aussiedreamer

We've done it. We depart Australia July 5 and return November 5. We are flying into & out of Paris and will collect a leased vehicle there. We have lots to organise, firstly our accommodation in Italy where we plan to spend up to 8 weeks in one spot. We've got a couple of price for villa/units in the Lake Como area, so just need to finalise that.

We 'plan' to spend a couple of days in Paris (we have been before) to 'get over' the flight and then drive out into the country side of France. (dh has always wanted to drive across Viaduc de Millau Bridge, so will incorporate that). Then down into Spain and maybe Portugal. Both of which we need to research.

Arriving into Italy mid August (I am aware that it will be peak time) and spending up to 8 weeks 'exploring Italy'. We have been to Roma, but that all.

Then make our way back to Paris, via ?????
We will be having a couple of nights in Dubai on the way home.

We are quite happy to do long day drives, we saw a lot of the UK this way and loved it. And maybe even an overnight away from 'our' villa if need be. We will also be having a few 'visitors' (namely our young adult daughters) from home over this period and are really looking forward to exploring villages and small towns to find great little family run cafe/restaurants to take them to. Also sourcing great ingredients to cook with.

So I hear you asking is there a question in there somewhere? Well, it’s all a question. I'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas and personal experiences of similar trips.

Accommodations recommendations are gratefully accepted.

Thanks
ps, we have started our Italian speaking class's

kybourbon

What kind of visa did you get?

zeppole

You might reconsider spending your entire 8 weeks in Italy using one villa in Lago di Como as your base. Even with your willingness to take "long drives" and overnights, you will not get very far into the most scenic areas of Italy, nor reach many of its most beautiful cities of art. With 8 weeks in Italy, you might consider 2 weeks in the lakes district, 2 in Piemonte near the Italian Riviera, and the final 4 in central Italy, probably in the Chianti for maximum range.

If you really want only one base in Italy, I recommend you consider the Chianti/Arezzo area for a much more central location in beautiful surroundings, with a lot of fascinating places to visit within 90 minutes driving (or taking a train) in any direction.

There is an overnight car ferry from Barcelona to Genoa that might be of help to you depending on your itinerary.

Have a spectacular trip!

StCirq

Are Aussies allowed to stay longer than 90 days without a special visa? Do you have one?

KayF

The visa situation is concerning. Have you checked into it? It's possible you could have a problem before even leaving Australia if the airline checks your passport and tickets properly.

Some ideas for accommodation -

We loved our 4 nights in the Cinque Terre and stayed in Manarola but were there in March. I think it could be very crowded in August.

San Gimignano is a lovely small town. It gets a lot of bus tours which stop for a few hours so the town empties out and is very atmospheric in the evenings. We stayed for a few nights in this lovely 14th century B&B
http://www.sangiroom.it/indexe.htm

A nice but basic hotel in Paris in a great location :
http://www.le-sevigne.com/ang_accueil.htm

We're Australian too and live in London. Spain and Portugal are not countries we really loved and wouldn't go back to either. I agree with Zeppole and would not spend 8 weeks (or even 6) in one place in Italy. You won't be able to see as much as if you moved around a bit. The Dolomites in northern Italy are truly spectacular, this B&B was great :
http://www.garni-silbernagl.com/

If you have more specific ideas on where you want to stay, let us know.

Kay

zeppole

aussiedreamer.

You're not obliged to explain your visa to strangers. Not all posts are well-intended (although some are!)

KayF

I think we're all trying to help and avert what could be a disaster if they are not allowed on the plane or hit a problem on their arrival.

I hope they have a fabulous time.

Kay

ribeirasacra

Ref the visa question...the same was asked here...
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-in-italy.cfm

Plus some other info about the trip.

love_travel_Aus

Hi aussiedreamer!

I too agree that you will see more amazing places and in a much more relaxed style if you select more than one place to be based in Italy.

With so much time at least 3 places would be easy - and give you a great range of sights and experiences.

And - I would love to know how you have arranged to be there for this longer time - we are not yet retired - but it doesn't hurt to dream.

If this is not an appropriate question, then please don't be offended and don't worry abut responding.

Happy travels...

aussiedreamer

Thanks one and all. What a difference 24 hours can make. Firstly our departure date is now the 26th July. Decided I did not want to miss dd's birthday and we have until this Friday to sort out dates.

Also, I have spoken to the Italian Consulate today and a visa will not be that big an issue. At this stage we are in Europe (Schengen Countries) for 98 days, which is 8 days too many with 'no' visa. So our two options are, apply for the visa before we go (which is probably what we will do) or go to a non Schengen country and then come back into the Schengen country. (Does that make sense? It does in my head!

And........ we are re thinking one base and may do blocks of two weeks. But we will need to lock in August very soon I would imagine.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts, I will investigate them all. We wont be staying in the major city areas but more outlying towns.

Keep it coming.........

Thanks AD

aussiedreamer

love_travel_Aus............. no offense at all. We are in the fortunate position that we are taking this year off! We sold our company to a multinational and will re assess next year. I have already 'retired' dh finishes up at the end of April. We are both 47

nytraveler

Leaving Schengen and returning won;t work. If you've been there 90 days you have to be out 90 days before you can return - you can;t just leave for a few days. I would look into the visa question in more detail. And you can;t apply once in Schengen - you need to get a visa while you're at home.

As for Italy - Como is far from most of what you will want to see - and by the end of your time there it will be out of season, with a lot closed and less to do. Better to stay in a couple of different areas moving from north to south as the weather cools.

aussiedreamer

Thanks nytraveler. re the visa..........we will get one before we leave to have peace of mind.

kybourbon

You can't reset the clock by leaving for a few days. You can only stay 90 days total during 180 day time period in much of Europe. Rules for the UK are 180 days.

>>>Also, I have spoken to the Italian Consulate today and a visa will not be that big an issue.

aussiedreamer

Thanks, we were told you could but we are going to go ahead with the visa before we leave. Fortunately there is a consulate not far from us. They've said that as long as we can prove we are financialy independent, have travel insurance, an address in Italy, a return ticket and an Australian medicare card and prove that we are not going there to work or imigrate, thats 'it'. All of which is very easily done.

Yes, we are leasing a car through Peugeot.

Our DD has just applied for a working visa for the UK and even that is proving much easier than some had suggested.

janisj

"we are going to go ahead with the visa before we leave"

getting a visa is not automatic - you don't just say "we'd like a visa, please" and get it . . .

I personally wouldn't rely on what someone at the Italian consulate told you -- especially since they advised you that breaking the rules is no big deal. It really isn't Italy you have to worry about too much, since you arrive in Paris. The French authorities are the ones who will or won't allow you to enter Schengen.

So before you even get to Italy there are two points where the plan might come a cropper. 1) at your departure airport, 2) at CDG.

You might be just fine - or not. It would be a shame to have everything fall apart

mpprh

Just to reinforce the concern about the visa.

Being in Schengen without a valid visa results in expulsion - no negotiations or allowances. It may also prejudice issue of any future visa.

Obviously, there are people living here illegally (I know a few !) but they are very quiet about their movements, particularly crossing borders, do not have a local bank account, apt lease in their name, etc etc. One I know has had his post delivered to a neighbourhood bar since 1998 !

You are likely to be scrutinised :

Airport and boat check-in (airlines are penalised for carrying people without the legal entry paperwork)

Immigration from non Schengen area (particularly airport immigration)

Immigration from a Schengen area with a non EU passport (separate queue)

After a minor infraction, speeding, etc

After a security issue

Random stops

I recently had to research this for a US couple who were taking a year out having sold their business. They were reaching the end of their 90 days and discovered it is virtually impossible to extend an existing visa, and long stay visas are not issued in the relevant country. They had to leave Europe quickly, return to US where they tried to get a long stay Schengen visa. The process was going to take over 6 months, so they are continuing their trip in SE Asia until they qualify for the next 90 days in Europe.

More info : http://the-languedoc-page.com/phpBB2...pic.php?t=4207

Peter

Brief summary :

The Schengen agreement provides for open borders between states.

It was signed by :
*EU countries, less UK and Ireland (who have open borders with each other and are associate members)
*Bulgaria, Roumania and Cyprus (who are EU countries and committed to future implementation)
*Switzerland, Norway and Iceland
*Some micro states, protectorates, etc have special treatment (e.g. Greenland, Andorra, Vatican, etc)

Citizens of Schengen countries do not need a visa to visit other Schengen countries.

Citizens of other countries are allowed to visit for 90 days in any 180 without a visa. These countries are North America, parts of Central and South America, Australia & NZ, S Korea, Japan, Malaysia and certain other countries.

A short stay visa allowing 90 days (max) visit in a period of 180 days must be obtained by other citizens including Africa, China, most of Asia etc.

The long stay 90+ day visas are not required by members of other Schengen states, but others require a visa which must be issued by a Schengen country consulate before travel.

*It is not normally possible to convert a short stay visa into a long stay visa
*Some countries will only issue long term visas from outside their borders
*There are various special arrangements e.g. student visas
*Work permits are issued separately from visas
*Right of access and issue of visas may be restricted in the case of stateless persons and those with criminal convictions

Those needing visas should apply to the consulate of the country they intend to visit in their country of residence.

ribeirasacra

I am also concerned about this "lax a daisical" thinking about a visa.
You have to apply before you leave, there is no automatic issuing of visa, you have to leave before your 90 days are up. The 90 days is all you are allowed in 180 days. Besides leaving the Schengen is not in your plans as listed here. How will fitting a trip to say the U.K. fit in?
If you do over stay and you are found out it could mean you would be refused any visas in the future, end up with a criminal record, plus although you have bought health insurance it may not be valid after those 90 days.
Europe is clamping down on illegal immigrates; Especially Italy as it has had enough of them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Agreement
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schenge...rmation_System

love_travel_Aus

Good on you for deciding as you say to "go ahead with the visa before we leave."

And - if in Australia you purchase Travel Insurance (which includes the extra health insurance) for the full time you are away - why are you being warned that it won't be valid?

I don't see any mention of you wanting to immigrate or do anything illegal as per the previous post?

It is good that you have been able to get some sensible advice so that all can now get organised. I hope you can get on with applying for the visa asap - and have success - and a good time wherever you decide to stay!

kybourbon

>>And - if in Australia you purchase Travel Insurance (which includes the extra health insurance) for the full time you are away - why are you being warned that it won't be valid?