Hi, I'm Ben, happily retired after 40 years in the aviation and space re/insurance industry. My career took me all over the globe and allowed me to build lasting relationships beyond transactional business. Fine lodging and dining were a notable part of the job and have always been my specialty.
Now, I look forward to sharing my knowledge of Switzerland’s hidden gems and most beautiful spots with curious travelers from around the world.
While most focus only on typical tourist hot spots, my speciality are the less known, hidden or unusual experiences in this fantastic country of mine.
After long business travels, there is no better way to relax and recharge your batteries than to enjoy the outdoors, be it by hiking, biking, swimming or skiing within a wonderful landscape. In addition, there are plenty of cultural and social activities to choose from. Ideally, they can all be combined into a superb mix, culminating in a nice meal and a glass of good local wine, before you put your head on a comfortable pillow in a cozy hotel.
Ben's Swiss Gems is designed individually for the interests of the savvy traveller and connoisseur of living the good life – singles, couples and families with older children are welcome.
Start by filling out our “Plan your experience“ questionnaire online, so you can tell me what your preferences and planned dates of travel are.
Once I have your basic information through the questionnaire, I will start working on your bespoke itinerary and will submit my draft to you within a week.
The proposal will entail travel routes, activities and sights as well as hotel and restaurant suggestions. After you give me the “go ahead”, I will ask you to make a down payment which will cover not only my costs but also used to make the necessary hotel reservations.
Changes to the draft plan, e.g. fully booked hotels or restaurants will be addressed by me with a suitable substitute solution.
You may choose from a range of preferred level of contact options directly in our “Plan your experience“ questionnaire – all the way from only virtual guidance through e-mail or phone, up to me as your personally accompanying travel guide for parts of or the whole trip.
For my services, I will be rewarded on a fee basis which depends on the days of your trip and its complexity in terms of necessary reservations.
The costs will be CHF 100.— per day up to 7 days and CHF 80.— per day for longer trips.
As with all travels, there are more options the longer we plan in advance.
Therefore, your feedback would be most valuable at least three months prior to your arrival. I reserve the right to refuse requests with less than two weeks' notice.
