TravelStories Episode 72: A Guys Trip to Malta

A Guys Trip to Malta Centered Around Lounge Hopping

Episode 72: Show Notes

Summary

In this episode, hosts Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle share their travel experiences centered around an impromptu trip to Malta, highlighting their lounge hopping adventures. They discuss their flight itinerary, the luxurious Polaris Lounge in Chicago, and the Frankfurt First Class Lounge, emphasizing the importance of these experiences in enhancing their travel. The conversation also touches on their arrival in Malta, exploring the historical city of Valletta, and the unique aspects of their journey, including unexpected encounters and the cultural richness of Malta. In this episode, the hosts discuss their recent trip to Malta, including their experiences exploring the Old Town, the beaches, and their flight with British Airways to Gatwick. They share insights on navigating Gatwick to Heathrow, hotel booking strategies, and their extensive lounge hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3, highlighting the pros and cons of various lounges including the Centurion, British Airways, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the trip's focus on lounges and the missed opportunities for outdoor exploration in Malta.

Key Points From This Episode:

00:00 Lounge Hopping: The Trip's Driving Force

02:00 Flight Itinerary and Booking Process

03:25 Experiencing the Polaris Lounge

11:44 Lufthansa First Class Experience

21:17 Frankfurt Lounge Experience

27:37 Arrival in Malta and Hotel Lounge Review

29:38 Navigating the Airport Experience

31:57 Dining in the Skies: European Airlines

34:52 Hotel Comparisons: Regency vs. Centric

35:43 Exploring Malta: A Densely Populated Gem

36:46 Valletta: The Old Town Experience

40:45 Cruise and Maintenance: Malta's Unique Position

42:50 Gatwick to Heathrow: A Smooth Transition

46:42 Dining at Hyatt Place: A Pleasant Surprise

51:43 Lounge Hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3

53:36 The Changing Landscape of Airport Lounges

54:48 Lounge Hopping Experience

01:01:09 The Qantas Lounge Highlights

01:06:13 Cathay Pacific Lounge Experience

01:09:43 Flight Experience and Upgrades

01:22:13 Reflections on the Trip

01:23:33 NEWCHAPTER