Flyctory.com Best Ones 2024

2024 has come to an end – and my Best of posting is the one which is “traditionally” concluding the year. The last of my year-end reviews is dealing with all the topics which Flyctory.com stands for – apart from individual music reviews: concerts, sports and a lot of travel. Here are my favorite experiences.

 

Flyctory.com – The Best in Music

There are still a few topics from the Music & Media section of my blog, which I haven’t dealt with yet. Here are some of my best musical experiences.

 

Best Concert / Festival Event 2024:

BAP, 13th December 2024, Cologne

I initially had the Percival show in Erftstadt for this category, but then, there was the surprising opportunity to cover the show by the Cologne rock band in their very own premier Cologne home venue. BAP’s show in my home town was simply amazing – and very touching to me. I had seen the band so many times before – from the spectator perspective. I am really thankful for this opportunity.

BAP (13th December 2024, Cologne)

 

Best Concert Performance 2024:

Sasha, 24th May 2024, Düsseldorf

Sasha’s show traveling through his lifetime as an artist was simply named This is my Time – and his performance was truly magical. What a funny, personal, intimate and ironic show reflecting the life of the German pop superstar.

Sasha (24th May 2024, Düsseldorf)

Best Album / EP / Single 2024:

The last two days, I already shared my thoughts about the best music releases with you, on an individual song basis as well as EPs and albums. Have a look into it if you are interested::

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Songs 2024

Flyctory.com – My Favorite Albums / EPs 2024

 

 

 

Flyctory.com – The Best in Sports

I am happy that after some Covid-19 trouble, I have been more and more able to come back to a regular sports coverage. Especially floorball, athletics and tennis have been driving my sports posts in 2024. Here are my favorites.

 

Personal Sports Event of the Year 2024 (covered with Flyctory.com):

Induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame 2024

Leander Paes, my sports idol, and Vijay Amritraj, another Indian tennis ambassador, being praised for their contribution and success to the sports. This Saturday evening in Newport, Rhode Island, was truly special to me. And even though I had high fever the day before – this day just couldn’t be missed! One of the biggest days in my life as a sports fan.

International Tennis Hall of Fame – Class of 2024 Induction

Best Match / Game (covered with Flyctory.com) 2024:

WFC 3×3 Men Finals: Sweden – Latvia 1 9-10 after Pen.

It was so important for me to be back a a World Floorball Championships. Even though Lahti “just” gave me a U19 Women WFC, I simply felt being back on international stage. The tournament hosted one of the big floorball highlights of the year, with Latvia beating Sweden in the first ever 3×3 World Floorball Championship. Amazing effort by the Baltic country.

WFC 3×3 Floorball 2024 – Day 2 Men’s Finals (12th May 2024)

 

Favorite Stadium / Arena / Arena Tour 2024:

PNC Diamond Club at Nationals Park / Washington Nationals

I can neither say that I am a real baseball fan nor that I am a regular visitor of the MLB. Thus, when I decided to watch the Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates ballgame in April 2024, I felt to go for the posh way and took one of their hospitality offers. The PNC Diamond Club was a real treat and an absolutely lovely way to enjoy the sports. Great service by the team from the US-American capital.

PNC Diamond Club at Nationals Park (Washington Nationals)

 

Favorite Mini Golf / Adventure Golf Course 2024:

Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf

I am still not sure that the official name is Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Goff or ‘ Minotaur Golf – they simply use both wordings on their website and social media. Undoubtedly, though, it is one of the most famous adventure golf places in the world, coming with two times 18 holes and the legendary 19th hole, which allows you to get lifelong play for free. The legend in Myrtle Beach is definitely worth a visit – it has been a lot of fun playing there!

Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf

 

Flyctory.com – The Best in Travel

I already introduced you to some statistic facts and figures about my travel year. There have been not too many new countries I have traveled to this year, but a lot of new places and experiences. Thus, there has been a rather long list of candidates for some of my best travel experiences in 2024.

 

Best Aviation Experience 2024:

Douglas C-47 Skyrtrain at Palm Springs Air Museum

I have flown quite a bunch of historic planes, including my most favorite experience, the Junkers Ju-52. However, the Douglas DC-3 – or the military version C-47 (which are practically identical) has been still on my bucket list. The Palm Springs Air Museum offered the lovely option to check this one – and I did it. The experience was amazing and the short flight over Coachella Valley was one of my favorite flights ever. I definitely recommend this place.

Flying the Douglas C-47 Skytrain at Palm Springs Air Museum

 

Best Inflight / Onboard Experience 2024:

Saudia Boeing B787-10 Business Class

While their legacy fleet, the Airbus A330 is significantly more limited in business class, Saudia’s Dreamliner fleet is a really nice experience. This year, I had to legs with them, from Jeddah (JED) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and back. No alcohol and take-off prayers – but a really nice service.

Flying Saudia Arabian Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner Business Class

 

Favorite Airport reviewed in 2024:

Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR)

The international airport of Myrtle Beach als profits from the fact, that many peers this year have been pretty average – and I haven’t completed the reviews of the posh places yet. Nonetheless, Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) definitely deserves the nomination. It comes with good connections a friendly and effective design and rather short waking routes between the different services. I really liked it.

Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR)

 

Best Airport / Non-Airport Lounge 2024:

Al Safwa Lounge Doha (DOH)

The Qataris know how to these kind of things right. For many frequent flyer, the First Class Lounge by Qatar Airways at Doha (DOH), the Al Safwa Lounge, is the best in the world. For mt it has been the first time visiting it this year. The experience has been truly amazing. Thus, even though I visited some other really great places, like the Malaysia Airlines International Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur (KUL), there was only one place which had to win that category.

Qatar Airways First Class from Doha (DOH) and Al Safwa First Class Lounge

 

Best (Road) Trip 2024:

Liwa Forts Oasis Route (United Arab Emirates)

The forts alongisde the Liwa Forts Oasis Route the Southern United Arab Emirates are reconstructions of the originals. Nonetheless, driving along the places, which used to defend the widespread Liwa Oasis, is a really interesting road trip in the Middle East. I am really glad I went for this one in October 2024.

Traveling along the Liwa Forts Oasis Route (U.A.E.)

 

Best Car Rental 2024:

Sixt Leverkusen

I did have rather few car rentals this year (and some are still missing), but the experience with Sixt in m town of residence, Leverkusen, was definitely been the finest one I had this year. Great one!

Car Rental Review – Sixt Leverkusen

 

Best Non-Aviation Travel Experience 2024:

Czech Rail Railjet Business Class

I have a bit of history traveling with the Austrian design and style of the Railjet train, driven by Austrian rail ÖBB. My return from Dresden home in late August 2024 offered me my debut experience in the Czech Railjet, though. I went for the ticket for the Business Class (which is nothing but an upgraded reservation from First Class)  and had a really good time with Czech Rail CD. A really nice train product.

Czech Rail (CD) Railjet Business Class

 

Best Onboard Meal 2024:

Czech Rail RJ 265, Dresden Hbf – Berlin Hbf

Even though I was too late on that day to go for one of their famous dumplings, Czech Rail is simply doing amazing in their rail onboard cuisine. The veal steak with lentil salad was simply a treat!

 

Favorite Museum / Exhibition about Travel/Transport 2024:

Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs does it again. I typically try to avoid that the same place pops up in multiple categories – but there was no chance not to mention the Air Museum a second time. Furthermore, the flight experience with the Douglas C-47 Skytrain has been dealt with in another review anyway. The Palm Springs Air Museum is a lovely place in an amazing scenery – you can even do some plane-spotting at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). Loved it!

Palm Springs Air Museum

 

Favorite Museum / Exhibition (other topics) 2024:

MinNature Malaysia

This place in Kuala Lumpur has been inspired by the global god of scale modeling, Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg. However, they try to do something very own – and they are doing it really well! The scale model landscape is giving a nice view of Malaysian landscapes, architecture and culture. And: the people are really friendly. Thus, this place absolutely deserves being in my favorite travel experience list for 2024.

MinNature Malaysia – The Country in a Scale Model Nutshell

 

Favorite Free Entry Attraction 2024:

Money Museum (Kansas City)

The rather centrally located Kansas City museum is driven by the Federal Reserve. It is a nice mixture of an historic coin / money collection explaining economics and having some fun. As there are some key sights around, you likely are in the area on your Kansas City trip anyway – and should add it to your destinations while in the city.

Money Museum (Kansas City)

 

Favorite Outdoor Attraction 2024:

Hamarikyu Park Tokyo

Very likely, I wouldn’t have visited this park if it wasn’t right in front of the Conrad Tokyo my wife and I stayed in during our first visit to Tokyo. Missing it would have been really a shame, as it is a nice mixture of Japanese history, culture (it features a tea house) and recreation right at the water. We really loved this place!

Hamarikyu Park Tokyo

 

Best “Flyctory Obscura” Place 2024:

KISS World Las Vegas

There are all kinds of things you can spend money on in Las Vegas. Some of them are a real rip-off. KISS World Las Vegas is a really cool place, though. Located in one of the countless casinos, it is a public display of the private collection by Gene Simmons himself. I can tell you: this guy had a lot of KISS memorabilia in stock! If you are not already fascinated – there is also a KISS-themed adventure golf course next to it.

KISS World Las Vegas

 

Best Observation Deck / View from Above 2024:

Yokohama Cosmo Clock 21

The Cosmo Clock 21 is a rather large Ferris Wheel, which is located in the heart of an amusement park in Yokohama. There are also some other attractions around. You have a lovely view of the city, especially its harbor area. Typically for Japan, the ride is well-organized. I absolutely enjoyed riding it.

Yokohama Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel

 

Best Airport Hotel 2024:

Clarion Hotel Arlanda

Good service, nice breakfast – and directly connected to Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN) – the Clarion Hotel Arlanda comes with quite a lot of arguments why one should love it. I definitely had a good time during my trip to the Swedish Floorball Finals in April 2024.

Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport

 

Best Rail Travel Hotel 2024:

Innside by Melia Wolfsburg

I had two separate stays at the Innside by Melia Wolfsburg last year – and definitely enjoyed both of them. The hotel is located right opposite Wolfsburg’s Main Train Station. Furthermore, the rooms are really nice, the service is good and most of the city’s attractions are in short walking distance anyway – I really like that place.

Innside by Melia Wolfsburg

 

Best Hotel – Value For Money 2024:

LIC Hotel (New York City)

Compared to other “budget” locations I reviewed, the LIC hotel in Queens is still quite pricey. But, hey, it’s New York City – and the Big Apple more and more rips the money from your credit card or wallet. The breakfast is not an absolute treat at the LIC Hotel, but the services and rooms are fine – and they have a lovely terrace with a view. The location leads to a really great value for money.

LIC Hotel (New York / Queens)

 

Most Relaxing Hotel 2024:

EnjoyNature B&B Hollola

Strictly speaking, this place near Lahti is not a hotel but rather a guesthouse or however you want to call it. However, I really loved staying there during the Girls Under 19 World Floorball Championships in the Finnish city. Drive time to the arena was some 20 minutes and the atmosphere with sheep on the lawn was just lovely for working. Last but not least, they even gave me an additional table as work desk. I really recommend this one.

EnjoyNature B&B Hollola (near Lahti, Finland)

 

Best Hotel 2024:

DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru

If you would not get a cookie at check-in in this place, it would be hard to believe that you are in fact in a DoubleTree. They have everything one might love – from a beautiful pool area to an Executive Lounge. The breakfast reminded me of Dubai buffts. Great performance by this hotel in the Southern Malaysian mainland town Johor Bahru.

DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru

 

Hidden Gem of the Year 2024:

Rhyolite Ghost Town & Goldwell Open Air Museum

These two attractions at the California-Nevada border are right next to each other. On the one hand, there are the ruins of a town which was absolutely glooming and blooming during the gold rush. Right next to it, there is an open air gallery of art sculptures of all kinds. It is quite a trip from Las Vegas, but I really loved that visit.

Rhyolite Ghost Town (Nevada) and Goldwell Open Air Museum

 

Favorite Travel Destination 2024:

Faroe Islands

In previous posts, this category was about the favorite new travel destination. However, with the number of new countries decreasing, I feel it does not make sense to pick one of one, two or three countries.

Thus, I change this category into which country I generally enjoyed traveling to. This year, my heart even more beat for the Faroe Islands. With the Men’s Handball Euro appearance in January and the ladies team competing in Basel, they caused quite a lot of cool sports stories. More than that, I really like the people there, The Faroe Islands more and more become my happy place. I still hope for a trip there coming true early next year.

 

 

The Best New Flyctory.com Features in 2024:

I typically list some innovations I put into the website in here. I feel that in regards of your feedback, you like that I brought back the Country Music Picks, even with a slightly varied “mission”. I also got some good feedback on using reels instead of standard posts on Instagram here and there.

I do work on some innovations for the Flyctory.com year 2025. I am not fully sure yet how they will be working exactly. Let’s see.

 

My Favorite Posting 2024:

Germany’s Westernmost Point

There have been quite a few posts I really enjoyed writing. One post I initially had on my mind was my Farewell Letter to Lufthansa in regards of my fading Senator status. Finally, I decided to go for this one. Going to the Westernmost point of Germany feels a bit of nerdy – but it was in fact a really nice trip and a good experience at the German-Dutch border.

Germany’s Westernmost Point near Selfkant-Isenbruch (Pictured Story)

 

Title picture: International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (in picture: Leander Paes)

 

The Best in Travel 2024

Here are all my travel reviews posted in 2024, leading to a Top Pick! in descending order of rating:

 

Postings about Flyctory.com

I sometimes write about the development of this blog, upgrades and other internal topics: