The ED Trip!

[Danoso]

Pick up M4 convertible June 27, head to Insbrook, Venice, Tuscany, Almafi Coast, then back to Rome to get on Grimaldi lines (with the vehicle) to Sardinia, then Barcelona, disembark in Barcelona, the driving up southern France, including Saint Tropez then Nice for the drop off.

Birthday gift to myself- traveling with the wife!

How's that sound? :-)

[///M///]

Wow! That is quite the itenirary! I would be very interested in hearing your feedback when you get back especially driving in Italy.

[ben1233]

This sounds fantastic. I never thought of hopping a ferry out of southern Italy. Brilliant! I always wanted to head to Rome but of course dropping there is $$$$$ and the alternative of driving back out of Italy takes time I'd rather spend elsewhere.

I just returned from my M4 ED. The drive from Bellagio to Lecco was nothing short of frightening. And I hear it gets crazier the farther south you go! But I'm sure you will be fine! Enjoy.

[pikkagtr]

nice! looks like a lot of fun

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by ben1233

This sounds fantastic. I never thought of hopping a ferry out of southern Italy. Brilliant! I always wanted to head to Rome but of course dropping there is $$$$$ and the alternative of driving back out of Italy takes time I'd rather spend elsewhere.

I just returned from my M4 ED. The drive from Bellagio to Lecco was nothing short of frightening. And I hear it gets crazier the farther south you go! But I'm sure you will be fine! Enjoy.

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by Danoso

Pick up M4 convertible June 27, head to Insbrook, Venice, Tuscany, Almafi Coast, then back to Rome to get on Grimaldi lines (with the vehicle) to Sardinia, then Barcelona, disembark in Barcelona, the driving up southern France, including Saint Tropez then Nice for the drop off.

Birthday gift to myself- traveling with the wife!

How's that sound? :-)

Happy Pre-Birthday

[///M///]

Originally Posted by ben1233

I just returned from my M4 ED. The drive from Bellagio to Lecco was nothing short of frightening. And I hear it gets crazier the farther south you go! But I'm sure you will be fine! Enjoy.

Did you mean Lucco? Can you elaborate on ten frightening bit? I hear a lot of people talk about it being crazy to drive in Italy but in the end everyone makes it out okay without a scratch.

[ben1233]

Originally Posted by dsm918

Did you mean Lucco? Can you elaborate on ten frightening bit? I hear a lot of people talk about it being crazy to drive in Italy but in the end everyone makes it out okay without a scratch.

Nope I mean Lecco. If you look at the map of Lake Como (upside-down Y), Lecco is at the bottom right-hand corner. From Bellagio, you take a very narrow road down along the lake to Lecco. From there you'll connect up with a regular four lane road all the way to Milan (if that is your destination).

So the drive itself from Bellagio to Lecco was gorgeous. But the driver has to pay very close attention and can't take in much scenery. The road to an American would be wide enough for a car going one way and a motorcycle going the other. But lo and behold cars are able to squeeze by on the other side of the road. You just cringe a bit every time one goes by! And of course the natural habit for an American used to big, wide, fat roads (!) is to take it slow through the narrow roads. But do that, and you'll have some lady tailgating you he whole way. So I just proverbially bit the pillow and got it over as fast as possible.

As I said, all will be well. Its just not the most pleasant experience that it could be. Alternatively, you could ferry it back to Verenna from Bellagio and ride down on the highway that's on the other side of the lake. Me, I wanted to save the 20 euros.

[hawkerdriver]

Originally Posted by ben1233

Nope I mean Lecco. If you look at the map of Lake Como (upside-down Y), Lecco is at the bottom right-hand corner. From Bellagio, you take a very narrow road down along the lake to Lecco. From there you'll connect up with a regular four lane road all the way to Milan (if that is your destination).

So the drive itself from Bellagio to Lecco was gorgeous. But the driver has to pay very close attention and can't take in much scenery. The road to an American would be wide enough for a car going one way and a motorcycle going the other. But lo and behold cars are able to squeeze by on the other side of the road. You just cringe a bit every time one goes by! And of course the natural habit for an American used to big, wide, fat roads (!) is to take it slow through the narrow roads. But do that, and you'll have some lady tailgating you he whole way. So I just proverbially bit the pillow and got it over as fast as possible.

As I said, all will be well. Its just not the most pleasant experience that it could be. Alternatively, you could ferry it back to Verenna from Bellagio and ride down on the highway that's on the other side of the lake. Me, I wanted to save the 20 euros.

Yea what he said,
The scenery is amazing and some roads are fantastic, but you will ask yourself "this is a one way road right........"

It's like driving on a bicycle path with locals trying to pass you for not doing 20k over the speed limit.
First day white knuckles, 2nd day you are a bit used to it.

Just go for it and take your time

[///M///]

Originally Posted by ben1233

Nope I mean Lecco. If you look at the map of Lake Como (upside-down Y), Lecco is at the bottom right-hand corner. From Bellagio, you take a very narrow road down along the lake to Lecco. From there you'll connect up with a regular four lane road all the way to Milan (if that is your destination).

So the drive itself from Bellagio to Lecco was gorgeous. But the driver has to pay very close attention and can't take in much scenery. The road to an American would be wide enough for a car going one way and a motorcycle going the other. But lo and behold cars are able to squeeze by on the other side of the road. You just cringe a bit every time one goes by! And of course the natural habit for an American used to big, wide, fat roads (!) is to take it slow through the narrow roads. But do that, and you'll have some lady tailgating you he whole way. So I just proverbially bit the pillow and got it over as fast as possible.

As I said, all will be well. Its just not the most pleasant experience that it could be. Alternatively, you could ferry it back to Verenna from Bellagio and ride down on the highway that's on the other side of the lake. Me, I wanted to save the 20 euros.

Hahaha....look what I found...

Not a very clear video but I get the idea. Mother of god!!I would spend the 20 Euros

[adc]

Sounds like a grand plan, and you will have a blast.

Somewhere in this trip you will reach the 1200 mile break-in mileage. Ask your Welt delivery specialist to book you an appointment to the nearest BMW dealer around that location - should only take 1-2 hours and you should be good to go for the rest of the adventure afterwards.

Oh and, please do post some pics.

[M3 Geezer]

There is a book,available at most larger car rental agencies. It contains a comprehensive list of hand gestures used by native Italian drivers, it is complete with translations to gestures commonly used in larger U.S. East coast cities. Get the book, practice a little then drive like there is no one else on the road....You will be fine. DO NOT USE THESE GESTURES IN GERMANY....they have rules.