The Schengen and our Trip Itinerary

 The Schengen? What's that?

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/

The Schengen region is an area related to visa and travel rules. It's not quite the EU, but close.

When people ask us where we plan to go on this year abroad in Europe/North Africa, we have to explain the visa rules that govern much of our decision making. Out of every 180 days (rolling), we are only allowed to spend 90 days INSIDE the Schengen region. The Schengen region is mainly the typical EU countries, with a few exceptions.

So when we arrived in Iceland on July 24, the customs official asked us when we planned to enter and exit the EU on our upcoming trip, and put our expected dates into her computer system. Then the clock started ticking... So our time in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark = 42 days INSIDE the Schengen.

Then we needed to spend some time out of this area. So being in England, Wales and Ireland from Sept 5-Oct 15 = 42 days OUTSIDE the Schengen. That's why we are hanging out in Ireland for a while right now, resting up some more and laying low before we move south. Ireland is part of the EU but not in the Schengen.

Going forward, we will head to France and Greece for 45-46 days IN and then we need to get out for a while. So we will go to Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia in hopes to get 83 days OUT. (Side note: Croatia is expected to join the Schengen sometime in 2023 but likely not until after we've been there.) 

Then, in late February, we will spend some time in Italy and then likely Portugal INSIDE and then we will leave to Morocco to get OUT before we come back to Spain which will be INSIDE.

So all of this has been a huge part of our decision making on where we are going at what times, and makes planning the INs and OUTs of the trip quite specific. It's why we will spend a whole year in Europe and Northern Africa and not spend time in Germany or Austria or Czechia. And it's why going to Northern Africa and spending some time in the Balkans (Albanaia, Montenegro, Croatia) is necessary for us.

I think starting in approximately March, there will be more specific paperwork to fill in for travelers coming to Europe from North America in order to apply for visas ahead of time, etc. But for now, I am keeping track very carefully of our days in and out and planning accordingly. 

So, along with weather and costs and race events and family/friends visiting us, these visa rules are a huge part of our trip decision.

Thanks for following along!