ED 09/08-20: Innsbruck, Lugano(SWI), Nice (FRA). If you've been there, I need HELP!

[adc]

After the Stelvio, perhaps you could take a different route than SS38 (which I took) - it was the most boring and traffic-clogged road possible, winding from traffic circle to traffic circle.

This is what I mean - detour a little North towards St. Moritz, then South towards Como/Lenno:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...81&ie=UTF8&z=9
I haven't driven this, but I figure why not have lunch in St. Moritz if you can? :biggrin:


Now, as to Nice accomodations:
In Nice, reasonable prices: http://www.hotelsaintgeorges.fr/
http://www.hotellafayettenice.com/hotellafayettenice/ (separate guarded underground parking)
http://www.vendome-hotel-nice.com/ (limited parking book in advance)
http://www.aria-nice.com/ (parking extra)

While you still have the car, try this morning trip into one of the cutest hill villages in France:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...1,0.21286&z=12

If you have time, drive this heavenly route...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...4,0.42572&z=11

...towards Grasse, where your wife could visit one of the perfume factories perhaps:
http://www.fragonard.com/@en-us/1/1/1/article.asp
(on the N85 just outside the town)
Then back to Nice via the Autoroute.


Perhaps you can make this type of choice on the spot, decide if you want to stroll the big city with its charms and perils (pickpockets, car vandalism etc.) or take a romantic and more relaxing half day trip in the hills and mountains above Nice.

[ssabripo]

holy cow adc! you are the MAN!

I''m changing the route after stelvio, as per your suggestion....defintely lunch at st. moritz is a good touch.


I don't think I'll have time to do both villages in Nice, but surely one! I will update shortly

[ssabripo]

here....I updated the route. Just a little different than your suggestion right from Bormio...saves me a couple of minutes, and it goes thru better alp viewing (according to google earth):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...7&ie=UTF8&z=10

[adc]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

here....I updated the route. Just a little different than your suggestion right from Bormio...saves me a couple of minutes, and it goes thru better alp viewing (according to google earth):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...7&ie=UTF8&z=10

Don't worry - with the route you've now finalized, you'll get lock-to-lock armfulls of Alps viewing... :biggrin:

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by adc

Don't worry - with the route you've now finalized, you'll get lock-to-lock armfulls of Alps viewing... :biggrin:

outstanding! :thumbup:

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by adc

Now, as to Nice accomodations:
In Nice, reasonable prices: http://www.hotelsaintgeorges.fr/
http://www.hotellafayettenice.com/hotellafayettenice/ (separate guarded underground parking)
http://www.vendome-hotel-nice.com/ (limited parking book in advance)
http://www.aria-nice.com/ (parking extra)

Adc,

I emailed these hotels you mentioned, and have not heard back....any other recommendations? :iono:


So far, I've booked the following:

9/11 - Parhotel Laurin, Bolzano
9/12-/913 - Alberggo Lenno, Lenno

I'm gonna do Priceline for the Munich and Paris legs of the trip, but I need finalize the Nice hotel!

[adc]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

I emailed these hotels you mentioned, and have not heard back....any other recommendations?

Yes, a few ideas:
1. Try calling them (minding the time difference). Don't postpone.

2. Try booking via Venere in the Riviera region: http://en.venere.com/mediterranean_sea/french_riviera/,
and specifically Nice: http://en.venere.com/hotels_nice/

3. Forgot to ask - did you try to book a room from their websites, or just emailed them? Could make a difference...

[ssabripo]

well, I got most of the hotels done, but Paris.


I need to use priceline I suppose.....any luck with priceline?

[adc]

Wanna hook up with some euro bimmer guys for the Stelvio?

This could be in your timeframe perhaps:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=551142

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by adc

Wanna hook up with some euro bimmer guys for the Stelvio?

This could be in your timeframe perhaps:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=551142

would love to take that, but the mrs. would be pretty pissed, as this is also our pseudo-honeymoon!


btw, I scored the Marriott Munich City Center North, for $85/nite....is that good or bad? :iono:

[dixon1763]

It's great to see the progress you've made planning your trip. Sounds like a fantastic itinerary!

Parkhotel Laurin is beautiful! Great choice.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by dixon1763

It's great to see the progress you've made planning your trip. Sounds like a fantastic itinerary!

Parkhotel Laurin is beautiful! Great choice.

thank you:smile: I just wanna make sure I have most of the kinks out before the trip so we have minimal "snafus" :wink:

now, I just have to book the TGV ticket from Nice to Paris, and the hotel in Paris...and we should be set.

[adc]

Originally Posted by ssabripo

btw, I scored the Marriott Munich City Center North, for $85/nite....is that good or bad? :iono:

I guess good as price goes... what with the exchange rate and everything. I personally don't like staying at big hotel chains if I can avoid it.

I usually stay at the Uhland (http://www.hotel-uhland.de/) - I like the quiet residential neighborhood...

Edit: In Paris, I'd recommend staying in St. Germain. It's a gorgeous quiet neighborhood, right across the river from the main attractions. Here is a useful link for all the hotels in that neighborhood:
http://www.heart-of-paris-hotels.com...FQUjGgodIBHf7w

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by adc

As far as Nice - find a place to stay outside of it. If you can wait until tomorrow, I can check out the Rick Steves guides for a suitable place - cozy, reasonable and authentic.

For sure. Nice has much crime although the beach scenery can be quite good ;-). I'd stay in Monaco or St. Tropez. Mid summer there are good deals to be had on hotels. Those on the water tend to be much higher as you'd expect. Hotel Mirabeau (Monaco) is a good deal (and it's right on the F1 track so it has that cool factor). Lots of good places to eat within walking distance. St. Tropez is just pure fun in the sun.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by adc

I guess good as price goes... what with the exchange rate and everything. I personally don't like staying at big hotel chains if I can avoid it.

I usually stay at the Uhland (http://www.hotel-uhland.de/) - I like the quiet residential neighborhood...

Edit: In Paris, I'd recommend staying in St. Germain. It's a gorgeous quiet neighborhood, right across the river from the main attractions. Here is a useful link for all the hotels in that neighborhood:
http://www.heart-of-paris-hotels.com...FQUjGgodIBHf7w

yeah Adc...believe me, I tried, but most of the hotels I found thru www.hotelsingermany.com and venere, etc, were around the 100Eu mark for the 9/9-9/11 dates. :iono:

beewang sent me a PM and just told me to Priceline it, and it turned out ok. The Marriott is going for 160EU for the cheapest room, and i got it for under $90 USD. Plus, the Metro is 2 min walking distance, so we will spend the bulk of those 2 days in munich center until bedtime :headbang:

In Nice, I went ahead and read Rick Steves and some other guides, as well as recommendations on this thread and bimmerfest. After looking at venere, and some other sites, I ended up booking at Hotel Suisse for 140EU a nite. Not bad I think.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by Phiberglass

You don't happen to be Kevlar's friend do you?

yep....why?:smile:

[ssabripo]

here is my updated Itinerary! :thumbup:

comments and suggestions are welcome!


1) arrive in Munich on 9/9 from MIA at 10am...Metro to Hotel, check in, have from noon on free to see town. (hotel: Marriott Munich, via priceline! $90/nite)


2) Pick up Car on 9/10, 7:30am delivery. Museum + factory tour. look around munich some more in afternoon + evening.

3) Munich to Bolzano (ITA) via Garmische and Innsbruck on 9/11 (stay overnite). arrive at Bolzano ~2-3pm.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...520874&t=h&z=8


Hotel: Parkhotel Laurin, 118EU /nite


4) Goto Lenno, near Como, via Stelvio Pass on 9/12. Have Coffee + dessert on top of Stelvio, then onto St. Moritz (SUI) for lunch! Then Continue drive to Lenno, arriving at 3pm at Hotel.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...7&ie=UTF8&z=10


Stay overnite in Lenno area for two nites (9/12-9/13), at hotel Albergo Lenno 150EU/nite

5) Lenno to Nice (FRA), via Varezza on 9/14 am. Stay in Nice from 9/14pm-9/16am. Eat and see Nice on sunday, then goto small villages during the day on Monday, eat lunch on the mountain villages overlooking bay, then come back afternoon. Dinner in Nice or French Riviera.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...8,6.146851&z=8


Hotel: Hotel Suisse, 150EU/nite


6) Drop off car 9/16 at 8:00 am in Nice, take cab quickly to take TGV from Nice -> Paris...train leaves at 9:30am ($100 for 2, web rate)! :eeps: Arrive in Paris at3PM. Take metro to Hotel, check in, shower, and go to dinner and sight seeing in the Champs Ulysses. hotels TBD

7) stay in Paris (FRA), 9/16pm - 9/19 overnite, fly back to MIA 9/20! hotels TBD


so, pretty much everything is set, except the hotel in Paris.


comments?

[adc]

You, my friend, are going to have so much anticipation building up to, and so much withdrawal after your ED... just you wait.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by Phiberglass

He quoted this thread in a thread on BF.C telling about you doing ED and everything. I read it and then came over here and saw the same thread =p

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1032164

here it is.

cool! yeah, Kev and I go back a few years (circa 2000 I believe). I've been out of the scene for about 3-4 years, when I sold my cars to get my wife her X5, but now I'm back with a vengeance

[ssabripo]

FINAL Itinerary....! :thumbup:

comments and suggestions are welcome!


1) arrive in Munich on 9/9 from MIA at 10am...Metro to Hotel, check in, have from noon on free to see town. (hotel: Marriott Munich, via priceline! $90/nite)


2) Pick up Car on 9/10, 7:30am delivery. Museum + factory tour. look around munich some more in afternoon + evening.

3) Munich to Bolzano (ITA) via Garmische and Innsbruck on 9/11 (stay overnite). arrive at Bolzano ~2-3pm.


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...520874&t=h&z=8


Hotel: Parkhotel Laurin, 118EU /nite


4) Goto Lenno, near Como, via Stelvio Pass on 9/12. Have Coffee + dessert on top of Stelvio, then onto St. Moritz (SUI) for lunch! Then Continue drive to Lenno, arriving at 3pm at Hotel.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...7&ie=UTF8&z=10


Stay overnite in Lenno area for two nites (9/12-9/13), at hotel Albergo Lenno 150EU/nite

5) Lenno to Nice (FRA), via Varezza on 9/14 am. Stay in Nice from 9/14pm-9/16am. Eat and see Nice on sunday, then goto small villages during the day on Monday, eat lunch on the mountain villages overlooking bay, then come back afternoon. Dinner in Nice or French Riviera.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...8,6.146851&z=8


Hotel: Hotel Suisse, 150EU/nite


6) Drop off car 9/16 at 8:00 am in Nice, take cab quickly to take TGV from Nice -> Paris...train leaves at 9:30am ($100 for 2, web rate)! :eeps: Arrive in Paris at3PM. Take metro to Hotel, check in, shower, and go to dinner and sight seeing in the Champs Ulysses. hotel: St-Jacques


7) stay in Paris (FRA), 9/16pm - 9/19 overnite, fly back to MIA 9/20! hotel (tentative): Hotel St-Jacques

Looks like a nice cozy hotel, right in the middle of the st-germain / Latin quarter section....walking distance to Partheon, Notre Dame, Luxemborg gardens, and minutes from the Champs Ulysses and Eiffel tower via metro.
http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&...,0.064459&z=14




comments?

[InsaneSkippy]

You're going to love the Munich Marriott. It's got A/C, underground parking, and best of all it's just down the road from the Welt. Also, there's a really cool park right near the hotel. So if you have some time to kill, try walking down the road that the hotel is on it circles around and you can see a lot of cool stuff.


Also, the entrance to the underground parking lot is to the left of the hotel (if you're looking at the hotel from Berliner Strasse). You get a ticket when you pull in and you have to take it to the front desk to leave (machine was broken when I was there, may be fixed now). Also, make sure you park underground and not just in the covered parking

[adc]

Just one correction: it's spelled Champs-Élysées and has nothing to do with Ulysses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champs-%C3%89lys%C3%A9es

:wink: