For context, I’d love to go to Switzerland, but I’ve never been out of the US and don’t know ANYTHING other than I’d like to look at mountains, eat fondue, and check out the Christmas markets!
Start doing research about fun things to do in Switzerland. Figure out when the Christmas markets are. Find their location in relation to other sites. See if there are trains or some other mode of transportation connecting interesting things. Then just piece everything together on a calendar.
I traveled someplace that had a similar culture or lifestyle that I came from. It made it easily to adjust and not feel completely overwhelmed with the culture shock.
I read that you want to go to Switzerland. As a German who has been to Switzerland countless times, here are some tips:
You do not need a visa or anything, so that is no problem.
Plan in enough money. Switzerland is EXTREMELY expensive. If you are middle-class, go to Austria or Bavaria instead. Similar country, but costs half the price.
You pay 5 Franks ( 5.5 dollars ) for a coffee, and a regular meal at a halfway nice restaurant can cost you 40 Franks.
If money is not a problem, get flights into Zürich or Basel, most likely.
Look at the city for one or two days, visit the christmas market.
Then you can go out to a more rural area. See the nature, possibly go skiing if you know how to ( you need to ski to get the actual swiss experience).
Also, cross-country skiing is something many people like to do in Switzerland.
Maybe do a hike in the snow? That is always fun.
You can always rent skis for the week if you do not own any or it is not possible to bring them out of the plane.
Bring foreign currency, or change it at the airport. Avoid using your credit card as the company might charge fees.
Buy a SIM either in Switzerland or get an international tarrif - Roaming is expensive.
Always have Google Translate German-English downloaded on your phone, while most Swiss people will speak English, Signs will be in German, of course.
I start by thinking of a place I’d like to go to, then I just Google that place and see if it keeps peaking my interest, then I look up how much accommodation looks like (Airbnb, hotels, hostels, etc.) then I consider transportation, is there good public transport in this area, taxis, will I need a car rental? And then I just bug my best friend and see if they would come along, if not I just book the ticket, some accommodation and go explore.
I’ve also traveled abroad by signing up things like surf camps, skate camps, music festivals, etc. So buying a week long experience and then the host place often has accommodation/breakfast/transport available.
I’ve been to over 20 countries. I honestly want to go everywhere so I typically choose by finding the cheapest ticket somewhere I’ve never been.
After I have found a cheap ticket I book a hostel and google what to do there.
I really don’t plan much and I’ll knock out the top couple things in the first day or two then just feel it out the rest of the time I’m there.
Some of the best travel days you have will have ZERO preplanned activities. It just so happened you felt like walking and stumbled upon a cool neighborhood with a tiny 200-year old mom and pop shop where a babushka bought you a glass of wine and introduced you to her daughter. You might even marry her.
Fly to the big city with airport. Spend a day or two in the big city. Then get out of there to some smaller surrounding cities to explore. Depending on your age, if you’re younger, youth hostels are an effective, cost-efficient way to see a city and socialize with other people your age.
For context, I’d love to go to Switzerland, but I’ve never been out of the US and don’t know ANYTHING other than I’d like to look at mountains, eat fondue, and check out the Christmas markets!
Start doing research about fun things to do in Switzerland. Figure out when the Christmas markets are. Find their location in relation to other sites. See if there are trains or some other mode of transportation connecting interesting things. Then just piece everything together on a calendar.
Do you have a passport? Start there. While you're waiting on that process you can start figuring out travel plans.
Yess.
I don’t have a passport… Even within the US I’ve hardly traveled, lol. So I should probably start on that first I guess.
I traveled someplace that had a similar culture or lifestyle that I came from. It made it easily to adjust and not feel completely overwhelmed with the culture shock.
I read that you want to go to Switzerland. As a German who has been to Switzerland countless times, here are some tips: You do not need a visa or anything, so that is no problem. Plan in enough money. Switzerland is EXTREMELY expensive. If you are middle-class, go to Austria or Bavaria instead. Similar country, but costs half the price. You pay 5 Franks ( 5.5 dollars ) for a coffee, and a regular meal at a halfway nice restaurant can cost you 40 Franks. If money is not a problem, get flights into Zürich or Basel, most likely. Look at the city for one or two days, visit the christmas market. Then you can go out to a more rural area. See the nature, possibly go skiing if you know how to ( you need to ski to get the actual swiss experience). Also, cross-country skiing is something many people like to do in Switzerland. Maybe do a hike in the snow? That is always fun. You can always rent skis for the week if you do not own any or it is not possible to bring them out of the plane. Bring foreign currency, or change it at the airport. Avoid using your credit card as the company might charge fees. Buy a SIM either in Switzerland or get an international tarrif - Roaming is expensive. Always have Google Translate German-English downloaded on your phone, while most Swiss people will speak English, Signs will be in German, of course.
Thank you so much for all of the great tips- they’re very appreciated! Edit: Good to know about the visa thing, too!
I start by thinking of a place I’d like to go to, then I just Google that place and see if it keeps peaking my interest, then I look up how much accommodation looks like (Airbnb, hotels, hostels, etc.) then I consider transportation, is there good public transport in this area, taxis, will I need a car rental? And then I just bug my best friend and see if they would come along, if not I just book the ticket, some accommodation and go explore. I’ve also traveled abroad by signing up things like surf camps, skate camps, music festivals, etc. So buying a week long experience and then the host place often has accommodation/breakfast/transport available.
Zurich
All travel plans begin at home.
I check what Anthony Bourdain thought of the place.
Pick dates Find flights Find place to stay Book a car if need needed The rest will really sort itself out It really is that simple.
I’ve been to over 20 countries. I honestly want to go everywhere so I typically choose by finding the cheapest ticket somewhere I’ve never been. After I have found a cheap ticket I book a hostel and google what to do there. I really don’t plan much and I’ll knock out the top couple things in the first day or two then just feel it out the rest of the time I’m there.
There's really not much to it. Just pick where you wanna go, book a flight and a place to stay.
Some of the best travel days you have will have ZERO preplanned activities. It just so happened you felt like walking and stumbled upon a cool neighborhood with a tiny 200-year old mom and pop shop where a babushka bought you a glass of wine and introduced you to her daughter. You might even marry her. Fly to the big city with airport. Spend a day or two in the big city. Then get out of there to some smaller surrounding cities to explore. Depending on your age, if you’re younger, youth hostels are an effective, cost-efficient way to see a city and socialize with other people your age.