Florence and where-ever.

[JessicaTam]

When I first suggested the idea of a European holiday to a friend of mine, it was greeted with enthusiasm and a degree of trepidation. "How much will it cost"? was the question, with "Leave that to me" being the reply.

I started on the planning. QFF points to SIN, LM to FRA (sort of ) and AA miles home. The flights bookended the five week trip so then I needed to fill it with the appropriate places to visit. I texted my friend (Lyn) and asked her where she would like to visit on her first trip to EU. I was expecting the usual reply - Paris, Berlin, Prague, etc, etc. Instead I got a text that simply said "Florence, I will leave the rest up to you". So with that reply I chose a couple of nights in FRA following one night in SIN to break up the journey; five nights in Paris, and then the rest of the time in Italy - with a week in Florence to satisfy the criteria.

Being a first trip for Lyn, I did not want to leave anything to chance. Transport and accommodation were all booked before we left. On the whole I have stuck with trains where possible (Europe can do trains - Australia hasn't got a clue) but there is one ferry and a return flight to Malta from Sicily. The trip home is from PMO and consists of 5 flights, with an overnight in Berlin before heading to LHR to pick up QF10.

And so it begins...

 

[JessicaTam]

I picked Lyn up from the train and we headed to my home to do a quick double check of luggage and passports and the like. All in order it was on the bus to MEL where the F lounge beckoned. A quick bite and then some champagne to sample.


Grilled chicken with pesto

After a while we decided to sample the EK lounge, and the bubbles therein. Soon enough, perhaps too soon, departure beckoned. We left the lounge before the call as we had to head to gate 16. On the way we were being hurried by EK staff, so I am not sure how we would have been had we waited for the boarding announcement in the lounge.


Our ride sunning itself before departure

The flight to SIN was uneventful. There was a personal welcome from the CSM which was nice, but no other WP recognition. The flight was barely half full, so we had the four centre sets to our selves. Dinner was the standard asian vegetarian meal of tofu something, rice and chickpeas. It seems that QF has shared the recipe with EK. *sigh*

(for some reason I am unable to load a picture of the meal)

Touchdown in SIN and we are soon in a taxi and off to the Ibis Bencoolen. We had one of their standard twin rooms which are pleasant enough and we were offered a late checkout (3pm). Breakfast the next morning was interesting, as it took a little searching to find the juice (in the NesTea machine) and a little effort to toast the bread (put it through 4 times). But the chicken dumplings were yummy, so I kept going back for more until we were told that breakfast was over.

Being Chinese New Year we had a wander around Chinatown before heading back to the hotel to check out and leave our bags at the front desk. Then it was over to the Singapore Flyer as the weather was pretty clear.

We headed back to the hotel to collect our bags and to make our way to the airport. Checkin was swift (with a little wave of the TK *G card) and we were soon in the SIlverKris lounge waiting for SQ26.

 

[Hvr]

Looks like we've got another great TR coming up.

I will say we've been very fortunate here recently with some great TRs to various places around the world.

 

[Major]

You have a really interesting itinerary with a couple of my favourites and a couple of new destinations for me.

Looking forward to your TR

 

[legroom]

. Being Chinese New Year we had a wander around Chinatown before heading back to the hotel to check out and leave our bags at the front desk..

So this was a year ago then ?

Look forward to the rest

Never been to but will sample Florence end of this year (SQ Saver grabbed and seats all selected).

 

[Anna]

(for some reason I am unable to load a picture of the meal)

Perhaps on the grounds of good taste?

Looking forward to more updates.

 

[amaroo]

Check-in ready for what looks like a stunning TR!

Love Florence.....hoping for plenty of photos.

 

[Hvr]

So this was a year ago then ?

Look forward to the rest

Never been to but will sample Florence end of this year (SQ Saver grabbed and seats all selected).

Actually CNY was last Friday (31 Jan).

 

[RooFlyer]

Looking forward to this one Perfect timing; have a week in Italy coming up later this year.

 

[legroom]

Actually CNY was last Friday (31 Jan).

Yes, I know that.

But JT would be hard pressed to have completed this trip last Friday, or could she ????

 

[markis10]

Yes, I know that.

But JT would be hard pressed to have completed this trip last Friday, or could she ????

Who said anything about the trip being completed :shock:

Tuesday 28 January
JessicaTam
MEL 1900 EK405 QF F lounge / QK lounge guest spot taken

 

[legroom]

I stand corrected then.

Not sure why I thought the trip had been completed.

Maybe "five days in Paris" ....

Anyway, I was wrong.

Who said anything about the trip being completed :shock:

Tuesday 28 January
JessicaTam
MEL 1900 EK405 QF F lounge / QK lounge guest spot taken

 

[TomVexille]

I love Italy. Looking forward to following your trip.

 

[JessicaTam]

Looks like we've got another great TR coming up.

I will say we've been very fortunate here recently with some great TRs to various places around the world.

I hope this lives up to your expectations

Check-in ready for what looks like a stunning TR!

Love Florence.....hoping for plenty of photos.

At the moment my MacBook is not playing nice with the AFF website. Some photos may have to be uploaded direct from the iPhone. Hopefully I can resolve this soon.

Looking forward to this one Perfect timing; have a week in Italy coming up later this year.

I hope you gain some useful info.

But JT would be hard pressed to have completed this trip last Friday, or could she ????

This trip report is very much a work in progress. (Actually a holiday in progress). I gave the précis at the beginning so you knew what you were in for. I will post every few days and update the trip.

I love Italy. Looking forward to following your trip.

Enjoy!

 

[Blinky]

Almost a year since my wife and I were in Italy as part of a two month European holiday. Florence was a real highlight.

 

[JessicaTam]

A little more about SIN: I don't think I have been here at this time of year before, or else I would have remembered the Chinese New Year decorations. The weather was extremely pleasant, with the temperature around 25-30, a cool breeze and low humidity. Considering MEL was hitting 40 as we hit the Flounge it was a welcome relief.

We walked from the SK lounge to the boarding gate (B4) and were soon through security. This is a combined boarding lounge for gates B1-B4 so there was more than one security check-point. Within a few minutes boarding was called and (with a wave of the TK *G card) we were one of the first ones on board the Y section so could grab the adjacent overhead storage. The flight was about 2/3 full so not as much ability to grab extra seats. We still managed a 'shadow' between us, though.

Dinner was served a while after take-off and was quite tasty. A stew with vegetables and mashed potatoes. Breakfast was similarly good.


Vego dinner.


... and breakfast

We were on the ground in Frankfurt a few minutes early and then it was off to make our way through immigration. I was not sure what the reaction would be when I presented my passport, as I hadn't exactly finished my itinerary. Apart from "Where are you spending most of your trip"? it was passport stamped and through. We bought 2 tickets for the S-Bahn into Frankfurt Hbh and we were on our way.

I had booked a room for two nights in the 'Hotel Tourist' on Baselerstr, and even though we arrived at 8am, our room was soon ready. The hotel is a budget affair in the budget hotel part of town, but was very reasonable at €118 for two nights including breakfast and WLAN. We had a LLD (little lie down) and then headed out to have a look around the old part of town. (Note to self - take more photos).

Day two in Frankfurt and we chose to do a tour of Heidelberg with 'Green Line Tours'. It was €74 each, and included pickup from the hotel and a packed lunch). After an hour in the minibus on the Autobahn we were at the castle in Heidelberg. Our driver proved to be very knowledgable and a little bit cheeky. Those who know me will not be surprised to learn that I responded in kind.


From the castle looking down over Heidelberg


The castle courtyard

After the walk around we headed to the railway (cable) for the short trip up, and then longer return to the bottom of the hill where we were met by our driver.


Looking down the railway line.

We were left to wander Heidelberg for a couple of hours which we did. Coffee and cake helped keep us motivated. Back on the bus and it was onto the Autobahn where we came to appreciate the scenery. You see, there was an accident ahead (two actually) so the trip took an two hours instead of one.

Once back in Frankfurt we did a spot of shopping for all those little things that you can't bring with HLO. Corkscrew, nail file, bottles of wine and the like. As we were training it from now on we could stock up.

 

[RB]

Just one morning in Florence get up very early & walk both sides of the Arno River- We found it a totally different city before everyone got up and going. Looking forward to your report are you still going to Sicily?

 

[Blinky]

Just one morning in Florence get up very early & walk both sides of the Arno River- We found it a totally different city before everyone got up and going. Looking forward to your report are you still going to Sicily?

Not just Florence. I hit the road at 6am and before in most cities I visited. Had the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps to myself in Rome.

 

[JessicaTam]

Just one morning in Florence get up very early & walk both sides of the Arno River- We found it a totally different city before everyone got up and going. Looking forward to your report are you still going to Sicily?

Sicily and Malta are the last stops before heading for home.

Not just Florence. I hit the road at 6am and before in most cities I visited. Had the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps to myself in Rome.

We had an early start in Paris yesterday (Sunday) and the city was very peaceful.

Straitman, I ran into a previous colleague of yours on the Heidelberg tour - former engineer now living in Malaysia. His parents live about 20 minutes from me, too. The world keeps shrinking.

 

[JessicaTam]

We headed out to a local pizza shop for dinner and then headed to bed. It seems our body clocks are still trying to catch up. We have been quite tired by 8ish or so and waking up around 6. We are slowly getting to bed later and subsequently getting up later as well. Oh well, I am on holidays, so who cares?

Saturday morning saw us off to the train station (Hbf). A quick snack and coffee in the DB lounge* and then it was onto the train. An ICE 2 greeted us on platform 1 for our trip to Paris. Have I mentioned how much I like EU trains?


And this is why.

It took a couple of hours to make a few stops and get out of the hills before the driver opened it up. As we were travelling in 'International first class', a snack and tea/coffee was provided.



We were soon at Paris Gare de l'Est, and onto the Metro to Le Peletier to our accommodation. Thanks to Vitagen for the recommendation. We were met and shown around the studio apartment before being left to our own devices. Our home for the next few days is in the 9th arr. so very central to lots of interesting sights. A short walk to two different Metro lines gives us a bit of flexibility too.

Due to some excellent planning (well, mostly luck) we were in Paris on the first Sunday in the month, the day on which many tourist attractions are free to enter. We chose to avoid the Louvre today, as we figured it would be too busy to enjoy properly. Instead we headed for the Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe with a walk along the Seine and through the Tulleries to fill the day. As we arrived close to mass time we joined the congregation for an hour. Maybe my soul has hope after all.

We had lunch in a cafe, and enjoyed watching typical Parisienne waiters at work.

We had planned to catch the Metro from Concorde up to the Arc de Triomphe, but ended up walking most of the distance as many of the stations were closed. On further enquiry we found out that was because there was a demonstration planned. There was a very large police presence in the city that day.


View towards La Defence from the Arc de Triomphe

*You didn't expect me to skip a lounge opportunity did you?