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MADRID TO COLOGNE
Germanwings (a low-fare German carrier that flies new Airbus A319/320 aircraft to over 50 European destinations does not start checking customers in until two hours before departure. The Germanwings counter in Madrid stayed unattended until that designated time, because they only have two flights a day -- one to Cologne, the other to Stuttgart. They depart 20 minutes apart, at 7:25 and 7:45 p.m. I should have stood in line when I arrived two and a half hours early, instead of finding an electrical outlet and working offline (there is no wireless access in Terminal 1). I watched the line get longer and longer, until I could no longer take it. Germanwings had two agents working. They checked passengers in quickly – fortunately, they all either obeyed Germanwings’ usually strict baggage rules or the agents let them slide. The agent who checked me in did not give me a difficult time about my over-the-limit carry-on. I don’t know if it was because she was from Spain, and the Spaniards are more lenient than the Germans, but whatever the reason she made my Germanwings experience much better. Germanwings passenger (except those under 2 years old) can bring on board 8 kg (17 lbs), and check suitcases up to a combined weight of 20 kg (44 lbs). If you’re over, be prepared to pay €7 ($8.88) per kg (2.2 lbs), up to a maximum of 50 kg (110lbs). For more information, click on Germanwings.com. Note: I flew before the recent new European Union hand baggage rules went into effect (here’s the link to the rules).

OKTOBERFEST
I’m a bit behind on my stories because I went into a lot of detail with my Portugal and Spain trips; this journey took place in October. After Spain I had a few days off before I needed to be in two very special countries (which I’ll tell you about next week). Instead of heading back to the U.S., I decided to visit a friend in Cologne. You’d think that because I was in Germany in October I would automatically go to an Okotberfest celebration. But you might be surprised to learn (as I was) that Oktoberfest takes place only in Munich (a six-hour drive from Cologne), and the two-week festival begins in late September and ends in early October! So no Oktoberfest for me. However, my buddy Kevin from PubClub.com made the trek. He has some good tips for next year, which you can find through this direct link to the story on PubClub.com. For more info on Oktoberfest, check out wikipedia.org.

CHOCOLATE MUSEUM
By the time I made it to Cologne I wasn’t feeling well (I caught a cold), so I mostly hung out inside catching up on sleep and work. However, I did manage to visit the one Cologne attraction that eluded me on my first visit here a month earlier (here’s the link to that story). The Schokoladenmuseum (Chocolate Museum) opened in 1993 in a beautiful location on the Rheinau Peninsula at the center of Cologne (a 10-minute walk from the Cologne dom). Almost 1,500 people per day learn the 3,000-year cultural history of chocolate in this 13,000-square foot museum, featuring three levels and 2,000 exhibits. There’s even a tropical greenhouse, with cocoa trees and 60 other exotic plant types. This is not only a museum, but a working factory where visitors can see how chocolate is made, and enjoy a free sample from the chocolate fountain. Of course, a store at the end is packed with salivating chocolate lovers and screaming kids. Exhibitions are handicapped-friendly, and in German and English. Hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Closed on Monday. Admission: Adults: 6 EUR ($7.70). Children under 6, and those with a birthday on the day of their visit enter free. The 16 EUR family pass ($20.50) is valid for two adults and any number of your own children and grandchildren. Chocolate Museum, Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a, Köln; 49-(0)-221-9318880.

VIDEO
Sorry -- no video this week. However, here’s a link to all JohnnyJet Videos ever made.

NEXT WEEK
Next week we fly to…? And then on to…? Stay tuned!



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Happy Travels,
Johnny Jet

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