Return to Europe (in style)

[RooFlyer]

My brother died in 2021 (sorry to start off on a down note) and to the surprise of my sisters and I, he found a place for each of us in his will.

At that time I was planning to return to Europe - particularly western Europe for my first decent look-around in about 10 years, so I decided to upgrade the flights from the outset from J to F

I used to be a traditional 'Europe' & Nth America traveller until in about 2013 I visited Russia & with some friends and after that, I was hooked on eastern Europe and then on Islamic countries - the further 'out of the way' the better (Iran, Stans, Siberia etc). Now, post covid I'm a bit creaky and I decided it would be good to have a less stressful journey, so chose France, Germany and the UK, and I'm tacking on an Exodus tour to Bosnia/Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro on the end.

I got my Travel Agent to first price a LH 'RTW' fare (not actually RTW, in this case Oz to Europe and back) but after lots of to-ing and fro-ing, we found that just an SQ fare, with LH and LX code-shares, was the best deal. That'll earn me some decent KrisFlyer miles and should get me into TPR and the LH First Class Terminal at FRA.

So I'm going:

HBA-SYD - VA redemption in whY
SYD-SIN in SQ suites. Overnight in Singapore
SIN-ZRH in LX First

Hiring a car to go down the Rhine and Moselle, visiting the medieval villages in Alsace, Salzburg etc and to visit a rellie in the French Alps

ZRH-LHR in BA J

Hiring a car and doing English cathedrals. I've done just about everything I want to do in England/Scotland, so this seemed a nice theme. Spending Coronation Day with a mate and his family in Manchester.

LGW-DBV in BA whY

Joining an Exodus tour to Bosnia/Herzegovena, Croatia and Montenegro

DBV-FRA in LH J

A day around Frankfurt - probably train to Heidelberg

FRA-SIN in LH F on a B747-800 Overnight in Singapore
SIN-SYD in SQ F
SYD-HBA in QF J redemption.

Flights



Now, it could be argued that I could have gotten better F products than LX and LH but I was really after experiences rather than pinaccle of flying, and who could argue with B747-800 in 1A!

Of course its a massive finger-cross that things don't get subbed out.

Hotel-wise its a mix of places I have status with (IHG, Hilton, Accor) and other hotels, pubs etc. I'm not loyal, but will take advantage of status if the place is where I want, for the price I want.

Hire cars are Avis which surprisingly was the cheapest option of the 'majors' I tried (several times). The first drive (or there-abouts)



And the English Cathedrals, in 2 parts



Thanks esp to @VPS, @Cruiser Elite and @boomy in particular for tips and suggestions.

 

[ellen10]

Looks like a great trip. I have visited many of those areas. But would love to go back soon. Pre planning a hopeful trip next year. But no first class flights for us, hopefully J.
Enjoy!

 

[Pushka]

When are you off? Sounds fabulous. Catching up with the Drrons?

we will be in UK at end of May. And in the middle of the Arabian sea on Coronation Day.

 

[RooFlyer]

When are you off?

. SQ Flounge, SYD

 

[Cruiser Elite]

You enjoy those ‘coughk pancakes’ in the SKL F Lounge mate

 

[RooFlyer]

CE is referring to an unfortunate autocorrected message I sent . I know where the damn phone's mind is!! The said duck pancakes

 

[I love to travel]

Mainz is also 30 mins from Frankfurt and very pretty. Don't forget the duck at FRA FCT!!

 

[RooFlyer]

Now pushka asked when I was off. Today ex Sydney. I didn't start the TR until I knew I was on my way. Had a succession of health issues over the past 6 weeks - its been whack-a-mole - and I didn't want to get ahead of myself!

I've been packing and getting things together over the past month, with a list!, so out of practice am I.

Anyway, ex HBA yesterday on VA Economy X. No lounge in HBA for Virgin of course, so it was in the terminal, which was a zoo, as usual. Literally standing room only across the whole departures area (save the usual nook behind the QP, the other end from VA departures).

3C on the B737, HBA-SYD, heaps of leg room, apparent shadow and free wi-fi for Plat





No probs in flight or getting bags - but then where the F is the Uber pick up point? There are NO signs for 'rideshare' or 'Uber' anywhere at T2 luggage collection or outside. Google it, and it looks to be at the 'Priority pick up' Follow the signs to the next postcode and eventually the ride arrives. Left his tag somewhere so can't get out of the parking area. Eventually freed. I Sydney Airport.

Mercure Sydney, near Central Station. Got a corner room on 13th floor, which in spite of overlooking George St, was quiet.









Nice room, with desk and accessible power points by the bed and at the desk! That clinches it for me. Room looks recently renovated.

I'm Accor Gold (via QFF). Welcome amenities were:
* usual 2 drink vouchers
* ice bucket with 4 cans of Sydney Brewery beers
* 2 small muesli-type bars
* packet of chips
* usual 2 bottles of water

and a 5 line welcome note. Nice.



Only downside was that air-con was a bit noisy and shut down overnight, unless you went past the senor at the refreshment bench (coloured thing above).

Dinner in the hotel restaurant, a nice tender shoulder of lamb and 2 glasses of shiraz via the drink vouchers.



Very happy with this hotel. Late check-out to 11:30 and Uber to International.

 

[RooFlyer]

No issues checking in SQ222 suites at T-2H45m at International; light loads at Emigration and security (my half-used 110ml toothpaste got confiscated ) Currently in the SK F lounge at SYD - very nice, except for guy using phone speaker for some youtube or something and screaming kid by the window. I mean really screaming. Currently taken to the loo and can hear it from there.

Menu



Duck pancakes



Lounge






And choccies for the A380 crew, per advice of @Cruiser Elite . Hope they are up to standard!!

 

[Flyfrequently]

My brother died in 2021 (sorry to start off on a down note) and to the surprise of my sisters and I, he found a place for each of us in his will.

At that time I was planning to return to Europe - particularly western Europe for my first decent look-around in about 10 years, so I decided to upgrade the flights from the outset from J to F

I used to be a traditional 'Europe' & Nth America traveller until in about 2013 I visited Russia & with some friends and after that, I was hooked on eastern Europe and then on Islamic countries - the further 'out of the way' the better (Iran, Stans, Siberia etc). Now, post covid I'm a bit creaky and I decided it would be good to have a less stressful journey, so chose France, Germany and the UK, and I'm tacking on an Exodus tour to Bosnia/Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro on the end.

I got my Travel Agent to first price a LH 'RTW' fare (not actually RTW, in this case Oz to Europe and back) but after lots of to-ing and fro-ing, we found that just an SQ fare, with LH and LX code-shares, was the best deal. That'll earn me some decent KrisFlyer miles and should get me into TPR and the LH First Class Terminal at FRA.

So I'm going:

HBA-SYD - VA redemption in whY
SYD-SIN in SQ suites. Overnight in Singapore
SIN-ZRH in LX First

Hiring a car to go down the Rhine and Moselle, visiting the medieval villages in Alsace, Salzburg etc and to visit a rellie in the French Alps

ZRH-LHR in BA J

Hiring a car and doing English cathedrals. I've done just about everything I want to do in England/Scotland, so this seemed a nice theme. Spending Coronation Day with a mate and his family in Manchester.

LGW-DBV in BA whY

Joining an Exodus tour to Bosnia/Herzegovena, Croatia and Montenegro

DBV-FRA in LH J

A day around Frankfurt - probably train to Heidelberg

FRA-SIN in LH F on a B747-800 Overnight in Singapore
SIN-SYD in SQ F
SYD-HBA in QF J redemption.

Flights

View attachment 324706

Now, it could be argued that I could have gotten better F products than LX and LH but I was really after experiences rather than pinaccle of flying, and who could argue with B747-800 in 1A!

Of course its a massive finger-cross that things don't get subbed out.

Hotel-wise its a mix of places I have status with (IHG, Hilton, Accor) and other hotels, pubs etc. I'm not loyal, but will take advantage of status if the place is where I want, for the price I want.

Hire cars are Avis which surprisingly was the cheapest option of the 'majors' I tried (several times). The first drive (or there-abouts)

View attachment 324707

And the English Cathedrals, in 2 parts

View attachment 324709 View attachment 324710

Thanks esp to @VPS, @Cruiser Elite and @boomy in particular for tips and suggestions.

@RooFlyer , your brother will be smiling down on you, happy and safe travels.
Enjoying your TR already, thank you

 

[Anna]

Sounds like a great trip. I'll be in York tomorrow

Heidelberg is lovely but if it's cathedrals you're after, have you thought about Cologne? Easy day trip by train from Frankfurt.

 

[tgh]

BON Voyage.. enjoy...

 

[NoName]

Following along!

 

[Quickstatus]

screaming kid by the window. I mean really screaming. Currently taken to the loo and can hear it from there.

Is kid flying F?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

And choccies for the A380 crew, per advice of @Cruiser Elite . Hope they are up to standard!!

View attachment 324747

Rooey pls just post back how little token of appreciation for Crew was received?

Love the bit about toothpaste - the Ette is still sooking about a 120g tube with about 10g left in it was confiscated at HND about 10yrs ago after flt prob caused to o/n there

 

[Mr H]

I used to be a traditional 'Europe' & Nth America traveller until in about 2013 I visited Russia & with some friends and after that, I was hooked on eastern Europe and then on Islamic countries - the further 'out of the way' the better (Iran, Stans, Siberia etc).

You have an awesome travel history and I love your trip reports. I seem to incline to similar destinations.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds like a great trip. I'll be in York tomorrow

Heidelberg is lovely but if it's cathedrals you're after, have you thought about Cologne? Easy day trip by train from Frankfurt.

I must have had a look but I'll look again, thanks.

Is kid flying F?

Thankfully ( I've found), no.

Rooey pls just post back how little token of appreciation for Crew was received?

Received very graciously by the LSS and also by the two or three other crew who have served me so far.

So its 2A, and sorry, folks this is going to start with one of those giddy recounts of first time in premium cabin.

Not my first, but there you go -

Sniff - legroom is adequate

 

[boomy]

Enjoy the trip @RooFlyer

 

[VPS]

Have a great time

 

[RooFlyer]

The amenity kit was described as " a gift from Lalique" and not terribly useful for me.



PJs, even on a day flight



Give way, brother