[gomachols]

Hi,

im planning my trip for europe. i have yet to buy tickets, but intended to leave nov. 7th. return jan. 9th. found them for about $550.

i don't have a schengen visa, and heard this is necessary to travel in most of europe. I wanted to land in amsterdam...if i bought a ticket and landed in amsterdam, what would happen without this visa???

is it possible to garuntee that i recieve my visa before nov.7th?

are there ways around this visa?

I don't think my insurance covers Europe...what do i do?

Thanks for advice,help!

[robtfink]

Assuming you are a US citizen, a Schengen visa will be unneccesary. Holders of a valid US passport are permitted stays of up to ninety days per six month period in the Schengen Region (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden) as well as Switzerland (UK is six months annually). Extended stays require visas from countries of interest. Here are the Foreign Entry Requirements from the US State Dept.: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...ures_1229.html

Most US health insurance plans are invalid internationally, there are, however, numerous firms writing short term travelers' policies offering medical and other coverages (trip cancellation, lost luggage and other travelers' emergencies) as even a rudimentary search will demonstrate.