I'm taking Globus's Continental Introduction Tour, in late May. What are the best optional trips to take? Thanks

my advice is
be wary
some of the optionals are k
but the dinners..hmmm
too much food and ur locked away in some windowless place with pretend opera

better to skip the optional dinners and wander out by yourself and get some local flavour..otherwise u feel like ur on a school excursion
but the optionals that take u to some scenic places are good..like mt pilatus in switzerland..they get u up there ear;y so ur not tempteed to stay in bed!
i like the commentaries
im not into castles churches or ruins anymore so ill do mt own thing and sit in a cafe or take a boat ride
but do ur research
dont think the gondola was worth it
we did our own thing and walked round venice while the rest of the tour did the gondola
we had a blast and felt free for once
good luck anyway

Having been on the Grand European I would say that the optional dinners are a rip off. You are stuck in some place with just adequate food most of the time. You are hustled in and hustled out and absolutely no music or atmosphere in the places I frequented. The waiters are not terribly civil and look down on the tour groups no doubt as we are the "cheap deal" as most of the money goes the tour company is my suspicion.. .. .. .. .. .. ..Also mostly a set menu with very little choice.