Tag: europe

Don’t mess with your Schengen Visa Application

By Abhik Dutta

Its that time of the year when travellers are gearing up for the summer holidays. The excitement of researching for destinations and things to do there, finding great deals for all the travel arrangements and ultimately booking them is a certain high. For those traveling overseas there’s one more important thing to look into. And thats the visas. There are destinations where visas are given on arrival to Indians, some payable (like Thailand, Kenya etc) and some free of cost (like Maldives, Mauritius etc). Both are relatively hassle free. Then there are those destinations which need prior visas. And its this specific issue that I want to give some advise on.

 

Most Embassies are now seeing a flood of applications. US, UK, the Schengen countries as well as countries like Australia, New Zealand etc of all whom require prior visas. All countries have their rules and regulations and these are very well defined on their websites including the VFS website. Traveling to the US, UK, Australia, NZ and other non-Schengen countries obviously requires that one applies to these specific Consulates/ Embassies for visas, but the problem is highlighted when traveling to a Schengen country. The Schengen area has 26 member states and obtaining a Schengen visa from any Schengen country allows free travel within the Schengen member states.    Details of the application process, documents required, the fee structure and number of days it usually takes to process the visa..all this information is mentioned very clearly on these official websites. One can even apply for a Schengen visa 90 days in advance. But the problem is the Indian travellers penchant for last minute bookings to these countries and then realising that they have very little time to apply for a visa to a specific country where its taking time to process the visa. So, what do they do? They turn to “jugad”. The ‘jugad’ here is very simple. Travelers show their flight routing to country X, show hotel bookings and an itinerary in country X and apply for visa to Country X. After obtaining a visa, they will revert to the original plan of traveling to Country Y without any intention of traveling to Country X. This is called “dummy” bookings and it turns out that its a pretty dumb thing to do these days. While many have gotten away thus far since Schengen rules permit free travel within the member states, some have suffered while resorting to this method.

Airlines have denied boarding to passengers at the airport when they found out that the person who had recently obtained a visa for travel to Country X showing a specific flight routing wasn’t even traveling to that country. The Consulate through the airline exercised their right to deny them boarding. They have also blacklisted a few agents who have been doing ‘dummy bookings.’ Why are the Consulates getting strict on this? One of the reasons could be to clamp down on illegal immigration which, lets admit, is reaching alarming proportions for Indians traveling overseas. They are just disappearing. And thats impacting genuine travellers as well.

So, whats the solution?

  • Follow the rules.
  • Do not do dummy bookings for countries that you are not visiting.
  • Apply well in advance as Schengen countries accept applications 3 months in advance
  • Do not force travel agents to make dummy bookings for your visas. Not only will you get into trouble, but you will get the agent into trouble as well.
  • Understand country specific rules while applying for Schengen visas. Its not a uniform process for all 26 member states. While 80% of the rules are similar, 20% rules can vary. Eg, for traveling in Spain the Consulate in Mumbai requires that you also show proof of your intercity travel within Spain e.g. train ticket, flight ticket etc whereas its a not a requirement in the Delhi Embassy. Many Schengen countries (e.g. Italy) just ask you for a proof of travel between Schengen countries e.g. going from Geneva to Rome but not Rome to Venice. Denmark Embassy requires that you submit a colour photocopy of every single page of your current passport and previous passport which is not a requirement in other Schengen countries. Slovenia requires that you make a personal appearance at the VFS centres and give your biometrics even if you have travelled to a Schengen country in the last month whereas other Schengen countries exempt you from personal appearance for biometrics if you have travelled to a Schengen country after Nov 2015. Slovenia also requires that all members of the group (after receiving VISA approval) show proof of hotel payment (from the hotel/ accommodation in Slovenia) “due to several cancellations of the hotel after the visas were handed over.”
  • Go through this website: httpss://www.schengenvisainfo.com/frequently-asked-questions-schengen-visa/

Hopefully this article will help you understand the seriousness of the visa process.

For any doubts you should get in touch with the concerned Consulate, Vfs centre or a reliable travel agent who will be able to guide you correctly. You can also get in touch with us on +91 22 67023377

We wish you a fabulous holiday season!

9 Things That Nobody Told You About Vacationing In Italy

Italy Banner PagePic Courtesy: Shutterstock

Italy is a European country like no other! A wise traveler once said, ‘Put all of Europe on one side and Italy on the other and Italy will still come up trumps’. Maybe it’s as true for their brand of football, wine and food as well, but I guess in his mildly inebriated state he meant it from the tourism point of view! This boot-shaped country has got beautiful landscape with a remarkable coastline and mountains, rolling wine country, an ancient culture which is hard to beat and architecture which will take your breath away. And after you have been suitably mesmerized by Rome, Florence and the Tuscany region, you land up in Venice and think, what the hell were these guys up to? How could they pull off such an incredible feat as building the city of Venice? And then off course there’s the incredible food and wine and the typical Italian way of life ~La Dolce Vita~

1) That Italy is NOT for a hop-skip-jump visit.

St_Peter's_Square,_Vatican_City_-_April_2007Pic Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

If you are looking at Italy as a 3 night stopover in Rome, don’t waste your time. Go someplace else. That’s a frank advice. You can’t do justice to what this country did in 5000 years and attempt to even try and understand it in 3 days. Minimum spend 10 days. Anything short of that is a blasphemy! Rome and the Vatican needs 4 days; Florence and Tuscany another 4 days; Venice a good 2 full days; Amalfi Coast another 3days. Then there’s Sicily which if you want to get a feel you need 4days. Exploring it would require 6-7 days. And we haven’t covered Milan and the Lake Como region or the Dolomites! So, there you are. In 10 days you would be able to rush through Rome, Florence and a stay in a Tuscan villa, Venice and a bit of the Amalfi Coast.

2) Make a wishlist and dump that checklist.

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For those who want to see a bit of everything and have a hassle free guided tour where even your meals are accounted for, go for the coach tours. Yeah bring out your laundry list for Italy! But if you have your own wishlist and want to see the Duomo in Florence at leisure or check out the ambiance of Tuscany by staying on a farm or a villa or want to enter Venice in style aboard a cruising yacht or spend endless hours in a piazza in Rome or stand transfixed for hours on end in front of the Coliseum, or stay in Taormina in Sicily for the awesome views of Mt.Etna and the Mediterranean, then go for the independent holidays. Don’t get chaperoned like on a guided coach tour and spend all your time in the world to savor the beauty of Italy like you would your red wine while seated in a café in front of the Pantheon or at the Trevi fountain!

3) Add that ‘self drive’ star to your trip.

venice-341468_960_720Pic Courtesy: Pixabay

Firstly, the ‘self-drive’ houseboat holidays near Venice. It’s a lifestyle holiday that’s so reasonably priced that it’s quite unbelievable. Imagine having a private yacht with 1-4 cabins with en suite loos, a small kitchenette, its own music system, the freedom to navigate down the river, choosing where you want to eat, where you want to moor and go for long walks or cycle down pretty pathways in villages you would never have seen otherwise. The second is self drive car holidays all over mainland Italy where we will chalk out your route and book you in pretty places all over Italy. The 3rd is the enchanting and myth laden island of Sicily. From short breaks to 10 day holidays in Sicily and covering Taormina, a climb to Mt. Etna, Cefalu, Palermo, Agrigento etc.

4) Don’t throw caution to the wind.

ponte-vecchio-691789_960_720Pic Courtesy: Pixabay

They have never given suparis to Indian tourists. Not even in Sicily. At least not yet. The Godfathers are yet to hear about ‘India Shining’ out there. But yes, we keep hearing from people or reading in news that there have been purse snatching or pickpocketing. I have never ‘met’ someone who has been at the wrong end of Italian hospitality. But since they say its that way in Italy, why not just be more careful and don’t go hanging your new Mont Blanc wallet around your neck!

5) Don’t visit at the wrong time of year and regret.

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June to Sep is summer. The scent of a warm summer breeze, pretty cafes open till late at night, fashion laden locals and hordes of mesmerized tourists waltzing down every narrow lane, music pouring out from street corners and pubs. It’s a heady cocktail of splendid architecture, food & wine, fashion, amazing landscapes and warm people. You will find it hard not be swept into the philosophy of La dolce vita. Apr/May & Oct would have a bit of all that but less in its intensity as well as price.

6) Don’t be the last minute Indian while VISA application.

suitcase-841200_960_720Pic Courtesy: Pixabay

Not a problem, if you have your papers in order. In perfect order. It’s a Schengen country. But during the summer months, the consulate is loaded with applications, so don’t plan to apply at the last moment.

7) Don’t club in random countries with Italy and regret later.

794px-Isola_SuperiorePic Courtesy: Wikimedia

France, Switzerland and Austria make a good combination. All of them are well connected by trains. For eg, you can combine Geneva (Switzerland), Chamonix (France) with a trip to Lake Como and Milan in Italy. Or you could wander to the Lake side triangle of Lugano (Switzerland), Como and Maggiore in Italy. The schengen visa will suffice for all these countries.

8) Exercise caution while hotel booking for ultimate savings.

ColiséePic Courtesy: Wikipedia

It depends entirely on your budget and the kind of location you like. But we would advise that in Rome choose a centrally located hotel between the Tiber river and Termini stn. Preferably within walking distance of the metro. In Florence choose any hotel close to the station. It’s a walking town. In Tuscany if you want to stay in a vineyard or on a farm, there are plenty of places to choose from. Check with us for ideas. In Venice, if you stay ‘inside’ Venice city, then prepare to pay a stratospheric price for a measly sized room but you may hear the gondola guys serenade you right below the window! Or you may opt to stay instead at Mestre, which is just across the creek and a 3min train ride away. Here you will get a decent 4 star hotel (eg Hotel Bologna) at the cost of a ‘so-called’ 3star hotel in Venice city.

9) Eat through Italy.

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Italy is a foodie’s delight. The further south you travel the more elaborate the meal becomes, so much so that in Sicily, 1-4pm is siesta time which I guess is more to do with their lunch than with rest. If an Italian decides to host you for lunch or dinner, do keep aside 2-3 hrs for that and no meetings afterwards. Nothing is short of a 3-course meal with wine overflowing. It’s not a Veg food paradise, but veggies will survive well. Indian restaurants are there in the main cities but these are not cheap. A simple dinner for 2 at the only Indian restaurant in Venice will set you back by Euro 40-50. Tap water is safe for drinking in Italy. But then in Italy who drinks water!

Holler if you finally want to take that Italy vacation or just click here to see our awesome Italy package: 16 Days Italy – The Wanderers Way!