Guten Tag!
Having dreamed of a trip to Germany one day, I began learning German about three years ago. I had no concrete plans to go, but I knew that I would one day make the journey.
That day has arrived. Well, almost. The general timeframe has arrived. This past November, I began looking at new cars. Having previously owned an e46 325i sedan and currently owning an e92 335i coupé, I was predisposed to picking up a new BMW. I began my search with the local BMW dealership and ended it there. The 228i was for me. After a short test drive (of the 328i, which shares little in common with the 228i besides the engine) I settled on the 228i…which became the M235i.
I placed the order in mid-November and waited…and waited…and waited. After one month of waiting and many, many inquiries into the production date with no confirmed date, I decided to cancel my order. Lo and behold, the opportunity presented itself for European Delivery. I was vaguely familiar with this option but thought “I’ll do it next time.” The stars aligned and I found an incredible deal through Steve Thomas BMW. DONE. The process moved quickly from quote to order to production to trip planning.
Finally, a confirmed date for my first new BMW, my first trip to Europe, and an opportunity to explore everything German with my Polish girlfriend, Vicky. Our planned itinerary is below. I plan to update this regularly throughout our trip.
Prost!
2015 BMW M235i European Delivery
Estoril Blue
ZTP
February 15
Red Eye from Richmond to München via Philly
February 16
Arrive in München
Check in at der BMW Welt
Kostenlos Bier und Essen!
Fahren weg in das Auto
Visit a Biergarten
Spend the night near Olympiapark
February 17
Pickup some winter tires
Drive the Deutsche-alpenstraße to Lindau
Take a cog wheel train to the top of Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany (but from the Austrian side)
Visit Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein
Spend the night on the banks of Bodensee (Lake Constance)
February 18
Drive the Romantischestraße to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Stop whenever and wherever the mood hits for lunch!
Explore Rothenburg
Spend the night in a unique Weinstube
February 19
Drive to Berlin on die Autobahn
Explore Kreuzberg culture
Cat cafe!
February 20
Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie
Museum Island
Basically everything from this video, minus the over-the-top reactions to food
Experience Berlin EDM nightlife at Berghain
February 21
Wann kein Schnee, drive toward the Nürburgring
Wann Schnee, spend another day and night in Berlin
February 22
Drive the Nürburgring and try not to die
Follow up with some wine touring
February 23
Open Day
Spend the night at Hotel Burg Abenberg, a classy Schloss from the 16th century
February 24
Return to Munich OR duck into Italy just ’cause
February 25
Es ist nicht Auf Wiedersehen, nur bis später!
Adverb the Noun 