One reason for selecting Munich as a destination city was it’s easy access to the Czech Republic.  Munich is expensive even on the Euro, so heading further east for part our trip was definitely easier on the wallet.  Another reason is that Lufthansa started a non-stop flight from Denver to Munich in late March.  My overseas trips are usually 10-15 days. Many full time travelers lament this brief allotment of time, but as a worker bee in the U.S. I feel this is a sufficient period of time to explore a new city.  I currently have three full weeks of vacation at my full time job.  Add a few sick days here and there and some supportive co-workers and I’m not one to complain.  

Another benefit:  a non-stop flight to Europe from Denver eliminates any potential east coast problems or general plane change delays.  Having to change plans in Chicago, New York, or D.C. increases the chances of delays, and with packed flights and busy airports any delay could skim a full day off a Europe trip.  Not fun.

Denver has two daily Lufthansa flights, one to Frankfurt and one to Munich.  Both depart early afternoon and are about 10 hours.  They arrive in the morning, so you can still manage a full albiet groggy day (depending on your ability to sleep en route.)  The return trip leaves Munich at 9am, and arrives Denver and 12:30pm, (same day.)

As with previous foreign (to me) air carriers I was impressed at the vast differences in service between Lufthsansa and my regular airlines of United, American, or various low fare airlines, (which usually end up providing better services than the big guys.)  The entire staff was polite and courteous and more than attentive.  Sitting only a few seats back from the bulkhead I was surprised to see a flight attendant attach a CRIB to bulkhead middle bulkhead wall about one hour after takeoff.  This allowed a baby to rest through the entire flight without being jostled around by parents between seats.  Before takeoff flight attendants also handed out bags of puzzles and toys all of the children in effort to keep them occupied.  I admit I only notice children when they misbehave, (and their parents fail to rectify it,) but it’s nice to see the airline help out a bit.

In addition we received plenty or refreshments, German chocolate, beer, and a selection of three excruciatingly asinine movies.  As usual my entertainment consisted of some paperback mysteries and earplugs. 

We departed Denver about 2pm, and flew over northeastern Canada, skirting the southern edge of Greenland and Iceland, and after our attempts at making a full night’s sleep out of a coach seat we arrived in Munich at about 7am. 

The arrivals area of the gleaming Munich airport was almost empty at that time.  We quickly found customs, and with absolutely NO line we were quickly processed and wandered outside into the large outdoor plaza connecting Terminal 1 and the new Star Alliance Terminal 2.  After finding the rail station and guessing at which S-Bahn fare to purchase we groggily watched the fields around the airport change into Munich cityscape until we dipped underground.  Fortunately the bright sun, and a gaggle of German schoolchildren on the train en route to a field trip somewhere in the city kept us awake.