Do I need more than my passport

Yes you probably need more than the default Schengen visa which allows only 90 days in any 180 in the entirety of the Schengen zone.

You will have trouble traveling in Europe for 6-8 months. The Schengen Law limits your stay to 90 days then you have to leave all Schengen countries for 90 days before you are allowed back in. If you stay over the 90 days you could have to pay a big fine and be band from all of the countries for years.

In order to travel for 6-8 months you could spend the first 90 days in Schengen countries, the next 90 days in non-Schengen countries, and then return to Schengen countries for the remainder of your time in Europe. If you do that, all you'll need is your American passport. For a list of the 25 Schengen countries, go to www.mediavisa.net/schengen-area.php.

It all depends on your itinerary. As others have mentioned, most of Europe operates as a single entity under the Schengen Treaty. This limits those with a US passport to 3 months of stay in a 6 month period. So in 8 months, you would need to go to Schengen Countries for 3 months, leave for three months, then you would be free to return to the Schengen countries for up to another 3 months. These periods need not be continuous, as long as you do not exceed 90 days in 180 days while in the Schengen Countries. Since nearly all Western European Countries, plus some East are Schengen, you will need to plan time in the following: Ireland, England, Scotland, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzogovinia, or Turkey (to name the most common).

Elida, I also carry my driver's license, copy of my birth certificate, Travelers Insurance information, etc.

Thanks for the Schengen feedback. Now, I just saw a post on another site where someone mentioned that they can go from country to country some times there is no passport stamp; hence even if I leave the schengen zone for 90 days (to comply with regulations) how am I going to prove that I have been gone that long? Anyone?

Your passport plus visas (stamped in your Passport) to show you are authorized to stay for the period of time you are going. As has been stated, you will probably not be able to take advantage of Schengen visa-free travel for the period of time you are going. Each country has it's own rules that you need to comply with (except Schengen countries all agreed to one set of rules)......If you plan to drive, you will need your drivers license and, depending on the countries you plan to visit, an international drivers permit. The permit is easy and cheap, pick it up at any AAA office......The visas require a little more advance planning because you have to either take your passport to get the visa stamp added or mail it off to have it stamped. Places like Russia seem to be pretty picky about handing out visas. Other countries, where you could easily travel visa-free, look closer at applications for longer stays.

What is the purpose of limiting the amount of time people can visit? If they have the resources to pay for their trip, who cares how long they are there?

"What is the purpose of limiting the amount of time people can visit? If they have the resources to pay for their trip, who cares how long they are there?" I don't know of any country that doesn't place some limits on a tourist visa. They want to make sure they don't lose track of you and that you aren't doing something illegal, like working without a work permit. If you can show adequate financial resources, you can usually get a tourist visa extended, with some bureaucracy. Money talks!

Elida: I think someone else on the other post indicated you should keep things like hotel receipts, restaurant bills, credit card chits, etc to prove where you were. However, even though countries within the EU do not swipe your passport when you leave, most outside the Schengen area will swipe them when you arrive, giving proof of your whereabouts electronically. Hope this helps.

A significant amount of illegal aliens in the US are people who entered legally, then overstayed their visa........... You're right about "as long as they can show they have the resources", often the biggest reason for the rules is people taking jobs instead of citizens and legal residents. Usually, for longer stays, showing resources to support yourself without getting a job is the main question.

I don't think about it often because I'm Air National Guard and they give me every shot you can imagine (plus a couple of extras). Some countries require shots and shot records. Most of Europe is no problem. Since your trip is longer, you may be planning to visit a country with shot requirements.