It�s not very often that one can walk away from purchasing a car saying �that was the best experience ever!� or �Wow, what a great deal!� However, I happened to be an exception to the rule when I chose to pick up my new car through BMW�s European Delivery program in April 2007. One does not often lump �good deal� and �BMW� into the same sentence unless separated by �NOT,� but if you are ever in the market for some fine German engineering, please consider taking European Delivery. Not many car companies offer such a wonderful program, where the sticker price for picking it up in Europe is less than what you pay in the US AND the cost difference covers most, if not all of, the price of your trip!
We were very fortunate to be able to fly over to Munich via US Airways in business class. Originally, we thought the flight would be a code share, where we flew on Lufthansa and had an authentic German crew. However, I was disappointed to find out that we were flying US Air and we had an authentic South Philadelphia crew (side note � if you grew up or ever lived near Philadelphia, like I did, you know all about that.) Overall, I can�t complain because none of the flights were delayed.
Upon arrival in Munich, we found our way to the private car transfer we had arranged through Bavaria-Shuttle. The transfer was a bit expensive, but we had a very nice English speaking driver and we were transported in a very well appointed Mercedes, as if we were celebrities!
We arrived at the BMW factory and went through the 2-3 hour process of picking up the car, signing all of the required paperwork, and getting the introduction to the features in the car. At the time, the BMW museum was closed for renovations, but is has now reopened as BMW Welt and is supposed to be a must-see, fantastic experience. I have a feeling I�ll be heading there soon! Once we left the factory and found our way to the Autobahn to officially break in the car at a 130 mph, we were off to our first destination.
Since this was a driving trip that included several destinations, I will list each destination and break it down into categories: City, Hotel, Food, and Activities. Please keep in mind that we only had 1 day at most destinations, so I can guarantee that I missed a lot of the wonderful activities and sights in my reviews.
Mittenwald, Germany:
Mittenwald is a small village located in the Bavarian Alps, just north of the Germany-Austria border. It is best known for frescoed building exteriors and its world renowned violin makers, but I just wanted to spend time in an authentic Bavarian village (side note � off of the A-95, on the way to Mittenwald from Munich, we stopped in the small village of Eschenloe, which was untouched by tourism and very quaint!).
Hotel: We stayed 1 night in Post-Hotel, which is located toward the center of town, right along the main cobblestone shopping area. The hotel is very modest and inexpensive, but the rooms were very clean and well maintained. The hotel also offered a breakfast buffet in the room price, but it was definitely traditional German foods, so I only had some bread.