Sunday, July 15, 2007

Day 6: Fussen and Drop-off

Unfortunatley I woke up late and didn't leave myself enough time to tour the casltes in Fussen so all I have is a photo from afar. I was still close to 100 miles from Munich and didn't want to take the chance of being late to drop off the car. I wasn't too upset as I had already seen and done so much. I arrived at Harms the shipping company at around 2 and dropped the car off. Unfortunately, I had yet to drop off my luggage so I had to take the bus to the subway quite a ways to the hotel. Luckily, I still had enough time to get back on the train back to the BMW headquarters for the factory tour which was fantastic. The next morning was my flight which went smoothly as I booked a hotel only a few minutes via train from the airport.


I had a fantastic time on my short trip. I would definately recommend the European Delivery process for anyone interested in a new BMW. Now comes the 2 month wait for my car to get there but it is well worth it. BMW really does make it a painless process. Enjoy the pics from my last day. For all my friends and family who endured my endless dicussion of my BMW and trip...Thank You!



Farewell girl....see you soon.


BMW Welt under construction



The center of BMW world


Too Cool!



Schloss Neuschwanstein. as close as I got :(


Day 5: Innsbruck, Austria

I left the Grossglockner for Innsbruck and arrived in the city late afternoon. On the way to Innsbruck, there was a few points on the A-Bahn I was able to open it up a little. I couldn't believe how fanastic this car is at high speed. Got it up to 125 or so and felt like I was doing 80.
I was very tired when I checked in and needed to catch a nap. There was some very nasty thunderstorms most of the night but luckily as I made my way out for some sights the next morning it was gloomy, but not raining...yet. I was able to catch a few hours of dry weather until it started raining at around 1 pm or so. From then on, we had off and on rain until late Tuesday when I dropped the car off. Here are some shots on the way to Innsbruck, in the city, and some shots from the Alps on the way back to Munich.



So Much Color!



Ferdinandeum Museum



Back in Germany!



Cool Castle Hotel on the way to Fussen



Leaving Innsbruck to Fussen...home of the famouse Neuschwanstein Castle




Rudolfsbrunnen (Built in 1877 to commemorate 500 years of
Tyrolian Austrian Federation)



Golden Roof Entrance



More Horsies! Watch your step!



Ottoburg-Golden Adler (built in 1494 at old city walls)


Annasaule to celebrate Tyrolian resistance in 1703 from Spanish succession.



Bridge over the the Inn River (the actual meaning of "Innsbruck")

Tourist central. Everybody w/cameras looking up :)


These Europeans sure love their buildings close.


Helblinghaus (Gothic townhouse from 1730)



The Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof). Innsbruck's most famous landmark built in 1420.


Cool side streets and shops. Too bad the dollar is so weak against the Euro :(


A quick bite for breakfast before setting out to the sights.


View from Hotel Room.


Arriving at Hotel looking North to Alps.



My stay for the night in Innsbruck.


Pulling into Innsbruck from Grossglockner.


South side of the Alps on the way to Innsbruck (the weather would
not stay this nice for long)


Another shot. Cool striping on mountains.

Day 4: The Grossglockner

Sunday morning I headed out from Salzburg to the Grossglockner. The Grossglockner is the highest point of the Alpine mountains and there is a very windy road that takes you to it (well not all the way to the top but to the visitor center). I knew that this was the last day we were supposed to have great weather and boy was it! This was a fantastic drive with fantastic views. I just can't put into words just how beautiful this part of the world is. Enjoy the pics. Sorry but the pics are out of order (the last pics are actually leaving Salzburg in the morning).





















































Day 3: Salzburg, Austria

So Saturday was my first trip in my BMW since I had drove directly from the delivery center to the hotel and left it parked the entire time. I was looking forward to experience the Autobahn for the first time. The engine only had a few miles on it so I knew I had to take it a little easy but I was excited nonetheless. Unfortunately there was a huge traffic jam and I ended up taking side roads to Salzburg. The navigation system did a fantastic job of re-routing me around the traffic. I stayed in a small city called Anif about 5 minutes from city center. I checked in early and then grabbed my camera and headed to the city to take in some sights.



Hotel Kaiserhof in Anif, Austria (ok but not great rooms)



Apple Strudel...wow...was this tasty!



Wiener schnitzel stuffed w/ ham and shrooms.
The Austian beer was my favorite of the trip.



Motzart's Birthplace


Tight streets of city center Salzburg.

A tribute to Motzart


Residenz Platz

Inside Dom zu Salzburg..just incredible detail. It took
12 years to rebuild the church after it was damanged
during the war. It was re-opened in 1955.


Looking back at Salzburg Fortress from Residenz Platz.


Somehow the beer tastes even better with this kinda view.


Lunch of champions. I had to get something in my stomach
after the long hike up to the fortress.


St. Peters Church. Many of these structures were
damaged during the war and had to be reconstructed.


Just leaves you speechless. What a view.


Spectacular view from Festung Hohensalzburg (Salzburg Fortress)



Entrance at castle walls at top of trail.



The easy way down


Approaching fortress from hiking path



Get ready for a nice hike up to the fortress.



Map of the city



St. Erhard w/Salzburg Fortress above


My baby at the hotel in Anif. A little more room than my
hotel in Munich :)


Autobahn to Austria. North side of Alps in background.



Pit stop at the base of the Alps.


Leaving Munich for Salzburg.