My Tour Guide Journey – Part 7 – “First Excursion”

As 2025 unfolds, my Culture and Tourism course at the University of Geneva continues to be both fascinating and inspiring. Through classroom lectures, museum visits, and Geneva walking tours led by some of the city’s most experienced guides, I continue to deepen my understanding of local history, culture, and tourism.

Some of our recent visits have included the Patek Philippe Museum, the Grand Théâtre de Genève, the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Maison de Rousseau et de la Littérature (MRL), the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, the Musée d’Histoire des Sciences, and several other important cultural sites. These experiences have provided valuable insight into the work of a Geneva professional tour guide and the diverse range of Geneva guided tours available throughout the region.

Last month, our class embarked on our first official excursion beyond Geneva, travelling by bus to several historic and cultural sites in the Canton of Vaud. The program included guided visits to the Château de Chillon and the city of Lausanne. The excursion was not only an opportunity to discover important destinations outside Geneva, but also to experience firsthand how narrated Geneva excursions and Swiss bus tours are conducted by professional guides during the journey itself.

Our guide for the day was Debra Kinson, a highly experienced Geneva professional tour guide who conducts both Geneva walking tours and narrated excursions throughout Switzerland. An interesting fact about Debra is that she is also a graduate of the same Culture and Tourism course that we are currently completing.

Immediately after departing the Geneva Gare Routière, Debra began her onboard narration, sharing fascinating descriptions, historical context, and amusing anecdotes about the buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes along the route. I was especially impressed by both her depth of knowledge and her warm, humorous demeanor. Listening to her commentary made me realize that providing narration on a moving bus through a microphone system is truly another dimension of professional tour guiding.

Upon arriving at the Château de Chillon, we were escorted from the bus and welcomed into the castle by one of the château’s official guides, dressed in traditional Savoyard period costume. Although I had visited the château several times in the past, experiencing it through the guidance of an expert tour guide revealed many fascinating details that I had never previously noticed. In addition, after recently studying the history of Geneva, the House of Savoy, and the surrounding region, the historical significance of the château made much more sense to me.

After our visit to the Château de Chillon, we continued our journey toward Lausanne along the scenic lakeside route through Montreux, Vevey, and several picturesque villages overlooking Lake Geneva. Throughout the drive, Debra continued her narration, providing many interesting historical and cultural insights about the region visible from the bus windows.

Upon arrival at Lausanne-Ouchy, our class enjoyed lunch together at a local restaurant near the port. After lunch, we were greeted by a local Lausanne guide who led us on a walking tour of the city, including a visit to the magnificent Lausanne Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lausanne. The tour offered a fascinating introduction to the history, architecture, and atmosphere of this beautiful Swiss city.

Our first-class excursion turned out to be a truly memorable experience. Not only did we learn more about important historical sites and the techniques involved in providing onboard narration during Geneva excursions and Swiss guided tours, but the trip also allowed us to strengthen friendships within our class.

During the journey, I sat with two of my closest classmates, Xavier Fernandez and Hansjörg Roth, with whom I have collaborated on several projects throughout the course. All three of us share a passionate interest in history, and we often exchange information, ideas, and book recommendations. Travelling together, discussing the places we visited, and sharing our enthusiasm for history made the experience even more enjoyable.

Overall, the excursion was another meaningful milestone in my ongoing journey toward becoming a Geneva professional tour guide.

Classmates Hansjörg and Xavier, waving to the camera