Visas & Entry
Planning a longer Europe trip outside Schengen
Time outside Schengen can help you plan a longer journey, but the dates and entry rules still need careful checking.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Travel writer and destination journalist
William Bernard
William Bernard writes about European destinations, rail and overland routes, and the costs and connections involved in planning an independent trip. He is based in Lisbon, Portugal.
- Based in
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Languages
- English, Portuguese, Spanish
Background
Before becoming a travel writer, William spent six years in logistics and supply-chain analysis in Manchester. A three-month trip through the Balkans led him to investigate an outdated bus timetable in Bosnia and publish the corrected route information.
Over the following decade, he travelled through Europe and Southeast Asia, often returning to the same regions in different seasons. His destination research includes Portugal, Spain, Italy and the Balkans.
What he covers
- European rail and overland travel
- Trip budgets
- Destination planning
- Transport logistics
- Slow travel
How he approaches a guide
William looks at how the whole trip fits together: stations, connections, booking choices, daily costs and seasonal changes. His guides favour time in fewer places and routes that avoid unnecessary backtracking. Prices and schedules can change, so readers should check the sources and review dates beside the relevant information.
Guides by William Bernard
Transport
Using public transport in Prague
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Budget Strategy
Slovak Tatras or Zakopane for a walking holiday
Compare specific mountain bases on either side of the Tatras, with practical advice on trail access, seasonal closures and transport to the start.
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Budget Strategy
Lisbon or Porto: choosing the time for each
Compare Lisbon and Porto by the days you want to spend walking, visiting museums and taking excursions, with clear night counts for a shared trip.
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Accommodation
How to check hotel air conditioning before a summer trip
Find out what “air conditioning” means for your booked room, including operating hours, window access, noise and useful questions for the hotel.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026
Budget Strategy
Sintra or Toledo as a day trip
Plan Sintra from Lisbon or Toledo from Madrid, including the journey beyond the station, timed admissions, hills and a sensible number of visits.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
When to Go
Andalusia in spring: festivals, rooms and route planning
Choose festival dates, compare the full trip cost and fit Seville, Córdoba and Granada around the visits that matter most.
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Things to Do
Piran or Dubrovnik for a town-wall walk?
Compare two different coastal visits, with a shorter hilltop wall section in Piran and a much larger circuit around Dubrovnik's old town.
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Food & Dining
Should you order paella for lunch or dinner?
Lunch fits Valencia's rice tradition, but a restaurant's cooking and booking arrangements matter more than a rigid clock rule.
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When to Go
What really closes in European cities in August?
Check the places you want to visit individually, since a family restaurant's holiday does not tell you whether a museum or city is open.
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Things to Do
Free Lisbon viewpoints that fit a comfortable walk
Choose a Lisbon viewpoint by its hill and your route, with clear advice on public terraces, Santa Justa access and leaving time for a break.
Article reviewed 11 Sep 2026
Budget Strategy
Eating from supermarkets on a travel budget
Plan simple supermarket meals around the kitchen and storage you actually have, with an illustrative €10 daily allocation and advice on avoiding waste.
Article reviewed 8 Sep 2026