quote:

BUDGETING – HOW MUCH SHOULD I BRING?
This is obviously a difficult question to answer, since the amount will vary from person to person and from tour to tour. Insight itineraries include many features which will save you money on tour – if you study your tour pages in the Insight brochure, you will see how many highlight visits and other sightseeing is included, as well as meals and entertainments.

Meals: Lunches are usually not included and people's requirements vary. We suggest US$9–12 per day.
Where evening meals are not included, the cost will depend on the type and location of restaurant used. As a guide, in Europe allow US$28–38 per day whilst in Britain and Ireland we suggest US$26–34 per day.

You should budget for drinks with meals, refreshment stops during the day. Non-alcoholic drinks cost approximately US$2 each.

Optional Excursions: Experience has shown us that most passengers participate in these excursions and you should therefore budget per person as follows, assuming that the majority are purchased:

All SuperSaver Tours: US$50–60 per day
All First Class Tours: US$40–50 per day

Optional Tours will usually be priced in Euros (or Pounds Sterling in Britain). Payment can be made in cash, travellers’ cheques and certain credit cards. If paying by credit card, payment is only taken in either Sterling or Euros.

Personal Expenditure: Souvenirs, stamps, postcards, telephone calls, taxi fares, laundry. Allow yourself US$6–8 per day whilst in Europe, and US$9–11 per day in Britain and Ireland, plus extra for any major gifts.

You are advised, whatever your personal requirements may be, to bring more money rather than less. Once overseas, it can be complicated and very time consuming to transfer additional funds from home, especially when you are on the move. You cannot always draw extra money on credit cards and they are still not accepted everywhere. Personal cheques are not generally accepted outside your own country.

quote:

GRATUITIES
On an Insight Vacation, some gratuities are included in the price of your trip: baggage handling, meal service for all meals listed in the tour itinerary, and hotel service charge. Room service, however, is not included in the tour price.

TIPPING
Tipping is a widespread practice in Europe and North America and is a customary way of acknowledging service. Here are some guidelines:

• Taxi fare, on meter 10-15%
  
• Restaurant, total bill 10-15%
  
• Tour Director €4.00 per person per day
  
• Motorcoach Driver €2.50 per person per day
  
• Local Sightseeing Guide €1.00
  
• When Service Charge is included, for service above average, a small extra tip is suggested.