Travel/Tourism
TOP 7 Schengen Countries to Visit in 2024
Schengen attracts tourists with the opportunity to visit many countries with one visa: Norway to Greece, Spain to Estonia. Every year, more and more tourists visiting EU countries are thinking of reclassifying from ordinary travelers to owners of real estate in the territory of European countries. It is difficult for many foreigners to choose one of the many countries. Not to mention citizenship, when you choose thoroughly and hope for the best conditions. We have selected the best seven among 27 republican territories based on statistical data and according to Polly Johnson (agency My Schengen).
We offer you a short list of 7 Schengen lands you should apply without thinking about. The most popular are Italy, France, and Spain, but there is a risk of rejection and quite privileged requirements.
Overview of Schengen Visa
Visas for travel and work (C or D) can be short-term or long-term. In any case, this stamp on the passport gives many advantages. You can rest and enjoy the views and cross the borders of neighboring states, which also signed the treaty of 1985. However, which power’s embassy is the first to apply if a multi-trip is planned? If the trip covers several lands and it is impossible to determine the main one, it is necessary to obtain Schengen Visa of the country that is the first on your way. In practice, it means the following: if you travel to Hungary while transiting through Germany, you must obtain a Hungary Schengen Visa.
The list of documents may vary depending on the country the tourist is traveling to, but the package in most countries is as follows:
- foreign passport;
- travel insurance;
- proof of financial security; some countries may even require a bank statement;
- return ticket (if the tourist is not traveling by his transport);
- proof of accommodation (booked room or official invitation).
Here are the top best destinations regarding the standard of living, attractions, appropriate housing prices, and favorable citizenship conditions in the long run.
Italy
Schengen area traveling in 2024 includes Italy, famous for historical sights and shopping tours. Everyone dreams of seeing Rome, the Colosseum, the Vatican, the residence of the Pope. People go to Venice to ride the gondolas and participate in the carnival. In Milan – for shopping. Over the year, 1.85 million people applied for an Italian visa, and 92.3% received it.
Spain
Spain has 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stunning beaches, fantastic food, incredible museums, and impressive stores. It hosts numerous festivals that bring people worldwide together on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, making it the favorite country among foreign tourists. The state is also known for its culinary arts and bullfighting. The country hosts the world’s largest tomato battle every year in August. Spain’s soccer team is one of the most famous in the world.
Greece
The territory has a unique coastline, many beaches, and small islands. A bonus to vacationing at sea is a rich cultural program, delicious and healthy cuisine, and low prices for recreation. Greece welcomes tourists warmly. The country issued almost one million visas last year. And the refusal rate is low – 3.88%.
Portugal
Popular places such as Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, and Madeira attract tourists worldwide. Favorable climate, beautiful beaches, and mountainous landscapes make Portugal an attractive vacation destination at any time of the year.
France
France is Europe’s most popular country for traveling, at least among those who need a visa. Both adults and children enjoy going to Disneyland. A Million people visit the Louvre Museum, Picasso Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art every year. There are ski resorts (Chamonix, Courchevel, Mirabel), historical centers (Paris, Versailles, Rambouillet), and of course, the beaches of the Cote d’Azur. The result of France is 3.1 million visas. However, the requirements of this country are strict, and 13.6% of applicants receive a refusal.
Netherlands
The capital attracts tourists – Amsterdam, where there are rich cultural and historical monuments (Van Gogh Museum, State Museum of the Netherlands, Rembrandt House Museum), and such “cult” places as the red-light district and many others.
Germany
You only need to travel to Germany to visit Hohenzollern Castle, which rises to the clouds, and to see the remains of the Berlin Wall, one of the symbols of the Cold War.
Travel Tips and Planning for 2024
So, if you plan to travel without any problems or set a goal to get a visa, you need to arrive at the embassy of any country of the union. It is important to apply to an area where there is no tourist rush. Choose the right country for you from the above list of best Schengen countries and start the application process. The immigration company is always happy to help you obtain a Schengen visa. One of the peculiarities of applying to the center is the urgency of the permit stamp in the passport for the whole family. In this case, there is no need for personal presence, and you pay for the service only after issuance.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
