'09 Year long trip in Europe (Jan-Dec)

#9: Last December a few more states have joined the Schengen agreement:
Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia,Latvia,Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary.

There is still quite a lot of scope for travelling outside the Schengen zone, although as #10 points out a lot of countries have recently joined the zone, and in a few years' time this is likely to become more and more problematic for people planning this kind of extended trip.

The UK, Turkey, and Morocco have already been mentioned. Ireland is also outside the zone. And almost all of Southeast Europe (the Balkans) is still non-Schengen. Bulgaria and Romania will joing, but not yet. Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Albania are all outside Schengen. Further east you have Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova.

Admittedly many of these countries are not on the "must-see" list of first time visitors to Europe. But many of them have just as many places of interest to tourists, just not as well known outside Europe. Many of them are also potentially cheaper for day-to-day expenses and especially for transport costs (although of course this is a big generalisation, I am NOT saying that every Schengen country is more expensive than every non-Schengen country, and I'm specifically not referring to the UK and Ireland here). Personally I would have no problem finding 180 days's worth of travel in these countries to combine with the 180 days in Schengen. In particular, as the Balkans has several non-Schengen countries adjoining each each other, you could plan a fairly long stretch in that region rather than having to keep hopping in and out of Schengen.

I do sympathize with people who want to spend more than 90 days in Schengen and can afford to do so. There is so much to see and do in Europe that you could spends years and not run out of new things and places.

Before Schengen, tourists had a limit for EACH country. Perhaps in some ways that was better for tourists even with the hassle of border crossings. But Schengen came about not so much to please or displease tourists as to make life easier for Europeans. Particularly those who had to cross borders often. It actually has done what it was intended to do, very well.

The 90 day rule actually meets the needs of probably 98% of tourists. You can please some of the people all of the time or you can please all of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

I agree, I don't think the rules were specifically intended to inconvenience long-duration tourists, it seems to be more a by-product of laws introduced for quite different reasons. I suppose one problem is that there isn't really anyone to lobby on behalf of this type of tourist - tour operators, hoteliers, airlines etc might try to raise an issue if they thought a particular rule was adversely affecting them, but I doubt that many people in the tourist industry see this particular type of traveller as a major market.

Bpguru,
I knew SOMEBODY was going to call me on that if I said it. I am not suggesting someone do something illegal. I said "if you dare" knowing that you are illegal; at your own risk, etc. I think the letter of the law is clear.

Anyway, I think the OP understands the situation better now (if he came back to read our posts, that is.)

OP, please ignore the post by Butterflygirl. She knows next to nothing, no matter how well intentioned she may be. 30/30? What's that about?

Guess that the 30/30 is a reference to one of the ways the 90/180 can be distributed - mentioned in post #4.
BTW post #4 is a sober describtion of the rules in a way easy to handle.

The only thing missing is the slightly more complicated "periodicety" that can make it possible to be in Schengen for nearly 180 days if you:

Have not been in Schengen for the last 180 days.
Enter a short period and leaves (thereby starting a 180 days period). Reenter the same few days after "day 90". Leave not later than at "day 180" as required.
You are then actually allowed to reenter day 181 (in a new "180 days period" and stay until day 270! But this is probably too complicated for most tourists, but is a known possibility for ppl. working in the Schengen (for a foreign): you come a few days to check what you are going to work with/the installation you will come and do/give instructions for teh work that has to be ready before you arrive - whatever. Come back at day 100 and start working - take a long weekend in London around day 180 - and go back to finish your job.
Of course you can leave for weekends or weeks at home as you wish during the period without changing anything.

I know you said, 'if you dare' Badger and I acknowledged that you did. But as I said, people read into something what they WANT to read into it. I just think it's better not to write in a way that allows them to even THINK you are suggesting they try it.

Overstaying Schengen is NOT a good idea. The consequences can be just too high to justify the risk.

Again thank you all for all of the informaiton. It seems that my Europe trip won't be able to be achieved in '09 with all of the new information.

I have actually focused my efforts on planning a one year trip to S. America instead as travel and cost of living would be a lot more easier. I also feel that it will be a good beginner trip for a new traveller.

Thank you all

So sorry you had to cancel your trip. I am sure you will enjoy S. America. Keep us posted on your travels. Have a safe trip Jtexidor!

Amsel07- Thank you for the added countries for the Schengen agreements.

Tony_b~ granted that I might of missed a few places due to the fact the website I used did not have them at the time. But please do not insult someone who has not insulted you. Had you read post before mine you would of seen the comment of days in/ days out ie 90/180... I am sure with your 7,000 post and my little amount of post gives you an idea that I might not know what I am talking about but not everyone lives on Lonely Planet's Forum~ The Thorn Tree...we are actually traveling.