Are Optional Experiences Worth it? Our Past Guests Reveal All
We've always done all Optional Experiences on the 15 tours we've done with Insight and never regretted it.
At Insight Vacations, we know no two guests are the same. While our tours will always include authentic local dining in top-rated restaurants, unique Insight Experiences and hand-picked 4- and 5-star accommodation, we know it’s important to give you the chance to tailor your trip too. That’s where our Optional Experiences come in.
What is an Optional Experience?
Free time is built into every Insight Vacations tour, and if you’re the kind of person who likes to grab their vacation by the horns and do it all, you can use this time to make the most of our Optional Experiences. These could be anything from dinner on a private Italian island to taking a boat to the bottom of the largest waterfall system in the world.
You can book Optional Experiences on tour with the help of your Travel Director – feel free to ask them for any suggestions, including help making reservations at local restaurants and attractions.
Discover some of our top Optional Experiences, and hear first-hand from our guests what they would recommend.
What do our guests have to say about Optional Experiences?
Soak up the beauty of Isola Bella
After taking the Italian Elegance tour, past guest Gayla was still thinking about her Optional Experiences. “We really enjoyed the Local Tuscan dinner. The dinner was several courses, and served family style so you have many options. It was very good.” While in beautiful Tuscany, head into the hills surrounding Florence for a delicious typical Florentine dinner, complete with Chianti wine, music and lots of fun for an evening to remember.
Gayla continued: “The Gardens at Borromean Islands were phenomenal. As was the tour of the Palace there. I recommend it highly.” While you’re staying nearby Lake Maggiore, take a private boat to Isola Bella, the most famous of the Borromean Islands, renowned for its incredible palace and stunning Botanical Gardens. You’ll have the insights of a Local Expert, who will take you on a guided tour of this privately-owned palace, with ample time to admire the gardens.
Head up Switzerland’s iconic Matterhorn
When it comes to Optional Experiences, “I tend to do them all because I won’t go back twice to the same area,” says past guest Delonna. “The gondola in Venice with the singers was amazing. Plus Matterhorn in Zermatt was the highlight of Switzerland without a doubt. Active ones are my favorite.” If it’s a sublime view you’re after, then make sure to take Zermatt’s highest and most spectacular mountain ride to the top of the Matterhorn on Glorious Switzerland. You’ll bask in stunning views as you ascend to Furi and Trockener Steg, before boarding Europe’s highest cable car to 3,883m (12,740ft) to view the magnificent snow-capped top of the world.
Get more out of your Italy trip
Our Easy Pace guided tours spend a minimum of three nights at each destination, giving you more time to get stuck into unique experiences. “We did Easy Pace Italy and it was really great, our Travel Director was awesome. We did all the extra experiences which we enjoyed. Our first time in Italy was unforgettable.” says past guest Lisa. Easy Pace Italy allows lots of time to soak up Italian culture and history over 10 days, with Optional Experiences spanning a trip to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii with a Local Expert, a visit to the UNESCO-listed hill-top Tuscan town of San Gimignano with a Local Expert, and a private cruise around the islands of the Venetian lagoon to the rainbow-colored island of Burano for dinner and wine.
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Witness Arctic birds in their natural habitat
Priscilla’s highlight was “the Arctic Bird Safari Cruise in Norway – an experience I’ll never forget.” As you cross the tundra into Norway on Grand Scandinavia, you’ll have the option to embark upon a journey across an almost ‘lunar’ landscape to reach one of the most northerly fishing villages in the world. From here you’ll set sail upon a 90-minute Arctic Adventure around the Gjesværstappen, a necklace of islands that’s a protected nesting area for puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, guillemots and white tailed eagles, with some grey seal and porpoise sightings on the cards if you’re lucky. Don’t worry about the weather – wind suits are provided.
Fly above Denali Mountain
When asked for her favorite Optional Experience, past guest Barbara recalled “the small plane trip that flew near Denali – thrilling. Blessed to go on a clear day too.” Take to the sky on Jewels of Alaska with an incredible plane ride in a fixed wing aircraft. Travel like the Bush pilots of Alaska as you follow the Alaska Range out to catch a view of Mount Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America.
Discover Hidden Venice
“I have done the Easy Pace Italy tour twice and have enjoyed all of the optional tours – including Hidden Venice,” says past guest Ginny. The clue is in the name for this Optional Experience – you’ll get to tread off the beaten path, finding all sorts of hidden suprises with your Local Expert for a walk through some of the lesser-known quarters of Venice. The back lanes and ‘campi’, small squares, where tourists seldom tread are full of history and great places to sample local life. Ginny adds: “I learned new things each time as well. We traveled different streets on each tour. Do all the optional tours if you can.”
What other guests have said about our Optional Experiences
“The Optionals make it the best experience. Your tour director will advise what Optionals he/she is offering.” – Sharon
“Do it all, you’re only there once.” – Pam
“We ended up doing all of the extra tours, dinners, etc., and were so glad we did! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.” – Ross
“Do the lot, you will be sorry if you don’t. We’ve always done all Optional Experiences on the 15 tours we’ve done with Insight and never regretted it.” – Susan
“Take them all as you may never get back again. Life is not a guarantee.” – Bonnie
Ready to get even more out of your tour? Explore each tour’s Optional Experiences on the ‘Tour Highlights’ section of each tour page, where you can start getting excited about all the extra memories you can take home with you.
About Jess Williamson
Jess is an experienced writer and editor, with 6 years' experience working within the whisky industry. Her work has taken her to Scotland and beyond, while her personal travel highlights include backpacking around Vietnam with her sister, trips to California, Madrid, and the Greek islands.
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