Suggestions Critiques of proposed ED trip

[GregSM3]

Ok scoured forum and other sources and put the attached together. Would very much appreciate your input. Some background wife has a bit of a queasy stomach and a bit of a nervous passenger so limiting a bit the mountain pass driving. Trying to find a balance of sightseeing, driving on great scenic roads and not stressing too much about damaging the car in any way. It's also our 25th wedding anniversary and our first ED. Car YMB F80, comp, exec, etc. PDF itinerary with details is also attached. Thanks for the help!

[Space gray]

Seems like too many places where you're staying only 1 night. Your trip is relatively short so that may be ok, but I prefer less changing hotels and packing/unpacking. For example, looks like you're allocating about 1/2 day to salzburg sightseeing but I think it's worth more time. You could also check out nearby things salt mines, Berchtesgaden, or a day trip to Hallstatt. My 2 cents.

[KevinM]

Looks like a very packed (and planned!) trip. All of the places you are going are wonderful. I agree that (depending on your personality) you might want to stay longer at a few places and soak up the culture/get some R&R. Four hours for the car pick-up and departing Munich at noon is very aggressive. My pick-up time was 9:10 AM. I arrived at 8 for check-in. Between delivery, enjoying the Premium Lounge, the factory tour, the BMW museum and exploring the Welt, we spent the whole day there. If you are a car guy/BMW guy you don't want to short-change delivery day, trust me. Also, like you we had flown into Munich the day before and we were very glad not travel on delivery day - we were exhausted. It was fantastic to spend the day at the Welt, go back to our hotel and crash.

Anyway, have fun and post pictures!

[GregSM3]

Yes, reworking some to stay in hotels longer and less of them, good points. Will also see about more time at Welt as I am sure I will like it. Curious how long others spent picking up car as well?

[rakusak]

Originally Posted by GregSM3

Ok scoured forum and other sources and put the attached together. Would very much appreciate your input. Some background wife has a bit of a queasy stomach and a bit of a nervous passenger so limiting a bit the mountain pass driving. Trying to find a balance of sightseeing, driving on great scenic roads and not stressing too much about damaging the car in any way. It's also our 25th wedding anniversary and our first ED. Car YMB F80, comp, exec, etc. PDF itinerary with details is also attached. Thanks for the help!

Good planning. But did you want to go to 'Nuremberg or drive the 'Nurburgring' ?

Here is my current plan (~1,500 miles)

[GregSM3]

Definitely drive the ring. It is interesting that it only appears to be open a few hours per day so we will arrive, drive, loom around a bit and then depart.

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by GregSM3

Definitely drive the ring. It is interesting that it only appears to be open a few hours per day so we will arrive, drive, loom around a bit and then depart.

Is there a reason you are going to Nuremberg? I mean the war trials were there so that is cool, but if you intend to go to Nürburgring its in a slightly different location like almost 4 hours east (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Nure...5!2d50.3340981)

However, I do not presume to know what you meant. maybe you in fact meant Nuremberg and that there is an attraction there open from 5:30-7:30 pm. So, I am honestly curious what the attractions are in Nuremberg if that is the case. I am quite the history buff and would like to learn more if you don't mind expanding. Trying to get ideas for our trip.

[brian30tw]

Just be careful with your route down south. Last I checked, you're not allowed to drive through Liechtenstein, but perhaps that has changed?

Also, just a heads up that a lot of the actual drive times through the Alps are much longer than Google would have you believe. I suspect you won't get to Interlaken until after your planned 2:30 arrival, especially if you want to stop for lunch, take pictures on the passes, or let your wife catch her breath, things like that. I've never driven the Passo della Novena, but it doesn't even have a highway number on Google Maps, and it looks pretty long, so I'd guess that one will take a while.

Most importantly, though: have a blast!

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by brian30tw

Just be careful with your route down south. Last I checked, you're not allowed to drive through Liechtenstein, but perhaps that has changed?

Also, just a heads up that a lot of the actual drive times through the Alps are much longer than Google would have you believe. I suspect you won't get to Interlaken until after your planned 2:30 arrival, especially if you want to stop for lunch, take pictures on the passes, or let your wife catch her breath, things like that. I've never driven the Passo della Novena, but it doesn't even have a highway number on Google Maps, and it looks pretty long, so I'd guess that one will take a while.

Most importantly, though: have a blast!

Brian is correct, you cannot drive through Liechtenstein:

Please be advised that your new BMW can only be driven in European Union countries, which include the following:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Great Britain
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway (Non EU but recognizes tourist license plates)
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland (Non EU but recognizes tourist license plates)


All other countries are restricted because of the temporary tourist plates that are not recognized in non-EU countries. Also consider when planning your travels that you may not drive through any country that is not listed above.

[GregSM3]

Ooh - good points all. put in Nuremberg, and meant Nurburgring. Good catch. Clearly some mods needed. Thanks again for all the good input. Would hate to mess this up, but I am sure we will need a bit of flexibility. Keep the comments coming. Thanks.

[01ON19]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

Brian is correct, you cannot drive through Liechtenstein:

You could be in and out of Liechtenstein without even realizing it. See https://youtu.be/uchoyOI4zBc

[Space gray]

Originally Posted by Thescout13

Brian is correct, you cannot drive through Liechtenstein:

Not meaning to derail this thread, but I think that BMW ED department is being overly cautious in the list of "allowed" countries. I took my M3 to San Marino last December and I've been to Lichtenstein on another ED. Neither is listed as "approved" but there are no border controls and the insurance "green card" provided at the Welt shows that there is coverage in those 2 countries and many more not in the list you posted. Doesn't mean that I would drive to Iran or Turkey (both covered), but I estimate the risk of something "bad" happening for driving in Lichtenstein small.
For some perspective, there's a guy on rennlist taking his 911 to Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina during his upcoming ED trip and another who drove his Boxster Spyder to Bosnia. The first guy emailed the Serbian embassy and was told that it would be no problem to drive there with the temporary plates.

Just be informed and make your decisions. Lichtenstein is not "forbidden".

[Thescout13]

Originally Posted by Space gray

Not meaning to derail this thread, but I think that BMW ED department is being overly cautious in the list of "allowed" countries. I took my M3 to San Marino last December and I've been to Lichtenstein on another ED. Neither is listed as "approved" but there are no border controls and the insurance "green card" provided at the Welt shows that there is coverage in those 2 countries and many more not in the list you posted. Doesn't mean that I would drive to Iran or Turkey (both covered), but I estimate the risk of something "bad" happening for driving in Lichtenstein small.
For some perspective, there's a guy on rennlist taking his 911 to Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina during his upcoming ED trip and another who drove his Boxster Spyder to Bosnia. The first guy emailed the Serbian embassy and was told that it would be no problem to drive there with the temporary plates.

Just be informed and make your decisions. Lichtenstein is not "forbidden".

Good input! Thanks, this helps with some piece of mind for our planning.

[GregSM3]

Ok so should not be an issue routing through Liechtenstein. We are just driving through so hopefully be without incident. Thanks.

[Space gray]

Originally Posted by GregSM3

Ok so should not be an issue routing through Liechtenstein. We are just driving through so hopefully be without incident. Thanks.

Upon further review, Liechtenstein (country code FL) is not listed as having insurance coverage. I attached the Green Insurance Card for my ED in April 2017 for reference.
So, for those who want to be cautious, stay away. On the other hand, if you're curious about visiting the prince's castle, play at your risk. Or also, if your teeth need replacing, Jeremy Clarkson said that it's the world's leading producer of dentures.

[thevex67]

I did a recent M4 delivery ( June) with a 2 week itinerary through Germany and Austria. I hope to post my trip soon (just have to pick out which photos I want to post). My wife is not a car person but indulges me with now my 3rd M3/4. Because of this, we decided not to plan the trip around driving specific roads, but rather to plan where we wanted to go and see. I see too many people plan too many places to go for their ED and spend an enormous amount of time in the car. This may be fun for you, but your wife may hate it. You have allocated way too little time at each place, you only have 1 night stays everywhere. This means repeated packing and unpacking. And you barely get to see anything while you are there. Your driving itinerary reads like you took every recommended highlight and tried to draw it on a map. My advice-- have your wife map out an itinerary where she wants to go-- then try to see what driving highlights you can fit into your two itineraries to mesh your interests. Just my two cents.

[GregSM3]

thevex67 - points well taken. Will continue to modify and see what can be cut out. Our wives sound similar re indulging us. Although, her primary interest was to visit Ireland which we are doing before we get to Munich and spending 4 days there. So trying to be accommodating. But agree I am probably trying to pack too much in. Will continue to work on it. Thanks for input.

[Sassicaia]

WAY to many places in that time period. You will feel like you need a vacation when you get done, and will be spending most of your time packing and unpacking.

Plan to stay 3 nights min in one spot is what I normally suggest.

[TonySCV]

Yes... this is an overly aggressive schedule. You're there on vacation! I'd cut out a couple of the hotels at a minimum, and a handful of stops so you can enjoy the few that remain.

[Dackelone]

I would say plan each days of driving time to no more than 200 to 300 kms. This may seem like short drive... but believe me you will be wasted after a few hours of driving here in Germany/Europe. Your concentration is much higher on the Autobahn than say on a US highway.


Susten Pass is nice. But my favorite Swiss passes are: Furka Pass, Grimsel Pass and Gotthard Pass

https://www.google.de/maps/dir/Suste...5614!3e0?hl=en


Two really lesser known passes in Austria are: Timmselsjoch(Solden) and Hahntennjoch. No one really knows of Hahntennjoch and it's such a great little pass. I love it. Its near Imst, Austria - kind of between these two passes.

https://www.google.de/maps/dir/Hahnt....9095646?hl=en


And Stelvio isn't all that far from Imst, either! If you head down to Stelvio here is how I would drive and stay at...

Hahntennjoch--> Hotel Post, Stuben 32, 6542 Pfunds, Austria --> Festung Nauders, 6543 Nauders, Austria --> Curon Venosta, Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, Italy --> Hotel Perego, Strada del Passo dello Stelvio, 23032 Bormio SO, Italy
https://www.google.de/maps/dir/Hahnt...4864!3e0?hl=en



Hotel Post, Stuben 32, 6542 Pfunds, Austria (one of my all time favorite hotels to stay at!)


Festung Nauders, 6543 Nauders, Austria on the main road just before you get to Nauders heading South (there is also a hotel up the road from here with the same name. Its an old castle - see next pic)


Schloss Nauders, in Nauders!


Curon Venosta, Province of Bolzano (just stop here for 30 minutes or so)


Hotel Perego, Strada del Passo dello Stelvio, 23032 Bormio SO, Italy









Hahntennjoch









For more ED ideas... have a look at this thread of mine...

Places to visit near Munich while on ED...
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1170588


feel free to ask me any ED questions.

Btw... the Nurburgring is only open AFTER the "industry day" is finished. That means after the manufactures are finished using the 'Ring. Normally that's around 5pm. It doesn't get dark until 9:30pm... but I think the track closes around 8pm. Touristenfahrten(TF) is not a guaranteed thing each evening!!

Check out this thread of mine... (read BOTH pages!)

Your first Nürburgring Nordschleife Touristenfahrten lap! (2016)
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1348032

Personally I don't think its worth the wasted time and expense to drive the 'Ring for 15 minutes. I would rather spend time in a nice German/EU city and enjoy life. But I know the 'Ring is on everyone's bucket list... and I have checked that one off a long time ago.


and lastly... maybe this thread will give you some ideas on where to visit while on your ED.


Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=929787

[ff1600]

From Hotel Perego what is the best way to the Swiss passes?

[skyline408]

I did not do ED, but did drive in Munich and went to the Welt a few months back.

Great advice in this thread. I'll echo some points I personally experienced here.

1. Even w/o doing ED, just going to the Welt, and Museum (no factory tour), and a bit of the Olympia park, was easy half a day. I can't see getting the full ED treatment in 4 hours time. That's just not enough. I would at the very least take some time to see the Olympia park for the history alone!

2. Driving in Germany is much much much much more taxing than driving in the US. We drove from Munich to neuschwanstein castle, then through the alps to Innsbruck, and back to Munich. I was beyond tired, and would probably not do it again in a days time.