Lufthansa’s weekly newsletter, as well as its Web site, is heavily promoting a one-day special offer on April 2. The offer is online only, and big reductions are promised. There’s no hint as to what routes or prices Lufthansa has in store for its customers, but it might be worth having vacation days lined up and the credit card at the ready, just in case.

Blog reader Elaine Carson recently left a comment about her experience with Ryanair’s check-in policy. This topic certainly seems worthy of discussion, as it affects every holder of a U.S. passport who plans to use this airline now and in the future. She writes:

On March 27, London Heathrow airport opened its terminal five, or T5, a project that had been in the works for more than five years. Despite the high expectations for what is to be the airport’s flagship facility, it wasn’t long before things began going awry. Issues with checking in or receiving baggage came up high on the list of failures, and dozens of flights, both inbound and outbound, were canceled.

The British press had plenty to say about the lackluster launch:

Whenever I stay in a hotel, I make a point to rifle through those brochures of local attractions you often find alongside the reception desk. So many things to see, so little time and money! Recent delights I’ve been forced to forgo include a pencil museum in England and the world’s largest cuckoo clock in the Black Forest. And I’m still not over having missed the gerbil habitat in the United Arab Emirates, so if anyone goes there on R&R, please post a note on how it was.

As a kid, did you just love your treehouse? Aching to relive those happy youthful moments? Now you can, by booking a room in one of Germany’s treehouse hotels.

According to a press release, March 20 will see work begin on Lower Saxony’s Tree House hotel. Four units will be constructed, each with its own entryway, sleeping area, toilet, balcony and commanding view of the surrounding countryside of Weserbergland.

Have you ever been the victim of a scam targeting tourists? I’ve fallen for several small-scale cons, but thankfully, never anything to completely blot out all good memories of a trip. A reader asked me to address this topic, so here goes.

Were you in Germany during the summer of 2006? If so, you must remember the amazing electric atmosphere generated by the country’s hosting of the World Cup. If you didn’t make it to a game, maybe you made it to one of the Fan Zones that were set up in the host cities where it was possible to view the match on a wide-screen projection. Barring that, surely you passed by an outdoor cafe where crowds of people sat glued to the TV, laughing, cheering and crying. Those were heady days.

According to a brochure titled Special Trains to Death, the Deutsche Bahn's predecessor, Reichsbahn, transported some 3 million people to Nazi death camps, and received compensation for each passenger over the age of 4. It is stated that without the railway, the systematic murder of European Jews, Sinti and Roma would not have been possible.

An exhibit is presently traveling throughout Germany to remind us of those countless victims.

Those who live in Italy, and those who love this land, take note: March 25-31 has been announced as Settimana della Cultura (Italian only). Countrywide, museums and archaeological sites offer special events and free admission. Although the week is fast approaching, details on the Web remain sketchy -- let’s hope that the 2008 program will be published before events actually kick off.

Recent snow flurries notwithstanding, spring is soon upon us. If you’ve been outside in Germany over the past few days, you may well have noticed a welcome sight -- crocuses and daffodils have already sprouted, at least in our part of the world.

Are you willing to travel to spot the blossoming flora? If so, you’re not a second too early to start planning a trip.