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ArishMell · 70-79, M
@SW-User Its not being in the EU has no bearing on it.
Most European countries whether in the EU or not, have large tourist trades catering for both their own nationals and foreign visitors.
The relative costs vary considerably from country to country, but perhaps more significantly here, are also relative to the wealth of the visitor.
Culture? Every European country has its own culture that may differ considerably from that of its immediate neighbours.
Friendly? Much of that depends not only on the host society generally, but also how it is treated by visitors from elsewhere. Generally, people do respect those who treat them with respect. One of the simplest ways is not just common courtesy, but also at least trying to use it in the host language, and respecting the host's own common etiquette. Everyone likes to hear a "Please" and "Thank-you" in his or her own language!
The EU. I am no fan of the EU, but I will point out that the advantage shared by the EU nations is that it is easy for their own citizens to visit each other, within the bloc.
Most European countries whether in the EU or not, have large tourist trades catering for both their own nationals and foreign visitors.
The relative costs vary considerably from country to country, but perhaps more significantly here, are also relative to the wealth of the visitor.
Culture? Every European country has its own culture that may differ considerably from that of its immediate neighbours.
Friendly? Much of that depends not only on the host society generally, but also how it is treated by visitors from elsewhere. Generally, people do respect those who treat them with respect. One of the simplest ways is not just common courtesy, but also at least trying to use it in the host language, and respecting the host's own common etiquette. Everyone likes to hear a "Please" and "Thank-you" in his or her own language!
The EU. I am no fan of the EU, but I will point out that the advantage shared by the EU nations is that it is easy for their own citizens to visit each other, within the bloc.
SW-User
@ArishMell Try getting in Spain without a visa.
Try driving down to Spain, getting through French border control with a car.
Try driving down to Spain, getting through French border control with a car.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@SW-User I have done that, for a very short trip as we didn't have all the specific stuff with us; and the border control offices had all obviously been closed and the barriers locked open for quite a long time. We were on holiday in the French Pyrenees; and some 20 years ago.
So perhaps those controls are something recently imposed by both countries, for their own reasons. We always needed a passport; but having left the EU, I don't know what Britons travelling to any continental EU country now also need.
I've also travelled as a passenger in a friend's car between EU-Sweden and non-EU Norway, both through the E6 trunk-road crossing and by a relatively minor, rural road much further North.
There was a customs post on the E6 for commercial traffic, but none for private travellers and like everyone else, we simply drove straight across without even slowing. I'm not sure they even stopped every lorry, either.
I don't recollect the rural border crossing having any more than a "Welcome" sign - otherwise we'd have known where we'd crossed it only by studying the map!
(We were not lost. These were intentional border crossings.)
So perhaps those controls are something recently imposed by both countries, for their own reasons. We always needed a passport; but having left the EU, I don't know what Britons travelling to any continental EU country now also need.
I've also travelled as a passenger in a friend's car between EU-Sweden and non-EU Norway, both through the E6 trunk-road crossing and by a relatively minor, rural road much further North.
There was a customs post on the E6 for commercial traffic, but none for private travellers and like everyone else, we simply drove straight across without even slowing. I'm not sure they even stopped every lorry, either.
I don't recollect the rural border crossing having any more than a "Welcome" sign - otherwise we'd have known where we'd crossed it only by studying the map!
(We were not lost. These were intentional border crossings.)
SW-User
@ArishMell Unfortunately we live partly in Spain.
You may as well forget taking dogs to Spain. You need rabies antibodies checks on specific days before you go. Then a certificate to travel. In Spain you register the animals as European so they get a pet passport, but we are unsure what happens at the English border on return.
Travel is limited to 90 days in a rolling 180. So if you go for 37 days in the autumn, you can have up to 53 from February. If you go over that time you get £1000 fine.
European Health certificates are no longer valid, there is limited cover, and must rely on your own insurance.
The £7 visa system is due next year, as is the fingerprint system.
So it’s a nightmare.
However , I understand if you cross the channel on a dinghy none of this applies. A bit risky though, as the seas are rough.
You may as well forget taking dogs to Spain. You need rabies antibodies checks on specific days before you go. Then a certificate to travel. In Spain you register the animals as European so they get a pet passport, but we are unsure what happens at the English border on return.
Travel is limited to 90 days in a rolling 180. So if you go for 37 days in the autumn, you can have up to 53 from February. If you go over that time you get £1000 fine.
European Health certificates are no longer valid, there is limited cover, and must rely on your own insurance.
The £7 visa system is due next year, as is the fingerprint system.
So it’s a nightmare.
However , I understand if you cross the channel on a dinghy none of this applies. A bit risky though, as the seas are rough.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@SW-User I'm not a pet owner but I think you can obtain travel documents for animals in the UK. I don't know if the EU pet passport is still recognised.
Have you examined the "gov.uk" web-site for advice? I have found the areas I have consulted for other matters do explain them very clearly.
I have had quite a number of holidays in France and Norway, and I think the earliest were before the UK "joined" the EEC. (We didn't join the "Common Market" - there was no such thing.) I don't recall it ever being difficult then but of course laws do change, and I think Spain always was one of the more bureaucratic countries.
Ah, but if you manage to cross the world's busiest shipping-lane in a jerry-built dinghy with a false power-rating plate on its under-powered engine, you then need disappear. You'd probably have had any passport etc. stolen by the traffickers, too.
Have you examined the "gov.uk" web-site for advice? I have found the areas I have consulted for other matters do explain them very clearly.
I have had quite a number of holidays in France and Norway, and I think the earliest were before the UK "joined" the EEC. (We didn't join the "Common Market" - there was no such thing.) I don't recall it ever being difficult then but of course laws do change, and I think Spain always was one of the more bureaucratic countries.
Ah, but if you manage to cross the world's busiest shipping-lane in a jerry-built dinghy with a false power-rating plate on its under-powered engine, you then need disappear. You'd probably have had any passport etc. stolen by the traffickers, too.