Frequently Asked
Questions

This tour welcomes up to 6 participants, plus myself as your guide — 7 women in total. Small groups are central to how I design these tours: they allow for real flexibility, genuine connection, and experiences that a larger group simply can't have.

A minimum of 4 participants is required for the tour to run as planned. If we fall below that threshold, I will be in touch with options.

This tour includes meaningful hiking — it is part of what makes it special. That said, I am a slow and steady hiker, not a fast one, and the pace reflects that.

What to expect:

• Day 3 (Appenzell Alps): A full hiking day from Ebenalp to Seealpsee via the Aescher lodge and Wildkirchli caves. Involves some steep and uneven terrain but is well within reach for a reasonably fit hiker.
• Day 5 (Creux du Van): The most strenuous hike of the tour — a steep climb up 14 switchbacks to the rim of a spectacular limestone cirque, then a descent through forest back to the valley. We take our time.
• Day 9 & 11 (Ticino & Zurich): Optional hikes — joining is entirely your choice.

Throughout the tour there is also a good amount of walking, including stairs and uneven cobblestones in the old towns.

Can I join if I'm not confident about the hiking? Yes — modifications are possible. If the full alpine routes feel like too much, we can adjust. In the German-speaking region, for example, there is still an uphill walk on a paved road from the gondola to the mountain lodge. Reach out before booking and we can talk through what works for you.

Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended for all participants. At minimum, your policy should cover trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and evacuation. I strongly recommend purchasing a policy shortly after booking so your deposit is covered from the start.

If you choose to travel without insurance, you will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that you are doing so.

Booking is handled through WeTravel, the platform I use for all tour reservations. Here's what the process looks like:

• Click "Reserve Your Spot" and complete your booking through the WeTravel page. A $1,600 deposit is due at the time of booking to secure your place.
• You will be asked to sign a Travel Agreement as part of the booking process.
• You'll receive an instant booking confirmation from WeTravel. The platform will also handle any questionnaires needed to gather your travel details.
• Once your booking is confirmed, I'll reach out personally — by email or phone, depending on your preferred communication method.
• Your final balance is due May 18, 2027 (120 days before departure). WeTravel will send you a payment reminder.

If you have questions before committing, I'm always happy to chat. Use the contact form on the tour page.

The following payment methods are accepted:

• Credit or debit card — processed securely through WeTravel. No processing fees are charged, so you pay exactly the amount listed.
• Personal check — made out to The Blue Backpack. Contact me directly to arrange.
• Cash — contact me directly to arrange.

Yes. WeTravel offers payment plan options so you can spread your payments between your deposit and the final balance due date of May 18, 2027. You can select a payment plan at the time of booking directly through the WeTravel platform.

US citizens do not need a visa to enter Switzerland. You do need a valid passport — make sure it does not expire within six months of our departure date (September 15, 2027), meaning it should be valid through at least March 2028.

Yes — two new entry systems apply to US travelers entering Europe, including Switzerland, for our 2027 departure:

I'll keep everyone updated on these requirements as we approach departure.

All accommodations are carefully chosen for location and character. Here's what to expect for each leg of the trip:

• Zurich (nights 1–2 & 10–11) — Hotel Josephine: A women-only boutique hotel in the city center. Stylish, comfortable, and perfectly located.
• Ebenalp / Seealpsee (night 3) — Berggasthaus Seealpsee: A traditional mountain lodge right on the alpine lake. Rooms are double-occupancy with two twin beds — a cozy and authentic mountain experience.
• Neuchâtel (nights 4–6) — Hotel Alpes et Lacs: Conveniently located next to the train station, with a 15-minute walk to the lake and Old Town.
• Lugano (nights 7–9) — Continental Hotel: A beautifully restored historic hotel on a private estate, featuring a subtropical park, vineyard, pool, and grotto restaurant. Just steps from the train station.

Private rooms throughout, except for the mountain lodge night. Hair dryers are provided at all hotel accommodations.

Laundry facilities or services are available in Zurich and Lugano. I'll confirm exact options and share details before departure.

For our one night at the mountain lodge (Day 3), you'll carry only an overnight backpack with essentials. Your main luggage will be stored securely at the Zurich main train station for 24 hours and we'll collect it on Day 4 on our way to Neuchâtel. I'll include a suggested overnight packing list before departure.

No — hair dryers are provided at all hotel accommodations. You won't need to pack one.

I recommend it. Poles are especially helpful on the steep sections of the Alpstein hike on Day 3 and on the Creux du Van ascent and descent on Day 5. If you're used to hiking with them, bring them.

Important: Hiking poles are not allowed in carry-on luggage — TSA will confiscate them at security. They must be packed in your checked luggage.

The Creux du Van is the highlight hike of the tour and the most strenuous. Slow and steady is the motto — we are not racing anyone.

Starting at Noiraigue station, the trail quickly crosses the train tracks and passes through a quiet forest. From here, we begin the infamous 14 switchbacks — a steep, sometimes rocky climb that leads directly to the top of the Soliat plateau at the edge of the cliff.

Once on the ridge, you will trace the perimeter of the Creux du Van, a colossal limestone cirque carved by ancient glaciers and ice. You'll be treated to panoramic views of the entire 1.4 km-wide natural amphitheater, with a sheer 160-meter drop directly below. The area is a protected nature reserve — keep an eye out for alpine wildlife like ibex, chamois, and marmots.

After walking the horseshoe-shaped rim, the trail descends past the La Grand'Vy and Pré au Favre farmhouses. From there, a steep forest path brings you back down to the valley, passing the historic Ferme Robert farmhouse (built in 1750 — a great spot to grab a bite) before returning to Noiraigue.

From Noiraigue, we walk through the Gorges de l'Areuse — a beautiful, mostly downhill path through dramatic sculpted rock walls, then a flat trail to Champ-du-Moulin train station. From there, a regional train brings us back to Neuchâtel in about 15 minutes.

Back in Neuchâtel, I highly recommend a swim in the lake to recover — you will have earned it.

We take an early train from Zurich — the ride to Wasserauen is approximately two hours. From there, we ride the gondola up to Ebenalp and begin our hike.

The route passes toward Schäfler with sweeping panoramic views across the Swiss plateau. Along the way we stop at the iconic Aescher cliff lodge — one of the most photographed spots in Switzerland — and explore the ancient Wildkirchli caves carved into the cliff face. We then continue down to Seealpsee for our overnight stay at the mountain lodge.

The terrain is varied — some rocky and steep sections — but very manageable for a fit hiker. Good footwear with ankle support is strongly recommended.

Switzerland is one of the more expensive countries in Europe when it comes to dining out. A sit-down lunch at a restaurant typically runs $25–$35 per person; dinner more. That said, there are very good ways to eat well on a reasonable budget:

• Bakeries everywhere — wonderful for breakfast items and mid-morning snacks
• Supermarket food courts (Migros and Coop both have excellent hot and cold options at very reasonable prices)
• Outdoor markets when in season
• Picnics — Switzerland's landscapes practically demand them

A few things worth knowing before you sit down:

• Portions: Meals tend to be smaller than in the US — do not expect American-sized plates.
• Substitutions: Asking to modify a dish is generally frowned upon. Order what's on the menu and trust the kitchen.
• Restaurant hours: Lunch is typically served between 11am and 2pm. The American expectation of eating whenever you like does not apply here. In touristy cities it is easy to find food all day, but in smaller towns and villages, restaurants close after 2pm and reopen at 5 or 6pm. Plan accordingly, especially on hiking days.
• Dinner timing: Swiss people eat dinner later than Americans. 7 or 8pm is perfectly normal.
• Drinks: It's expected that you'll order something to drink. Free tap water is not always offered — don't hesitate to ask for it.
• Coffee: Coffee culture in Switzerland is excellent and espresso-based. Expect strong, well-made coffee at even the smallest café. A café crème (French region) or Kafi Crème (German region) is a classic choice.

The following meals are included in your $7,900 tour price:

• Daily breakfast throughout the tour (all 11 nights)
• Dinner at Berggasthaus Seealpsee (mountain lodge, Day 3)
• Grotto lunch in Lugano (Day 8)
• Farewell happy hour at Frau Gerold's Garten, Zurich (Day 11)

Three wine tastings — one in each linguistic region — are also included. All other lunches and dinners are on your own.

Switzerland produces exceptional wines — yet less than 2% of production ever leaves the country. Swiss wine is largely unknown abroad not because of quality, but because the Swiss drink it themselves. Tasting it here is a genuine privilege.

Each region we visit has its own distinct wine culture:

• German-speaking Switzerland (Zurich / Lake Zurich): Pinot Noir — known locally as Blauburgunder — is the star, producing elegant, lighter-bodied reds. Fresh whites round out the offerings from small, often family-run estates overlooking the lake.
• French-speaking Switzerland (Neuchâtel): Chasselas is the signature grape — a delicate, mineral-driven white that is uniquely and beautifully Swiss. Expect crisp, food-friendly whites and refined Pinot Noir in a lighter, more understated style than you might be used to.
• Italian-speaking Switzerland (Ticino): Merlot dominates, shaped by a warm, sun-drenched climate and Italian influence. The result is smooth, approachable reds with a relaxed Mediterranean character — distinctly Swiss in their restraint and finesse.

Each of our three included tastings is a window into a completely different wine world — all within one small country.

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). Note that Switzerland is not in the Eurozone — euros are accepted in tourist areas but often at an unfavorable exchange rate. Check the current exchange rate before you travel.

Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities and towns. However, in smaller villages and rural localities, cash is sometimes the only option. I recommend having at least CHF 300 in cash on hand for the trip. ATMs are widely available in all the towns we visit.

Switzerland uses 230V / 50Hz current. Swiss power sockets are recessed and three-pronged in a unique hexagonal shape (Type J) — they are slightly different from both European Type C and US plugs. You will need a Swiss adapter for your devices. Universal travel adapters typically cover this — just check the packaging says Type J / Switzerland. Most modern electronics (laptops, phone chargers) handle 110–240V automatically, so only the plug adapter is needed, not a voltage converter.

No tipping is necessary. Restaurants and service businesses already include a 10% service charge in the bill. Rounding up to a whole franc as a courtesy is appreciated but entirely optional — it is not expected the way it is in the US.

Wi-Fi is widespread in Switzerland and available at all our hotels. Cell service is excellent in towns and cities. Coverage in the mountains — particularly around the Seealpsee area — is more limited. Plan accordingly if you need to stay connected on Day 3.

If you have an international plan through your carrier, check that it includes Switzerland. T-Mobile's international plan covers Switzerland without extra fees.

In September, Switzerland is on Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC +2. That's 9 hours ahead of Seattle (Pacific Daylight Time) and 6 hours ahead of New York (Eastern Daylight Time).

September is a lovely time in Switzerland — reliably pleasant with summer crowds thinning out. Expect daytime temperatures in the 60s–80s°F across most regions. The higher you go in altitude, the cooler it gets — the mountain lodge night will feel noticeably different from Lugano.

Layering is key. September can bring rain. I will provide a full packing list before departure.

I will meet you at Zurich Airport on September 15. From there, it's a short 15-minute train ride into the city center to our hotel. Please share your flight details when I reach out after booking so I can coordinate arrivals.

Switzerland is full of wonderful things to bring home. A few honest favorites:

• Chocolate — Skip the airport and buy directly from local chocolatiers or Migros/Coop supermarkets, which carry excellent Swiss brands at normal prices.
• Swiss wine — If you fall in love with a bottle at one of our tastings, the winery may be your best chance to take it home. Check airline liquid and import rules in advance.
• Swiss army knives — Look for Victorinox (the original Swiss brand) and buy from a reputable shop.
• Skincare products — Swiss pharmacies carry exceptional European skincare brands not widely available in the US. Brands like Weleda, La Prairie, and Valmont are Swiss originals. Even the everyday pharmacy shelves are worth exploring.
• Swiss watches — Switzerland is the watchmaking capital of the world. If a timepiece is on your list, you'll find everything from iconic luxury brands (Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, TAG Heuer) to the cheerful and affordable Swatch, which was born in Switzerland and makes a wonderful gift.

Note: US Customs restricts bringing back unpasteurized cheeses and cured meats. Skip those at the border and enjoy them while you're here instead.

A few favorites to get you in the mood:

• Swiss Watching: Inside the Land of Milk and Money — an insightful and often funny portrait of Swiss culture
• Slow Train to Switzerland by Diccon Bewes — follows the footsteps of the first organized tour to Switzerland and is a delight
• Any Rick Steves Switzerland guide — practical and well-researched
• Lonely Planet Switzerland — good for background and planning
• Heidi by Johanna Spyri — if you haven't read it, at least watch the movie