Pic: SN2055 Brussels-Bristol operated by BMI Embraer 145EP (Apr 2012)
Bristol (United Kingdom), my second Brussels Airlines #Flyday weekend trip.  Last month I traveled to the Portuguese Algarve using the Flyday promo, this month I chose Bristol, Barcelona and Warsaw.  Yes, I’m addicted to this promo, but it’s a great deal!  Every Friday, Brussels Airlines offers three destinations at €99 for take-off over any of the 4 following weekends.  The booking class is b.flex economy (H) which means you can use the premium check-in desks and fastlane security at the airport.  B.flex passengers are seated in the front part of the cabin and served complimentary food & drinks.  The €99 return trip in B.flex earns 2500 status miles (on Brussels Airlines operated flights, see Miles & More) instead of the usual 250 status miles in B.light economy.  A great offer, but availability is limited.  As you can see in the picture above, the flight to Bristol was operated by BMI Regional.  I only noticed this at online check-in, as at the time of booking it was indicated as an SN operated flight.  This is important for Air Miles collectors like me, as BMI operated flights only earn 1500 status miles with Miles and More (booking class H, European return trip).  My miles didn’t post yet, I still hope to earn 2500 status miles.
Update: Looks like the BRU-BRS BMI flight was a wet lease, as 1250 status miles have posted.  If you have Miles and More Frequent Traveller, Senator or HON Circle status, a 25% status miles bonus is added.  In this case, the return trip Brussels – Bristol earns me 3126 status miles.

Pic: 1563 status miles posted on my Miles & More account for BRU-BRS flight

Pic: Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre – Entrance (Apr 2012)
For my hotel booking, I used IHG’s ‘ Exclusive 2 for 1‘ promo.  A two night stay at a four star hotel for £79.95 (€97) – Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre (opened June last year)  As Priority Club Platinum member, I was upgraded to a Deluxe room.  Nice room, although a bit small, with extra’s like bathroom amenities, bathrobe, huge Samsung flatscreen tv, etc…

Pic: Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre – Deluxe Room (Apr 2012)

Pic: Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre – Elsyl Bathroom Amenities (Apr 2012)
I didn’t know what to expect from Bristol, I had the impression London was the only interesting city in the UK.  Well, I was wrong.  Bristol has many things to offer: Touristic attractions like Clifton Suspension Bridge, Brunel’s ss Great Britain, the famous Bristol Zoo, many interactive museums and on top a great shopping and nightlife scene.  My most spectacular experience was a visit to The City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The city was established as a spa by the Romans in AD 43 and features the Roman Baths.  The superbly maintained baths are fuelled by England’s only mineral hot springs, outputting over a million litres of hot water each day.  Bath is located 13 miles (21 km) south-east of Bristol and can easily be reached by train.  A journey from Bristol Temple Meads station to Bath Spa takes less than 15 minutes.

Pic: The Roman Baths in Bath (Apr 2012)