2021.12 Germany and christmas markets (part 1)
Before March 2020, we had a few ideas on upcoming trips. One included traveling to Germany to visit Christmas Markets. Obviously, due to a global pandemic and travel being significantly reduced and filled with ever changing requirements it wasn’t until December 2021 that we traveled. And even then, traveling conditions changed, but we were able to make the journey…
background and pandemic
To minimize spending time in each blog post about the impacts of the global pandemic at the local, state, and national level I’ll provide this overview:
We traveled at a time when tourist travel was accepted based on individuals having certain shots against the virus. In addition, we traveled at a time when a new strain was receiving additional news coverage. So much so, that it was a headline on the morning news the day we arrived, and two days after we returned from Germany new travel restrictions were implemented by the Canadian government for all people traveling to Canada.
Having to adjust and pivot our travel plans was essential. Our desire to visit Amsterdam was shelved because, officially, the German government required a 14 day quarantine for those returning from the Netherlands. With this being longer than our vacation we kept this trip largely within Germany with a day trip to neighbouring France.
Even within Germany restrictions varied. One state required a negative test to check-in into the hotel (however was not required after the first night). The state of Bavaria, where my brother lives, had not only mandated the closure of Christmas markets, but also had communicated that hotels were not to accept tourists as an attempt to delay or decrease transmission.. This restriction resulted in us having a day spending almost 800 km driving (it was worth it!). The next example was that negative tests were required for dining in one state, however the neighbouring state did not. I was happy that my relatives gave us practical advice on the restrictions versus only having the official government webpages as our guide for what and where we could travel.
Testing locations were numerous and easy to find. Locations were plentiful near or at train stations and airports. In additional, some had pop-up tents near the downtown, an indication of the volume of testing that was occurring at the time.
Finally, we also encountered a few commercial establishments didn’t accept our foreign documentation as proof that we received shots. Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility was the key for this trip.
Even with all this, the trip was excellent! We got to fly internationally less than two years after air travel was massively curtailed. We visited family where we got to enjoy their hospitality and company just as if the pandemic had not occurred. This trip, like our 2020 trip to Alberta, reinforced how lucky we are to be able to travel.
With that, let’s get onto the trip!
Air canada maple leaf lounge and flight
Originally I had booked us to take the later flight (AC842) Toronto to Frankfurt, however that flight was cancelled and we were rebooked onto AC840. In fairness, the change occurred over a month after booking, and that was still months ahead of traveling, so definitely not a last minute change. On the day of our departure, it was effortless to check-in for our flight. From the picture below, business class check-in was not busy and we dropped off and had our luggage tagged quickly. Security had no wait, and in less than 15 minutes from entering the terminal we were already starting the long walk to the international gates at Terminal one.
Security was centralized such that both domestic and international (excluding US bound flights) are directed to the same security area. From there it was a long walk to the opposite side and end of the terminal for international flights. Although there are moving sidewalks (only the first of 3 was out of service), the high-speed one, running the entire length of the pier appeared to be in a state of decommissioning as it was completely covered up, partially blocking the view of the apron. It is sad, as the few times it worked, it quickly moved passengers from security to the gates.
Air canada maple leaf lounge
We had arrived early for our flight, and the lounge was correspondingly devoid of people. This easily allowed us to find a quiet spot to sit and relax before our flight. Like our lounge visits during our travels to Alberta earlier this year, an a la carte menu was available in addition to a few grab and go items.
View of the main area of Maple Leaf Lounge – international at Toronto Terminal 1
Bar and buffet area of the lounge
Grab and go food items available at the lounge
After enjoying a few snacks we headed for our gate to discover that this flight appeared anything but empty! The area was completely jammed with people, and I could see enough that there was a contingent of wheelchair athletes being escorted to the plane. I infer that, based on 15+ wheelchair passengers all with the exact same jacket announcing their country. (And no, it wasn’t a Canadian team)
Once they and other wheelchair assistance passengers were on board, we were up next.
toronto to frankfurt
Boeing 777-300ER
Seats 5K & 6K
Scheduled Departure: 16:55
Scheduled Arrival: 06:30 (next morning)
Zone boarding, complete with separate lanes for business class and Air Canada status passengers allowed us to be among the first passengers on the plane (don’t mind the Lufthansa signage in the above picture as it was off to the side and in front of a pillar). After settling into our seat, we were happy to see amenities for our flight.
Amenities waiting at our seat
Amenity kit with toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, socks, and eye mask.
Pillow, blanket and mattress pad inside!
Once out of the bag, blanket, pillow and mattress pad.
No pre-departure beverage was offered, however I had learned of that before the flight, and it didn’t matter to us. The captain performed his welcome message, and it was memorable because of how positive the tone, and grateful of the message. Then the service director introduced herself along with naming all of the staff on board the flight — a first!
I chuckled taking this picture, as I had flown TAP in 2018 and continue to use their amenity kit bag. Being a soft sided bag it’s great to help sort and organize items in my carry-on.
Once boarding was complete at 17:07, pushback began almost immediately. After the safety video was played, and checks performed by the flight crew, we began moving. I tried to get this picture of the Lufthansa A350 labelled “Lufthansa & You”.
Unlike the frequently used east/west runways, we proceeded to 33R and took off towards the north. I will search for it, and once posted, I’ll provide a link to the time-lapse video of the take-off and initial climb out over Toronto. It worked out fantastically as the low lying clouds cleared to take in the city lights as we headed toward our cruising altitude.
Once in the air, service began with drinks just 20 minutes after take-off. Here was the menu for the flight:
And here is what I had for dinner:
Appetizer and Salad
Main Course
Dessert (I skipped the cheese plate)
Dessert was delivered via trolley
In case timing is something of interest, the appetizer arrived 20 minutes after drink service, and then 22 minutes from the appetizer arriving, main course was delivered. In all, dessert was served an hour and 35 minutes after take-off. I found the pace of service great as this allowed us to attempt to have several hours of sleep on the plane.
Attempt! Even with a lie-flat bed, trying to fall asleep at 7pm local time is even a wee bit early in my books. I did sleep a bit, however no where as much as I needed. There was a basket of snacks available after the meal placed at the front of the cabin and this one in the galley at door 2.
Our flight was smooth, and as the plane approached Ireland and the UK I stopped trying to get sleep, and resumed watching the movie I had started during the meal service.
Breakfast was served an hour prior to landing all on one tray:
At 5:37am (local Frankfurt time) the flight crew gave the flight attendants a 25 minute warning before landing. We got a great view of the cityscape of Frankfurt as we landed at 6am at Frankfurt Airport’s third east/west runway. The downside of this runway was that it took 15 minutes for the plane to get to the gate.
From there we were quickly off the plane at 6:15am, and by 6:40am we were at the baggage carousel waiting for our luggage. With Frankfurt being a hub for Lufthansa, it was apparent that the majority of passengers were connecting as baggage only began to be delivered at 6:56am, and there was maybe 5 other people waiting with us. We quickly got our luggage and headed out to take a taxi to our hotel.
Explore other parts of this trip:
Part 1 – Introduction, Maple Leaf Lounge Toronto and Flight to Toronto (this post!)
Part 2 – Hampton Inn by Hilton Frankfurt
Part 3 – Frankfurt and area Christmas Markets
Part 6 – Dusseldorf Christmas Markets
Part 7 – Cologne Christmas Markets
Part 8 – Frankfurt Airport Hilton Garden Inn
Part 9 – Day trip to Paris
Part 10 – Frankfurt Maple Leaf Lounge and Air Canada Frankfurt to Toronto