Good news...friends near Munich

[soledoc]

I just heard from a friend of the family who lives in Penzberg just south of Munich. He has offered to pick me up at the airport and stay with him. He also offered to drive me to the Welt the next day. He and his wife actually want to see it as they haven't been there. I will spend 3 nights with them. Then I'll drive south into Italy and stay 2 nights in Verona.
Then I'll drive back to Munich and drop off the car. I believe the drop off location is on the north end of the city as is the airport. I may just stay in a hotel that night or if my friend wants to meet me at the drop off location and drive me back to his house and then take me to the airport the next day that would save me the hassle (and money) of transport and a night of hotel.

It's good to have friends in europe. I'm still trying to hook up with my relatives in northern Italy and Rome to see if we can hook up in Verona or somewhere around there.

[guppyflyer]

Great news, always helps to have friends in the right places!

Erik

[Vanos4:12PM]

Congrats Soledoc. That will help reduce the cost and get a little bit of a personal "tour" of the area too.

I have been following your posts from where you first were asking questions about options and ordering your car. You have ordered my almost exact car and hope to be in your shoes in about 1 year from now.

[Snareman]

Its always a plus to have local friends. Certainly cheaper place to stay and you probably get a little more local feel for the area since they actually live there. Lucky you!

Although not quite the same, during my last ED my friend and I met 2 guys that we knew from a few of the internet watch forums (we're both watch guys). We'd never met then in person, although one of them did help me sue a woman in Germany who sold me a fake watch. They drove 3h down from Heidlburg to meet us and showed us around Munich a bit. It was great fun. We've since met them in NY.

[boothguy]

A local connection is always great, but I personally also want to be sure I'm not overtaxing the relationship with "..hows about you pick me up here, I'll spend a couple of nights, then you can take me there.." kind of stuff.

When you're in the Verona area, you might want to make the easy side trip to the lovely town of Sirmione, which sits at the end of a long, extremely narrow peninsula that juts out into the southern end of Lake Garda. The other lakeside towns (southern end) are worth a visit as well, but your schedule is already pretty compacted.

[soledoc]

I didn't ask. They offered to do all this for me. I agree with you that you don't want to ask for too much. These people are very generous and have been family friends for 30 years with my parents. I've met them in Germany before and they have been here and stayed at my mom's house many times so it's not too much of an imposition.

I'm thinking that final night I might opt for the hotel in Munich and take myself to the airport. Any hotel suggestions near the drop off center and airport?

I like the idea of Sirmione on Lake Garda. I have been reading a lot about the area of Alto Adige and Veneto near where I'll be and definitely Sirmione sounds interesting. I think part of the town is closed to traffic and you have to walk into the old town.

[john lance]

I'm thinking that final night I might opt for the hotel in Munich and take myself to the airport. Any hotel suggestions near the drop off center and airport?

If your flight is in the morning, then you really should stay - and enjoy the comfort and delights - of the Airport Kempinski. This option has been recommended on here several times before and many 'Festers have used it and all I believe have been well pleased. http://www.kempinski-airport.de/en/home/index.htm Eat and drink at the Air Brau just steps away from the hotel, at the entrance to the terminal.

If your flight is not until later in the day then you may want to save money and at the same time enjoy a final taste of excellent German hospitality and atmosphere by staying in the Hotel zur Muehle in Ismaning, just 5 minutes from where you drop your car off and less than 15 minutes by taxi to the airport: http://www.hotel-muehle.de/index_e.html

[boothguy]

Lots of choices for hotels prior to your departure but as John points out, your schedule that last day will probably be the deciding factor. For an economical choice, we really like the Tulip Hotel just off airport property, which also provided free transportation to the airport the next morning. Getting there from the drop off point is the main cost factor, obviously.

Re Sirmione, you can get cars through virtually all of the old town - it's mainly that you don't want to. Sirmione is compact enough to walk easily and is much more charming that way.

[Northcar]

I just heard from a friend of the family who lives in Penzberg just south of Munich. He has offered to pick me up at the airport and stay with him. He also offered to drive me to the Welt the next day. He and his wife actually want to see it as they haven't been there. I will spend 3 nights with them. Then I'll drive south into Italy and stay 2 nights in Verona.
Then I'll drive back to Munich and drop off the car. I believe the drop off location is on the north end of the city as is the airport. I may just stay in a hotel that night or if my friend wants to meet me at the drop off location and drive me back to his house and then take me to the airport the next day that would save me the hassle (and money) of transport and a night of hotel.

It's good to have friends in europe. I'm still trying to hook up with my relatives in northern Italy and Rome to see if we can hook up in Verona or somewhere around there.


And if they accompany you as part of your party picking up your car they will be able to go with you to the premium lounge and join you on the receiving level for a group photo with you and your new car. This will be a treat for them as well.

[soledoc]

My flight leaves Munich at 11:40 a.m. I'm thinking I'll probably just drop off the car the day before and stay in a hotel and not ask my friends to pick me up, drive me south to their home and then drive me back to the airport the next day. I'm thinking it makes more sense to stay somewhere between the drop off point and the airport. That Kempinski looks beautiful but a bit pricey.

[soledoc]

I just talked to my friend in Munich. We both agreed it makes more sense for me in stay in Munich after I drop off the car. Still scoping out hotels for my final night after I drop off the car. Any advice on transportation from drop off point to the hotel. Is the drop off point close to a subway station or would taxi make the most sense?