Hello everyone

A very long overdue update on our trip to Germany/ Austria/ Switzerland/Italy last May and June. Right now I will just post photos, I'll update with details later. I hope you enjoy the photos!

A year ago this very week I had put in an order for a new BMW convertible (Hannah Belle) and I took delivery in Munich in late May. I took my Mom with me on the trip.

Here are some photos from our 16 night adventure. The very last set below is the "best of" so if you cannot stomach going through all the different sets, just click on the last one and there are roughly 120 photos in it.

We started and ended in Munich:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...32442496/show/

After the delivery, we headed straight to Austria. An overnight in Zell am See and then the Grossglockner drive, visiting Heiligenblut along the way.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...34518803/show/

After that, three nights in the Dolomites at a beautiful hotel above Ortisei - the Uhrerhof Deur.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...31985926/show/

We had intended to spend 3-4 nights total in Switzerland, but as it turned out we only spent one night - on the way to Lake Como. I was a little bummed as I really wanted to go back to the Berner Oberland (and especially that my Mom see it) but it would have been miserable.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...40788912/show/

We ended up spending 6 nights on Lake Como instead of the planned four nights. A cold and rainy front stalled over the Alps so we decided to stay put. We saw a lot of villas and went for a seaplane ride.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...84813653/show/

We made it to Milan for one day during the stay on Lake Como.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...35965631/show/

And here are the "best of" if you'd rather pare down your viewing time.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skywalk...58259622/show/

A very long overdue thank you to Hausfrau, PJA, Steve James, Ingo, Schuler, Gruezi, and no doubt other folks I'm going to be embarrassed I left out - so a huge thank you to everyone who gave me tips on our Ultimate Road Trip experience.

Can you guess why I named her Hannah Belle? (should be pretty easy...)

flygirl:
Oh my goodness!!! Your pictures/images are spectacular.
Outstanding!

What an ARTIST you are!

Beautiful flygirl - thanks for sharing those. I've been on the Grossglockner a number of times but have NO photos. It's nice to see yours.

Flygirl

Thanks for sharing your super memories and photos. I sense you had a wonderful time and I hope you are enjoying your new car. I must be thick headed, but I'm missing the connection to "Hannah Belle".

tC

Love the thread title. Enjoy your new vehicle. Loved your pix.

poor teacher, Hanibel crossed the Alps and so did Hannah Belle

bookmarking for later...photos blocked at work!

Thanks everyone! Mari, wow, quite a compliment, I'm touched!

I HAD to name her Hannah Belle. I mean, crossing the Alps and all.

Wow, do I ever have to eat crow on that one. I was thinking French. Great name for your car.

tC

Hi flygirl,
Thanks for the Flickr note (I'm not on the boards much anymore so I might not have seen your post otherwise) and I'm so glad you posted your photos. I loved seeing the pictures of the Uhrerhof and Dolomites especially - they brought back good memories! It's always nice to hear back from people to whom you have given (hopefully good) advice.

I will remain eternally jealous that you got to take European delivery of a BMW, and I hope you continue to have fun with Hannah Belle!

Great stuff !
We will be in Ortisei, Guarda, and Soglio and Bellagio late Sep.

What a great trip! Loved the photos. You get better and better each year.
Hannah is a beauty!!!

bob, you will love Soglio. Where are you staying there?

Hmmm ! I do not know. We may freelance that late in the season--about Sep 30. We will be coming from 2 nites in Guarda.

Where is Soglio? My Road Atlas of Europe doesn't list it? Internet says in Piemonte near Asti. Is that right? Why are you drawn there?

(This kind of reminds me of a time I was in Kmart with my sister and they announced a blue light special and she said "I've got to get that." I asked her what it was and she said "I don't know, but I think I need it." )

Here is where we stayed. Not cheap, but very beautiful. The garden in the back is a dream.
www.palazzosalis.ch/

Julie, it's a tiny village perched high above the Bregaglia Valley, not far from the Engandine region of Switzerland and walking distance to the Italian border. It's completely idyllic.

Thanks Cimbrone, That looks very nice--we are not sure we will even stay in Soglio--it depends on weather and schedule.

Thanks everyone, you are very kind!

I just got home from London this evening... v tired, more commentary later!

Great photos!
Congrats on Hannah Belle

Hey Flygirl - Lovely photos!

Steve