[Domer88]

I am planning my detailed itinerary for my March 9th ED pickup. I'll be picking up on Friday the 9th. I am combining this with a business trip, so I need to arrive in Geneva on Monday, staying there for a couple of days before heading back to Munich on Thursday for a drop-off and return on Friday.

I would like to drive from Munich south through Austria to Italy on Saturday. Then on Sunday drive to the south of France along the Italian/French coast.

I would like to avoid overnighting in larger cities, so I am looking for historical small towns, where hotels would have easy on-site parking. In Italy, both San Gimignano and Volterra look like good candidates. Has anyone driven to these towns? Any recommendations?

I have no clue where to plan to stop in France. Any ideas out there?

Thanks for the help. The hardest part about ED is the waiting. At least planning the trip is keeping me busy!

[klinkerklu]

Check bimmerfest. They have an extensive ED section & people are always planning their trips & getting advice over there..

[Ghunger]

I''m very skeptical as to whether it will be open or not but the Grossglockner (http://www.grossglockner.com/) is a mountain road that I've heard is an awesome drive. Last year when I went it was still closed in late April early May but the snow situation could be better this year.

[Mr.F1 Fan]

Originally Posted by Domer88

I am planning my detailed itinerary for my March 9th ED pickup. I'll be picking up on Friday the 9th. I am combining this with a business trip, so I need to arrive in Geneva on Monday, staying there for a couple of days before heading back to Munich on Thursday for a drop-off and return on Friday.

I would like to drive from Munich south through Austria to Italy on Saturday. Then on Sunday drive to the south of France along the Italian/French coast.

I would like to avoid overnighting in larger cities, so I am looking for historical small towns, where hotels would have easy on-site parking. In Italy, both San Gimignano and Volterra look like good candidates. Has anyone driven to these towns? Any recommendations?

I have no clue where to plan to stop in France. Any ideas out there?

Thanks for the help. The hardest part about ED is the waiting. At least planning the trip is keeping me busy!

Can't help you with France, but San Gimignano is a good bet. I haven't been there in years, but I am sure it is the same. Beautiful walled city with lots of beautiful fun stuff to look at. Assisi is also beautiful, but may be too far in the opposite direction from the description you provided. I'm not a fan of staying inside the big cities either, but in thte case of Venice you can stay out on Lido de Venezia which is accessible by ferry (take the car with you) and will keep you out of the mainstream but only a 10 minute water bus ride away. Venice has regained some of its charm since I no longer pay the outrageous prices to stay in town. On Lido you can walk along the waterfront at night enjoying the awesome silhouette of the city which you would not have otherwise. I know of a great, inexpensive (130 Euros a night) hotel which is clean, friendly and well situated. Munich to Venice was about 3 hours last drive and the ferry takes about 25 minutes.

Don't feel bad, I have ordered an '08 and will not get mine until October. All hotels are booked, plane tickets purchased, itinerary settled and now I just have to sit and wait. For certain I feel your pain. All I can say is that it is always worth the wait. Best of luck with your trip.