For decades, thanks to the Schengen Agreement and other bilateral treaties, Europeans have been enjoying the freedom of travelling around the continent without needing a visa. In the past few years, Europeans have also been winning the right to travel visa-free to other continents across the globe, as more and more countries waive their visa policies for EU citizens to favour tourism and business relationships.
If you have been dreaming of a holiday abroad, but don’t have the time to deal with bureaucracy, these are five fabulous destinations that you can travel to with nothing but your passport.
Japan
As of 2014, Japan has open borders for citizens of 67 countries, including European and North American citizens. All travellers need to have a valid passport and a return ticket when they enter Japan. Your stay, however, can be up to 90 days long: three months are plenty of time to travel through the whole of the country.
You can see everything, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the magnificent Himeji Castle, stopping to admire the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in and taking the time to visit Tashirojima, also known as Cat Island, where the feline population has outgrown the human one.
Caribbean Islands
If you needed one more reason to spend time in paradise, at the end of May 2015 islands including Grenada and Dominica obtained reciprocal visa-free travel to the Schengen Area: you no longer need a visa to take a holiday in the Caribbean. Truly Belong describe the Caribbean as being one of the ‘few places in the world that inspire serenity and encourage wellbeing’.
You could literally pack your bags and leave for a beach holiday tomorrow: there are direct flights from the UK and types of accommodation for all pocket sizes. The southernmost islands like Grenada are far away from the hurricane belt and boast fantastic sandy beaches like 2-mile long Grand Anse.
South Africa
If the Atlantic doesn’t cut it for you, then Africa might do the trick. You can soak in the sun for up to 90 days in South Africa!
This gorgeous nation is famous for its natural beauty, which is protected by several national parks and nature reserves. South Africa’s Kruger National Park, for example, is one of the world’s top safari destinations. If you can’t get tired of jaw-dropping wildlife, then go whale watching off the coast of Hermanus or Cape Town.
South America
European citizens can travel without a visa through most of South America. If you decide to make your way through the entire continent, you’re going to need all the time you get. Each country allows you to stay there for a different period of time; for example, you can spend 183 days in Peru.
Care to take a trip to Peru to visit Machu Picchu? Done. Want to see the giant heads on Easter Island? Take a plane from the coast of Chile and you’re there.
