My Germany / Italy / Switzerland / Austria trip with many pictures

[Luke@tirerack]

It was Wednesday and we headed out to O'Hare to board our flight ... we were all pretty amped for the trip. Yes, we were excited to sit in a flying metal tube for 10+ hours

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So, after flying into Frankfurt and changing planes to fly to Stuttgart we got to our first night accommodations the Le Meridien which was to say the least pretty impressive. We decided to take a walk around Stuttgart and see the sights. Leaving the hotel we were greeted by several Carrera Cabriolet's which was almost ironic knowing what was in store for rest of the week.

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Some of the sights of Stuttgart

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Like Pretzels? Then thank this guy because as legend would have it his royal baker, who was to be put to death if he didn't come up with a new baked treat for the King invented it.

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We then got a tour of Zuffenhausen the Porsche production facility where all Carreras, Boxsters, and Caymans are built. Pictures were not allowed so, all cameras and cell phones were confiscated prior to entry.

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Interestingly all of the cars come down the same production line even the racecars so, the same people that build the Carrera Cup cars are also building all versions of the Cayman, Carrera and Boxster ... the only part not done in house is the hybrid drive train

I checked out the on-site dealership before we headed to the museum and was not disappointed

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The iconic cars found in and around the museum were even more awe inspiring.

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how much has the Carrera changed from the first design until now? not much

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We were then escorted to dinner at Christophorus, which I am told is one of the top 50 restaurants in all of Europe.

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the food did not disappoint ...

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first day done ...

36+ hours without sleep, 4500 miles from the bed I woke up in so, it did not matter how excited I was for tomorrow I was out

Woke up early Friday morning and breakfast was as fantastic as the previous nights dinner.
Our little group then headed out to meet up with with our motorized companions for the next few days in Ludwigsburg.

I was happy to find this beauty waiting on me.

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Yes, they were sending me out in a $95k+ 2012 Carrera S with a top speed of almost 190mph ;^)

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We then had a spirited run on the Autobahn (top speed not known but, it was somewhere north of 270 kph) and some fun in the twisties. Reaching our lunch destination Alte Rheinmuhle on the upper Rhine River in Busingen.

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a different kind of C5 seen quite often in Germany as wagons are very popular in Europe

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After lunch on the crystal clear Rhine river we headed out on the second half of the days drive.
We were heading into the Alps through Juleirpass to St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Yes, That St. Moritz, the chic meeting place and ski resort for the uber-wealthy International Jet-Set.

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this guy is laying in a serious amount of firewood for the upcoming winter

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The Swiss Alps are breathtaking

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We got through Juleirpass without incident and descended into St. Moritiz

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the Twin Tower SEAT dealership

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We arrived at the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains (to call this place a deluxe 5-Star resort would be an insult)

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after a quick shower we headed down to a private champagne reception and cocktail party followed by another great dinner

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We had time to hit the spa or casino before turning in for the night ...

I chose poorly ...

yep, casino donation made

here's a pic of the pool I didn't swim in

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Woke up fully refreshed the next morning and after a fresh cooked to order breakfast we headed down to see if things could possibly improve

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It was a crisp morning in the Swiss Alps ...

I was well-fed and ready for the day ...

life is good!

these were in front of the hotel

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as well as my new friend

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and we're off ...

up and over the Stilfserjoch and along exciting twisties and switch backs towards Meran

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uh oh ... minor delay ...

apparently, 5 Porsche sports cars running nose to tail through Switzerland does draw some attention ...

not good

ever seen a Swiss Police car ?

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Three of the group aquired some rather expensive paperwork.

Thankfully, I didn't get any of the pretty papers or a 600 swiss franc fine

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Soon we are back on the road

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and arriving in Italy

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and more driving

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Allow me to introduce our tour guide Dunja (you may have noticed her in some of the other pics). She was a fantastic tour guide and a very talented driver.

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more driving before lunch

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We arrived in Meran, Italy for lunch at yet another spectacular location know as Castel Fragsburg.
This quaint little castle (can you call a castle quaint?) has been converted into a luxury boutique hotel.

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the view of the town of Meran far below the castle

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and more driving after lunch

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Finally came around a curve and saw this ...

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Yes, that's the Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa & Cultural Hideaway and our home for the night.
By now this trip is just getting ridiculous how every meal, every drive, every hotel is simply topping the previous one. Words can not express how over the top this has been up until now ...

guess what ... it kept getting better

Dinner?

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views from my room

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the pools

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Following breakfast the next morning we were ready for more driving through the beautiful Allgäu region to Rammingen.

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We did stop at one of the many castles built by King Ludwig in the 17th century

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We had some more drive time

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We then took a break for another ridiculously delicious lunch at the Landgasthof Adler restaurant

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With the end in sight we headed back to Ludwigsburg to return our faithful chariots but, not before some more fun behind the wheel

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I was able to see a couple of the racier stablemates upon our return

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One more dinner before heading back stateside

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homeward bound

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and yes were were worn out

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[kingpin]

Damn that looks like a fun trip.
I think living in Europe would be amazing.
Being able to drive through so many different cultures and countries would be fun.

[VatorMan]

Words cannot describe how INSANELY jealous I am right now. That is a trip for the ages.

[Stangkiller]

That sounds like an incredible trip!

Were the swiss speeding fines based on income? I hear those can get pretty ridiculous.

[Luke@tirerack]

Being able to drive through so many different cultures and countries would be fun.

you're not kidding, one day we ate breakfast in Switzerland, lunch in Italy and dinner in Austria

[jaxgator]

Man! Looks like you had a blast! Thanks for sharing the pix.

[Omega Man]

Was this one of the Porsche driving vacations? Looks like a good time and beautiful scenery.

[Joecooool]

The "castle" you were at was Schloss Linderhof, it was his hunting lodge.

His real castles were a few miles away in Fusson.

[Luke@tirerack]

The "castle" you were at was Schloss Linderhof, it was his hunting lodge.

His real castles were a few miles away in Fusson.

I was told it was more of a tribute to CeeCee who he loved but, was married to the King of Austria and his home so that he could be close to construction of the larger castle

the big one was covered in scaffolding .. drove by it but, it was closed


this was a Porsche Travel Club Tour

[Bucwheat]

Man that was some kind of beautiful,thanks for the Pictures.:seasix:

[Luke@tirerack]

That sounds like an incredible trip!

Were the swiss speeding fines based on income? I hear those can get pretty ridiculous.

speeding fines are 10% of your annual income ... the tickets are group received were not as serious ... crossing a solid line to pass

[mike100]

Man! you got a Carrera! I just got back from the Netherlands on Sunday (one day in Germany too), but all I had was a 122hp Skoda Octavia wagon. The autobahn was proper.

[Luke@tirerack]

Man! you got a Carrera! I just got back from the Netherlands on Sunday (one day in Germany too), but all I had was a 122hp Skoda Octavia wagon. The autobahn was proper.

Carrera S

[MEANZ06]

Words cannot describe how INSANELY jealous I am right now. That is a trip for the ages.

:iagree:


Thanks for sharing Luke! :cert:

[Joecooool]

I was told it was more of a tribute to CeeCee who he loved but, was married to the King of Austria and his home so that he could be close to construction of the larger castle

the big one was covered in scaffolding .. drove by it but, it was closed


this was a Porsche Travel Club TourLudwig was gay, he had a hard on for Wagner.

[Luke@tirerack]

Ludwig was gay, he had a hard on for Wagner.

that was mentioned also as this is the only one of his castles which had any references to women

[Yamma]

......I am so jealous right now.

Those pics are great - the scenery looks just amazing, and the cars.....well - it's tough to beat the cars.

[boracayjohnny]

A trip you will remember all of your life. You're living well, Luke. :seasix::cert:

[Shrike6]

We lived in Germany and Spain while on active duty. Been to some of those places, and the driving was terrific.
Who set up your tour? I'd sure like to go back to do that.

[Joecooool]

We lived in Germany and Spain while on active duty. Been to some of those places, and the driving was terrific.
Who set up your tour? I'd sure like to go back to do that.Just rent a car and go yourself. I've been a dozen times. Its a blast.

[Luke@tirerack]

the Porsche Travel Club has dozens of tours all over Europe.

They arrange everything ... food, lodging, routes, guides and even the cars ...

[78SA]

Awesome pics and sounds like a great time.


Were you on a diet? :lol:

[wwomanC6]

Man! I so want to go see Switzerland since I'm half Swiss!

Cool Trip and great way to see Europe!! Thanks for sharing the awesome beautiful pics! :seasix: :hurray: :cert:

[Jeff '79]

Hholy crap ! That was the trip of a lifetime......
I'm jealous !.... You lucky bastard !...:clap:

[NEVRL8T]

the Porsche Travel Club has dozens of tours all over Europe.

They arrange everything ... food, lodging, routes, guides and even the cars ...

That is a really nice write up!

Not that I could ever afford anything like that but could you please PM what the cost per person on something like that is?

[Omega Man]

That is a really nice write up!

Not that I could ever afford anything like that but could you please PM what the cost per person on something like that is?

It is on the Porsche web site.

Porsche Travel Club - Events and Racing - HOME - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG (http://www.porsche.com/usa/eventsandracing/travelclub/)