But now that the (absentee) voting is done, the question becomes: How to observe the election from Copenhagen? Right now I can think of three ways about it:

Option one: Tune out, then tune in on November 7

I’ll be visiting Copenhagen’s many sights with a group of other American travel writers on Tuesday, November 6. Certainly the subject will come up, but our attention will be happily focused on Nyhavn, the National Gallery and the city’s palaces.

We’ll be gleefully six hours ahead of any action back home. Even tuning in at midnight will mean that almost no polls will have closed. (Indiana and parts of Kentucky close at 6 PM EST, but those states aren’t really nail-biters.) I might as well go to sleep at a normal hour, and wake up refreshed to find out about the results. Yeah, right…

Option two: Stay up all night in a bar

A drastically different option would be to pull an all-nighter in a local bar that’s showing the event. Perhaps it will be the hotel’s bar, or we will undoubtedly hear about spots in Copenhagen to watch the event. This would surely attract visiting Americans, as well as interested Danes and travelers from other parts of the world who are likewise wound up about the election.

I find this option, in theory, to be quite attractive. It’s always fun to watch big events with others, allowing your energies to build. All of that waiting (and all of that commentary) goes down a bit easier with a few beers and new-found friends. And, hey, if things go south for you, you’re already in a bar!

The reality, of course, can be less ideal. If the election is mostly decided when major swing states in the east close (Florida at 7 p.m., Ohio at 7:30 p.m.), we’d find out in Copenhagen around 1 a.m. That’s doable… but what if it’s close in those states? What about western swing states? This thing could go late in the US, which means it could go really late in Europe.

And, of course, there’s that 9 a.m. airberlin flight we’ll be catching to Vienna the next morning.

Option three: Early to bed, early to rise

The last, and perhaps most responsible, option is to go to sleep early-ish, and wake up early (say, at 5 a.m.) to figure out what happened, or even catch the tail-end of the event itself.

This sounds perfectly reasonable, but is it possible to fall asleep early on election night? Maybe for some, but as a political junkie, I’m pretty sure that even if I do fall asleep, I’m certain to wake up at 3 a.m. knowing that I could turn on the TV and see the first big results coming in.

Or a messy mix of all three

What will most likely happen, of course, is a big, messy mix of all three. I’ll probably intend to go to sleep early, but first grab a beer with some of my traveling companions. This will lead to “just one more” before the first results come in. Despite the excitement around those first numbers, I’ll force myself to sleep, only to wake up a few hours later in the middle of the night, flip on the TV and half-dream about Wolf Blitzer for the next few hours.

When you factor in a 7 a.m. trip to the airport, it sounds a bit grim. But, hey, even if we’re all exhausted, it will be over. If “my guy” wins, it will be a happy, relieved exhaustion. If he doesn’t, well, I’ll be headed to Vienna.

I guess traveling during an election has its benefits after all.

Are you watching the election from abroad?

If you’re traveling or living abroad and excited about the election, how do you plan to watch it? Will it be an all-nighter, a middle-of-the-night wake-up, or a wait-and-see? Tell us about your plans in the comments section.

The post How to watch the US election results while traveling in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Listed below are a few suggestions for election night viewing parties in Paris, London, Rome,  Amsterdam, and Berlin, among other cities.

AMSTERDAM

US Election Party hosted by Amsterdam American Business Club: An all-night event taking place at the Hilton Hotel Amsterdam, including panel discussions with Dutch and American politicians, snacks and an early morning breakfast.  Tickets required.  Apollolaan 138, 1077 BG Amsterdam.

Boom Chicago Election Night Party: A wild and crazy evening of comedy and poll watching at this central Amsterdam laugh-house.  Tickets are required (and you might bump into EuroCheapo staffer Christopher Franco if you go!).  Leidseplein 12, 1017 PT Amsterdam.  Tel: +31 20 53 07300.

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub: Just looking for a big bar with a giant TV?  Look no further.  Free entry.  Oudezijds Kolk 9, 1012 AL Amsterdam.  Tel: +31 20 6241150.

ATHENS

Democrats Abroad Greece: Election Night Party at the Athens Hilton, 9 pm until dawn, with a buffet, music, and video. Ambassador Speckhard is scheduled to speak. Contact pressofficer@democratsabroad.org for details.

BARCELONA

Democrats Abroad: Election Watch Party from 9:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Luz de Gas, Sala B, calle Muntaner 246. Contact pressofficer@democratsabroad.org for details.

Hillary, our budget travel pal from from Less Than A Shoestring, emailed us the following update for election parties in Berlin:

“There are two big open events in Berlin: one at the Amerika Haus starts in the early evening and goes only till 1 a.m.; the second starts at 10:30 p.m. and goes till the race is called, with Democrats Abroad Berlin at Babylon (Mitte). The former is free (but reservations only, and they’re totally booked); the second is 3.50 euros in advance, 5 euros at the door (but also likely to sell out quickly).”

BRUSSELS

The Renaissance Brussels Hotel is hosting an election event, sponsored by the American Club of Brussels amd The Bulletin.

BUDAPEST

From BC: I’ve called AmCham, the embassy, and a few companies. There isn’t another party that I can find. However, I’ve also called a few sports bars and Champs will play the elections on its TVs starting at 10:45 (after the champions league match). The bar technically closes at 1am but I hope it will remain open if there is a crowd. A few of us will be at Champs at 10:45. Just ask the bartenders what table is the US election party.

COPENHAGEN

The US Embassy and AmCham are having an event at the Marriott. It’s only from 10pm to 2am, so all the results won’t be in by the time the event is over. Info is at http://amcham.dk/events.php?sec=events&id=249

The American Expats in Copenhagen Meet Up is hosting a party at Cafe Globon, too – http://www.meetup.com/american-27/calendar/9059973/.

The social democratic party have election nights in all major towns in Denmark. The Facebook site for the Copenhagen event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=43546658752

DUBLIN

The Button Factory is having a party, which is now sold out.

Democrats Abroad Ireland will be hosting an Election Night party at Cafe en Seine on Dawson Street in Dublin. Contact pressofficer@democratsabroad.org for details.

FLORENCE

Democrats Abroad: Watch Night Party from 6 p.m. – 4 a.m., at Saschall. There will also be a Victory Party for Thursday, November 6, 8:30 – late (location tbd). Contact pressofficer@democratsabroad.org for details.

LONDON

Yates Wine Bar:  Billing itself as “the biggest bi-partisan election night party in London,” the Yates Wine Bar in Leicester Square is open through 4 AM GMT and is providing coverage via CNN and FOX.  There’s a buffet and drink vouchers, but tickets are required.  Yates’s Wine Bar, Leicester Square, London.

MADRID

Democtat’s Abroad Election Watch Party (11 p.m until early morning): Círculo de Bellas Artes; Calle Alcalá 42. Madrid (metro: Banco de España). Live music, dancing, live election returns coverage. Contact pressofficer@democratsabroad.org for details.

MUNICH

Democrats Abroad: Election Night Party at Bushing Garden. Program: 7:00-10:00pm; Dinner for early guests with a special “Obama Menu” and a music program. From 9:00pm-till sunrise, there will be a party with music and dancing. Contact pressofficer@democratsabroad.org for details.

PARIS

“La Nuit Americaine” All-night event organized by the City Hall of the 3rd Arrondissement to “explore and understand the United States,” while tuning in to election results. (They’ll even be screening “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Crash,” and “Vertigo” before serving breakfast!).  Free entry.  Mairie de 3eme, Salle Odette Pilpoul, 2 rue Eugene Spuller, 75003, Paris.  Tel:  +33 15 30 17503.

Americans Abroad for Obama Party: 11:30 p.m.  Free entry. Palais Maillot, 2, Place de La Porte Maillot, Paris.

Harry’s Bar New York: What better place to soak up election drama than at the bar that created the Bloody Mary? Harry’s also hosts a famous expat straw poll.  Free entry.  5 rue Daunou 2nd Mº Opéra, Paris, 75002.

PRAGUE

“Democrats in Prague”: Election Night Watch Parties in two locations, The Globe Bookstore and Jama Restaurant. Contact pressofficer@democratsabroad.org for details.

ROME

American International Club of Rome: A bi-partisan, bi-lingual extravaganza at the Parco dei Principi Hotel Conference Center.  Political commentary and speakers sprawled across 4 convention halls.  Tickets required. Via G. Frescobaldi, 5, Rome.

From Roman correspondent Annie Shapero:

“Democrats Abroad” Party in Termini Station: The group is throwing a party from 1 AM – 5 AM in Rome’s main train station (exact location will be emailed). The catered event includes an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and American-style coffee. The event costs €20 (€15 for food, and €5 for the group). For more information email events.rome@democratsabroad.it.

STOCKHOLM

All-night election watch with dinner, discussions and entertainment at the Scandic Hotel Anglais, Humlegårdsgatan 23, Stockholm, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Contact pressofficer@democratsabroad.org for details.

VIENNA

The Democrats Abroad are having a party in the 19th District, the Lion Rampant Pub, Billrothstrasse 16: http://www.democratsabroad.org/sites/default/files/DAAElectionNight2008.pdf

Tell Us

Do you plan to watch the elections from abroad? Tell us about it. And please list any other parties you know about below!

Editor’s Note: We have listed several Democratic-leaning events above. Most of this information has been provided by Democrats Abroad. Find more information, including more parties, on their website. We have looked hard for Republican events as well, but to no avail. If you know of any, please let us know.

The post UPDATED: Where to watch US election results in Europe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.