Visas// Part One---What is Schengen Visa and how to apply for?



 The Schengen Visa has made traveling between its European member countries much easier and less bureaucratic. Traveling on a Schengen Visa means that the visa holder can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The purpose of the visit must be leisure, tourism, or business. Upon the issuance of the visa, the visa holder is allowed to enter all member countries and travel freely throughout the Schengen area.  A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in a 6 month period.

All Schengen countries are in Europe. However, it should not be confused with the EU (European Union). Schengen and European Union are two different agreements between European countries. A total of 30 countries, including all European Union countries (except Ireland and United Kingdom) and three non-EU members (Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland) have signed the Schengen agreement.


The first step, you should download an application guide and get an application form. Form as in the following two pictures. In general, Application forms need to get with the consulates of the respective country.

 

○ Schengen countries / territories

The name "Schengen" originates from a small town in Luxembourg where in March 1995, seven European Union countries signed a treaty to end internal border checkpoints and controls. More countries have joined the treaty over the past years. At present, there are 22 Schengen countries, all in Europe. On the 21st December, the Schengen zone was expanded to include nine new countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia. Schengen States are a group of European countries which have signed an agreement to allow free circulation of people within the territory of the member countries.

Please note that the UK and Ireland are not a part of the Schengen agreement.

○ Where to apply for Schengen visa?

A Schengen Visa is applied for at the Embassy or Consulate of the Schengen country which you will be spending the most nights on your trip to the Schengen Space. If you are only visiting one country on your trip then you apply for your visa at the Consulate of this Schengen country.

○ When to apply for Schengen visa?

If you require a Schengen Visa you need to apply before travelling.

○ UK residency requirements when applying for a Schengen visa.

Generally you need to have at least three months left on your UK immigration visa at the time you return from your holiday. (Example: Your visa expires on 12 December 2010 you can only apply for a visa up to 12 September 2010.)

○ Multiple Schengen visa

A multiple entry Schengen visa will allow the holder several entries into the Schengen area, allowing you to return to the UK and then re-enter the Schengen area at a later date. Not all embassies issue multiple entry visas some prefer to only issue a single entry visa to cover you for the specific trip you are going on.

Next post I will teach you how to fill in application forms and provide some information of popular countries such as how to apply for, what documents need to be prepared, etc.

Barcelona// A charming city



*A Port



Barcelona is the capital and the most populous city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid. Barcelona is today one of the world's leading tourist, economic and cultural centers. Barcelona was the 12th-most-visited city in the world and 4th most visited in Europe after Paris, London, and Rome. It is in addition the most popular tourist destination in Spain (receiving over 5 million tourists every year).

I have been to Barcelona twice, I love this city, and each time has a different surprise. This city will always show the best side to the world. Barcelona has its own very unique charm, which is why a lot of tourists will choose to go to Barcelona.

Following I recommend some places worth to visiting:

*Sagrada Família

Sagrada Família (Charges) is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although need to buy ticket to enter the church, but inside the special design and luxury, no one does not praise ‘Gaudi was a genius’.



*Dali Museum

Barcelona has a great number of museums, which cover different areas and eras. The Fundació Joan Miró, Picasso Museum and Fundació Antoni Tàpies hold important collections of these world-renowned artists. I did not go to the Picasso Museum, but I went to the Dali Museum, he also is a great artist.



*The entrance to Gaudí's "Parc Güell"



Barcelona contains 68 municipal parks, divided into 12 historic parks, 5 thematic (botanical) parks, 45 urban parks and 6 forest parks. Parc Güell is another masterpiece from Gaudi,  Parc GüellIs is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí". This park is free of charge to the public.



*Barcelona Beach

Barcelona is listed first among the Top 10 Beach Cities in the world by National Geographic. Barceloneta beach gained status as the best urban beach in the World and total third best beach in the World, according the documentary film "Worlds Best Beaches" produced by Discovery Channel in 2005. Standing on the beach is really nice, you can forget everything, lying on the beach to enjoy the sea breeze to enjoy the sunshine, if you are a people who love the sea, you must remember that planning Barcelona beach as your one-stop on your trip.



*In La Rambla, famous for its living statues

In this street every day gathered a lot of tourists, there are many restaurants, shops, small bars, street performers, the other end of this street is a port, the scenery is very beautiful.



*Carmen Show

Talking about Spain, must know the Flamenco, if you have interesting want to watch Flamenco shows you can choose a  restaurant has performed Flamenco shows. Like the restaurant of photos, has professional performance, but also provide a very delicious dinner. But I'm sorry I forgot the specific address and I'll try to find out the address and will update later. 

*Seafood

Barcelona is a place rich in seafood, if you love seafood, you really should come here, you can eat very fresh seafood and a variety of seafood dishes.

But I still have one regret, did not go to watch a football match. Barcelona has a long sporting tradition and hosted the highly successful 1992 Summer Olympics as well as several matches during the 1982 FIFA World Cup. Looking forward to next trip to Spain. I hope you can embark on a journey and go where you want to.

Wonderful notice:

Next post---Visas// What is Schengen Visa and how to apply for?

Travel around Europe by trains// the knowledge of European trains




 

Flight may seem much faster than the train, and there are many budget airlines in Europe, you can easily buy cheap airline tickets, but if coupled with the time from the airport, and need long waiting at the airport registry and the security, train station is generally located in the center, the finally train may be more convenient and timely than the plane. And European trains are getting better.

We know that the European trains tickets are complex and will waste of money and time if buy an inappropriate ticket. There are some useful knowledge about European trains and trains tickets.

Q: What difference between continuous use and the current European rail tickets?

A: Continuous use: To be used continuously from the first day of beginning use. (Example: You buy a rail ticket that consecutive use of 15 days at seventeenth contries, stated from 5th July, then the deadline of ticket at midnight 00:00 19th July)

Current Ticket: From the effective date stamped at the station, according to the purchased ticket's valid date and the number of days can by trains in any day within a certain period of times, actual use train tickets need not be continuous. (Example: You buy a ticket that can be arbitrary use 10 days within 2 months at seventeen countries, sealed into force and started from 5th July, you can arbitrary use of 10 days from 5th July to midnight 00:00 4th Septemper.)

Q: How to calculate the valid of European rail tickets?

A: The valid of ticket is in accordance with month. (Example: Start from 21^st July, the valid of ticket is one month, then expires end at midnight 00:00 20^th August)

Q: How to calculate the days of the current European rail tickets?

A: In the period, the day by train, then will to fill the date of the day on the ticket, and unlimited times within the same day by train.

Q: How to calculate the age of youth and children?

A: The youth and children can enjoy the preferential price or not, the standard is not age at the time to buy tickets, but the age when by trains. Therefore, when the actual use tickets if you are under 26 years old or under 12 years old, you can enjoy a discount prices by youth and children. (Example: Some people asked I was born in 5^th December, 1985, can I buy tickets for youth discount? Born in 5^th December 1985 is not attain the age of 26 years old until 5^th December, 2011, you are still considered the age is 25. So as long as by trains before 4^th December, 2011, you can enjoy the benefits of youth, but after 5^th December will be in accordance with the adult price. It is empathy for children’s tickets. Because the definition of the child’s age is different in various countries, it is better to do some prior consultation if you need to purchase tickets for children.）

Q: Can I take all trains if I have a European rail ticket?
A: The European train most of the state-owned railway, who hold European train ticket can by trains, but Europe there are some train or funicular railway, cable cars are running by privately, such as: Switzerland Titlis, Jungfrau, etc. These places cannot free ride but can enjoy some preferential.

Q: Have dining cars in European trains?
A: Most long-distance trains have dining cars, and usually you can direct go to dining cars to eat or drink. However in the peak time of dining recommend that you can book in advance to the crew. If there is no dining car on the train, generally there will be hand-pushed carts.



Q: Buy the European rail tickets, in addition to by trains, is it can take other modes of transport? Are there any additional benefits?
A: The European rail ticket is still the one of "travel discount certificate". Many of scenic trains, tour bus, cable car, boat, sea ferry and so on, there are provide free or discount for tourist who holding the European rail tickets. Specific concessions differ according to different types of ticket.

Q: How to do if lost or stolen rail tickets?
A: The tickets like cash, if lost or stolen, can not apply for a replacement or refund.

Q: It needs a Visa if through the country but do not get off the train?

A: Yes, as long as through the country which the train you by it, passengers do not get off the train, or even just the route through the country and does not stop any station, passengers still must have a valid visa of the country, while the use range of tickets must be covered the country. Before and after the train crossed the border, customs officers will check each passenger’s passport, visa and other travel documents, if found without a valid visa, the passenger will be sent back the origin of country where the train from.

EU member states only Britain, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus have not yet joined the Schengen Agreement.

Q: How to do if I will go to the country but the country is not covered on tickets?
A: If the part of your journey is the country that not covered on your tickets, you need to purchase that part of the ticket. Best buy before boarding the train, because it is more expensive of replacement ticket in the train.

Recommended interesting things：

*Online Tralvel Planning
The most easily travel planning, you can easily develop your travel planning online，do not have to worry about how plan to travel, where to go and how to go. Open the Web page and enter departure and destination. It will provide a variety of travel options, tell you how many time needs and transfer times, but there is one drawback is the price not available

*The Man in Seat Sixty-One 

Web site has a wealth of information and pictures, Mark Smith's website will lead you out of the maze of European rail.

Where to buy European train tickets

First I will provide some website to buy the train tickets, Buy tickets online in advance, can save the time line to buy tickets to the train station，you also can buy cheap train tickets online.

• Trainline
• Virgin
• National Rail
• National Express
• Train Ticket
• GreatWestern
• Qjump

We know that the European Rail passes are complex, if buy a wrong ticket that will spend a lot of time and money. I will provide some useful information about train tickets in next time.

Booking cheapest hotels/hostel

Previous post was recommended a number of online website to buy cheap air tickets, then I will provide some website that can online booking some very cheap hotels/hostel. The hotels/hostel is related to you that can provide a good place to get the good rest or not, only have a good rest that you have enough energy to play and enjoy your trip. There are some hotels/hostel online booking site：

Venere.com Tens of thousands of middle and low hotel, a lot of 40 Euro / double room, booking free of charge and cancellation(except for individual) 

※ Booking.com Established in 1996, Booking.com is one of the world's leading online hotel reservations agencies by room nights sold, attracting over 30 million unique visitors each month via the Internet from both leisure and business markets worldwide. Booking.com offers many types of property, ranging from small independent hotels to a five star luxury through Booking.com. The Booking.com website is available in 41 languages and offers over 120,000 hotels in 99 countries. Free booking, free cancellation(except for individual)

Booking.com is based in Amsterdam (Netherlands) and is supported internationally from offices in Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Cambridge, Cape Town, Dubai, Dublin, Grand Rapids, Istanbul, London, Loulé, Lyon, Madrid, Montréal, Moscow, Munich, New York, Orlando, Paris, Rome, San Francisco, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, Vienna, Warsaw and Zürich.

Hostelworld.com The largest and cheapest hotels network. Prices as low as 10 Euro / bed / night.

HRS More than 250,000 hotels worldwide, in real time the best prices, prospects are paid; free reservations, cancel.

Booking cheapest airtickets

Tourism, in addition to passport and visa, there are two very important things, a ticket and a hotel. Can be buy a cheap ticket, allows you can save a lot of money throughout the journey. Next are some sites you can buy very cheap airline tickets. There are recommended some budget airlines for everyone:

Ryanair  Europe's most well-known budget airlines,more than 17 from Britain and Ireland Airport, flying to 50 cities in Europ. However, most of the landing destination small airports from the tens to hundred kilometers to city centre, usually from the airport to the city needs to spend about 10 euro bus ride.

※ Easyjet One of Europe's largest low-cost carriers, more than 200 routes, flying to 60 cities in Europe, including tax prices are generally between 30 to 60EU, many of which are the main airport. With low cost flights across many top European destinations you're bound to pick up a deal that fits your budget. See the interactive route map, browse the timetables and search extensive network for cheap flights to your business or holiday destination. Alternatively visit easyjet partner sites for great value hotels and car rental deals.

※ Flybe Flybe Group PLC (styled as flybe) is a low-cost regional airline headquartered at the Jack Walker House at Exeter International Airport in Devon, England.  It operates over 180 routes to 65 European airports, and is Europe's largest regional airline, carrying over 6.7 million passengers during 2009. From the United Kingdom and Ireland fly to 20 airports across Europe and New York.

 

Jet2 Jet2.com Limited is a British low-cost airline based on the grounds of Leeds/Bradford Airport, England. It operates services from eight UK bases to 54 destinations. The airline also offers contract charter and air cargo services. Its main base and headquarters is at Leeds Bradford Airport, with smaller bases at Manchester, Belfast International, Blackpool, Edinburgh, Newcastle, East Midlands and Glasgow from April 2011. It has about 1,500 employees as of January 2011.

Thomsonfly Thomsonfly was a British airline, previously known as Britannia and a business within TUI UK prior to September 2007. Following TUI UK merging with First Choice Holidays in September 2007 it became part of TUI Travel PLC. The new holiday company continued with both in-house airlines (Thomsonfly and First Choice Airways) through Winter 07 and Summer 08 however from 1 November 2008 it became Thomson Airways. Thomsonfly was the largest charter airline in the world, and also operated scheduled services to 20 European cities. The airline had several bases including Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Coventry, Glasgow, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Belfast, London Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and Doncaster-Sheffield. Thomsonfly Limited held a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.

 

Bmibaby Bmibaby (also spelt BMI Baby and styled as bmibaby) is a British low-cost airline and a subsidiary of BMI. It flies to destinations in Europe from its four bases at Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, and Manchester. Bmibaby is a member of the Bmi Diamond Club frequent flyer programme, however it is not a member of the Star Alliance, so other Star Alliance airlines' passengers cannot earn points on Bmibaby flights. Bmibaby Ltd holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, and is permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.

 

Monarch Airlines  Monarch Airlines, often shortened to and trading as Monarch, is a British charter and scheduled airline based on the grounds of London Luton Airport in Luton, England. It is one of the United Kingdom's largest charter airlines, operating to Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, India and Africa, serving mainly leisure destinations. It also operates scheduled flights to many Mediterranean destinations, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. The airline's main base and headquarters is at Luton Airport with other operational bases at Manchester, London Gatwick and Birmingham. Manchester is Monarch's primary scheduled operation base and largest base, whilst London Gatwick is Monarch's primary charter operation base. It also has a charter bases at Dublin. It is the oldest UK airline that has not changed its original name. It has around 2,070 employees.

Cheap flight search, do not look for one by one, the most easy and simple way is to use cheap flight search engines in Europe and the aggregation site, just enter a location date, the engine will be eligible for all of you to search through lists of flights. There are some most popular search engines:

• • go4WHICHBUDGETWegoloSkycanner
  •