Trip Reports - Old World Splendour (in LH F and C) - France, Russia, Germany, Austria...

The Arts (visual and performing), Gastronomie, Architecture (palaces galore)... and some very beautiful places along the way. That's what this trip report is about. But do not fret, there's some premium cabin flying too, and possibly shee-shee hotel stays... :cool:

This was to be a whirlwind trip encompassing the FT Lyon DO, a visit to my parents in St. Petersburg, Russia, and a stop in Munich on the return, but due to changing circumstances, it has developed into a more involved extravaganza with a decidedly different flavor than my New Zealand trip (yeah, I know I need to finish that trip report (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=538657) :o ).

I'm still into this trip—a good couple of weeks into it in fact, so some things may still change, but this should be a good start. I'll use this space to note updates and the like.

Let's start with getting to Europe on LH F :p

Checked in at SFO upgrading into F using a UA paper SWU. The process took far longer than it needed to, as our agent was a supervisor and had to give constant assistance to a trainee. Once checked in, we (WindFlyer mom was travelling with me) cleared security and proceeded to while some time away at the lounges. We started at the SQ SKL where we enjoyed the usual treats and nice quiet ambiance for a while (unfortunately the F room was not open, as SQ's afternoon flight has no F).

Once satisfied, we moved over to the UA FCL, which is quite a nice room—if a little over to top for my taste—but not match for the SKL in terms of food. We stayed there until our flight was called, then proceeded to our gate as F was boarding via the dedicated F/C jetway ^. Once settled in upstairs we received our pajamas (choice of M or XL), slipper socks (only XL available), and amenity kits. I found the kits to be odd: a hand towel with a fold into itself to create a velcro-closed pouch that contained the amenity items; a top corner had a grommet with a hanging hook at the top. The plane was immaculate (OK, I fly UA a lot and I'm more used to seeing breadcrumbs on boarding—even on an F suite).

I accepted a glass of champagne, then pried the Sennheiser headphones from their plug on 83A to pop in my Bose set in preparation for the flight. I was informed that our aircraft (City of Berlin, D-ABVA), though not having been refitted with the new C, had already been equipped with FlyNet :confused: ; I looked at the setup instructions and just about laughed when comparing the Windows set (several paragraphs and pictures) with the Mac set (a couple of senteces). With everyone on board, the cabin was only about half full, which meant no one had to sleep next to a total stranger on the 2+2 layout. The purser came to introduce herself to us one by one and provide us copies of the dinner menu (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5739953&postcount=39) and wine list (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5739973&postcount=41) .

Sometime after take off our flight attendants came to offer us beverages, and shortly thereafter, to set our tables with our red roses and all. To set the right tone for the trip I decided to start out with some caviar and a tad of vodka. I then moved to a sampling of the appetizers and to my customary tasting session of the wines on board :p . Our crew was absolutely top notch. Throughout the meal service the flight attendants seemed to anticipate all my wishes, and they were quite keen to satisfy my every whim—they even took an interest in the progress of my wine tasting, offering to bring me up any wine from C that might tickle my curiosity. For those interested: I was quite partial to the Santa Alicia Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile) and the Lenz Moser Trockenbeerneauslese dessert wine (Austria).

The IFE had hiccuped a couple of times, so I gave up on the idea of watching a movie... and by the time dinner was over, I had also given up on the idea of FlyNet. So I changed into my PJs, laid out my Joop blankets, and enjoyed a good-night cup of green tea with my mom. Before turning in, I peeked out the window just in time to see the sun dip below the horizon as we neared Greenland before settling in to sleep in the cozy and dark cabin. During the night as my bottle of water would get low, it'd be replaced by a fresh one. As we approached the Icelandic Westfjords, I once again peeked out the window, this time to see the sun rising again.

As I requested, I was awakened for breakfast (http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5739965&postcount=40). I had some juice, fresh fruit and rolls with a cup of tea, and then changed back into my clothes for arrival into FRA. It was heavily overcast, and our flight did not get a gate (on account of being somewhat early, our FA suggested), so we had to wait for a bus to take us to section B of Terminal 1. All other pax were held back as the F cabin was allowed to deplane first and transported to the terminal in our own bus ^ .

As my mom was continuing on to LED in a couple of hours, we proceeded to a non-Schengen FCL (the one located around B30). We made ourselves comfortable and napped a bit. While my mom whiled some time over a cup of tea, I enjoyed the free WiFi before taking a very refreshing shower. We then ordered ourselves a lunch which was served with impeccable style by the lounge attendants (it was close to noon by now). I had a seafood antipasto, a spring mix salad with balsamic vinaigrette and some cuts of jamón ibérico, washed down with a nice South African Pinotage. Certainly one of the best lounge experiences I have ever enjoyed :-:

I walked my mom toward her gate to LED, we said our goodbyes and I headed toward passport control to start (or finish off) my day in Frankfurt.

On the next installment I will tell you about my day and evening in Frankfurt.

Good stuff. Now where's the rest of your other report? ;)

...Now where's the rest of your other report? ;)It's on my home computer... awaiting my return to receive BB code and some hyperlinks :(