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Swiss Classics is five days of lush photography in Switzerland, built around three things that work brilliantly together in this stunning country - historic military jets kept in working condition, spectacular frontline Swiss Air Force flying, and scenery that results in images like nowhere else.
This is a week of beautiful backgrounds, fast-changing light, and aircraft that are synonymous with the Swiss landscape.
We keep the itinerary comfortable and productive. Distances are short, locations are chosen for their photography, and we spend meaningful time on exclusive shoots. It’s a small-group week where the days are total aviation and the evenings are part of the enjoyment - a relaxed dinner, a drink if you fancy it, and easy conversation with people who understand why photography and jets matter.
Swiss aviation has character like nowhere else. Bases sit in the mountain valley terrain in a way that feels uniquely Swiss, and the link between history and current operations is easy to see as you move through the country. Swiss Classics brings those elements together in one coherent run.
The aim is simple: photo shoots with iconic aircraft in perfect settings, plus observing modern Swiss Air Force action from recognised public locations. We keep it immersive by giving each location enough time to work properly. You can shoot the obvious images and then settle into the more satisfying stuff: angles that use valley walls, the crystal clear Swiss light, the details that tell the story of the location or the aircraft, and sequences that feel distinctly Swiss rather than generic.
We meet in Zurich and the trip settles quickly. Switzerland makes multi-location travel easy: short driving legs, constantly changing scenery, and days that feel full without feeling chaotic. Each day has a clear aviation focus, and we manage the pace so you’re not always arriving, grabbing a few frames, then leaving again.
Some sessions are about working a single subject properly and getting a strong spread of images. Others are about being ready for activity that runs to its own tempo. Either way, we build in practical resets that keep people enjoying themselves: sensible breaks, clean plans, and enough flexibility to respond to weather and light. Evenings are deliberately straightforward: good food, local wine or beer if you fancy it, and time to talk through the day.
Swiss Classics combines heritage aircraft that have real presence with an operational environment that is unmistakably Switzerland. The heritage side is about iconic types central to Swiss jet history, photographed in settings that add context. The modern side is about observing real Swiss Air Force operations in a mountain setting that creates an atmosphere all of its own.
Frontline activity is operational and can vary with the day, weather, and unit requirements. We plan around conditions and make sensible on-the-ground decisions to get the best out of whatever the day offers. Where we are viewing modern operations, it is from recognised public locations, and we work with the realities of what’s happening on the day.
Heritage shoot subjects - de Havilland Vampire (ex-Swiss AF, Sion), Hawker Hunter Mk58 (ex-Swiss AF, Interlaken), Dassault Mirage IIIRS (ex-Swiss AF, Stans), plus others if specific museums are added as itinerary develops (Swiss AF Museum, Dubendorf, FFA Museum, Alternhein).
Military subjects - Swiss AF F/A-18C/D Hornet action (Fliegerstaffel 11) from Meiringen (plus Swiss AF extras at Emmen and surrounding area, if added as itinerary is finalised).
Swiss Classics is rewarding because the environments are choreographed and the backdrops are stunning. You’re often shooting with uncluttered views, strong terrain behind the aircraft, and light that shifts quickly as it moves through valleys and across mountains. That creates variety naturally - wide frames with scale, tighter aircraft studies with tidy backgrounds, and detail work, too.
The group dynamic is always important on COAP trips. People share ideas and settings naturally and it stays easy. If you want a second opinion on angle or exposure, it’s right there. If you prefer to work quietly, that fits just as well. There’s no formal teaching and no pressure to “perform”, but people come away with very strong images because the week consistently puts them in the right situations, with enough time to shoot and refine is required.
Swiss Classics is a small-group week, and that shapes the feel of it. Days are shared, but nobody is forced into a single way of shooting. Some people chase creativity. Some want calmer, composed frames. Others want the details and atmosphere that tell the story of the aircraft and place. The group size keeps all of that super easy: moving between locations, getting everyone into the right spots without fuss, and keeping the mood friendly and ‘teamwork’ focussed.
Evenings are where the week becomes a proper trip rather than a set of sessions. Switzerland does hospitality well, and we keep it simple: a relaxed dinner, a drink if you fancy it, and plenty of time to talk through what the day produced. Conversation usually drifts between aircraft, cameras, travel, and whatever else comes up in life!
The trip is led by experienced tour managers that understand aviation photography and how to keep a multi-location week running smoothly. That matters a lot! Days are planned with care, locations are chosen for clear reasons, and pacing and photography execution is managed so everyone can enjoy the experience without feeling pushed along.
On the ground, you’ll get clear briefings, sensible timing, and a coherent plan that can flex as conditions change. The aim to remove friction so you can focus on the aviation and the photography, and still have the energy to enjoy the evenings.
Swiss Classics runs with a small group. If it sounds like your kind of week, you’re welcome to get in touch for a straightforward chat about anything you like. We’re happy to talk through how the week normally flows, what sort of photography it suits best, and the practicalities of meeting in Zurich and moving through the country. It’s ready for booking, now.
This trip is offered as Land Only (From £1430 pp in a shared twin room). There is a supplement (from £500 pp) to upgrade to single room accommodation.
Flight quotes are available from your airport of choice and the timings must align with the above as closely as possible to ensure logistical arrangements.
Do not book your flights without confirming with us first. The ticket costs on the Photo Shoots will be confirmed once the final trip numbers are confirmed.
This outline shows the intended shape of the week. Exact timings and sequencing can adjust to make best use of light, weather and operational activity.
Day 1: Friday 17th April - Zurich meet and settle-in
Meet in Zurich, collect transport, and get set for the week. Timing dependent, we may visit a local aviation store, and catch dinner in a local aviation-themed restaurant
Day 2: Saturday 18th April - Sion, Rhône Valley heritage session (De Havilland Vampire)
A dedicated heritage shoot with the Vampire in one of Europe’s most photogenic aviation settings - Sion is absolutely stunning!
Day 3: Sunday 19th April -Stans and Interlaken heritage focus (Dassault Mirage III, Hawker Hunter)
Time with iconic Swiss types, with photography built around bringing classic jets back to life. This is a strong day for unique images with ex-Swiss AF Hunter Mk58 and Mirage IIIRS - incredible!
Day 4: Monday 20th April -Meiringen Air Base public viewing day (Swiss Air Force operations)
A full day observing and photographing frontline flying from recognised public locations. Once you’ve experienced Meiringen’s mountain setting you will never forget it - one of the best in the world, fact! Light can change quickly across the valley, so the day is run with action and positioning in mind.
Day 5: Tuesday 21st April - Flexible final day (best use of conditions)
The final day stays deliberately flexible to finish the week strongly on the ground. Options may include additional time at Meiringen, a visit to Emmen, the Swiss Air Force Museum, or the FFA Museum on Lake Constance, depending on what best fits conditions and logistics. We return to Zurich for evening flights home.
Included
Not included
Gear notes
Expect fast-changing conditions and big variations in light as you move through valleys and mountain settings. Bring layers and a weatherproof outer you’re happy to wear all day. For camera kit, a long zoom covers modern operations and tighter aircraft studies, while a mid-range zoom is ideal for heritage sessions where you want context and scale. A wide option is useful for dramatic landscape-led frames. Spare batteries, lens cloths, and a simple camera rain cover are worth having.
Travel notes
If you book on a twin-share basis and don’t have a named roommate, we’ll try to match you within the group. If matching isn’t possible, the rooming arrangement will be discussed with you before travel.
This trip is Land Only. Flights can be quoted on request.
Please don’t book flights until the trip is confirmed as going ahead and your timings are aligned with the group plan and Zurich meeting point.
Travel documents and travel insurance are your responsibility, and appropriate insurance is required for travel.
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