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.

Day 2: Tour of Munich

My goal for Friday was to tour as many of Munich's many sights as possible in one day and head out Saturday morning for Salzburg. The day was pretty cool and overcast but thankfully did not rain. I took the U-Bahn from my Hotel to Marienplatz at the center of the city. I had my handy tourist map in hand and set out for a long day of sightseeing. Munich is an interesting mix of old and new, historic and modern structures. I really enjoyed my time there. Below are a few of the shots from that day.



Marienplatz..the center of the city.




The famous Neues Rathhaus.




Another shot of the Rathaus. Very ornate exterior.




Old school transportation




Unfortunately, the Glockenspiel under heavy wraps :(




Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady)




Yours truly in front of National & Residenz Theater




One more of the National Theater




Theatinerkirche undergoing facelift




Statue of King Ludwig near Odeonsplatz




Hofgarten Temple near the Residenz



North side of the the Residenz




Fuzzy pic of the Hofbrauhaus



Hofbrauhaus was packed so went next door to Ayinger
for some beer and dinner.



Beer, Sausages, Kraut, Pretzel and sweet mustard.
I like Germany!


So I hoped back on the U-Bahn to the hotel to get some shut eye before heading
out to Salzburg in the morning.

Day 1: Munich Delivery

We'll, i'm back from Europe and wanted to put my experience down on paper for those of you interested. As most of my friends and family know, I purchased a new BMW 335i using BMW's European Delivery program. I left LAX on July 4, 2007 and arrived in Munich the next morning on the 5th. I was met at the Airport by Rolf Raffelsieper who picked me up in a nice 7 series and took me to the delivery center. Rolf was very knowledgable about BMW and sights in the city. After about 15 minutes, my name was called. I met with a young man named Sasha and he had me sign all the appropriate papers for the delivery process. After than it was time to see my new car!

I was the last delivery of the day so my car was the last one left. I ordered a Space Gray 335i coupe with black leather interior and gray wood trim. The car looked absolutely fantastic. We quickly input my first hotel and drop off center into the navigation system so I could easily recall them later. I headed to the K +K Hotel in Harras at the east of city center. They offered me underground parking which I agreed to. The trip down to the parking area required a very tight fit in a car elevator and eventually to a stall that was just barely big enough for the car. By this time I was pretty exhausted as I did not get any sleep on the plan so called it a night and was looking forward to my next morning sightseeing in Munich. Below are some pictures from Day 1. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did experiencing them.

12 hour flight awaits! First time across the pond.




Rolf picking me up in his 7 series diesel. Sweet ride!



My baby! 300 HP twin turbo charged monster :)

Yummy! The cleanest it will ever be.




Car Elevator...believe me...smaller than it looks.




A tight fit. Thank god for the folding mirrors.