I wanted to make some notes on my recent trip, before they become hazy.
I'll restrict this post to my flights, and post a more complete report in
another
group (rec.travel.europe).
1. Orlando - Frankfurt (9 hours) on Condor.
We had a 90 min. drive to MCO. We planned to arrive 3 hrs. before flight
time per Condor's request (Condor has no online check-in). However, we
almost never made it out of our driveway. First, my wife and I both packed
our house+car keys in our suitcases without knowing it. Then, I locked them
in the trunk of the car. With no spares, we were going to call AAA when I
suddenly recalled that we could access the trunk thru a hole behind the back
seat and fished for my suitcase. Later on, a tie-up on the Turnpike reduced
traffic to a near stand-still and we spent 45 min. biting our nails,
wondering
if we would make the flight. We finally arrived about 90 min. B4 flight
time.
Condor, a German budget airline, has planes are still painted with its former
name, Thomas Cook. We were on a 767 in economy seats. The pitch and
width was bad, but worse, they were rock hard, doing our spines no favors.
Service was attentive and the food was fair, but eating in those seats was
experimental. Entertainment was mediocre. Using CRT-TV's over center
seats, they showed us the B-movie, "Wild Hogs," in both directions.
2. Franfurt - Santorini (3 hours) on Condor, again.
But it was like night and day. The A320 economy seats had fair pitch and
width, and ample cushioning. Condor, it seems, treats Euro-flights better
than transatlantic . Using drop-down LCD screens, they showed the us,
"Night at the Museum."
3. Santorini - Mykonos (2 1/2 hours) by sea-jet ferry.
Not a plane, but may as well have been one. We had prepaid tickets which we
picked up at a local TA. The port was as busy as an airport, but totally
disorganized. Poer police told us where to wait. The craft had an enclosed
cabin (no deck), assigned seats, and constant turbulence from skipping over
the waves. It is essential on the islands to pre-arrange transfers between
ports and hotels. I used a British service at www.a2btransfers.com for both
Santorini and Myknonos was was quite pleased with their local reps.
4. Mykonos - Athens (40 min) on Aegean.
Small commuter (regional) jet. Unremarkable, flight, except for the views
while flying low over the water. The Athens airport was very modern and
well signed in both Greek and English. We transferred to city centre via
the metro with a 2-person ticket for 10 Euros each way. Metro trains +
stations were bright and clean, with signs and PA announcements in both
Greek and English.
5. Athens - Frankfurt (3 hours) on Lufthansa.
The Lufthansa A300 was a joy to fly on. The seats were ample and
well-cushioned. The attendants came by frequently and the wine was
free! The little bottle of water with dinner was labelled "Alpine Spring,"
but if you read the label closely, it was bottled in Tennessee. Amusing.
We spent the night at the Airport Sheraton, which was quite convenient,
but like most airport hotels, a rip-off. 8.90 euros for a bolttle of water?
6. Frankfurt - Orlando (9 hours) on Condor.
This time, we bought pillows and sat on the dinky aitline pillows. That
helped a litte. I vowed never to fly Condor again (unless in "comfort"
class). =R=
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