Cheap Flight to Europe via Las Vegas

by Neil Woodburn on

Sometimes the cheapest way to fly is not always the most obvious. Take for example Condor Airlines. This German-based budget airline has a direct flight from Frankfurt to Las Vegas that can save you a bundle–providing you can get a cheap flight to Vegas, baby!

This is how it works. Last night I priced out a fictional trip leaving June 24 and returning July 1st on the Vegas/Frankfurt flight. The price was $613. The only problem is that I don’t live in Vegas. But, I do live in Los Angeles, a cheap gateway to Vegas. A quick jump over to Southwest determined I could buy a roundtrip ticket from Los Angeles to Vegas for $196. That brings my total to $809.

The cheapest Los Angeles to Frankfurt ticket on Kayak, on the other hand, starts at $1349.

The Vegas detour saves $540!

The trip becomes even cheaper if you plan far enough in advance and buy your Southwest ticket for $100. And then, of course, there is the possibility of winning big at the slots in the airport while waiting for your Frankfurt flight–although I wouldn’t fold that possibility into your expenses.

Las Vegas not close enough for you? Condor also flies to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Orlando, as well as a couple of places in Canada. And, Frankfurt isn’t their only European destination.

Mixing and matching airlines in such a manner can certainly save you some dough, but keep in mind that if Southwest gets you to Vegas late and you miss your Frankfurt flight, the airline has no obligation to help you out since they are not partners with Condor. But, for $540, I’m willing to take that chance.

Photo of the Day (6/8/07)

by Neil Woodburn on

Man, I’m glad that summer is coming because this shot by Lotse just screams BUTT-FREEZING COLD!!!!!!

When I first came across it in our Gadling Flickr Pool, I figured it must be somewhere in the Arctic North. Nope. Lotse captured this frozen landscape at Lake Wolzig near Berlin. Brrr…. I love the way the ice is both brutal and beautiful at the same time. Great job Lotse!

Naked Sightseeing Not Cool in Germany

by Willy Volk on

Though everyone knows Germans love getting naked in public, when an American visiting Germany recently stripped to the buff and began traipsing throughout the city, local officials got angry. “We have been having unusually hot weather here lately but, all the same, we can’t have this,” a spokesman for police said. (Ha ha, he said “butt.”)

According to the unnamed 41-year-old traveler, he thought naked sightseeing was acceptable in Germany. For those of you in need of further clarification: though Germans enjoy nude sunbathing in public parks, prancing throughout the city with your clothes in a bag is not smiled upon by our Teutonic brethren. Just FYI.

Ultimately, the police made the man get dressed and pay a 200 euro ($269) deposit pending his investigation for indecent behavior.

I wonder if this will give rise to the new “extreme” sport of Naked Sightseeing.

Sculpture Projects Munster: An Every 10 Year Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit

by Jamie Rhein on

Munster, Germany was almost totally destroyed during World War II. If there is any indication that “Art Saves Lives,” as I used to see on art pins sold in the Mariposa Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Sculpture Project Munster, is it. Every ten years this outdoor sculpture exhibit pulls in artists‘ work from different countries to infuse vibrancy into the human experience. There are 37 artists on the list. This year’s theme is to show how art transforms public space. To go along with the exhibit there are lectures, film screenings and discussions.

The exhibit, June 17-September 30 is a chance to see how you interact with the environment when you interact with the sculptures. Once each exhibit is over, Munster keeps some of the sculptures making this a city to see if you like outdoor art. There are 34 sculptures still on display from previous years.

If you are interested in heading here, the Web site has a Grand Tour page with visitor information.

Stuck in an Airport: The Best Ones

by Jamie Rhein on

When I flew back from Taiwan on my way to Albuquerque, N.M., I had a scheduled eight-hour (or more) layover in Minneapolis, Minn. The best part was the convenience of the rented luggage cart. Pick up was right where the bags came off the conveyor belt. Drop off was at the gate of my connecting flight. In between my landing and takeoff, I spent a good deal of the time sleeping with my feet propped up on my carry-ons piled on the cart. It doesn’t take much to make me happy.

There are airports that crank it up a notch or two to create great layover spots. These are the places recently named as the best of the best for places to be stuck for a while in Forbes Traveler. Click on each link to find out what’s the reason. If you happen to be somewhere bored of waiting, take photos. That’s what nashsnazzy did. I like the black and white.