Tips For Traveling to Europe
With so many cheap and budget hotels around the world, it is hard for many to think of travelling to Europe. Europe does have plenty to offer the weary traveler however, and with some research it is possible to come up with some fantastic deals that are both reasonably priced and fun and exciting. One of the first things to consider when planning your European vacation is the currency exchange. Many Americans who travel to Europe do so with the hopes of making backpacking gains. The truth is that Europeans do have a lot to offer you as a backpacker, and with some research you will discover that they accept American money as well.
In many cases, even though the citizens of the European countries may appear to be healthy, they are not. It is therefore important to ensure that you get yourself fully vaccinated against the flu. Travel to Europe also means that you will need to arrange an annual or more frequent visit to the vaccines centre in order to receive your full course of vaccinations. This is something that you will need to arrange before you travel to Europe.
Another consideration when considering European travel is the fact that you may end up with a rather large family on board. This can prove to be a real challenge when it comes to fitting everyone into the least amount of space. In many cases, it can be possible to bring your spouse along on the trip if you cannot take them with you on your first stop. You will need to make sure that you have arranged travel arrangements for your family too, especially if you live in one of the newer member states of the european countries such as Portugal and Spain.
In addition to bringing your family along, you should also consider whether you wish to be quarantined. Some of the stricter nations of the EU, like Greece, have very strict regulations about what medical professionals are allowed to do once they have been to the airport. In some cases, they may even have a one or two day waiting period before a visitor is allowed to board a plane. This means that if you have already been to a doctor for a routine visit and the doctor has given you a clean bill of health, you may be unable to travel on to another destination until after seven days. You may find yourself being forced to remain at the airport for the time being until a more appropriate date comes around.
If you have already had your passport stamped by a travel lab before your arrival into the EU, then you should not have any problems getting a visa to stay in the country. Many travelers coming to the EU from outside of North America and the Caribbean come here on tourist visas. In most cases, once these people have been to their point of entry, they can then apply for an e.u.s. card, which allows them to stay anywhere within the 28 member states for the duration of their stay. Many of the same benefits that apply to American citizens will also be in play for citizens of Canada and other visa-exempt countries coming to the EU.
However, if you are coming to the EU from North America, a passport from an eligible country is required to stay. For example, American citizens travelling to europe will need a green card, which can take up to ninety days to process depending on the status of your application. Similarly, if you are from Europe and are travelling to Canada, the necessary visa requirements will vary. Usually, once you have a visa, you can stay for up to three months, but some countries, such as Bulgaria, require you to have an immigrant visa, which is different from a tourist visa. Even if you are travelling to europe on a tourist visa, you might be able to get a cheaper trip by travelling on a e.u.s. card or by applying for an e.u.s. visa.
As well as needing special travel documents for travelling to Europe, many american travellers planning to study or live abroad in europe will find that they need to apply for special discounts. In many cases, students will find that studying in one of the many e-learning centres across europe will qualify them for a discount on their tuition. Similarly, seniors or retired people who plan to travel to EU countries on retirement may also find that they can apply for discounts for their pension. The rates of exchange on these pensions are very high, so any pensioners who are travelling to europe will find that they can save money by taking advantage of these savings opportunities.
Finally, if you are a US citizen travelling to europe, you will need to ensure that you are allowed to enter the country. While many countries, including the United States, have a visa free entry system, others do not. In the case of the e-visa, this means you can apply online for your visa and then submit it online to the relevant authorities. If you are a Canadian citizen, you will need to fill out the Application for a Schengen Visa. This application is valid for three years and you will not need to remain in the country once you have obtained your visa. Similarly, a British citizen can apply online to get a Schengen visa.