SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains in J

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

One of the many churches around Frankfurt


Inner courtyard


Inside


We decided to check out a few museums ... and Frankfurt has a heap depending upon what you want to see. Our interest was a few paintings we'd had on our hit list and we're glad we went.

This is a view from outside the Stadel Museum
Tip: If you go ... when you buy your ticket at the museum ... if you want the audio guide make sure you pay for it as you purchase your ticket if you want to use a CC otherwise you end up having to go back to pay as the section where you pay for the audio guide only takes cash.


A clear day outside the museum


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

There was a Rembrandt we had on our list ca 1636 ... tick


A Rubens ca 1628 ... tick


And a little Picasso caught our eye


A Stefan Lochner ca 1435


A Canaletto ca 1730

TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

A little Claude Monet ca 1868


Can't go past another Renoir ca 1879


Or another Claude Money ca 1871


Another Renoir ca 1880 ... they are just everywhere


I hear you ... enough of the Masters please ... so let's finish it off with this little gem.
Ad Reinhardt "Abstract Painting" ca 1961.


TBC ... soon. I'll now go collect some more pics of the last part of the journey. So here we'll take a short intermission. Thanks for playing along at home.

 

[Colin 2905]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Here are two pics of what they looked like. The price was very high in comparison to the price of F over Y (a trivial premium).
The challenge we saw was trying to find a pair of seats without someone facing you.

Each block of seats have their own mini-enclosure

It was an extra €15 each to upgrade from First to Business when Mrs 2905 and I took RJ162 from Vienna to Zürich in March last year. But I know what you mean about the seating; it's either mini-compartments of four or three, plus a couple of single seats. I took a punt and reserved two seats out of a group of three, and luckily the third seat remained empty. Here's a couple of photos from my not-so-good previous 'phone.....



(That thing that's hanging off the window is a Pocket Wi-Fi.)

I really appreciated your report on Neuschwanstein Castle. I'm heading over to Germany again in late September, but I'm going to have a bit more of a look around this time. (I've been to Germany twice, but they've both been quite brief visits.) A trip south to Neuschwanstein Castle is definitely on my short list at the moment.

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

I really appreciated your report on Neuschwanstein Castle. I'm heading over to Germany again in late September, but I'm going to have a bit more of a look around this time. (I've been to Germany twice, but they've both been quite brief visits.) A trip south to Neuschwanstein Castle is definitely on my short list at the moment.

You seem like you are good for trains. In that case go that route. And go early. It is a big day
This is a pic of the coaches starting to pull up and park. Seems like a slow way to travel vs the train doing twice the average speed.


Map of Neuschwanstein Catsle


The smaller castle was more impressive we thought.
So, time permitting don't just buy a ticket for the main castle. If you do see them both, then you have no choice but to go small then large.
They give you enough time between the tours of each to make your way (and we had lunch where showed the pic lining up for the bus). There are a heap of (very average) coffee shops and eateries. This is what it is like right where the bus picks you up to take you up to the main castle (and yes we ate there due to convenience - think german fast food of instant coffee and various sausage. But it was warm on a cold day so went down fine).

You line up at a hole-in-the-wall, place your order from a picture menu, pay, then move to the next hole in the wall where they give you your slops on a paper plate.
You can then eat outside or go inside a big room and eat.

The 2nd pic looking back at the place ... This is the view from standing in the line waiting for the bus

Other thoughts:
We were unsure of the timings from train hitting Fussen station to collecting the tickets.
For us, it was 25 mins as we timed it. And we had allowed 30 mins so we were right on the window. If I were doing it again, I would allow 45 mins to be safe from train landing to ticket collection provided you have pre-reserved.

Also, when you collect the pre-reserved tickets you then need to pay with CC or cash. Seems they just take your CC for the web booking but never charge it unless you no-show.

With the Museum ... see this last in the event you are short on time. It is good but not great.
The building is down near the coaches (imagine if a coach just reversed up into the building ... that is where the museum is). We spent about 1 hr there but were tired and in much need of alcohol.


When the day is over ... As you walk back down from the Castle to take the bus back to Fussen station, the bus stop is near where you got on, but more in the middle of the road. So look out for the H sign. Our return bus was a big one as it was a popular time with everyone just getting on. And again, the train ticket we had allowed the bus ride for free.



Ok hope this helps a little. You'll have a smashing time.

 

[Colin 2905]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

You seem like you are good for trains. In that case go that route. And go early. It is a big day
.
.
.
Ok hope this helps a little. You'll have a smashing time.

Yes, I quite like train travel, especially when it's comfy and scenic.

At this stage I don't have anything locked in other than the concert and my flights. I'm thinking of spending a few days in Berlin, and having a look around there, and then another few in Nürnberg, and having a look around there too. From Nürnberg, Neuschwanstein seems do-able as a day trip if I set out early enough; about 3½ hours by train to Füssen.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Yes, I quite like train travel, especially when it's comfy and scenic.

At this stage I don't have anything locked in other than the concert and my flights. I'm thinking of spending a few days in Berlin, and having a look around there, and then another few in Nürnberg, and having a look around there too. From Nürnberg, Neuschwanstein seems do-able as a day trip if I set out early enough; about 3½ hours by train to Füssen.

Thanks for the tips!

Try and get to Munich if possible. Great city, fantastic vide, well proportioned. We really wish we had spent more time there. But having said that, Germany was a hoot.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Thanks for the great photos nonpop. Bringing back lots of memories of Munich and Frankfurt.

 

[Colin 2905]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Try and get to Munich if possible.

I'll leave Munich until another time. I'm going to be in Germany during Oktoberfest, and the cost of accommodation anywhere near Munich then is nuts. :shock:

 

[drross]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Yes, I quite like train travel, especially when it's comfy and scenic.

At this stage I don't have anything locked in other than the concert and my flights. I'm thinking of spending a few days in Berlin, and having a look around there, and then another few in Nürnberg, and having a look around there too. From Nürnberg, Neuschwanstein seems do-able as a day trip if I set out early enough; about 3½ hours by train to Füssen.

Thanks for the tips!

definitely look at spending time in Berlin. We loved it. Loved the snow too. Try taking the train out to the concentration camp if you get a chance

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

We had one last meal in Frankfurt before moving on.

We elected to have simple meal of some red & beer. A place found wondering around FRA downtown had a few things on the menu that seemed to match well with the cold outside.

Crumbed and fried Camembert cheese ... as we cut into it the soft cheesy goodness just spilled out


After that, we couldn't resist another baked cheese entree to share. This was just freak'n awesome to say the least. Doesn't look pretty but it was so, so yum.


And then a shared platter of meat of every kind. The ham and pork knuckle being stand-outs.
During our time in Germany the humble pork knuckle really had become a naughty little treat.


Well it was time to say goodbye to Frankfurt. We had been told there was nothing to do and we'd be bored. Not the case. In fact we ran out of time.
A shame the AUD vs the Euro doesn't perform so well.


A sticker we were seeing pop up across Germany


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

A couple more shots of the Hilton Frankfurt ...

Breakfast area


Seating


The usual cold buffet of fruits and yogurts


Good selection of cold cuts


Who can resist a pastry or three when on holidays



TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

We had become a bit of a fan with the honey selection at the Hiltons


And a bread and butter pudding station ... a childhood memory of comfort food I just can't resist


---

As we had a mid morning flight out of FRA we checkout out of the Hilton Frankfurt city, spent the day touring, had a last early-ish dinner, then collected our bags and pushed on to the Hilton FRA Airport.
This would allow us a night of easy drinks and a late relaxed morning knowing we were already at the airport.

Catching the metro to the Airport was easy and fast.
FRA airport is well signposted and we quickly found the Hilton (along with signs to other hotels).
To get to the Hilton you follow some walkways, up escalators and there it is


To the left is the Garden Inn and straight ahead next door is the Hilton. At time of booking the room rate difference was trivial.
There was a massive Christmas tree right out front


Entrance


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

The check-in was looking busy ... but somehow we thought we'd be checked in quick.
Check-in was fast and efficient. We were upgraded from a base king room to an exec room with lounge access.
Our Gold status was recognised.


Lobby bar


Room - usual Hilton king


TV and work desk


Bathroom with a separate bath ... yeah ... always my preferred. And the bathroom was very large with plenty of space.


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Bath


Products ... small size. We called housekeeping who happily delivered more to the room (whilst we were in the lounge).


Exec lounge entrance


A very large lounge ... clearly geared up for business travelers and I am told during peak period it can be very full


More seating choices


TBC ...

 

[nonpop]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

More seating. We liked the design of this one.


Canapes area


Nibbles selection


More nibbles


Selection of spirits


The lounge had a small range of hot food (think meat of stick type food) with several beers and he usual red / white wines.
Service was excellent and whilst we were there probably become about 40% full which was a surprise.
Food was continually replaced and tables cleared and offers of in-seat alcohol top-ups. The staff also attempted to make brief small talk with each table of pax.

Overall, our stay at the FRA Hilton was very good with nothing to complain about.
Room was quiet and well appointed, bed comfortable, a/c worked, lounge access granted as a Gold, extended check-out offered at check-in (but not needed).
We would happily stay there again and we pleased with our idea to do so.

And now it was time to say goodbye to Frankfurt and start the journey home.

TBC ...

 

[Melburnian1]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

You were very fortunate to have a clear day at Neuschwanstein Castle. I did not.

While Eurail passes can be expensive (particularly the '10 days in a month' offerings, rather than the consecutive day passes), you almost undertook sufficient travel to either buy one or a German rail pass.

The German railways' www (dot) bahn (dot) de site is an excellent one as is the Austrian Railway's OBB site.

While in some countries the Eurail passes are now 'quota restricted' (France is one) so you can miss out on a seat on busier TGVs, overall I prefer the convenience of a pass to having to separately book tickets for each trip.

Amen to your recommendation to travel by comfortable, roomy and pleasant trains rather than on horrid coach tours with a bleating 'coach captain' or on board guide.

 

[Magoo]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Thank you for a brilliant trip report.

You have certainly given me food for thought, re Budapest, for next year.

 

[Brissygal]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Thanks so much, this has been very informative. Have been to Vienna, Prague, Budapest and highly recommend them. Have not been out of Frankfurt or Munich airport, so perhaps time to put the toe in the water for Germany...

 

[GarrettM]

Re: SYD-xBKK-HEL-BUD-VIE-MUC-FRA-xHEL-xBKK-SYD EK B777, AY A350, QF A330, + Trains i

Another thanks from me. An excellent TR, and one which has given me extra motivation to return to Europe next year. Just need to get the wife on board.