European Delivery Trip Itinerary Help

[m3heaven]

Hey Guys,

This will be my first ED trip and first trip to Europe. The following is what I've mapped out so far and I'm looking for some suggestions. Let me know what you guys think. Any help would be much appreciated regarding cities to stop at, hotels, tips, etc.!

9/13 – Munich/Pick up M4
9/14 – Somewhere in between Munich and Lake Como
9/15 – Lake Como
9/16 – Lake Como
9/17 – Florence
9/18 – Florence
9/19 – Florence
9/20 – Western/Northern Italy (Genoa/Turin?)
9/21 – Monoco/Nice
9/22 – Provence
9/23 – Somewhere in between Southern France & Paris
9/24 – Paris/Drop off Car
9/25 – Paris
9/26 – Paris
9/27 – Paris
9/28 – Go back to NYC

[modeno]

I've always loved Cinque Terre, usually stay in Monterosso, its a relaxing break from the big cities, ...old world and picturesque.

Florence, just be careful of the restricted driving zones, they'll mail you a ticket if you drive through one.

And maybe avoid Parma: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...5&postcount=13

[01ON19]

Since you have this great car, I would spend less time in Florence, more in Provence.

[stressdoc]

My itinerary is: Munich 1.5 days, Neuschwanstein 1 night, Lake Como 2 days, Portofino/cinque terre 2 days, grossglochner 2 days. Much too short...

[m3heaven]

Still looking for a city worthwhile to spend a night in between Munich and Lake Como!

[starbai]

Originally Posted by modeno

I've always loved Cinque Terre, usually stay in Monterosso, its a relaxing break from the big cities, ...old world and picturesque.

Florence, just be careful of the restricted driving zones, they'll mail you a ticket if you drive through one.

And maybe avoid Parma: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...5&postcount=13

Where do you park when you're in Monterosso? I know theres basically no driving in those towns, but it will be our method to get there. Gotta leave the car some where. Any place secure?

[Space gray]

Originally Posted by starbai

Where do you park when you're in Monterosso? I know theres basically no driving in those towns, but it will be our method to get there. Gotta leave the car some where. Any place secure?

I parked at a public parking structure at the top of the town. Just beyond there's a barrier that keeps the town below mostly car free. If you look in google maps, the newer town is connected to the old town at the bottom near the train station. If you want to park you car at your lodging it'll likely be in the newer side or at Villa Steno which I think has a few parking spaces in the old town. This was before the towns flooded so maybe there's more parking now.

[ejonsson90]

Any reason for spending so much time in Paris? You can go to Paris any time, whereas you only have a few chances in a lifetime to drive a brand new M car anywhere in Europe.

[XsltAnalyst]

Personally, with a car, I'd spend less time in big cities, as the Euro delivery is more about exploring little towns (that are usually harder to get to with public transport) and alpine passes with your own car. You can always come back and visit the big cities.

Here is my suggestion:

Arrive to MUC a day or two before. Consider dropping off the car in Nice and taking the train.

Read up bimmerfest ed wiki for suggestions on what you want to do. It also depends on what your interests are and who you'll be traveling with. Post your interests and who you'll be traveling with and we can help narrow it down.

[mpizutti]

Originally Posted by m3heaven

Hey Guys,

This will be my first ED trip and first trip to Europe. The following is what I've mapped out so far and I'm looking for some suggestions. Let me know what you guys think. Any help would be much appreciated regarding cities to stop at, hotels, tips, etc.!

9/13 – Munich/Pick up M4
9/14 – Somewhere in between Munich and Lake Como
9/15 – Lake Como
9/16 – Lake Como
9/17 – Florence
9/18 – Florence
9/19 – Florence
9/20 – Western/Northern Italy (Genoa/Turin?)
9/21 – Monoco/Nice
9/22 – Provence
9/23 – Somewhere in between Southern France & Paris
9/24 – Paris/Drop off Car
9/25 – Paris
9/26 – Paris
9/27 – Paris
9/28 – Go back to NYC

stay in Bormio italy at the base of the stelivo pass..but if you drive the pass GPS will try and take you around it..so if you put in Munich to Bormio will not take yoy thru pass..just have to go in and to waypoints

[KennySRFElite]

OP,
Last year I spent three days in Alba, this is the wine country of Barolo and Barbaresco. If you like big reds, either drive through and find a winery or stay a night. The roads and scenery of the wine country is amazing.
KP

[MN2///M]

The ZTL's in Italy will tag you everytime you pass a camera for typically a >100 Euro fine no matter how close, so be very aware of these in the Italian towns. A little Googling and you'll find lots of stories.

To me, where you stay after you pick up the car should be more about setting you up for the next day's drive. Our delivery was at 10:00 and we did not leave the Welt until 3:30 by the time we did the factory tour and a quick walk through the Museum.

I'm not sure I would do Paris right now. There are lots of other great places to visit in Europe that you may enjoy just as much. If you have a strong NY accent, you may find Paris very annoying. My experience has been they either love Americans or hate them. When we travel Europe, most people think we are Canadian or British until we tell them otherwise. We have found that this serves us pretty well most of the time; some don't like Brits much more than Americans. Canadians seem to be loved by everyone.

There likely are some bucket list places on your list, but I would recommend looking at why you want to go to a particular town. Unless it is for a specific attraction, you may be able to find a place off the beaten path that will be much more enjoyable and have similar or even better flavor because it is not as touristy.

We tend to hit major points of interest, but from there, we try to stay out of the major tourist cities. It has served us very well and have found that we enjoy the small, off the path places more than the tourist trap.

Get off the highway and enjoy the drive, make frequent stops to take pictures and walk towns. Have a drink, eat a pastry, and talk with the locals. Lastly, have room in your itinerary to modify it. You may just get a great recommendation from a local.

[KevinM]

Just so everyone is clear, the OP's post was bumped from 7/2014. If you are still reading, I hope you enjoyed your ED!