ribeirasacra

love_travel_Aus says "I don't see any mention of you wanting to immigrate or do anything illegal as per the previous post?"
Really? It seems that aussiedreamer wants to over stay the lawful amount of time the visa allows, that is illegal in anyone's books.

zeppole

aussiedreamer,

Obviously (at least to me!) you should only be taking advice from consulates, not anonymous internet posters, many of whom are giving you woefully inadequate information in this thread, however adamantly they will insist otherwise.

If you can't get this thread back to your original questions, you might try posting on Slow Travel or Frommer's message boards. You may also get reminded there of the need for appropriate documents, but they're more likely to let go of the subject once you say you're getting your information from consulates. They won't pull up chairs with their knitting , clucking "criminal", shedding crocodile tears of worry over your plans getting axed.

But if you want to carry on, I'm not here to stop you. If it gets to be too much, you might try some variant of what StCirq posted when her talk of having an "E.U. passport" (her term, not mine) became the subject of Fodorite taunts:

"StCirq on Nov 9, 09 at 9:49pm
Until you have a clue as to why I've actually obtained one, zip it."

Apparently she feels no need to answer ignorant questions. Why should anybody?

janisj

zeppole - go back to your other screen name (again). Have you actually read what was posted? Seems not.

"<i>Obviously (at least to me!) you should only be taking advice from consulates, not anonymous internet posters, many of whom are giving you woefully inadequate information in this thread, however adamantly they will insist otherwise.</i>"

If you had paid ANY attention - you would see that the OP spoke w/ the <u>Italian</u> consulate. That is next to useless . . . Since they are entering Schengen through FRANCE. So -- at VERY least they need to talk to the FRENCH embassy/consulate. They are not going on to Italy until after a few days in France -- so the fact that some un-named schmoe in the Italian consulate said go ahead, don't worry about the rules really won't help at immigration at CDG . . .

Read mpprh's post -- that about covers things.

Sheesh . . . . We are trying to help aussiedreamer w/ a major issue -- some on the other hand just like to be the bratty sister and argue for arguing's sake.

aussiedreamer

Woh, yep I think I will start a new thread. But just to clarify...............

I have stated that this will be 'sorted' before we leave. No where have I suggested that we will be overstaying our visa. We are not idiots!!!

The information I have so far tells me that I should apply for the visa from the country that we will be spending most of our time i.e. Italy.

I have also said that we will do this as soon as possible, which for us is mid may (90 Days before departure).

I love Fodors for all the wonderful help I receive, but to say I spoke to some "schmoe" in the Italian embassy and he said go ahead and break the rules, is just silly. Dammed if I do and dammed if I don't.........I had to make the initial enquiry, so I started with the Italian Consulate. I guess I should've started with an online forum?????

Please don't take this the wrong way, BUT we are seasoned travellers and are not naive, of course we will have it all sorted before we leave. I have never ever “talked back” on Fodors and have always just “sucked up” some nasty (although I’m sure well intentioned) comments.

Thanks for all the positive comments………………

jamikins

Hi there

I have never had to get a schengen visa, but i think you need to get it from the country that you are entering from...so for you I think you need to speak to the French, not the Italians.

Have a great trip!!!
J

love_travel_Aus

So pleased you have responded to this barrage aussiedreamer - it is clear that you are well traveled and you are experienced business people.
I understood what you were asking and that you are planning to be legal - so good idea to start a new thread.
Hopefully the thread will deliver a few more relevant responses - and I really look forward to hearing about your plans and eventually the trip.
Good luck and happy planning - it sounds like an amazing time is ahead for you.

aussiedreamer

Thanks guys, I just rang the French embassy and yes we may not be able to stay over 90 days. And thats fine....we can change our arrival or departure dates. But they've given me some more place to contact.

So as I said, we were always going to investigate. I wil start a new thread soon and be assured I wont be mentioning the VISA

janisj

aussiedreamner: Maybe s/he wasn't a schmoe -- you posted "<i>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.</i>"

If that person told you 8 days is no big deal, then s/he does sound like a schmoe. But if it was you guys who decided that 8 days was no big deal, then I apologize to the schmoe.

"<i>No where have I suggested that we will be overstaying our visa. We are not idiots!!!</i>"

No one called you idiots. Everyone was trying to explain that overstaying is a BIG deal and that getting a visa is not a sure thing - and that you needed to contact France. Now you've done that so you are on the right course.

aussiedreamer

To anyone still tracking this thread, we are now flying into London and not arriving into France until August 5, therefore giving us 89 days in the Schengen Countries!

Phew, Case Closed!
Thanks all,
Ad

jamikins

Glad you got it sorted aussiedreamer! We all just want you to have a fabulous holiday!

Now to the fun planning part hahahah!

J

mpprh

I'm surprised that "so called expert" people dismissed the visa question as unimportant.

It might interest people to know why I took the visa question so seriously.

I have been fined and deported from a country for having an expired visa. It had expired the previous day, and was exceeded by accident. I was still fined and deported. It wasn't in Europe, and I haven't been back. I have been granted about a dozen visas since including AUS and US - so I guess I am not classified as a criminal now !

As I said, I researched this very recently, hence the link I gave to the current regulations.

Peter

WWanderer

Just wondering why you don't stay further north for the first while, when it's hottest and most touristy, then venture down to Italy and the Med. in September, October.

Lucky you to have such a long time!

aussiedreamer

Thanks wwanderer. all suggestions are being thought through. The map is on the wall.................

WWanderer

Also just a note that northern Spain and Portugal are both very pleasant in the summer, have many beautiful places to see, and not clogged with tourists (not to say, "ruined", as the costa del sol is, at least in my opinion.)

aussiedreamer

and we've noticed that villa/apartment rentals seem quite moderate in price in spain and portugal. Wish I could say the same for Italy!

hetismij

Re the visa - if you are landing in France first then they must issue the visa.
Take the visa issue seriously, and have a great. and legal trip.

Schengen countries are clamping down on people overstaying their time so beware!

millie2112

When I was in Europe last year I wanted to go to Italy and found this:
http://calamma.com/welcome.html
It may not be in the area that you wanted, but I loved the look of the smaller B&B. also it is such a good location and very drivable to places like rome, venice, and florence.
We did not end up going to Italy, but I think it looks lovely.

Aduchamp1

Also just a note that northern Spain and Portugal are both very pleasant in the summer, have many beautiful places to see, and not clogged with tourists (not to say, "ruined", as the costa del sol is, at least in my opinion.)
____________________________________________

While few tourists may go to the northern towns like Santander and Malpica many Spaniards go to these seaside towns to escape the summer heat, while San Sebastian attracts people from everywhere.

aussiedreamer

this is all so helpful. Thank you all.
(re the visa case closed. We will only be there - Schengen Countries 89 days!)

The tips on Spain Aduchamp1 are very helpful, haven't looked to much into it yet. Does it help that we LOVE finding great Tapa restaurants??? I guess that doesn't count as research?

Revulgo

<< Also sourcing great ingredients to cook with >>

'Choricero' peppers are a Spanish variety of pepper grown in the Basque Country. They are short stubby sweet peppers that turn from green to red when mature and are essential to dishes from Bacalao a la vizcaína (Biscayan style cod), Marmitako (Basque style tuna stew), Patatas a la riojana (Rioja style potatoes), Sopa de ajo (Garlic soup) and others. They are most often sold dried or in a paste.
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