Shengen Visa

[jb]

I was merely pointing out that the Finns seem to encourage trade and tourism with their Russian neighbors.  Visas are easy to get for Finland, once there, a ticket to any Schengen country is a no hassle affair.  My mistake was saying "EU", when I really meant France.

[Shadow]

Not exactly true. Each country in Schengen can issue different visas.

If Finland wants to have good relations with Russia, but avoid complaints about travel (and illegal immigarion) for other Schengen countries they can issue a 'D' visa. This visa is valid only for the country of application.
A ''C' visa is valid for all Schengen countries.

D visa is mostly given when purpose is immigration, but ifyo uapply for visa, make sure to check the application is for 'C' visa if you will cross the Schengen borders by plane. By car or train there is almost no border control, no problem there.

[BC]

Where is Andrewfin when you really need him.. LOL

[525i]

For anyone interested, I think Finnland is the easiest country for a Russian to get a Schengen visa.  Just about any Tourist/Travel Agency in Russia can very quickly arrange the visa to Helsinki at very little cost.  Once in Finnland they can travel/fly anywhere in the EU without a hassle.

Been there, done that.

jb, are you a German person? ;-) In German language Finland is written Finnland.

[jb]

Not German, but did have a German g/f from Hamburg for a number of years. 

[docetae]

Update : Finally she was really worried to not get her visa and prefer to be safe ... so we will go to Turkey ... Any recommendation about good hotel or place to go ? I was planning 5 days in Istambul and 5 others days somewehere else ...

[PeeWee]

jb, are you a German person? ;-) In German language Finland is written Finnland.

I did not know that. I have always thought it was Finnland because I see the Finnair aircraft all of the time. I thought that was how it was.

Peewee

[Albert]

Update : Finally she was really worried to not get her visa and prefer to be safe ... so we will go to Turkey ... Any recommendation about good hotel or place to go ? I was planning 5 days in Istambul and 5 others days somewehere else ...

- - - - -

Depends on what you two like to do.  Istanbul has some interesting places right in town . . . Blue Mosque, St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia), Topaki (spelling) palace, Dolombache (spelling) palace, etc.  Here will be the hustle bustle of big (huge actually) city.

On southern coast you have Antalya and other nearby resort cities.  Here you have the laid back beach atmosphere and very interesting ancient Greek and Roman ruins (Termessos, Perge, Aspendos, etc.) and a couple of very romantic waterfalls (Duden and Kurunsula [spelling]) nearby.

[BC]

In Istanbul stay at the Ritz-Carlton. They have a nice shopping center in the basement, the rooms and especially beds are fantastic.  Second choice the Hilton which has a fantastic club on the top floor.  Five days may be a bit much though.. I would stay the first three there (including the day of arrival) and the last night since most of the international and national flights go via Istanbul anyway.  There is a pretty nice hotel at the airport for the last night if you have early flights out.

It's one of the few places on earth where such luxuries are affordable so enjoy.

Go with empty suitcases and buy everything from socks to suits while you are there.  Very nice suits are around 80 to 120 bucks even in upscale stores..  Heck just go with only a small handbag and get new suitcases there too.

[docetae]

What do you think of bodrum as destination ? I plan to rent a villa.

[PeeWee]

What do you think of bodrum as destination ? I plan to rent a villa.

It seems then if the bodrum (bedroom) is your destination then you should have gotten a Shenanigan visa rather then a Schengen visa. What do you think?

Peewee

[Michelangelo]

Update : Finally she was really worried to not get her visa and prefer to be safe ... so we will go to Turkey ... Any recommendation about good hotel or place to go ? I was planning 5 days in Istambul and 5 others days somewehere else ...

We loved the Sheraton Voyager Antalia.  5 star hotel with private beach.  Nice shopping and restaurants nearby.

We had  a suite for the price of a hotel room with a corner balcony with sea view.  It was like an apartment, Doc.

[PeeWee]

We loved the Sheraton Voyager Antalia.  5 star hotel with private beach.  Nice shopping and restaurants nearby.

 

Meeting her in Paris in August, Angelo. The city for lovers. Do you realize the pressure this has put me under? Why Paris? Now I have to go get romance lessons and everything. Sheeezh!

Peewee

[Michelangelo]

Romance come easy in Paris, PeeWee.  MUCH better than in Turkey. You are in for a great time!!!

[PeeWee]

Romance come easy in Paris, PeeWee.  MUCH better than in Turkey. You are in for a great time!!!

I hope so. The only thing that I like about the French is their fries and their toast. The only thing that about turkey is Thanksgiving day. At least those two cultures have given us something that we can enjoy.

Peewee

[Michelangelo]

Spoken like the stereotypical American 

[docetae]

I hope so. The only thing that I like about the French is their fries and their toast. The only thing that about turkey is Thanksgiving day. At least those two cultures have given us something that we can enjoy.

Peewee

Hey, do not forget that without french, you will have no one to bash. And if you do not like french wine, please try St Estephe, a 2003 or if you can a 1996....

I was planning to book a triple room hotel suite in Istambul. My main issues is the fact that beaches will be probably overcrowded in august ...

Doc, 1/2 french, 1/4 dutch, 1/8 spanish, 1/8 tunisian, living in Canada and dating an Ukrainian woman.....

[Shadow]

Doc,

in Istanbul you do not have to worry about the beaches, more about the b*tches.
Don't forget to visit Kadikoy, the Asian side of Istanbul. Little less tourist, less pace and more real original Turkish there.

Bordum is a nice place, it is a little more relaed than Antalya. If it is beach you want choose Antalya, Side or that area. Touristic, but with lots of beaches.
For a gamble go to the Black Sea coast. Good chance to find sun in August and the area looks more like the Italian Riviera.

[Louie]

I hope so. The only thing that I like about the French is their fries and their toast. The only thing that about turkey is Thanksgiving day. At least those two cultures have given us something that we can enjoy.

Peewee

LMAO PeeWee, that is so funny, I was in Paris a long time ago, and hated every minute, I was 17 and in the military and stationed in Germany, so I had a pretty open mind about the French, which they proceeded to slam shut with there rudeness and arrogance

[docetae]

LMAO PeeWee, that is so funny, I was in Paris a long time ago, and hated every minute, I was 17 and in the military and stationed in Germany, so I had a pretty open mind about the French, which they proceeded to slam shut with there rudeness and arrogance

Paris is not the France. Try east (Epinal)  or south west (cahors ...)  and you will change your mind ... I have been working during 5 years in Paris and the first reason why I moved to Canada was that I was not able to find a well paid job outside this city. The city is really dirty, people are agressive and stressed. The city is good as tourist in august. All parisian are outside the town ... 

[ronin308]

I've been to the Antalya area in August and the beaches aren't crowded, especially if you get a hotel that has it's own beach.  (That's relatively cheap BTW.)