Trip Reports - Irish do know how to make a good breakfast (FCO-ORK-FCO EI Y)

Preface

I might be wrong, but I think most trip reports here include stories of premium cabins, exotic destinations, RTWs, or airlines that I don't know if I will ever afford to fly. The two trip reports I've written so far, have been in Y to destinations that most people here have visited. I'm not sure if these reports bring anything new to the plethora of great reports in here, but just in case, I'm writing a new one.


Introduction

For FT standards I'm in no way a frequent traveler. I fly about once a month to nearby destinations. For my classmates, on the other hand, I'm a good travel planner. Therefore they were all surprised that by mid-October I hadn't planned anything for Christmas break. After all, last year, a friend and I went to Belgium, Netherlands, France, Ireland, and England in three weeks, for less than US$400.

To be honest, I was also kind of disappointed. I had considered going to South Africa on an award trip in a premium cabin, but I never found a route that I felt at ease with, and eventually time passed by, and the only tickets available were in Y. So, in the end I decided not to go there.

So, what was I going to do for Christmas? I don't have unlimited resources, so I had to find a cheap flight. I had a few miles that I could use, but I didn't want to use them for a trip in Y, or intra-European C. A group of friends asked me if I was interested in going to Cork, Ireland. The flights with EI were not expensive, so it was decided, I was going back to Cork. Yes, I was going back, to be more precise, I was going there for the 4th time in the last two years.

A couple years ago I heard about Cork for the first time. All I knew at the time is that it was in Ireland, and that they had an excellent summer program to learn Latin. So that's what I did two summers ago, I spent two months studying Latin at University College Cork. I immediately felt in love with the place, the people… and the food. Then I went back to spend New Year's Day and Easter on the following year. So, now I'm going back for Christmas.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6648732363_1d98732b46.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648732363/)
FCO-ORK-FCO (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648732363/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6648733001_eceba00161.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648733001/)
FCO-ORK-FCO (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648733001/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

FCO - ORK

The driver picked us up about two and a half hours before our flight. This has given us enough time in the past to get to the airport, check in, eat at McDonald's, and go through security. Unfortunately this time we also had to go through passport control, so it looked like the usual trip to McDonald's wasn't going to happen. That was definitely bad news, not because I love McDonald's that much, but because I hadn't had anything to eat.

Check in was a breeze. At least it looked like I was going to be able to eat something airside. Then we walked to security, and realized that the line was long. Well, what looked like a line, because in Italy lines are a foreign concept.

We were sent to the special security check for Non-Schengen destinations. Most of the people in line were Russian heading back to Moscow on Aeroflot. Unfortunately most of them didn't know the drill, so the line was moving painfully slow. When I finally got to the end of the line, the person ahead of me kept delaying me because she needed more plastic tubs, one for the purse, one for the coat, one for the carry on, one for the cell phone, and an extra one when she was sent back to take her boots off. And I finally made it to the other side.

The adventure was't over, though. It was time to go through passport control, and the lack of order was obvious. Eventually a new window opened, and I quickly moved to that line. With all that, I could have still bought a sandwich to take on board, but instead decided to wait to buy one of the famous EI's full breakfast.

Our plane was in a remote position, so we had to be bussed to the plane. I was on the first group. The plane was an A320 with registration EI-DEO. I took some pictures while boarding, and then went to my seat, 1A. I had paid for that seat at the moment of purchase, and I don't regret it. I had a row for myself, although then an Italian old man moved from 2C to 1C. In fact, it was the same man that didn't want me to put my backpack in the bin above rows 1 and 2, because he was waiting for more people.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6648734505_de53782f1c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648734505/)
EI-DEO (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648734505/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

Take off was uneventful. Shortly after, meal service started. I wasn't sure they were going to sell breakfast, because it was past noon, but they did. While I think €9.50 is too much because it does not include eggs, it was still delicious.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6648737115_b2d70acb93.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648737115/)
Full Irish Breakfast (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648737115/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

Landing was uneventful as well. I was the first person to get off the plane, and therefore the first person to go through passport control. It took less than a couple of minutes to clear immigration formalities. Why don't other countries learn from Ireland?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6648739233_a59cc4722a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648739233/)
ORK (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648739233/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

From this point on, we had two weeks to enjoy this city. And that's what we did.

Cork

Sorry my dear friends, but I didn't take pictures in Cork. This trip was to relax, and not to do sightseeing. If you want to see pictures of Cork, just visit my Flickr account (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/), where I have pictures from my previous trips.

Nevertheless, there are two pictures that I took. These were of full Irish breakfasts. Irish definitely know how to have breakfast, and I thought it was unfair to leave you with the idea that EI's breakfast was complete.

The first one is from The Dining Room, a small diner inside Tesco's. It was only 6.50 €.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6648740481_cc7a8c6458.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648740481/)
Full Irish Breakfast (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648740481/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

The second is from Puccino's, a franchise. This one was €9.50

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6648741125_57da578d80.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648741125/)
Full Irish Breakfast (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648741125/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

As you can see, they both include eggs, sausages, rashers or bacon, white and black pudding, beans, potatoes, mushrooms, tomato, and toast. The price also includes coffee or tea.

So, what do you think of EI's full breakfast now?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6648736357_c7eebc9c5e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648736357/)
Full Irish Breakfast (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648736357/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

ORK-FCO

Our flight back home left at 6:50am. I definitely dislike these early departures. We had to leave the house at 4:45, and because we had a late dinner the night before, I didn't sleep at all. At least I knew I was going to be able to sleep on the flight.

Check in and security were a breeze. We had breakfast at the airport, and still had time to read for a while. This wasn't a full Irish breakfast, so I didn't take any pictures.

This route was served on another 320. A curious thing is that I had seen this same plane, EI-DVI, parked on the tarmac the day we arrived.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6648737735_c49d81194c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648737735/)
Twin Brother (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648737735/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

Boarding was done really fast, and this time I decided to wait and be one of the last people to board. I had already paid for seat 1F, and once again I had a whole row for myself.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6648743051_dfa24511b0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648743051/)
EI-DVI (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648743051/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

I can't tell you much about the flight because I fell asleep almost immediately. I just woke up whenever there was an announcement and when we went trough a rough turbulence.

Arrival in Rome was ahead of schedule again. Passport check was a breeze, although I still don't understand why immigration officers like to use a brand new page of my passport for every stamp. Don't they understand that some countries require a certain number of empty pages to get a visa?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6648752805_3b1041e4e0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648752805/)
FCO (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648752805/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6648755011_452e42b302.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648755011/)
EI-DVI (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648755011/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

Then it was time to wait for luggage, and that another area where Italians need to improve. I have never waited less than 20 minutes for luggage to start coming out. If only Germans taught Italians how to handle luggage.


Conclusion

There is nothing else to say. While this is not an exciting route, or a premium service, EI's is still one of my favorite airlines. In fact, I even decided to buy a model of an A320, although they gave me an A321. Probably this will be the first item of a new collection. We'll see.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6648756511_dee08c7981.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648756511/)
EI A321 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/desquiliano/6648756511/) by desquiliano (http://www.flickr.com/people/desquiliano/), on Flickr

I don't think I'll be able to travel for the next couple of months. But that's ok, because I already have a trip planned for April. I finally redeemed my miles for what I hope will be an interested and memorable trip. I thing that will finally be worthy of a trip report on FT.

Thanks for your report. I think your breakfasts on land were far superior looking to the breakfast in the air.

Yummy. I do like a full English - but without the beans, please!

Great snaps MrDplus, made my mouth water. But hey, I cannot understand why you would wish to leave the wonderful city of Roma to go abroad!?! I'm always travelling to Rome for holiday. A WONDERFUL PLACE. I do like the Forum early in the morning. Such history - Wow!

Yummy. I do like a full English - but without the beans, please!

Surely in this case that would be a "Full Irish" ;)


(oh, I agree about the beans :td:)

Well, hey kered,

Yes, the beans do tend to give the whole plateful the same taste.

However, I do like Irish bacon!

Interesting that the two breakfasts on the ground did not include the excellent Irish brown bread. That stuff is seriously good, especially with Irish butter.

great report, I think you are doing yourself short by apologising for the simplicity of your report, airline or class of travel. Here at FT we love all reports, so keep them coming, great job
^^^

Nice quick report. Thanks for sharing.

It also reinforces the view that "no breakfast in Ireland is complete unless a pig has been killed.". ;)

Nice report mate, good pics as well, is FCO really that crazy of a place?

great report, I think you are doing yourself short by apologising for the simplicity of your report, airline or class of travel. Here at FT we love all reports, so keep them coming, great job
^^^

+1 ^

It's great to see EI feature in a TR, as they are rarely represented here on FT.

I'm as much to blame for that as anyone really. While I've flown many, many sectors with EI, including some absolutely outstanding TA sectors in J, that would put their competitors offerings to shame, I just don't have what it takes to put together a TR & present here in a decent fashion.

I say bravo to anyone, who puts a TR together & I'm delighted to see an EI TR pop up :cool:


It also reinforces the view that "no breakfast in Ireland is complete unless a pig has been killed.".

There is no other way :p

Thanks for your report. I think your breakfasts on land were far superior looking to the breakfast in the air.

Thanks, halfcape. Yes, they were. Although the quality of EI's breakfast wasn't bad, either.


Yummy. I do like a full English - but without the beans, please!

Great snaps MrDplus, made my mouth water. But hey, I cannot understand why you would wish to leave the wonderful city of Roma to go abroad!?! I'm always travelling to Rome for holiday. A WONDERFUL PLACE. I do like the Forum early in the morning. Such history - Wow!

Thanks, Flight405. I'm looking at the pictures, and I'm getting hungry.

I like leaving Rome around Christmas mainly for three reasons. First, just a change of scenery. Second, Rome gets very crowded during this season, so it's hard to enjoy the city when you can't even enjoy a nice meal in your favorite restaurant. Third, I love traveling.


Interesting that the two breakfasts on the ground did not include the excellent Irish brown bread. That stuff is seriously good, especially with Irish butter.

PresRDC, I didn't notice that, but you're right. Brown bread with Irish butter is great.


great report, I think you are doing yourself short by apologising for the simplicity of your report, airline or class of travel. Here at FT we love all reports, so keep them coming, great job
^^^

Thanks, thomastuyaerts. I'm not sure I'll be able to travel in the next couple months, but if I do, I'll definitely write a TR.


Nice quick report. Thanks for sharing.

It also reinforces the view that "no breakfast in Ireland is complete unless a pig has been killed.". ;)

Thanks, NYBanker. And that's why I love Irish breakfast.


Nice report mate, good pics as well, is FCO really that crazy of a place?

Thanks, Omar84. FCO is not as busy as LHR, CRG, FRA or MAD, but it's still among the top 10. If you are flying with US-based carriers or LY you are fine, because you use terminal 5, which is better organized. If you fly AZ you are also fine, because they use their own terminal, at least for check in and security. The problem is if you fly basically any other airline, because there is only one security check point, that I'm aware of. Then you also have to consider that lines or queues are a foreign concept for a good number of Italians.


+1 ^

It's great to see EI feature in a TR, as they are rarely represented here on FT.

I'm as much to blame for that as anyone really. While I've flown many, many sectors with EI, including some absolutely outstanding TA sectors in J, that would put their competitors offerings to shame, I just don't have what it takes to put together a TR & present here in a decent fashion.

I say bravo to anyone, who puts a TR together & I'm delighted to see an EI TR pop up :cool:




There is no other way :p

Thanks, kered. I've only flown intra European EI, so only one class service, but it is still one of my favorite airlines.