Eurotrip 2022

[boomy]

This will be mostly photos TR as most places we visited don’t require much commentary.

This year road trip was planned to start in Germany (FRA), driving through France, Switzerland, Austria then back to Germany (MUC) then fly to Istanbul, a city I’ve connected through many times but never actually visited.

Flights:

BNE-SIN-FRA SQ J booked using KF miles

MUC-IST TK Y booked using Amex travel credit

IST-SIN-BNE SQ J booked using KF miles

Car:

From Hertz booked for two weeks using Hertz points.

Since I’m doing this TR after our trip ended I can say that we also had an unplanned reroute through Italy…

 

[boomy]

Day 1

SQ246 BNE-SIN A359 Business Class







This is the long haul version of SQ A359 which is far more comfortable than the regional version SQ use on most AU routes.

Managed to secure first row bulkhead seats in the middle. These seats are significantly more comfortable, particularly for sleeping as the foot cubby is unrestricted.

We had supper, few glasses of champagne and went to sleep. Was impressed that the crew didn’t fully turned on the cabin lights at breakfast time but only at dimming level to not disturb those who wish to keep sleeping and indeed we slept through until 30 min before landing. Wish more airlines would do that instead of turning lights on and waking up everyone two hours before landing.

 

[boomy]

Day 2

SQ Business Class Lounge SIN

We had 5 hours layover before our next flight to FRA.
The lounge was quiet early in the morning and gradually filled up by 8am. Because we arrived early we managed to score sofa in the previous F section which is more quiet. Waiting time for showers was 1 hour, not too bad.

No matter what time of the day I’m in the SQ lounge I must have (at least one) laksa. The laksa there is better than what you’ll get at restaurants in Australia.











Last photo is the Flounge entrance. Looking forward to check out new TPR in few weeks time but that is another trip, meanwhile J will do.

 

[boomy]

Day 2

SQ326 SIN-FRA A359 Business Class

Same type of plane as the first flight, again we secured bulkhead seats this time in row 19 which is not as good as row 11 because the kitchen galley sits just in front but for daytime flight it’s fine.

This was probably the most average flight we had with SQ so far. It wasn't bad but crew seemed overloaded and a bit stressed. On top of that my +1 IFE was stuck and had to be rebooted 5 times before it finally worked properly. This took couple of hours because crew was busy with clearly more important things.



Lunch started with satay, something SQ serve almost on every sector (forgot to take photo on previous flight).





For main I’ve ordered Beef Cheeks for BTC.
Unfortunately they were so chewy to the point it was inedible. First time ever on SQ I had to return a dish.



They only had one main left at that point, can’t remember exactly what it was but tasted quite nice.



My +1 screen for the first two hours of the flight.



Dessert #1



Few hours later it was time for dinner service.



BTC lobster is hit and miss in J, this one was a hit.



Dessert #2



Few hours sleep and couple movies later we landed in FRA.

 

[boomy]

Hilton FRA airport

We landed in FRA around 6pm. Ideally I would have like to get the car, drive to our first destination and sleep there but after long daytime flight and countless glasses of champagne we made a sensible decision to spend the first night at the airport and begin our road trip the next day early.

There are 3 hotels in FRA which have direct access to the terminals (and train station): Sheraton, Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn. I’ve stayed at all of them during multiple connections in FRA over the years and Hilton is my favourite.



As seen on that photo above both Hilton and GI share the same complex. When traveling solo I normally stay at GI as it’s better value for money, this time chose the better option.

Got the standard diamond upgrade to executive room.





The club lounge.





Breakfast the next day was good (didn’t take photos).
I remember there was nice selection of cakes. Something quite common in European hotels, not so much in Australia.

 

[boomy]

Day 3

Finally, we can start our road trip but first we had to pick up the car from Hertz. When using points to book in Europe the only option usually is standard manual. Thankfully being President Circle normally guarantees decent upgrades.

Funny enough we got the same car model this time as on our previous road trip in 2018 from Munich to Berlin (via Austria and the Czech Republic). Don’t know why we keep getting French cars in Germany but no complaints, the DS7 is good and comfortable. Only downside, this car was diesel and diesel is VERY expensive ATM.

 

[RooFlyer]

Only downside, this car was diesel and diesel is VERY expensive ATM.

I have my own France/Germany road trip next year and am wondering about diesel V petrol. I recall a trip I did in the UK - a few years ago now - where I got a diesel and wasn't happy because of the price of diesel. But at the end I worked out costs and it was comparable to the $/km as the advertised petrol similar sized car, due to better efficiency.

Or did you expect petrol & got diesel ... no choice with the upgrade?

 

[jase05]

I nearly always get given a Renault diesel when I rent a car in Germany. Luckily most are very fuel efficient and from the maths I’ve done on the past the costs would be comparable

 

[boomy]

I have my own France/Germany road trip next year and am wondering about diesel V petrol. I recall a trip I did in the UK - a few years ago now - where I got a diesel and wasn't happy because of the price of diesel. But at the end I worked out costs and it was comparable to the $/km as the advertised petrol similar sized car, due to better efficiency.

Or did you expect petrol & got diesel ... no choice with the upgrade?

We were given a choice, either DS7 or Jeep. The former is more fancy and we didn’t plan to go off-road on this trip so easy choice. I believe both cars were diesel.

I did ask for German car and was told they are most in demand and can only give me one if I return it to same place but not if returning in other city. Fair enough.

 

[boomy]

Heidelberg

We planned to spend the next few days exploring the Black Forest. First destination was the city of Heidelberg, known for it’s pretty Altstadt (old town), University and it’s Castle.

 

[boomy]

Heidelberg Castle

After short walk in the city we took the funicular to check out the castle or what’s left of it.



View of the city.







The highlight in this castle is Heidelberg Tun, the largest wine barrel in the world. Built in 1751 it’s 7 meters high, 8.5 meters wide and holds 220,000 litres of wine. On top of it there’s a platform where the price used to hold dance parties.





There’s also an interesting pharmac_ Museum.





After all the parties and wine consumed I’m sure they needed a good dose of Aspirin in the morning

 

[boomy]

After we finished with the castle we took 100 years old funicular to an even higher viewpoint.











There was not much to do up there apart from a nice restaurant where we had traditional German lunch which is basically beer and sausages.

 

[boomy]

Hotel Rebenhof

We left Heidelberg and drove towards Baden Baden.

Our hotel was located in a small town near Baden Baden, it even had its own vineyard.



We got large room with balcony facing the vineyard.

 

[boomy]

Baden Baden

We decided to go to check out the city and have dinner in a nice Weinstube which is basically wine bar.

By the time we arrived it was already late and all the shops were closed. Good thing about Europe, even in late October the sun still sets late around 8pm.





The place was fully booked so we were offered to sit on the bar. We ordered Flammkuchen which is more known as Tart Flambé in French. It’s basically like thin pizza but much better. Seriously it’s so good that I don’t understand how it didn’t get popular beyond the French/German border towns.





We had some German Riesling and moved to Pinot Noir.



After dinner we went to check out the famous Thermal baths.

By the time we got out it was dark already.



The first baths on the list was Friedrichsbad, build in 1877.



What we didn’t know about this baths is that everyone inside is naked. Young, old and VERY old people. All naked and bathing together. We came, naively, with our bathing suites just to be told nope can’t use any of that here. We saw some things that can’t be unseen… and after a while decided the German way is not our way and left.

Thankfully there were more modern baths near by called Caracalla Spa which encouraged wearing bathing suits.





I managed to take two photos before a supervisor came to point me the the “No Photos” sign. We really enjoyed the baths, both indoors and outdoors sections and stayed up until closing time.

 

[OZDUCK]

Lovely photos that do bring back some good memories - except that I am jealous of the great weather you seem to be having.

This year I noticed Flammkuchen being on the menu in far more parts of Germany than I remember on previous visits. My wife had some just north of Frankfurt and also in Munich. I think it is becoming more popular and like you think that it is better than thin Pizza. But then again I am not a huge fan of Pizza.

 

[Cossie]

I do like Flammkuchen and have posted a few photos on here before. Also like pizza, can’t say I prefer one over the other though.

 

[boomy]

Day 4

Freiburg

Today we took it easy driving through the Black Forest towns until we reached Freiburg im Breisgau which is more commonly known as Freiburg.







There was a food market going on in the main square.
Most popular item was Freiburg famous Lange Rote (long red) crispy sausage. Very good indeed.









We couldn’t leave the region without having a Black Forest cake. Contrary to popular belief It wasn’t actually invented in this area but was called after the sour cherries that originate in the Black Forest.



The building with Ukrainian flag hanging from it is Freiburg’s town hall. We’ve seen their flag being raised from other government buildings in Germany which is nice solidarity.



Freiburg has two medieval gates, one is in the first photo and this is the second gate.

 

[boomy]

Day 5

Strasbourg

Part 1 of our German tour came to an end, it was time to make the short drive and cross the border to France to begin our 5 days tour of Alsace. The best place to start is at the capital, Strasbourg.

We took one of those free waking tours where you tip the guide in the end. I like to do it in bigger cities that require a bit of orientation.

Starting point at the prettiest part of town, La Petite France.



The name btw is not as innocent as it sounds. This area used to be called La Petite Fille (the little girl) and was known as the prostitution area of Strasbourg. Later on when the area was cleaned the city decided to change a part of it’s notorious name ever slightly from Fille to France and voila small change, big difference.







Later on we walked towards the most famous part of town, Strasbourg Cathedral.



This is La Maison Kammerzell. Built in 1427 it’s considered the oldest and most beautiful house in Strasbourg.

 

[ellen10]

Great photos! I am enjoying following along with your trip report.We have visited Alsace a few times, love the villages and food and wine of course!

 

[boomy]

Strasbourg Cathedral is an impressive building. I’m not a religious person and honestly don’t care too much about Christian monuments but some buildings simply take your breath away and this one is just wow, masterpiece!



Built in the Gothic style, took about 400 years until completed in 1439. At 142 meters it was the tallest building in the world until 1874. It’s full name is Cathedrale Notre Dane de Strasbourg and indeed it looks a lot like the one in Paris which was completed 100 years earlier. Was hard to take good photo of the cathedral but can see the resemblance in the this photo below.



First we went to have a look inside.



Then we climes 332 steps to see the city from above at the height of 66 meters.







Then we went back to Petite France for lunch with a view.



As much as I like German sausages and sauerkraut I was looking forward to the more sophisticated French cuisine.
I’ve ordered Foie Gras and snails in garlic butter with a glass of Crèmant d’Alsace which is their (very good) local sparkling wine. This is my heaven!