Birthday Trip to Germany

[windycityf]

This is my first attempt at a trip report. I finally have a bit of time, being that I am stuck on the family compound for the holidays. Honestly, there is only so much online shopping/surfing one could do.
I went to South Africa in 2013, for the first time and I loved it. So much that I asked my sister when my nephews would be old enough to go on Safari. I said I would start hoarding my airline miles and hotel points, and we could on a grand trip. So the plan was hatched to go on a trip in 2016 for my 40th birthday.

People were always asking to travel with me. As many of you know, you can't travel with everyone. But I figured it the group was large enough it would matter. So I sent out save the post cards for Christmas 2013, letting everyone know that I was planning a big trip for July 2016. For the serious planners in the group, it gave them enough warning to sort out money and holiday time.

The discussions of where we were going were quite fun. I traveled heavily in 2014, and made a LOT of new friends, from Scotland, Germany, Australia and India. I made some new friends in Dubrovnik, in the Hilton Lounge, and we continued the party discussion in Kona, at the Hilton, of course. It was a crazy year. My 2014 holiday card reminded my family and friends that I was being serious and it was time to choose a location.

At this point, as a result of my crazy travels in 2014, I was sitting pretty heavy with United Airlines miles and Hilton Hotel Points. 2015 proved to be just a crazy with the travel and my bank kept growing. But then life threw me some curve balls and well planning my party was the last thing on my mind. I guess the positive part of that negative situation is I realized who the people were that I actually wanted to be part of my celebration.

In early August, 2015 I was in Boston for my god-daughter's baptism. Saturday evening a group of us went out for dinner. My cousin and her husband, her brother and his wife, her parents and my Mom and myself. Well what happened that night was a scene out of horror movie. What we thought was food poisoning hit the 5 adults at my cousins house, that had only 2 bathroom. I had booked a hotel, probably need status nights. All I can say is the baptism was interesting. And it was not food poisoning, it was the stomach flu. And I thank god, it did not hit me until about 5 minutes after I arrived safely in my own home.

Needless to say that effected the party planning. It decided that no matter what we decided to do, everyone needed their own bathrooms. So the parameters were set, must be able to get their via United Airlines and stay at Hilton. The majority of my friends were coming from Chicago, with it being a United hub, we had a lot of choices. The emails started flying and some of the suggestions were quite fun. Maldives, Seychelles, Thailand, Japan. I worked for United when I first graduated college, so I have a lot of industry friends. They think nothing of going to Japan for dinner. BUT for my non frequent traveling, going to LAX was too far.

I found myself back in Boston in October, and my party secretary, Jan ( my cousin's husband) sat me down and forced me to make some decisions. He's wanted to make sure that he was able to book his first class award on Lufthansa. So after many hours, it was decided we were going to Germany. 3 nights in Berlin and 3 nights in Hamburg.

Now the fun part, booking flights and accommodations.

 

[windycityf]

So the plan was to "assist" my closest friends in getting to Germany. At the time, I had enough miles for 10 tickets. Around this time, I was planning my move to Australia and had started looking into One World, so in true AFF fashion, I opened up some credit cards to get some AA miles to shares.

I started calling and telling them the decisions had been made. One of my first calls was to the wife of my childhood friends. She was like not sure if my husband is going, but I am in. Book my ticket. I wish I had taped of those phone calls. It was exactly what I needed at the time. I was able to easier book the first 6 tickets using 60,000 miles, return. ORD-FRA-TXL on the outbound and various returns.

There were a few Hilton options, but Hyatt had the Be Guest program. So I booked everyone into the Grand Hyatt Berlin for 3 nights, using mostly points.
I was able to book 2 rooms and clear suite upgrades. Then an additional 6 rooms using a combination of points and cash and points and finally used a free night certificate. Everyone had my diamond status.

We found an amazing house to rent outside of Hamburg, Herrenhaus Gut Bliestorf. It fit the criteria of separate bathrooms for all. So much for all that hoarding of my Hilton points.
The next 6 months flew by. It did not help that I moved to Australia during this time. I am still a bit amazed that I was able to pull this trip off. I am not sure it would have happened with Jan, keeping me in tow.

Flights booked, accommodations sorted. Hard part over. Or so I thought

 

[windycityf]

I love a good amenity kit. Even thought I rarely ever use them, I love receiving them. Since the majority of my friends were going to be flying economy, I decided to make amenity kits for them.

Being United loyal, I will admit I've lost more stuff in the business class seats then I care to admit. When I found the Flight 001 Seat Pak, I told everyone and anyone that I thought could benefit from it. So it was an obvious choice to be the my amenity kit. I added things that I felt were useful on long flights. Tissues, Pen, antibiotic wipes, microfiber cloth, disposable toothbrushes, hand lotion and lip balm (german, of course) and a battery pack with built in cords. One of my friends make itinerary cards, printed with travel scenes and wrapped in vintage maps. . And of course, Qantas Pj's for the group traveling on the ORD-FRA flight


Kits were packed, travel plans confirmed. Now time for the drama portion of the trip to begin.....

 

[windycityf]

What's a trip with 20 odd friends without a bit a drama....

Two weeks before departure, on Tuesday I flew from BNE to ORD and then on Thursday I flew ORD-EDI, as you do…… So it’s no surprise when I was back in Chicago, I woke up with a horrible sinus infection. Quick trip to the DR, for some serious drugs and bed rest it was.
I get a call from one of my friends going on the trip, “I have some good news and bad news”, basically she was not going on the trip. But could she let me know for sure on Monday. Ok, no. I just went ahead and cancelled her ticket and rearranged all accommodations. 4 days before departure, I started round 2 of even stronger drugs and decided to upgrade myself to business class. Since I was in the same flight, I was able to upgrade the 5 friends that were on my flight to Economy Plus. The flight was not too full so I put them in Window and Aisle and keep the middle seats open. I was able to get last row in business which rear facing, so I was actually facing my friends……



So in the end I had 5 friends flying ORD-FRA-TXL with me. Another one flying EWR-FRA-TXL a 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] flying, RDU-FRA-TXL. The Lufthansa First Classer’s was flying BOS-MUC-TXL. My sister, her family and my Mom flew in the day before on ORD-TXL. They were able to score a sale on Air Berlin in business class. I was able to redeem Citi Prestige points to get my other sister a full fare ticket to get her on the same flight and put her on AA metal on her return so I could use a EVIP to upgrade her. It was crazy how it all worked out in the end.

We lucked out with an amazing flight crew on our ORD-FRA flight. They were in good humor. It was one of my friend’s birthday so they gave him some bubbles from business class. They also took photos of us rocking our Qantas Pj’s. Our flight was delayed and of course we ended up at remote stand in FRA, so we had to run to catch our connection flight. Our bags did not make though. Originally we were supposed to meet up with 2 more friends in FRA for our FRA-TXL flight. But my friend flying from RDU had mechanical, I was able to get her rebooked to YYZ-MUC-TXL. She got to hang out in the First Class Lounge in Munich. I told her I was not sure if I could contain my jealously.
I had pre-arranged taxis, which in hindsight, was unnecessary. But it was nice not having to worry about running to the ATM. We got lucky when we arrived at the hotel, all our rooms were ready. They confirmed that all rooms had lounge access. And in the suites, the minibar was included. Which made my room party central.

Jan had arranged for us to have dinner that evening at a local place that specialized in german cuisine, Borchardt. Its know for it's schnitzel


On Sunday, it was a sightseeing day for everyone . ½ the group did a bike tour of Berlin that they really enjoyed. I had been before several times, and was still not feeling quite well, so I did the lazy man’s touring, the Hop On, Hop off bus. Sunday night was the EuroCup final and even though Germany was out there was a viewing party close by. We opted to watch it a local bar.

On Monday, the original plan was to head to Leipzig to the Porsche Factory, but they were closed for holiday. Option 2 was to train to Potsdam. We went with option 3, which just chill around Berlin and the whole group ended up on a boat cruise. We headed back to the hotel for a swim before evening canapes.
We had a really nice dinner at restaurant in the park. It was great for group dining.


On Tuesday we said good bye to Berlin started the trek to Hamburg.

 

[windycityf]

As I mentioned I was on serious drugs, couple that with 4 nights of little sleep and well it equals disaster. I originally was supposed to have my own room on this trip. But due to last minute changes, I ended up with a roommate, who we will name Queenie. She's a PIA. Don't care if she reads this and realizes it that I called her out on a public forum. I don't see any circumstances that I would ever travel with her again, especially after this trip. She's one of those who believes she's a Queen and deserves to be treated accordingly. Everything was a problem, she was running the commentary for the peanut gallery. At one point, I yelled, if I am not complaining, I don't need you to complain on my behalf. I had a male friend surprise me on the trip. We were sitting at breakfast and I looked up and oh wow, I think I have a stalker. Given that he did not live in Germany, it was shock to see him. Did I mention she also thinks she's so hot that men should be kissing her feet? So imagine her rage when my friend barely gave her the time of day. Ok you get the idea

I rented a house outside of Hamburg. It required a car to get to. I have enough people rent cars so getting there was not a issue. I under estimated how large the suitcases people were traveling with were. And the fact that the cars that were rented did not have large trunks. So Queenie and her court decided that they would try to "help" by taking the train to Hamburg. I also have 3 other friends decide on Saturday that they were coming to Germany and need help getting their travel sorted. 2 of them were United Airline employees and the other American Airlines. It required a bit of my attention because I had to coordinate arrivals, etc. Queenie was like tell them they are not allowed to come because its creating drama. I said ok and you are not? I finally yelled, again, either get into the car and do as I say, or you are on your own. I made it clear, I was DONE. It all worked out in the end, 2 arrived in Hamburg early enough to pick of up the 3rd for me.

On our last night in Berlin, I was catching up with my friend, and we went back to room to find Queenie, passed out on the sofa. At this point I was like you know I am just tired, don't care if her neck hurts in the morning. No sooner was I in bed, did she wake up and proceed to make so much noise I was barely able to sleep. The next morning I was unable to drive us up to Hamburg. Another friend had flown over the day before and was graciously offered to drive.

It was about a 3 hour drive from Berlin to Hamburg area. We arrived early afternoon and well, jaws dropped when we saw the house. It was my first go at Airbnb so I was not sure what to expect. I was blown away. It was PERFECT.


I had originally booked it as straight bed,but then added breakfast. And then realized who was I kidding, nobody was going be bothered to cook, so added catered dinners for 2 nights.
My cousin and her family surprised with the most amazing gift upon arrival at the house. A masseuse. Everyone was able to get a 30 minute massage. Then we ate the most ridiculous meal of my life that night. I pretty sure I heard buttons popping.

The only food photos are ones of us stuffing our faces. The food was farm to table. It was sooo good. You can just imagine, we all slept good that night. Well maybe not Queenie. She got so drunk she passed at the table, mid meal. Luckily I was no longer sharing a room with her.

 

[windycityf]

And then it was my birthday. I was 40.

I wanted to go the beach. Even though I hate sand and it was raining. We headed to Travemunde, a coastal town on the Baltic Sea.


A few of my crazy friends actually went swimming in the sea. Good for them, way to many jellyfish for my liking. And then it was party time.

Even though we were in Northern Germany, we embraced the Bavarian culture of Southern Germany and donned Dirdnls and Lederhosen.
We broke out the beer steins and eat like we have not seen food before.


I could not have asked for a better way to spend my evening. Me and friends dancing around the yard in our dirdnl's is a memory I'll cherish for years!

 

[windycityf]

On our last day we headed in the Lubeck to wonder around town. It probably the most chill day of the entire trip. We had a finally group dinner that evening and on Friday it was time to head back to reality. I had people heading off each which way, some were continuing on in Germany road trip to the westside. Others were flying home, some were spending the weekend in Hamburg. I headed in the Hamburg and stayed the night at the Park Hyatt. At this point in the trip, I was so happy to be by myself. I normally travel alone so having 20 people around me for the better part of the week, was a bit full on.

In the end I had friends fly from Chicago, Raleigh, New York and Las Vegas from the States. And from London, Edinburgh, Belfast Cologne, and Brazil from around the world. I also had friends, who joined in the spirit of the trip. If I recall correctly I booked 11 friends on miles, mostly United. And I wiped out my Hyatt points

It was totally worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am glad that my travels paid off and I was able to use all my points and miles to good use.

 

[RB]

I have enjoyed your write-up. We tend to travel as a couple, your numbers would have meant that organising would have been like herding cats. Germany has become my favourite country to visit-such a diverse landscape

 

[Buzzard]

Sounds like you had a blast