Hi

Just wondering if anyone can tell me how optionals are paid for the 25% of the total price mentioned on the booklet. Do you pay in Euros or US Dollars?

Thank you!

Hi,

Thank you for your response. It sure helps. It'll be my first time in Europe or with a tour so, I'm a lot nervous about how things work and what to expect. But your explanation definitely helps me get more prepared before I leave in 2 weeks time. If you, or anyone else reading this have any other advise to pass on, it'll be very much welcomed. Thanks again!

On our Globus tour, there was no orientation meeting. We had the booklet which we'd received from our tour agent.

The tour director told about the first group of optional tours on the bus from London to Paris. We signed up for those on the way to Paris. Later tours were signed up on later bus rides.

We didn't have to pay for any of our optionals in cash. A credit card was adequate. They were quoted and billed in American dollars.

Debbie

Our experience was similar, optionals were explained, and selected in advance, and the Tour Director asked for a percentage in cash but didn't insist. We had a couple of days warning so it wasn't hard to hit the cash machine and get what was needed. Otherwise plastic was fine.

It was very easy and clearly explained.

Hope you have a good trip.

Walt C

Thank you once again for the replies. I guess I shouldn't have to worry too much about having to carry all the cash for the optionals.

Can anyone tell me if the gondola ride is worth taking?

I assume its the ride in Venice. It's better than the one in the Venetian casino in Las Vegas. My wife thought it was very romantic, so it was worth it.

I thought we saw more when we took the water bus from one end of the Grand Canal to the other. At night lots of lights are on with few curtains drawn, you can see some of the interiors of the buildings.

Walt C

Hi Walt,

what's the water ride and does it just go from one side of the canal to the other? my boyfriend doesn't really wanna ride the gondola, but I'm curious, but if there are other ways to see the canal, maybe I can convince him to go for that instead.

thanks!

You do not have to ride the gondola to be on the canal.

The canal has all kinds of boats on it - it's a lot bigger than the canal at the Venetian in Las Vegas. (GGG)

There is a regular boat taxi service that goes from spot to spot along the canal. My family took it. I had a Rick Steves guide and read what we were seeing as we rode along. You just buy a ticket and board.

You can also walk along the edge of the canal.

In my mind, just seeing the gondola was enough for me. I didn't have to ride it.

Debbie

When I said that you could walk along the side of the canal, it might be confusing. You can do that in places - but I don't think you could walk along the entire length of it.

We did find, though, that you can get all the way from St. Mark's Square to the train station by walking. It's wasn't completely straightforward - but it was entirely possible.

Look at the corners of the buildings and you'll see clues - arrows that point to St. Mark's Square or to the train station.

Debbie

Hi Debbie

Thanks for that info. I didn't know you can actually walk it, or at least some of it. I just wanted to see along the canal and I thought you can only do that on some sort of a boat. shows how little I know, eh?

Anyway, walking is definitely an option and one we might just end up doing since we're on a tight budget already.

Do you by any chance have any other tips you can offer? I'm going on The Popular tour leaving next week and while I'm excited, I'm also nervous. I've tried to read up on all the places we're going to, but if you or anyone, have first hand experience on what's the best or worst, it would be much appreciated.

Thank!

Relax and have a great time!

If you want to do something extra ask your tour director for advice. They don't mind making suggestions from their experience.

You'll find that you see more than you ever thought you could.

Walt C