European Union

Travel Guide Europe European Union

The European Union is a group of European countries, originally established in 1992 by the Treaty on European Union (The Maastricht Treaty). As of January 1, 2007, there are twenty-seven member countries of the European Union. The EU is not the same as Europe: several countries that are part of the continent Europe (e.g. Switzerland, Norway) are not part of the EU.

To make things even more complicated, the Schengen zone, in which you can move freely, does not correspondent with the EU. Some countries that are part of the EU are not part of the Schengen zone (e.g. the United Kingdom and Ireland), while others that don't belong to the European Union, like Switzerland and Norway, are included in the Schengen zone.

These countries are (in order of becoming a member) part of the EU:

As indicated in the list, unfortunately for travellers, not all of the countries that are a member of the European Union have the euro as their currency. Vatican City also issues Euros but it´s unlikely you come across these, as most of them end up in the hands of coin collectors

Contributors

as well as bentivogli (3%)

European Union Travel Helpers

  • AratxiissGf81

    Going on holidays on your own can be nerve-raking, but one you get into the swing of it, you'll really enjoy it.

    Whether you’re travelling alone or with a group, there are some advices or unwritten rules, which we should follow in a long or short way. On the one hand, a main rule for following, could be to keep you safe during your vacation in somewhere. For this reason, to get a travel insurance for your trip and to know how to contact your embassy should help. Besides, if you share your itinerary with friends or family, in case of an emergency, someone will be able to contact your travel insurance provider or embassy to get you the help you need.

    And on the other hand, other advice is in contact with all the information directed to the tourists before and after arriving at the destination. Whenever I’ve gone on holiday, I’ve also planned my trip carefully. There are many platforms on the internet which could help you for planning a vacation. Once there, I used to stay in a well-connected accommodation in the city, I mean, a place which let me use means of transport to move around the city. For this reason, I also used to visit the tourist office almost after checking in. Always I wanted to make a well schedule, trying to optimise time and movement. If you know all about the events, the important places to visit, and the prices, you may choose the best way which suits your trip.

    I definitely think that when you decide to get away to somewhere, you should also decide in which way where and how you could rest and relax, avoiding troubles with a well own planning. Obviously, if you plan, you’ll save money too. You know, waste not want not.

    Ask AratxiissGf81 a question about European Union

  • Lilush

    Accommodation, food, Art , historical monuments and museums

    Ask Lilush a question about European Union

  • hotguy_here

    I have traveled extensively in Europe from Norway to Greece and Portugal to Romania, that too on euro rail. So I believe I can provide the first timers a lot of necessary info. Message me if you need any help.

    Ask hotguy_here a question about European Union

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This is version 11. Last edited at 22:24 on Jan 26, 10 by Herr Bert. 32 articles link to this page.

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