge between travelers and the transformative power of nature. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding meaning through movement, building a business from the ground up with nothing but grit and passion, and what it truly means to err on the side of adventure.more
Hear about travel to Bern, Switzerland, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jack Baumann from Guidester and the Europe Travel 101 Podcast about a city he fell in love with early in his travels.
Why should you visit Bern?
Jack says, "I would say Bern epitomizes the blend mixture of natural beauty, cul…Hear about travel to Bern, Switzerland, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jack Baumann from Guidester and the Europe Travel 101 Podcast about a city he fell in love with early in his travels.
Why should you visit Bern?
Jack says, "I would say Bern epitomizes the blend mixture of natural beauty, culture, and history that Switzerland is known for. It's on the river Aare, it's surrounded by the Bern oberland, so you can get from the city center to a mountain in about 15 minutes. On a clear day, you can see the Alps."
Jack’s Recommended 7-Day Itinerary for Bern, SwitzerlandDays 1–2: Historic Bern (UNESCO Old Town)
...
https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-bern-switzerland/
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Award winning author and podcaster Rick Kaempfer joins Brent to talk about vacation mishaps. There’s broken arms in Switzerland, broken legs in Montana, and an unwanted pig farm vacation. Plus, getting kicked out of a hotel in France and a suspicious credit card misplacement. [Ep 371]
Show Notes:
…Award winning author and podcaster Rick Kaempfer joins Brent to talk about vacation mishaps. There’s broken arms in Switzerland, broken legs in Montana, and an unwanted pig farm vacation. Plus, getting kicked out of a hotel in France and a suspicious credit card misplacement. [Ep 371]
Guidebook researcher Cameron Hewitt opens our eyes to the history, nature, and genuine welcome that await travelers venturing to the Slavic nations of central and eastern Europe. Then a tour guide from Switzerland explains what compels him to run with the bulls in Pamplona each summer, as he's done …Guidebook researcher Cameron Hewitt opens our eyes to the history, nature, and genuine welcome that await travelers venturing to the Slavic nations of central and eastern Europe. Then a tour guide from Switzerland explains what compels him to run with the bulls in Pamplona each summer, as he's done for five decades. And listeners chat with Rick about their latest European travel discoveries.more
Star of Succession and Pride & Prejudice Matthew Macfadyen joins Tanya Rose to share his travel secrets this week.
In this episode, Matthew shares his extraordinary experience filming Succession in a deserted Florence, his poignant family skiing holiday and reveals why he believes a good tour guide…Star of Succession and Pride & Prejudice Matthew Macfadyen joins Tanya Rose to share his travel secrets this week.
In this episode, Matthew shares his extraordinary experience filming Succession in a deserted Florence, his poignant family skiing holiday and reveals why he believes a good tour guide is worth their weight in gold…
Plus, Matthew shares his top travel tip and unpacks his emotional experience visiting a small church in Bologna.
Don’t forget to follow @travelsecretsthepodcast and remember, you can watch all of our episodes on YouTube.
Places mentioned:
Lincolnshire, England
Aberdeen, Scotland
Jakarta, Indonesia
Church of Santa Maria della Vita, Bologna
Ristorante Al Pappagallo, Bologna
Florence, Italy
Hotel San Michele, Celle Ligure, Italy
Trattoria Sostanza, Florence
Disney World Orlando, Florida
Villa d’Este Hotel, Lake Como
Otago Region, New Zealand
New Mexico, USA
Switzerland
Croatia
Budapest, HungaryChapters
00:00 Intro
04:25 Secret 1: Number 1 travel destination everybody should go to
06:32 Secret 2: Most unexpected travel experience
10:01 Secret 3: Most Over or Underrated travel experience
13:13 Secret 4: Best Food & Drink while travelling
The brilliant comedian, TV presenter and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax joins Tanya Rose to share her travel secrets this week.
In this episode, Ruby tells us all about how she escaped from finishing school in Switzerland, takes us behind the scenes of some of her most iconic celebrity interview…The brilliant comedian, TV presenter and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax joins Tanya Rose to share her travel secrets this week.
In this episode, Ruby tells us all about how she escaped from finishing school in Switzerland, takes us behind the scenes of some of her most iconic celebrity interviews and reveals how she hitchhiked to Mexico whilst at university!
Plus, Ruby discusses her poignant experience volunteering at a refugee camp in Cape Town and shares how her friendship with the late Alan Rickman shaped the course of her life.
Don’t forget to follow @travelsecretsthepodcast and remember, you can watch all of our episodes on YouTube.
Places mentioned:
Jamaica
Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro
Montreux, Switzerland
Cape Town, South Africa
Blue Spirit Retreat Centre, Costa Rica
Mexico
Glasgow, Scotland
Findhorn, Scotland
Asheville, North Carolina
Dukes, London
Chapters
00:00 Intro
10:00 Secret 1: Number 1 travel destination everybody should go to
14:02 Secret 2: Most unexpected travel experience
21:51 Secret 3: Most Over or Underrated travel experience
30:39 Secret 5: Best Food & Drink while travelling
Hear about traveling to Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as the Amateur Traveler discusses a biking trip around the lake to explore its historic, cultural, and natural sites.
The Lake Constance International Tourism Board sponsored this trip.
This week's show is suppo…Hear about traveling to Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as the Amateur Traveler discusses a biking trip around the lake to explore its historic, cultural, and natural sites.
The Lake Constance International Tourism Board sponsored this trip.
This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here.
Day 1 – Arrival in Constance, Germany
Flew into Zurich, train to Constance.
Quick city tour: Roman history dating back to Caesar Augustus, Council of Constance (resolved the Papal Schism).
Began biking to Reichenau Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site): monasteries, vineyards, Romanesque churches, small museum of monastic culture.
Dinner on Reichenau, returned by boat to Constance.
Overnight: Hotel Constantia.
...
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Dreaming of a trip to Europe without the massive price tag? In this episode, Nikki Packer shared how she used credit card points to plan a family trip to Italy and Switzerland filled with luxury stays, incredible destinations, and unforgettable experiences. All while saving thousands of dollars!
This week, we welcome Paul Martino, Maria Martino, and Maria Wurtzbacher, who join host Scott Wurtzbacher to relive their fairytale on the Tour du Mont Blanc. A milestone-year idea became a self-guided loop of 100 miles around Mont Blanc across France, Italy, and Switzerland, 31,000 feet of climbing…This week, we welcome Paul Martino, Maria Martino, and Maria Wurtzbacher, who join host Scott Wurtzbacher to relive their fairytale on the Tour du Mont Blanc. A milestone-year idea became a self-guided loop of 100 miles around Mont Blanc across France, Italy, and Switzerland, 31,000 feet of climbing and 71 hours on trail, the kind of effort that turns friends into family.
They share the shift from vacation to quest, the music of cowbells, quiet chapels that steadied shaky moments, balcony paths and a ladder section, even a helicopter’s rotor wash on an exposed cliff. There is laughter at border crossings and Sound of Music singalongs, a running joke about ham and cheese, and street dancing in Courmayeur, plus generous, family-run hospitality along the way.
We explore what it takes to go from point A to point B each day, training and simple routines, smart support without a guide, and the four trip markers: come home safe, achieve the goal, laugh, and cry. Intentions are tested and met: getting strong at 50, doing hard things at 60, unplugging for two and a half weeks, and learning to let go of the watch. Say yes to big adventures, choose courage over comfort, and travel together with heart.more
Pauline's daughter Veronica Stewart-Frommer, lead singer of the band Melt, came on to discuss her recent 100-mile hike through some of the most majestic areas of France, Italy and Switzerland
This is the third part of a monthly, six-episode series celebrating the fact that exactly 40 years ago this year, my family and I spent six months in a striped motorhome travelling around Europe. I was nine years old and yes, this trip had an enormous impact on my life - I'm sure you wouldn't be lis…This is the third part of a monthly, six-episode series celebrating the fact that exactly 40 years ago this year, my family and I spent six months in a striped motorhome travelling around Europe. I was nine years old and yes, this trip had an enormous impact on my life - I'm sure you wouldn't be listening to this podcast today if Van Life 1985 hadn't taken place! Throughout the series, I'll include chats recorded with my Dad this year, extracts from my late Mum's travel diary from 1985, and of course my own memories and thoughts.
In this episode, we move on from Italy to Switzerland, where much of our fun involves mountain and snow. Growing up in Western Australia, none of us had any experience with snow, and we were all thrilled to play in the summer snow we found in alpine Switzerland. You need to listen to find out what we wore during these snowy adventures! We then spent time in Austria, and thanks to my Mum's diary we know we had some good times there too - curiously, neither my Dad nor I remember it well. Travel memories are strange!
A big thanks to Context Travel for sponsoring this series, and an even bigger thanks to my Dad for agreeing to be part of it.
Links:
• Context Travel - https://bit.ly/contexttravel - use the code THOUGHTFULTRAVEL to get 15% off any online booking. Context Travel operate walking tours in cities around the world, and have interesting and qualified subject-matter experts leading your walk
• Listen to Part 1 of Van Life Diaries: Episode 348 - https://notaballerina.com/348
• Listen to Part 2 of Van Life Diaries: Episode 351 - https://notaballerina.com/351
• Join our Facebook group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://www.facebook.com/groups/thoughtfultravellers
• Join our LinkedIn group for Thoughtful Travellers - https://notaballerina.com/linkedin
• Sign up for the Thoughtful Travellers newsletter at Substack - https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com
• Show notes: https://notaballerina.com/355 Support the show: https://thoughtfultravel.substack.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.more
Episode 126 of the Award Travel 101 podcast kicks off with hosts Angie Sparks and Joseph Petrovic diving into a community trip report featuring Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. The post highlights how award travel makes such adventures possible, prompting Joe to reflect on the gratitude he feels f…Episode 126 of the Award Travel 101 podcast kicks off with hosts Angie Sparks and Joseph Petrovic diving into a community trip report featuring Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. The post highlights how award travel makes such adventures possible, prompting Joe to reflect on the gratitude he feels for being part of this group. From card application hurdles to trip upgrades, Angie and Joe share personal experiences and travel wins. Angie attempted to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve busine...more
What do you get when you mix alpine grandeur, French wine, and a few awkward encounters with public transportation? The trek of a lifetime.
Joe and Crystal sit down with globe-trotting guest David to relive his incredible Tour du Mont Blanc—an iconic hike that crosses France, Italy, and Switzerland…What do you get when you mix alpine grandeur, French wine, and a few awkward encounters with public transportation? The trek of a lifetime.
Joe and Crystal sit down with globe-trotting guest David to relive his incredible Tour du Mont Blanc—an iconic hike that crosses France, Italy, and Switzerland. From cultural quirks to culinary delights (hello, croissants and polenta!), David shares what it's really like to hike Europe's most scenic loop.
You'll hear trail-tested tips on how to train, what to pack, and how to avoid blowing your budget—or your knees—on the way. Whether you're planning your own hiking getaway or just dreaming from the couch, this episode is packed with laughs, insight, and a few "you won't believe this" moments from the trail.
Here's what's packed in our metaphorical backpack today:
• 🎬 The Sound of Music made us do it: What movie scenes and mountain views have in common
• 🥾 Crossing borders on foot: Why the Tour du Mont Blanc is the ultimate passport stamp
• 🎒 What NOT to forget in your pack (and what David says you absolutely don't need)
• 💡 Accommodations, luggage hacks, and trail shortcuts for the savvy traveler
• 🍷 Why hiking is better with wine and what David learned about blending adventure and indulgence
• 🧀 Croissants in France, coffee in Italy, fondue in Switzerland… need we say more?
• 🗣️ Struggling with French? We've got stories—and survival phrases
• 🚶♂️ What to know about rest days, restrooms, and rustic beds
Whether you're dreaming of alpine treks or just here for the croissant jokes, this episode is your trailhead to adventure.
🧭 Thinking about planning your own trip? David now runs Blaze Adventure Tours—hear how he custom-builds trips for hikers and cyclists who want the thrill without the stress.
David's company link: Home - Blaze Adventure Tours- Bicycle Tours and Backpacking
In Episode 116 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie and Cameron dive into key travel news and updates, including a lively community discussion sparked by a member seeking solo travel advice for women. Recommendations ranged from safe bets like Switzerland and Singapore to more debated destinations…In Episode 116 of the Award Travel 101 podcast, Angie and Cameron dive into key travel news and updates, including a lively community discussion sparked by a member seeking solo travel advice for women. Recommendations ranged from safe bets like Switzerland and Singapore to more debated destinations like Morocco, Mexico City, and Cape Town. In news, SkyTeam announced lounge access policy changes that include tighter time restrictions and stricter guest access, while Qatar introduced a n...more
Today… we're going skiing! And we're doing it in style in France, Switzerland, Italy, and other European destinations. I wanted to pull together this episode not only because skiing in Europe is an amazing cultural experience, but also because it's looking pretty darn good from a value perspective r…Today… we're going skiing! And we're doing it in style in France, Switzerland, Italy, and other European destinations. I wanted to pull together this episode not only because skiing in Europe is an amazing cultural experience, but also because it's looking pretty darn good from a value perspective right now. The Euro and Dollar are currently on par and lift tickets and lessons are massively cheaper in Europe than in the US.
Our guests today are the brother and sister team, Rick Reichsfeld and Richelle Blanken. The duo grew up skiing competitively, both raced in college, and then Richelle even raced in the Olympics. When Richelle left the national team - brother and sister teamed up to find a way to make a living from helping others experience the joy of skiing and the duo are our partners in planning amazing ski trips around the world for Bell & Bly Travel clients.
We discuss everything from Michelin starred mountain food, to unique lifts across Europe, to the most luxurious resorts, spas, and even non-skiing winter activities.
Sit back with a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of champagne, and enjoy this episode of Luxury Travel Insider.
Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels
If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/
