Looking at the latest IATA statistics, there is no doubt that the post-COVID travel rebound is upon us. With travel nearing 2019 figures it is clear that people are embracing this period of expansion and product improvement within the sector. Ever leaning toward city breaks, a theme has emerged around a growing community of travellers embarking on Extreme Day Trips, usually centred on ultra-low fare travel. I recently travelled on a ‘Euro-Tour’ with British Airways to understand this popular concept of brief stopover travel and to explore the options for travellers looking to build on this with an increased budget.
Colloquially known among airline crew as ‘Euro-Tour’, the term refers to a multi-sector trip with more than 1 night stop in a European city. Boarding the Heathrow shuttle - a band new Airbus A321 NEO - in Glasgow, I had begun my journey to Warsaw which would be my first night stop on this Euro-Tour. Utilising this shuttle service to BA’s Terminal 5 hub is one of personal favourites, allowing for a seamless transit on to their global network.
A faint whirl in the cabin signalled the aircraft beginning its take-off roll down the runway at Glasgow Airport. British Airways’ investment in their fleet is a fantastic sign of their continual commitment to improving their product and overall passenger experience. This is evident sitting in the bright cabin of this Airbus NEO. Equipped with two next generation CFMI LEAP jet engines, the cabin remains very pleasant and quiet at all stages of the flight.
Arriving on stand at Heathrow T5 ahead of schedule, I was looking forward to having slightly more connection time to enjoy a bite to eat before my onward sector to Warsaw. Transit passengers need only remember one thing: follow the purple signs for Flight Connections! Heathrow can seem like a sprawling maze to some, but it is in fact very easy to navigate and there are always staff ready to direct you to your correct gate. With just over an hour before boarding, I enjoyed a lovely lunch at one of the many eatery options in Terminal 5 and a perfect opportunity to catch up with some of my BA friends.
Having boarded my next flight and the cabin crew closing the main cabin door for departure: I was off again! With a flight duration of just over two and a half hours, there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the service on board. British Airways offer two cabins on their short haul routes, Euro Traveller and Club Europe. In Euro Traveller you are offered a complimentary bottle of water and a snack followed by items available to purchase from the bar. In Club Europe you have a choice of complimentary meal and a wide selection of beverages.
As we made our descent into Warsaw, we had beautiful views of continental Europe out of the window. Touching down at around 17.30 in the evening local time, I swiftly made my way through passport control, and on to my city centre hotel. The Polish capital awaits.
Warsaw is a sprawling metropolitan city situated on the Vistula River and has undergone a contemporary revival in recent years. The city has shed its Cold War reputation and is now a thriving city intertwined with vibrant shops, museums and culinary experiences. From my hotel I walked through the heart of the city, admiring the modern architecture of the new high-rise buildings. In the centre of all this lies the Palace of Culture & Science with its iconic Soviet architecture. There is a real buzz to the city at night with music in the air at every corner. Like any city Warsaw’s restaurants are a hive of activity, particularly on a Friday night, so do anticipate a short wait for a table. I chose local hotspot ‘Loft’ situated just off the main thoroughfare and serving a selection of local dishes and beers. Make sure you check out their popular nduja burger!
Navigating the Terminal building at Warsaw Airport involves a lot of walking and can be very busy so do keep this in mind. From Warsaw the destination for my next night stop was Hamburg. With tailwinds on the way back to Heathrow, passengers in Club enjoyed a quick breakfast before arriving back into Terminal 5. For transit passengers like myself you do have to go through a secondary security screening for onward travel, however, there was plenty of time to make my way leisurely through flight connections and enjoy a coffee with the crew as they waited for the inbound aircraft to arrive.
Taxiing to the runway at Heathrow we passed Concorde - resting on a remote part of the airport – which remains an iconic symbol of British Airways heritage. A slightly shorter sector ahead of us at just over 90 minutes to Hamburg, treated us to magnificent views of the Dutch coastline. Serving as the main international hub for the city, Hamburg Airport dates back to 1911 making it the oldest international airport still in operation.
Choosing to stay at a hotel on the outskirts of the city, I enjoyed a short walk into downtown Hamburg taking in the metropolitan area. The bustling German city is the second largest in the country, nestled on the banks of the river Elbe which has historically fuelled the city’s economic success. For the shopaholic travellers among us, you will be pleased to know that Hamburg has an abundance of high street shopping outlets and some big-name brands as well. Situated towards the end of the main shopping drag is the Rathausmarkt, the city’s historic market square, where I took time to marvel at the architecture and intricate craftsmanship in the construction of Hamburg’s neo-renaissance Townhall.
You cannot miss Hamburg’s extensive canal network. In fact, the city holds the title of having the most bridges in Europe, criss-crossing the city’s stunning waterways. Strolling along the bank of Lake Binnenalster in the heart of the city centre was the perfect spot to take in the sunset as the amber glow caresses the buildings on the Ballindamm boulevard. Sampling traditional German cuisine led me to Hofbräu Wirtshaus Speersort, where beer ‘from the barrel’ and Bavarian Schnitzel dishes are the name of the game!
An early morning flight back to Heathrow meant we were treated to a beautiful golden sunrise above the clouds: a stark contrast to the bleak weather upon our London arrival. Choosing to base my adventure from the gateway of London’s Heathrow gave me increased flexibility and options, however, you may prefer to go direct from an airport on your doorstep. As the rain drops scurried across my window as we touched down on the runway at Heathrow, this marks the end of my ‘Euro-Tour. Whether it’s a day trip or a multi-city stopover, this is a great way to sample a destination and enables you to gain a base knowledge of the area so that you can return for a longer visit.
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