The European Chronicles 2025 - Prologue
Two Months Out
Writing this in the middle of The Tariff Tornado may not be my best idea ever, but here goes...
Normally, the Arizona plate and USA sticker on Mia are conversation starters; I expect they still will be, but I'm very concerned about how those conversations will unfold. Although I will say, Europeans in general are far, far, far better than we are at separating the person in front of them from their government. Let's hope that trend continues.
Because US plates don't show the country, a "USA" sticker is required in the EU, so Mia's been sporting this:
That feels so...um, not good right now. Thinking of adding this one, and I'm not a "sticker person" on any vehicle.
But we're going, and will make every possible effort to not be the "Ugly American," as we always do.
Krisanne had a wonderful time last year hiking and exploring the Alps and Dolomites; that's the "target zone" again this year because in addition to the fabulous hiking: Best. Riding. Ever. Last year, Krisanne's Retirement Jubilee, the focus was on hiking; this year, I'd like to add a bit more riding to the formula, and that may require a "divide and conquer" strategy. Stories to share over cocktails at the end of the day. 😂
Back to our two favorite places, Bemelmans Post in Collalbo, Italy, and the Vier Jahreszeiten in Pitztal, Austria.
Bemelmans
Vier Jahreszeiten
One thing I want to add while we're at Bemelmans is a "Ride and Spit Tour." This is the Alto-Adige, after all, Italy's northernmost wine region and home to some incredible reds and whites. Most of the "good stuff" never gets exported, and what does will now be significantly more expensive. My inspiration for this comes from none other than Wine Folly. They did a bicycle tour of many of the wineries; I'm just going to add petrol. 😂
All these are an easy, and stunning, ride from Bemelmans; they are the vertical line of stars on the left, all along what's known as The Wine Road.
Krisanne's never seen Switzerland's iconic passes: Furka, Grimsel, La Tremola, Klausen, Gotthard, Oberalp, Susten, Nufenen...you get the idea. We're going to remedy that with three days in Andermatt at the Radisson Blu.
Hopefully less snow... 😂
An example: La Tremola, the old Gotthard Pass...which is cobblestone.
We're splitting a week between two new hotels in Austria, the Inntalerhof and the Kristal, purposefully close together so Krisanne can do an "inn-to-inn" hike, while I act as butler and ferry our stuff from one hotel to the other...😎
The Inntalerhof
The Kristal...I expect Krisanne will enjoy this sauna after her hike...
Also in Austria, will be some "lake time" at Hotel Wiesenhof on Lake Achensee, something we haven't tried since Lake Como.
And a few days at the National Park Lodge on the Grossglockner, this time after the gondolas are open so Krisanne can explore more trails while I make my Porsche Pilgrimage to FAT Mankei.
There's also a car and moto museum at the north end of the Grossglockner that I'd like to see.
Plus, the Grossglockner has to be up there for "most beautiful road on the planet."
Then back to Sudtirol and Italy at Hotel Saalerwirt, a yoga-focused nature hotel with its own spring-fed bathing pond.
Of course, there will be the getting to and from Stefan's Heidelberg Moto B&B where Mia is stored, but that will be a run with the weather decision.
When last we saw her...Mia not Krisanne...
Mia's already been to the local BMW dealer...new tires, brake fluid, drive belt and spark plugs...an oil change when I get there and she'll be ready for another adventure.
As are we...thanks for coming along!
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