Past Mistake Deals: $500 to Europe in the Summer
One of my favorite mistake deals wasn’t as dramatic as the $33 biz class to Cyprus deal, but it enabled me to experience Europe in the summer. My only previous experiences were when it was typically cold and rainy.
So when a $500 upgradable fare from Minneapolis to London on Continental popped up for Summer 2007, I jumped on it! $500 to Europe in coach class during peak season was a good deal, but the fact it was a Y fare and therefore able to upgraded with miles made it even more valuable. It actually prompted me to get my first airline credit card for the sign up bonus (Continental Presidential Plus card) so I’d have enough miles.
London isn’t my favorite location, probably because I spent too many times there as a poor college student staying in dreadful hostels, but it’s a very convenient location to leave! So I planned the trip so I would fly into London and then immediately depart a few hours later on a cheap Easy Jet flight spending a few nights in Scotland, a few in Paris, and then a full day in London.
Upgrades opened up at the last minute for the outbound and when I boarded, I found out why. The entire cabin had been bought out for a family trip and apparently two of the party had had to cancel at the last minute.
The first stop, Edinburgh, was experiencing gorgeous summer weather. I’d found a decent deal at the Fountain Court Apartments, only about a mile from the castle. Since it came with a kitchen I’d be able to save money on breakfast and dinner by picking up groceries vs expensive restaurant visits.
The first day was a tour of Edinburgh castle. Followed by a visit to the Disney-esque Scottish Whisky Experience which starts with instructions on how to evaluate whisky, followed by a barrel “ride†through whisky making process, finishing with a tasting at the bar.
A nearby pub offered haggis, so I made my friend who was visiting Scotland for the first time try it.
From there we started the Scottish economist grave tour visiting Adam Smith and David Hume’s grave sites. I was a little miffed at the recent innovation to Adam Smith’s burial place. When I’d first visited a few years ago I’d spent nearly an hour in the quickly darkening twilight running everywhere trying to find it. Now they had thoughtfully marked a path.
For those who love good views, I strongly recommend making the trip up Carlton Hill (in New town) or Arthur’s Seat by the Palace of Hollyroodhouse, which offer spectacular views of the city and surrounding area.
If you love history, the night ghost tours are a great way to hear some local tales and explore the underworld of Edinburgh.
Next day was a great tour up to Loch Ness and around the Scottish countryside which is a great option for those, like me, who fear the idea of driving on the wrong side.
The flight from Edinburgh to Paris was a short one (and cheap on Easy Jet), and fortunately our taxi had beat the Tour de France into town. I’d been able to get the Paris Hilton near the Eiffel Tower on Hotwire for under $100 and we decided to upgrade to an Eiffel Tower partial view for another $25 a night.
After reveling in the view we decided to walk around the city and not a quarter of a mile from the hotel we saw a crowd gathered around the edge of a bridge. We joined them to see what it was and 2 minutes later the Tour de France entered the city!
The next day was spent touring the Louvre (finally not on strike!), checking out Notre Dame, and enjoying a late picnic lunch in the blooming Luxemburg Gardens. All on foot since we could never get a cab to stop.
Then we headed back to London – spending the half day at the Tower of London and the British Museum which contains most of Egypt and Greece before heading back to the Arora International Gatwick hotel I’d pricelined near the airport.
The next day I fulfilled a longtime dream of seeing Hampton Court. Not just seeing it, but seeing it at its best! The gardens were beautiful, the stories of Henry VIII were suitably horrifying and the maze was cute.
The flight home was uneventful, and even slightly less fun since the rest of the cabin wasn’t celebrating something. 🙂
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