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Elope during or before 3-4 weeks in europe?
Sat, 09/22/2007 - 23:19
My fiance and I recently made the decision to elope considering we are paying for most of everything and would much rather spend our hard saved money on quality time in europe than on huge wedding with people we really don’t like. We’re exploring our options now and are wondering rather it would be better to elope here or there, it seems like less of a hassle if we do it here but the romance of doing it in europe is appealing and more of a unique story. With that being the case where would be the best place to do it?
I’m also having a hard time deciding where to go and how much time I want to spend in each place. I’ve never been before but have dreamt of going to Europe since I was a child, I’m excited and want to go everywhere but really need to know whats realistic. I do want to hit a couple touristy spots but want a unique experience as well. Amsterdam is a must. I’d like to go to Hamburg, Germany to scatter some of my friends ashes but wonder if there is anything to do there. I’d also like to know for the two of us what kind of price range am I looking at for plane tickets, eurorail, or rental cars, etc, and how much I should figure on a day to days basis if we go in september of ’08.
Any input will help and any advice on things I didn’t list would be nice as well, we will be on a tight budget so money saving tips are helpful.
A few places I’m considering are:
Amsterdam
Paris
Munich
Hamburg
Rome
Venice
Athens
Wiltshire (for the stonehenge)
Madrid
Thank You,
Mandy

The Trevi Fountain in Rome. Ever since I went there I have dreamed of getting married there.
You’ll have to look into the laws in the different countries you’re considering. Italy makes it pretty easy for foreigners to marry, but France has a more complicated procedure that requires one of you live there for at least 40 days before you can marry.
The easiest thing would be to get married at home by a judge, then go off on your trip. You can do all your research for the trip right here.
But if you must get married in Europe, there are entire companies devoted to just that: North Americans getting married in Europe, especially Italy.
Planning your trip depends on how much time and money you have, how you prefer to travel, what you hope to see.
Athens is not Rome. It’s more like New York meets Los Angeles. Not a romantic place to get married. If you’re interested in Greece, there’s lots of beautiful places in the country; Santorini is perhaps most popular for weddings. If you’re Eastern Orthodox (like most Greeks, nominally), there’s churches all over the country, plenty of great locations. If you’re Roman Catholic, there’s pockets of Roman Catholics (and hence Catholic churches) in romantic places like Santoríni, Syros, Náfplio, and Corfu. If you’re Anglican/Episcopalian, there’s a large British expat community, and their churches in some parts of the country. If you’re Jewish, there’s Jewish communities and synagogues in romantic places like Rhodes and Chania. If you’re looking for a secular wedding, this of course is possible anywhere.
http://gogreece.about.com/od/weddingshoneymoon/Getting_Married_in_Greece_Honeymoons.htm
beach-lunch-siesta-beach-shower-dinner-nightlife-repeat
Thank you guys for your help, I actually stayed on here last night for quite awhile and I think I have a decent idea of what I’d like to do. I Think I will take your suggestion of having a civil ceremony here before heading to Europe. I’m thinking we’ll leave from Colorado about mid sept. of ’08 and fly to london first. We’ll spend 3 nights in and around Salsibury during which I’ll have my religious ceremony there right in the middle of the stonehenge. From there we’ll fly to Paris and spend four days there. I hope to take the night train (if there is one?) from paris to amsterdam spend for nights there and take the night trian from amsterdam to hamburg. In hamburg I intend on spreading a very dear friend of mines ashes there, I have yet to decide if I want leave a little in every spot or just in hamburg as that is where he’d always spoke of living one day, I’ll spend one night there and the next day then I’d like to take the night train to poland (there again if there is one?) I’d like to spend just the day in poland and go and see Auschwitz. I like to go on another train0 from poland to Munich and spend three nights there at beerfest then take a train from munich back to paris and hop on a plane there back home. I’m thinking about 10,000 should cover both of our needs, Is that a realistic number for all the hostels, plane/train rides, food and entertainment? Also if you know of any really unique places near where I intend to stay that would be cool to check out let know.
Thanks so much
Mandy
There’s no nighttrain between Paris and Amsterdam since the Thalys high speed train does the trip in 4 hours. The first train leaves Paris at 06.55, the last one at 18.55.
The fastest way by train I could find between Amsterdam and Hamburg also involves a day train (couln’t find a night train) takes 5h38m which includes 2 changes. (in Oberhausen and Munster). Flying is an option, from Rotterdam (1 hour from Amsterdam) to Hamburg takes about an hour by www.VLM-airlines.com and costs about 60 euros. From Amsterdam to Hamburg will set you back for about double that price.
I guess the trip from Hamburg to Auschwitz for just one day is too much since you’re travelling from the north of Germany to the south of Poland (550+ miles). There’s no nighttrain and no high speed train, the trip will take about 13 hours. Krakow near Auschwitz (Oswiecim) is also worth a visit for example.
MY trip plans have changed yet again, Now its London, Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam. London and salsibury first and then a flight I think to rome from rome to paris (how long is that trip?) then wrap it up with amsterdam. I’ll be about 4-5 days in each place so suggestion on what to see, do, and the best ways to get around are wonderful. I’m also still very open to unique ideas around all of these areas.
London-Rome: about 2h30m. Ryanair single trip from 18 euros incl. tax.
Rome-Paris: about 2h. Vueling single trip from 33 euros incl. tax.
Paris-Amsterdam: about 1h20m. Vueling single trip from 30 euros incl. tax.
Get eloped in Amsterdam, it’d make for a much better story. Roll up a 6 paper joint, grab some thai shemale hookers, fill up on heineken and head to da chapel for one hell of a party.
You didn’t have to tell us your future plans, we all could guess
Aside from the hookers it was a consideration, lol.
Like Cil said, it’s a huge amount of work to do all the necessary legal stuff to get married in most other countries. I agree you should get married in the US, whenever you feel like it.
you can’t get married in the middle of stonehenge
at least not what i know
the stones are roped off
the closest you can get on the outside is like 20 feet away
happy travels
London, Paris, Tours, Caen, La Rochelle, Annecy, Genoa, Venice, Florence, Rome
You actually can. You have to fill out a reservation request and then pay a small fee and a group of 26 or less can go into the stonehenge either before or after tourist hours. I did quite a bit of searching to make sure I could.
Wow, that would be pretty cool.
I first saw Stonehenge before the fencing, and it is a whole different experience.
The Salisbury Cathedral should not be missed, either.
The first time I went, we hitchhiked.
The last two times, we rented a car.
Was the car a better experience? Who did you go through to rent one?