i reckon alot of the optional excursions are awesome, but i think some of the dinner ones are quite expensive. i think you could expreience true culture at a local restaurant without having to pay 40 euroes. i was in italy for a bit, and the aevrage amazing meal was about 10 euroes, i guess it differs in country to country. basically mypoint is, what are the optionals people plan to do? im definately going for the action ones- white water rafting, paragliding etc!

hi smiley im the same i only wanna do the action ones too im not doing any of the dinner ones

I just finished my tour and my advice to you is do at least the first and last dinners.

Most of the other dinners really suck and they aren't brilliant. But the first dinner really rocks out because you get to know everyone and it was actually the best and most memorable dinner there was.

Last dinner is the one in amsterdam - okay it's chinese food and it still wasn't that great - but by the end of 45 days you are so attached to the people around you that the last dinner is so worth it.

I did ALL optionals so if you have any questions feel free to ask

HI there thanks for your reply. How was the overall tour. Did you have any hassles with visas anywhere at all. And how much money do you actually need any ideas please

double that answer too....did u do egypt or mykonos......? how much did u spend on optionals and the whole tour????? did u find that u forgot to bring something important??? how much did u pack???

Hey there
I'd be interested to know generally how much all the optionals costs. Obviously I won't do all but just to get a rough idea for budgeting purposes would be great....I know they give you a sheet at the beginning and they have prices so maybe there'd be a rough total on there

i calculated it, and it was something like $1300 australian dollars if you decide to do ALL of the optionals. so thats not too bad

same thing, i calculated mine but exculded the gondola ride, the parasailing, and the water sports at mykonos and it was $870 Aussie dollars

Hey,
If you are doing the Egypt option, put about $200 extra aside, because there are optionals there that are organised by the Egyptian guide and NOT by contiki. But when your in egypt - theres no alot to do by yourself - so I advise you go on the egyptian optionals aswell..I think its mueseums and dinners, perfumeries and...I dont remember what the other one was, but keep some aside for them.
Also there are a few ....contiki optionals that aren't on the list. One of them is in Amsterdam...its very....educational..*wink wink* put some aside for those aswell. So I think someone said about $1300 for all the optionals. I'd take it up to about $2000 Just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for that!