Guaranteed Departures 2016 – Visa information

Wherever you travel in the world, it is always best to be aware of up-to-date visa information which may affect you. Some nationalities can travel freely over borders, where others require advanced permission to enter. There are also changes in requirements from time to time.

Unfortunately, Happy Tours is unable to give visa advice due to the vast number of nationalities which our guests represent – but we can make life a little easier with certain information which we can pass on, based on questions and queries that we receive.

Please note, that visas are each traveller’s personal responsibility, and it is recommended that plenty of time is allowed for visas to be applied for. Ensure that the proper research is carried out before you apply, and that you deal directly with the embassies or certified agents with regard to acquiring correct and timely information. We cannot take responsibility for customers whose visas are rejected or expired. It is a requirement of the embassies that tours are paid for in full, before visa support documentation is requested and applications are made.

When you have made the final payment for your booking our accounts department will send you an email stating your booking is Confirmed. Please reply to this email to request your visa support documents, allowing 5 working days for the documents to be sent.

Europe Visas

If you are a British/UK/EU passport holder you will not require a visa to travel on any of our Europe tours. However, there are many nationalities that may require a valid Schengen Visa in order to enter Europe.

If you require a Schengen visa, please keep the following points in mind:

• You need to apply to the embassy of the country where you spend the most amount of time/nights. If there are two or more countries which have an equal number of ‘most nights’ you must apply to the embassy of the country you visit first. (See our list below which tells you which Embassy to apply to.Please Note: If you are travelling in Europe before and/or after your Happy tour, or are taking a one-way Happy tour, you may need to apply at a different embassy to the one listed. Please check which country you are spending the most amount of time in and confirm to us which embassy you are applying to when you request your visa support documents.)
• Your tour must be paid in full before we are allowed to release visa support documents.
• To request visa support documents once your tour is paid in full email us at [email protected]
• Booking appointments can be tricky as the embassies get busy. Please allow plenty of time for your appointment, which must be made prior to your departure date.
• We cannot give a full refund if visas are rejected. Refund amounts will be based on the number of days remaining, prior to departure, as per our Terms & Conditions
• If you are in the UK and are on certain visas, you are not permitted to travel on a Schengen Visa within the last 3 months prior to expiry. Please check.

Which embassy for which Europe tour?
If there is a number listed after your tour please see the important notes at the end of the page.

Europe Multi Country

• Best of Croatia & East Europe – German Embassy (2)
• Best of East Europe – German Embassy
• Grand Tour of Europe – Italian Embassy
• Highlights of Europe – French Embassy
• Best of West and East Europe – Czech Embassy
• European Experiance – French Embassy
• Tour of Great Britain – British Embassy

Europe Short Tours

• London, Paris and the Benelux – French Embassy

Eastern Europe

• Best of Croatia & East Europe – German Embassy (2)
• Best of East Europe – German Embassy

UK and Ireland

• Tour of Great Britain – British Embassy
• Exploring Ireland – Irish Embassy (3)
• Highlights UK & Ireland – British & Irish Embassies (10)

Italy, France & Spain 

• Italian Experiance  – Italian Embassy
• Italian Circle – Italian Embassy
• Best of France – French Embassy

Greece Tours.

• From Istanbul to Athens – Please refer to your local embassy to confirm if you require a visa for Turkey and Greece. Most nationalities can obtain an e-visa for Turkey in advance at this link. Greece is in the Schengen Area. If you require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, please apply at your local Greek embassy.

Other Tours

• Croatia Sailing – Please refer to your local embassy to confirm if you require a visa to enter Croatia.

Very Important Notes

(2) Croatian & Eastern Delights – Please ensure you apply for a multi-entry Schengen visa which will also enable you to enter Croatia.
Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are not in the Schengen zone and visas can not be obtained at the border or on the tour, it is therefore essential you check in advance of your tour if you require a visa for Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Please click the following links for more information:
– Serbia
– Bosnia and Herzegovina

(3) Irish Explorer – please note that you will visit Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland on this tour. Schengen and UK visas are not valid for the Republic of Ireland whilst certain nationalities will require a UK visa to visit Northern Ireland.

 

(10) Best of UK & Ireland – please note that  the UK & Republic of Ireland is not a common travel area. Please check with your local British and Irish Embassies to confirm if you require a visa to visit the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, respectively.