Germany in January
 

Okay, I just got my flights. Right now, I'm in Frankfurt for Xmas, New Year's and the first couple weeks of January. But, I'm not stuck there as friends I'm visiting there have a car, and we are scheduled to hit France, Belgium and any other neighboring countries that strike our fancy.

(Read "we" and "our" as my best friend and myself, and her husband when he can get off work, and we decide to let him come along. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif)

In looking at the Community threads, I spotted the London get together, which I could attend if its not too far, like more than a two hour drive from Frankfurt, anybody know? Or a quick, easy flight?

Or, anybody else want to get together? Perhaps right in Frankfurt or in Belgium? Are there any FTers there? I would love to meet you!

Please forgive the mild retardation when it comes to European or, for that matter, any world geography ... I'm from Southern California. (Growing up, geography was taught like, "You're where practically everyone on the planet wants to be, that's all you need to know.")

It's about 450 miles in driving distance, so it's a bit longer than a two hour drive... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

You may be interested in seeing this site: http://www.travelnotes.org/Europe/Di.../Frankfurt.htm

Great Link! Spot on Dude!

I will be in Bonn around the 7th or 8th of January - date not firm yet. Then will be flying Koeln to ZRH.

What's Bonn? Is that Bonn, as in James Bonn?

If its near Frankfurt or Belgium, great! Let us know when you're firmed up.

Does it hurt to open an atlas?
Bonn was the capital of the former West Germany. It's closer to Frankfurt than London is http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.

Ha Ha Ha ... And where am I supposed to find an atlas, perhaps sitting on the hall table? Ha ha ha. You crack me up http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by lisamcgu (edited 12-15-2001).]

In Stuttgart now, and again from January 4th or so.

About 1h15 with the ICE (Inter City Express) train from FRA.

You can always search FlyerTalk. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Link to Atlas
btw an atlas is also book of maps and not just a guy holding up the world on his shoulders http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by magic111 (edited 12-15-2001).]

Wow! That is a great link too! Of course, now I really feel stupid as I just looked at where London was, in relation to Germany, and found I can't drive there no matter how far the distance - it's looks to be on an island? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

But when there is bad weather in the English Channel, it is the rest of Europe that is cut off.

You could take the 'chunnel' train from Paris or Brussels to London. Or fly to London.

Back in Munich from my vacation on January 3rd. Flights between Germany and London can be really cheap if you don't mind to fly into Stansted.
Have fun making up your plans and enjoy your vacation in Europe.

Actually, you can drive to London by taking the car on the car-transporter train through the Channel Tunnel. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[quote]<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by magic111:

Quote:

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btw an atlas is also book of maps and not just a guy holding up the world on his shoulders http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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I like that reference. Finally my 'ancient culture' lessons pay off!

lisa, Travelocity currently quotes fares from $93rt for Frankfurt - London flights.

Other excursion possibilites from FRA include Berlin (again capital of a country called 'Germany') or, a short flight or longer drive away, Copenhagen, Amsterdam or Munich.

You can get dirt cheap fares through:
www.ryanair.com
www.buzzaway.com
www.virginexpress.com

no miles, no service, but often under $50 rt!!!

If you take the car transporter train thru the Chunnel, you will find yourself driving on the left, in a left-hand drive car. Unless you have A LOT (as opposed to none whatsoever) of experience driving on the left, I do not recommend this. Sitting on the wrong side is one of the ways we subliminally remember to drive on the wrong side. Do not drive on the left for the first time in a left-hand drive car. Unless you have truly EXCEPTIONAL powers of concentration it will be dangerous.

When I was in Ireland, you are correct, being in the driver's seat on the right side (or should I say the wrong side) of the car helped me to stay on the wrong side (or should I say the left side) of the road.

I always thought it would be the same in the rest of Europe. If not, yes, it could be extremely difficult to keep up.

Everyone else, thanks for all the great advise. Hey, how long is one stuck in that chunnel thing. I take it, its a tunnel that goes underwater?

The channel crossing time for Eurostar train is only 20 minutes. For more information see these links:

http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/eu...nel_tunnel.htm

http://www.channeltunnel.co.uk/

Hope it helps.

Under the seabed, huh? I don't know why, but I feel safer flying. If anything happened, I would think there is at least a chance I could pop up from under the water (although I don't know how deep the channel is), but to try and get out from somewhere not only underwater, but under 150' of seabed, I would think even MacGuyer couldn't make it.

There must be others that feel this way, although the chunnel has been around for awhile, so it is probably old hat to most by now.

lisamcgu: Ireland and U.K. drive on the left, rest of Europe on the right.