JapesUK

If you come seeking the inspirational, extreme, or expensive be prepared for disappointment. On a recent thread in the BA forum I commented that I’d like to see more short haul, lounge safari, type trip reports. A little introspection and I realised that I have never written a trip report myself, and so here we are.

This weekends fun is an overnight bounce to Krakow on Air France NCL-CDG-KRK-AMS-CDG-NCL. travelling partly for XP and partly for the sheer enjoyment of travelling. If all goes to plan there should be time for a nice dinner in Krakow and an Evening ghost tour.

Newcastle airport was moderately busy this morning and the fast path security lane scanners were down leading to a bit of a backlog




Despite this short delay it was less than 20 minutes from land-side to lounge, which is par for the course in my experience.

Air France business class provides access to the Aspire Plus lounge which is a definite advantage over BA who provide non-upgradable access to the standard Aspire lounge. Generally if travelling BA and having a reasonable amount of time in the lounge I will use Priority Pass and pay for the upgrade.

There are few difference between the two lounge products. The food is mostly the same, Prosecco is included in plus whereas it is chargeable in standard, and the plus lounge is predominantly an adult lounge.








Guessing what is to come as AF breakfast I gather a small english breakfast and sit down to write this

JapesUK

With everyone quickly aboard we’re boarding complete and ready to go 5 minutes before the scheduled departure slot. aboard todays HOP! Embraer 170.




Cold towels are handed out and then we are buttoned up and on our way. Next stop, CDG.

JapesUK

I was in seat 1D today for this, the AF1559 flight from NCL to CDG. Previous flight booked at the last minute had me in row 2, and I can say that a 6’ 6” tall man simply does not fit! The seat beside me was thankfully empty, these seats are challenging in both width and pitch. Plenty of legroom….



1D on embraer 170


Around 30 minutes into the flight a combined meal and drinks service commenced. As I had guessed, breakfast was the same as my two other recent morning trips on AF



AF breakfast

Most of my flying the year has been BA short haul and the food on the two airlines is widely different. In my limited experience on AF the presentation and ingredients have been far better than BA, but ultimately the food has generally failed to satisfy. This breakfast is a case in point, the pancakes are served cold, they are very dense, and have the finest sliver of cheese between them I disassembled mine and piled the cheese onto one half of a pancake. Pineapple ’salad’ is 7 pineapple pieces, and the croissant was pleasant enough, served cold.

Disappointingly the biscuits and chocolate failed to make an appearance, so I shall save the waxing lyrical over these until they appear in a future leg. The FA on this leg spent the largest proportion of the flight behind the curtain, only appearing to serve the meals and then later to collect the debris.

Landing was on time and we parked up on a bus gate and were bussed over to T2E




My second leg of today departs from T2F and the route march from leaving the bus to clearing T2E security was 25 minutes.

I took a quick detour to check exactly where my departure gate was, and then headed for the AF Salon


T2F departure gates

T2F AF Salon

And here I am, writing this, with my first coffee of many. Previous trips via CDG have had 1 hour transfers so this is my first time in the AF lounge. I have 2 hours before I need to wander over to my gates and so it is time for an explore and I’ll report back later.

JapesUK

I love the architecture and the feeling of space and light in the lounge this switchback staircase both separates the lounge and provides a focal point




At the far end of the first floor is the Clarins Spa. A free 20 minute facial is offered but unfortunately the next appointment slot is after my departure. Lesson learned and first stop on my return leg.




A sweetie bar near the entrance may require a visit a little later





Breakfast was being served when I arrived and as I write this it is 11am and they’re switching over to lunch. The breakfast spread is pretty much what you would expect, the hot options were egg, crispy bacon, and some type of mixed onion/vegetable







Strangely there were multiple spirit bars and beer in the fridge however the wines have only just made an appearance with lunch








Next: time for lunch

JapesUK

Just as I was about to wander off to get a little lunch this rather marvellous chap arrived with a trolley laden with champagne and cheese madelines.




Lunch was predominantly a salad, cheese, and meat affair. There were two hot dishes and no menu cards, so not exactly sure what one of them was, I’ll let you decide.















as I returned with my plate of protein goodness one of the siblings of this afternoon plane arrived by the lounge




And with that there is just enough time to try a glass of the puilly fuisse and then it’ll time to wander over to the gate

JapesUK

Again boarding was quick and painless, sat down, cold towel and water offered.

Obviously plenty of leg room in 1C and proof positive that I suck at ironing trousers.




Minutes later all aboard a full flight and the doors buttoned up, however the pilot has just announced a delay due to ATC restrictions over Germany.

Immediately following this announcement the champagne was opened. I do love this part of the AF experience, champagne appears to be the answer to everything, an attitude I heartily agree with!




Next stop, Krakow

DaveNCL

Whilst this may not be a report with a plethora of first class and 5 star hotels, paying to upgrade to Aspire Plus must be the ultimate power play!

It’s strange to see photos of places so common to me. 20 min at fast track is unusual in my experience but I’ve also not seen a queue like that at the gates before.

Enjoy the trip.

JapesUK

Once in the air service began promptly. There were only four of us in business so as you might expect, the service was very attentive however beyond that we had an excellent crew on this flight, proactively offering top ups and suggesting different drinks.

the meal was one I have had before, the dreaded keenwaaah salad. I’m no fan of quinoa but I could become a convert, there’s a lot of flavour packed in here





I recently described the chocolate cake rather unfairly as a glutinous artery clogging mass. I need to correct that to a sweet, tasty, glutinous, artery clogging mass I’m failing to recall the name of the desert that is chocolate cake on the outside and chocolate sauce on the inside but this cake is that, seriously overcooked!

after the dinner tray was cleared the crew suggested the pear liquor and the cognac





The pear liquor is something I’ve never tried before. On the nose it was all pear, but on the palate the pear fell back to third behind the sweetness and the alcohol. If that chocolate cake reappears I’ll try the pear against it.




I found it twee that the FAs set up a display bar behind the window in front of 1C.

We managed to land pretty much on time and here I met the first tiny bump in the road. My pre-booked transfer was nowhere to be seen and after a good look around arrivals and outside I gave him a call.

After identifying myself I got “oh, yeah, can you wait 20 minutes”! Short answer ‘NO’ and I jumped into an airport cab to take me to the M29 hotel.

JapesUK

The M29 hotel has exceeded my expectations. The welcome has been warm, the room spacious, and the beer cold. It’s a shame I’m only here for a few hours, maybe I’ll be back.






There is some strange numbering going on but as I’m on the top floor I’m unlikely to get lost




The room:









And that brings me up to date, now sat outside watching the world go by and enjoying a cold zywiec





Next stop: Cafe Oranzeria as recommended by TTmex

JapesUK

After a genteel 30 minute stroll I’ve arrive at the terrace and the views are excellent








As a regular on the BA forum I could not resist ordering the beef cheeks







And at this point I need to go offline to preserve battery or there is no change of finding my tour starting point nor my hotel later! Food porn pics and tour review to follow tomorrow,.

Fabo.sk

Nice report, as I understand it's being update realtime? Good effort.

Hotel looks nice, how much did it cost if I may ask?

JapesUK

hi Fabo.sk Yes, updating real time as best I can, didn’t realise the phone was so low on battery until after i had left the hotel otherwise I’d have taken a brick with me.

The hotel was 404 zloty for the night, so a fraction under 75 gbp

JapesUK

Dinner at Oranzeria last night was good, as was the service. As I mentioned on my final post yesterday, I ordered the beef cheeks and a glass of Pinotage to wash it down. Looking for something light as a started I chose the broth with dumplings and a glass of pinot grigio. Wine by the glass options were a little limited although there was a good selection by the bottle.





Both dishes were tasty and the service was to notch. As I had some time to kill before the tour I decided to have a desert. The smoked vanilla ice cream I had seen mentioned online was not available so I opted for the caramel ice cream. This was an enormous portion for a desert and I didn’t manage to finish it



Fed and watered, bill paid, there was just enough time for a gentle stroll to Plac Mariacki to meed our guide for the evening

JapesUK

I had searched for an evening city tour but couldn’t find any taking place on a Saturday that didn't involve bars and beer. Don’t get me wrong, i enjoy bars and beer as much as the next man, but with a 3am wake up call i was looking for something a little more sedate In the end I chose the “Vampires, Ghosts & Legends of Old Town" tour from Mysterium tours. Our storyteller for the evening was waiting at the meeting point and once everyone had gathered we were off on a slow ramble though the city accompanied by numerous tales off murder and mayhem.



Storyteller for the evening

JapesUK

And then to bed. Arrived back at the hotel by 9:30, a quick nightcap, and I hit the sack for a short nap before my all too soon 3am wake up call.

Airport transfer had been booked in advance and was ready and waiting when I checked out a 4am. I’m heading off quite early as this’ll be the first time flying out of Krakow and I don’t know how fast or slow it will be.

As it happens, it was all very smooth. The journey to the airport took 20 minutes and fast path security was very quick with no queues. In the checking area there was no obvious signage to departures however the flow of humanity to the first floor was a good clue! Surprisingly there is no rat run of duty free in Krakow Airport, you can walk straight across the shop and be at the gates. The business lounge is at the far left of the airport when facing the gates and I was inside the lounge and seated within 35 minutes of leaving the hotel.










And that brings the trip up to date and I’ve 40 minutes for many coffees and a bite to eat before boarding of KL1992, KRK-AMS the first of three flights to get me home. I’ve not flown KLM for a very long time so will be interested to see what this is like.