As is usually the case, the motivation behind this trip started innocently enough. Ford and I were going to take Ford's mom to the Christmas markets in Germany and Austria. Initially we were going to do a simple five day trip to Munich and Vienna (while I know there are other great markets, we wanted…
Continue reading: Introduction: Christmas Markets With A Touch Of Garuda
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I've stayed at the Keraton at the Plaza in Jakarta and it's easily the best hotel in the area (so much better than the Sheraton Bandara, which starts to feel like a prison island after a couple days). The mall access makes getting dinner after work much easier. The humidity does do a number on the rooms though as it does all of the hotels I've stayed around Indonesia. One tip, if you're not going to be in town long, the traffic in Jakarta is some of the worst I've ever seen and it can take 2+ hours to get from the airport to downtown...
Has anyone knows what happen in Berlin yesterday at Kesier Christmas Market, the timing of this posting is inapproiate. God Man, is air points miles the only thing that consumes, wake up , be respectful of world events.
Four Points Munich was actually a perfect location for Oktoberfest. You and Ford should go next year!
@Mark O
I don't think that a travel blog has to really post much about deadly news. Sometimes having a website that takes the attention from the news is better for the traveling mind.
@Mark O' So Lucky shouldn't post about his travels because of a random terrorist event that occurred AFTER he was there? While there are places one should probably avoid for safety's sake at the present time, say Cairo or Istanbul, a Christmas Market in Germany is no more dangerous than any other tourist site in Europe. I for one am not about to stay home and hide in my closet due to a possible terrorist attack, which statistically is no more likely to happen to me than a fatal traffic accident. 😉
Are you actually paying for your stay and or miles use or do you get comped by the CC companies ?
@ Chad -- I paid for all my stays/flights (in some cases using points that I earned on my own).
@ David W -- Whoops, forgot to include that, it was part of the same ticket. Adding it to the post now.
Currently staying at the Park Hyatt Vienna using C+P too. Great hotel! The location can't be beat, and the bathroom is picture-worthy.
One question Ben. Where did you credit your Garuda First Class flights? Delta?
I just want to voice my support for the total reasonableness of mentioning (and even saying nice things about) a place that's just had a horrible thing happen. Why on earth wouldn't one??
"Fortunately all first class equipped planes now feature Lufthansa’s first class product"
Well, duh. 😉 I think you meant "new" first class product.
I think you should change your valuation of SPG points. Three times you went in for a booking, three times you came out with paying cash b/c it didn't meet your valuation. Maybe your valuation is wrong.
What are the rules for crediting Multiple SPG rooms and getting them credited towards your count? I thought you get only 1 night credit but you get points for all other rooms if you pay during check out as 1 bill.
I don't have any problem with Ben posting this. There are two ways to respond to terrorist attacks. 1) Grab your knees and cower, which is what the US has done since 9/11 and I hate it. Terrorists have won. 2) Be defiant and carry on.
While I haven't seen the numbers, I assume that it'll end up being similar to the Sandy Hook elementary school incident where the real story was that ~99% of the students survived. Nope, instead the fear-mongering media and government focus on the 1% whose lives were unfortunately ended too soon by a deranged person.
Germany's Christmas markets are amazing and worth seeing, despite recent events. If I had the time off & $, I'd be over there right now enjoying them myself, without worry. There are other things in Germany I would worry about, but I'll save the politics for a more appropriate forum.
yay! can't wait for your full report on Garuda Indonesia First Class that you recently flown. Btw, I really enjoy reading your website , forward it to my friends and now they're a fan of yours and especially Garuda!