Europe is considered to be one of the best holiday destinations today, with its interesting mix of ancient and modern history. Visitors to the wonderful continent of Europe get a great opportunity to experience its amazing history and culture. There are plenty of places that offer excitement, fun and entertainment on your European vacation. You can experience the beautiful museums, art galleries and magnificent monuments; you can enjoy sightseeing, adventure sporting and more. As far as destinations go, the options are endless in Europe; from Paris, Spain, Italy to Holland, Portugal and many more. Since most of the destinations are not far from each other, you can visit many places on a single trip. If you are looking at traveling Europe on a budget, there are many airlines that offer budget airfares for travel between European countries.
Schengen Visa
The introduction of Schengen visa has simplified travel in Europe to a great extent. Gone are the days when travelers had to take individual visas for each country in Europe, costing both money and time. But a Schengen visa works out great for travelers who wish to visit several European Union countries on the same journey; you can travel between countries on a single visa, as all internal air, road and train travel are treated as domestic trips. However, please note that if you carry a tourist visa, you are given a maximum of 90 days to stay in the Schengen area.
Getting a Schengen visa is quite simple; applications are available free online or at the embassies belonging to the European Union. Along with the visa application, one will also need to submit the necessary documents to the consulate office for the application form to be processed. Travelers should note that it takes several months to get a Schengen visa, so it is good to apply at least 3 months before a planned vacation. If you are planning to apply for a visa, then your passport should be valid for at least 3 months on the conclusion of your trip.
Types of Schengen visa
A great benefit of Schengen visa is that people can travel to different places in Europe without any restrictions and with minimum paperwork; this is especially useful for people traveling to attend conferences or business events. For example, if your visa has been issued by the German Consulate, this visa is also valid for other European countries that fall under the Schengen region such as Austria, Belgium, France, Finland and many more. But remember that you have to apply for your visa at the consulate of the country that is your primary destination. If you do not have a primary destination in mind, then you can apply at the consulate of the country that is your first port of entry.
There are various visas available, so you can find an option that suits you the best. Short stay visa is the most common visa that is applied for, especially by students visiting Schengen countries. It is a perfect choice for people traveling on business or as tourists for at least 90 days on a period of 6 months. Visa for airport transit allows you to transit through airports of Schengen countries, before flying to the next destination, but you cannot exit the airport. For example, if your flight itinerary requires an overnight stay at a German airport, you will have to apply for a regular tourist visa. In some cases, your itinerary may include an airport transit in Germany, but you do not have a confirmed onward flight from Germany. In such a situation, an airport transit visa will not work and you will have to apply for a regular tourist visa.
If you want to apply for a visa for your child under 18 years, you will have to apply for a regular tourist visa. As children under 18 are considered minors under EU law, the visa application will need to be signed by both parents and a birth certificate will also need to be submitted. For travelers interested in visiting the Schengen region more than once during the 90 day period, a multiple entry visa is a good choice. With a transit visa, one can travel across multiple country borders before traveling outside the Schengen zone.
There is nothing worse than going on a vacation without proper planning; it is good decide on the budget for your European trip in advance. It is a good idea to check the foreign exchange rates, so one can plan the budget and itinerary accordingly. Travelers can go online and find out about hotel bookings, places of interest, sightseeing options, food, shopping and much more. Plan a European vacation today and get ready for an unforgettable experience!
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