Extra Spending money while on a Tour

More than enough I would say but depends on where you are going and how long.

I am going for 21 days, 6 countries.

And how many presents you buy for yourself and friends and family. Although, I usually put that money in it's own budget.

Pam

The 75 euro includes my full budget. I know somedays I won't spend much and others I will spend more. I guess I will have to be careful with my choices when it comes to gift buying.

Angela - please be sure to budget for a vacation to recover from your trip when you get back. ;-) 6 countries in 21 days seems like it would be exhausting.

Well - When I return, I only have 2 days to recover then back to work. I know my trip will be fast paced and full of thrills however, there will be rest periods on the bus rides. Also, I've been working 2 jobs for almost a year now. I think I have the stamina, plus I'm still relatively young. 45 is still young, right? I took a 2 week trip to Istanbul in 2006, I had 2 days to recover from that, I did just fine. I wish I was able to extend my vacation for more down time, but that's what happens when you work for "The Man". ;)

You can easily do it on 75 per day. So much depends on how you spend money. If you eat picnics out of grocery stores, your lunches won't be much. On a tour, that's not likely to be an option. They are more likely to leave you in a town center, suggest some places for lunch and tell you when the tour leaves.

I would skip their suggestions. They are built around somewhere that can serve a large group of people quickly with no thought toward quality and price.

Immediately find a local and ask if there is a grocery store near. If yes, get picnic stuff and buy some extra dry snacks and drinks for the future.

If no, ask if there is someplace close to get something decent to eat, nothing fancy. You didn't say where you will be. If in Britain, I'd ask for pub grub. If in Italy, I'd ask for pizza to go. If in Germany, I'd ask for a Bratwurst stand.

On most tours there is way too much time devoted to shopping in tourist traps. Bring at least a green Michelin guide and see if there is anything close that you would like to see. Ditch the tour and do something worthwhile, just be back at the designated time and place.

Did I mention I am going to be on a Rick Steve's tour where all the things Brad mentions, they encourage....Rick Steves is all about feeling like a local and blending in. He ecourages picnics and grocery store shopping - traveling cheap.....I don't think his tour will steer me towards the traps....if so, then all he represents for himself is a bunch of hooey. Have any of you taken a Rick Steves tour?

I've taken two City Tours; would love to take one of the longer, pan-European ones.

Teresa - did they steer you towards the tourist traps or was it everything RS claims it to be? "Through the Back Door" Like a local....minus the museums and sight seeing.

Angela, I took the Berlin, Prague and Vienna tour and they definitely practice what they preach. There are scheduled tours, but also you're on your own for good chunks of time. The Rick Steves tour also covers a lot entry fees. It was a great experience. Take some good walking shoes! ; )

Pam

Returned from my first RS tour 3 weeks ago (Venice-Florence-Rome) and budgeted 75E/day spending money for the 10-day trip. Didn't spend that average. Did a little shopping (which was most definitely not a focus on this tour) but didn't have any pricey coveted items. Every suggested eatery/restaurant/cafe/bar by our full-time guide was terrific, local and more than reasonable. High-end or 'splurge' restaurants were pointed out specifically in the nature of being pricey but worthwhile for one reason or another. Many opportunities to step into a market and purchase food items occurred.

On a recent RS tour extra money was spent on: a bullfight, a rug, internet cafes, newspapers, lunches, clothing (luggage didn't arrive with tour member), golfing (expensive), public bus to nearby town, dinners at restaurants, groceries, wine, snacks for party, soft drinks, and probably more. No one person did all this spending, but you can get an idea about the possibilities. I usually spend very little on extra meals since the included meals are so generous. Your budget of 75 EU/day sounds generous to me. Have fun!

Sounds like you're going on the Best of Europe tour. More meals were included when I took that tour in 1999, but I think you will be challenged to spend an average of 75 euro per day (I assume per person) on top of what's covered by the tour. There will be a few pricy days - optional trip to the Schilthorn or optional gondola ride in Venice, but also other days where you will spend little beyond lunch at an Autogrill and some beverages or souvenirs. Only thing I can think of that would throw you off budget is big splurge purchases.

Ditto to what Frank has to say. The RS tour folks practice what they preach. On our Best of Europe tour in 06, we didn't spend as much as what we had budgeted for. Great tour. You will love it.

Having been on the RS Rome city tour, I agree with the other alums. Unless you intend to splurge big-time, 75 euros a day is more than generous.

My main non-tour expenses were shopping (about 150-200 euro total over 6 days), non-tour meals (about 70 euros over 6 days), and a couple hundred euro to skip out of the tour for a day and go up to Florence, which was my major splurge.

This may be more Italy than all of Europe, but I found I really didn't need to eat expensive meals because anytime I'd even think about getting hungry, it was time for another multi-course dinner covered by the tour. I usually would have a good breakfast at the hotel, then something light in the middle of the day (half a panini or a slice of pizza), and then dinner. Several days I ended up skipping either lunch or dinner--depending on what the tour was doing--and just having gelato in the afternoon.

Angela, I would think that would be more than enough. Many people do Europe on 100 Euros per day and they are travelling alone. That is my plan, so 75 with most everything paid for would be an easy budget. Enjoy!