Chasing the European Summer: Cologne, Brussels & London

European Summer, Reimagined

There’s something magnetic about Europe in July. Golden evenings along the Rhine, waffles and jazz in Brussels, and London streets buzzing with summer energy. This year, we chased that feeling again with one goal in mind: travel smart, spend less, and still live well.

With a few well-timed award redemptions, this ten-day journey through Cologne, Brussels, and London came in under $1,000 per person including flights, hotels, and trains. Here’s how we made it happen.

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Planning

This trip began with a bit of luck and a Reddit post on r/awardtravel. Back in January, Condor Airlines released a wave of business-class award seats from the West Coast to Frankfurt that perfectly aligned with the July 4th holidays. We booked immediately using 70,000 Alaska miles and $49 per person for a flight that would have cost about $3,000.

We monitored return flights from several European gateways including Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London. A month later, Virgin Atlantic opened up economy award space out of London. For 15,000 miles and about $200 in taxes, we secured our flights home on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Even with Heathrow’s steep fees, this was one of the best-value redemptions of the year.

Booking flights early gave us time to plan hotels strategically. With Hyatt Globalist status and a new Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus, we earned enough points to cover London’s premium rates. That single decision saved nearly $2,400 on accommodations in the heart of the city.

Flights

Condor Business Class – Los Angeles to Frankfurt

Condor’s refreshed cabins have quietly become one of the best values in transatlantic business class. Our 11-hour flight from Los Angeles to Frankfurt delivered far more than expected: lie-flat seats, polished service, and excellent meals.

Before departure, we relaxed in the Air France Lounge at LAX. The food and drink selection was impressive, and the space felt calm even during peak hours. (Full details of our flight experience is in our Condor Business Class review)

Virgin Atlantic Economy – London to Los Angeles

For the return leg, we flew Virgin Atlantic’s 787-9 Dreamliner in economy. The crew was cheerful, the entertainment system modern, and seat comfort better than average. Heathrow’s departure taxes were high, but at 15,000 miles plus $200, it was an easy trade-off for a direct flight home.

Getting Around

Like many of our previous trips to Europe, trains were the backbone of this itinerary. We booked directly on Deutsche Bahn and Eurostar, which made city connections straightforward.

• Frankfurt to Cologne / Cologne to Brussels: both trips were refunded after a major delay (always check DB’s refund policy).
  
• Brussels to London (Eurostar): about $140 and a comfortable way to cross the Channel.
  
• Day trips: Ghent ($30) and Bath ($120) added variety to our trip itinerary and were easy to organize online.

German train delays are common, so build in buffer time and keep receipts for potential refund claims.

Accommodations

Hyatt Regency Cologne – 2 Nights (Cash Stay ~$150 per night)

This business-focused hotel overdelivers on comfort and location. Set along the Rhine with direct views of Cologne Cathedral, it’s ideal for sightseeing. The breakfast spread was exceptional and service felt genuinely thoughtful (Read the full Hyatt Regency Cologne Review for details).

Brussels Airbnb – 3 Nights (~$400 total)

Our apartment near the southern edge of the city center was clean, walkable, and comfortable. It offered a great local feel with a cozy living and laundry machine. For under $70 per person per night, it was unbeatable value.

Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars – 4 Nights (100,000 Hyatt points + Suite Upgrade)

London hotels in summer can be eye-watering, but this redemption saved roughly $2,400 compared to cash rates. The suite upgrade made the stay even better, providing a spacious living area and river views. The property’s central location near St. Paul’s and Southbank made it a perfect home base (Read our Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars Review for more impressions).

Expense Breakdown

Here’s a quick breakdown of our costs per person for this trip:

Trip Highlights

Cologne

• Riverside Walks – golden sunsets and boats gliding under Hohenzollern Bridge
• Cathedral Climb – sweeping views of the city and the Rhine from the tower top
• Local Eats – crisp Kölsch beer and hearty German cuisine

Brussels

• Sweet Spots – sampling artisanal chocolate and frites near the Grand Place
• Ghent Day Trip – postcard-perfect town with medieval castle and canals
• City Vibes – street art, quirky statues, and lively pubs tucked around the old town

London

• Notting Hill & Daunt Books – colorful streets and literary charm in one morning stroll
• Global Dining – exploring London’s international food scene from markets to fine dining
• Bath Escape – day trip to Georgian streets and the ancient Roman Baths

Takeaways

This trip once again proved that value travel and comfort can go hand in hand. With patience and flexibility, we flew business class to Europe, stayed in top hotels, and explored three countries for less than the cost of a single economy ticket.

Here are a few takeaways that made this trip work so well:

• Award flight alerts: Follow communities like r/awardtravel and TripPlus for real-time notices on award availability.
• Stack Chase and Hyatt points: The Chase-to-Hyatt transfer remains one of the best redemption tools in the game.
• Plan day trips from major metros: Some of our favorite memories came from exploring Ghent and Bath, two charming towns just a train ride away.

Stay tuned for more trip reports, reviews, and tips by following us on Instagram!