My ED Trip with Pics (REALLY LONG)

Hi Everybody,

I just got back from my Euro-Delivery trip. What a blast, I can't tell you how exciting this was. Europe is beautiful, and the European people were so friendly to us.

We flew directly to Munich on Lufthansa. It turns out we were sitting next to xMotor the whole time (he was picking up his new X3). We took the S-bahn to Marient Platz., then the U-bahn to Freimann. After leaving the station we lugged our baggage down the snowy path behind the train station. Make sure you turn off the path at the first opportunity, otherwise you'll go too far like we did. You don't actually go towards the large BMW building in the distance. The Euro Delivery center is actually just outside of the train-station.

The doorbell was still broken so we went in the side entrance. There were lots of 1-series and E90s in the parking lot. Most cars were unmarked. The receptionist told us the wait would be about 45 minutes, so we should head upstairs to the cafe. There we were reunited with xMotor, and two very friendly people working the cafe. They told us we could have anything, and gave us cappucino, two types of German sausages with pretzels and mustard, and a bottle of Coke Light (yup there's the equivalent of diet Coke in Europe). We had barely finished eating before we were greeted by Bernhard. Wow were we lucky he's by far the best greeter there.

After telling us stories of how crazy he drives his BMWs in the snow, and congratulating me on the new car, he handed me the keys and showed me the car. He programmed a few destinations into the Nav for us, and posed with us for a few pictures.

Here are some pics of the car and Bernard
1) My Silver Gray 330iZHP 2,3) Interior - Natural Brown with Silver Cube and Nav 4) Navigation showing the way to the Harms dropoff 5) Bernard

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We ran to Harms, and got the paperwork started. It took us only 5 minutes and then we left. We found our way to the Autobahn, heading towards Innsbruck, Austria. Our final destination was Verona, Italy. We stopped at a McDonalds on the way, and I still cannot believe the views - there was an entire wall of McyDs that was all windows. Look at the pic below.

The A-bahn was a parking lot. It was a friday afternoon and eveyrone was heading to Innsbruck to go skiing. After about 45 minutes in stop and go traffic (what a great way to break in a new BMW!

), the left lane cleared up. We passed 2 miles of solid traffic in two lanes, all trying to exit Innsbruck. We did the rude thing and cut into traffic right before the exit. As soon as we got past the exit the traffic opened up and it was all smooth sailing.

The Brenner pass was a great drive, and getting into the Italian side was even better. The views of the Alps were just stunning.

1) The view from McDonalds (if only the food were as good as the view - 12 Euro for 2 Value Meals).
2-5) The Brenner Pass, and various roads in Austria/Italy

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We stopped at Verona, grabbed dinner at a little Pizza parlor, with a glass of chianti. Quite good. After walking around downtown (nope we didn't visit any Romeo And Juliet tourist spots), we headed back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.

Woke up at 4:15 AM, so we could head over to Florence in time to see the sites. We checked in at the Hotel Amasciatore, and they promptly moved us into a neighboring hotel. The room was nice, small but comfotable. Unfortunately, since it was near the train station there was a terrible sewer smell. First stop was the Academia to see Michelangelo's David. We nearly got kicked out trying to take a photo of the famous statue. The statues were great, but the rest of the gallery was sort of disappointing.

Next stop was the Duomo, and then off to the Uffizi Gallery to see Botticelli's Birth of Venus, along with other great works by the likes of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Durer, and other greats. Getting into Uffizi is an ordeal. They only let people in every half an hour. The best bet is to make reservations ahead of time, yes even in the off season. After an hour and a half of waiting, we squeaked in (they closed the ropes behind us). It was nice being surrounded by such Renaissance history. After the Gallery, we hit the Ponte Vecchio. Beautiful views of the River Arno, and lots of neat shops. We even stopped into a leather shop looking for a pair of special ZHP gloves, but Alas, they said we can only buy those in Munchen.

The day ended at a great little restuarant in Firenze. They served us wine, cheese, and cured pork while we waited for an hour plus to get in. The food was great, and we were simply overloaded with wine, champagne, and other dessert licquors (I highly recommend the limoncello!).

1)Michelangelo's David 2) Tower by the Duomo in Florence 3) The River Arno taken from the Ponte Vecchio 4) The Ponte Vecchio as seen from the Uffizi Gallery 5) Biscotti and dessert wine for dipping - sooo good

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The next day we decided to try for Cinque Terra. As were were driving, we noticed on the Nav screen (YES GET THE NAV!) that Pisa was pretty close by. So we stopped in to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It was dead quiet being a Sunday in February, which made it that much more enjoyable. What surprised me most was that there is a beautiful church and basilica right next to the tower that doesn't seem to get much acknowledgement. It was in Pisa that we found it... yup, that's right, the Hotel Calfornia.

We attempted to drive to Cinque Terra, but once we got within a few miles, the weather took a turn for the worse and we decided it would be too dangerous to drive without snow tires. So we turned around and head back towards Innsbruck. After driving through a terrible snowstorm (by far the scariest part of the trip), we made it back towards the brenner pass with much better road conditions. At this point we were able to open up the car a little bit. We had crossed over the 1000 mile mark, so I pushed the car up to about 140 MPH. I did this all from 6th gear, because I knew if I stayed in 5th I'd have redlined it.

Innsbruck is a beautiful city. The mountains looked just perfect for skiing. The people were friendly, and the buildings were amazing too. My poor car got covered in snow - it was crying out for Texas where it will never ever see snow again. We took a tram to the old town (the bus drivers were helpful in making sure we got out at the right place - did I mention the people were friendly?). After walking around the town, stopping in a church to see a late Sunday night mass, and having a nice dinner of schnitzel, bratwurst, and bier (ok sachertorte too), we retired for the night.

1,2) Leaning Tower of Pisa 3)The Hotel California 4) 1000 miles already? 5) 140 mph!!! WOW I love Europe and BMWs

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The last day we drove to Munich. We stopped on the way at the Swarovski Crystal Factory. There's nothing like the Swarovski Giant. That had to be the strangest artistic tour I've ever taken in my life. It's worth seeing, but just strange.

We got to Munich, checked in at the Marriott. This was by far the most American looking Hotel we stayed in. We drove to Harms to drop off the car. He came down with an cordless drill to remove the front plates, made sure we removed the traingle and first-aid kit from the car. Then we filled out the paperwork. A few jokes and 5 minutes later we were out of there. On the way to the U-bahn station we stopped to make a mini snow man since there was a fresh layer of white powder everywhere. Can't miss a great opportunity to play in the snow. Trust me - you're never too old.

We took the bus to the U-bahn. While on the train towards Marient Platz, we ran into a local German who started chatting with us. He was by far the nicest person we met the whole trip. We asked him where to visit in Muncih aside from Hofbrauhaus. Rather than simply tell us, he got off the train with us at Marien Platz and gave us a private tour of Munchen. He took us through the Fransiscaner (bar), ultimately to Spatenhouse. We dined on the best Pretzels, sausage, and Bier that I've ever eaten. (Don't forget the Mustard!). Naturally the day ended up at Hofbrauhaus where we drank copious amounts of bier, listened to music, and had a good time.

All in all it was an amazing trip. I can't imagine getting my BMW any other way. I wish you all the best of luck with your trips and enjoying your Bimmers.

Reply » My ED Trip with Pics (REALLY LONG)

Quote:

5) Navigation showing the way to the Harms dropoff

Congrats! Ahh... thanks for posting this shot -- you finally explained to me what that leather thing that came inside my glovebox was for. Never thought it could be for my key!

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