The ole' passport came in the mail today and it was somewhat of a sobering experience. All of a sudden this "trip" i am about to take is becomming more and more real and less fantasy...It's both exhilerating and nerve racking! Quick question, i thought passports came with a visa (i know, i know, the simplicity of the newbie travelers thoughts are so cute) but apparentley the visa is the stamp you recieve upon entering each country.....I should be fine for the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Germany but what about the Czech Republic.....I am having difficulty finding their goverment site to confirm if I need a visa ahead of time to enter there country.....thanks for any help. Man it's an odd feeling when dreams begin to materialize from the mists of fantasy!

hey cc-- you're right, a visa is a stamp you get in your passport. For some countries you need to get one before you go leave the US; sometimes you fill out a little card on the plane/train and then you go through customs (or they have you fill out the card when you get to to the customs office.) You don't need a visa for czech republic --you're american, right? I forget, sorry :) You will have to go through customs though and your passport will be stamped when you arrive, and again when you depart (entering back into the EU.) I don't think you need to go through customs between EU countries; at least it's been my experience that you don't need to.

Look here for entry requirements / visa info for american citizens. Good luck!!!

You're awsome SV, thanks so much! :cheers: