I had planned all the excursions for the two weekends including both Fridays as the trainings were for 4 days. First weekend gone, now was the turn of the second. I had kept this one for a drive which I was planning since 3 years. Had booked a CLMR (Compact Limousine Manual) type car which had example cars like VW Golf, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse from Sixt.com. Got a good deal that cost 117 Euro for 3 days with pickup at Augsburg at 8am on Friday morning and drop-off at 8am on Monday at Munich Airport. It included 900 kms and Loss Damage Waiver upto 300 Euros. I did not take GPS as I had Garmin Mobile XT on my phone with Europe maps. I had my flight back at 3pm on Monday so it was all perfect.
My cousin who lives in Zurich had plans to do the Romantic Road with a couple of friends and since my visit coincided, I decided to accompany him or rather follow him. Reason, I would get a pilot car which I can follow all through and spare myself the stress of driving on the other side with completely alien rules and manners.
The plan was that he will come to Augsburg on Friday morning and then we will continue on the Romantic road till Wurzburg. The Romantic road starts from Fussen in South Germany and goes via Neuschwanstein, Augsburg up till Wurzburg near Frankfurt in central Germany. All these are historical towns that are part of an old trade route from the middle ages.
If only wishes were horses. My cousin's plans changed at the last moment as he had some sudden client visit. This change in plan gave me a big shock. Now I was all alone with a car for a whole day with hardly any courage to drive it all alone. Luckily, I had my experience of being driven in Europe all these years and I gathered all the concentration I had and decide not to cancel the booking.
The 'D' day arrived and I reached the Sixt counter at the Hauptbahnoff at 8am. I give the reservation confirmation to the guy at the counter along with my Passport, Driving license and the Credit Card. He checks and confirms the car is ready and points towards an Opel Meriva parked outside. Looking at the car, I was hugely disappointed as I knew, he is trying to give me a car from a category lower then what I booked. I told him I have a CLMR booking and the Meriva falls under CDMR. Having realized that I had done my homework, he told me to wait. Since I had not done my Breakfast in excitement, I went to the snacks bar at the station to eat as he looked for options. I returned after 10 minutes and he had two options for me. One a BMW X1 which was out for service and was expected in 2 hours and the other a Ford Kuga. Since he did not have a CLMR, he had upgraded my booking to EFMR(Economy Full size Manual SUV) I immediately accepted the Kuga since I had no intention to waste anymore time. All formalities done, he swiped my card for double the amount as a security, gave me the keys and the parking card and explained where it was parked in the basement parking. It took me 15 mins to find the car as it was at the 3rd basement. I had the way out in mind as had done the recce of the area. It was a top end model with Push button start et al. Had to struggle to get the parking machine to release the car and an elderly couple helped me with it. Said my prayers started the car and came out of the parking. I was all shivering with excitement the as if driving a car for the first time. Somehow reached the Blue parking in front of the Hotel as had to bring the luggage.
The Kuga at the hotel parking
There are Blue zone all around in Europe which have time limit on weekdays and are free on the weekends.
You need to use a parking disc something like this where you set the time on the disc and remove the car before the stipulated time expires. (Source:
Wikipedia).
We cant even think of such honesty in India. However, these Blue Zones can surely save you a lot of Euros.
Now all was set and I was on my Plan B. Good that I had thought of one. Since my cousin could only meet me a day later, I had entire day extra and he had a day less, so I asked them if they can do the Romantic Road on way back so that I can meet them anywhere on the autobahn from Zurich to Wurzburg which will be faster. So the plan was something like this:
I had planned to see the Black Forest and kept Villingen-Schwenningen as the destination of the day. Anyways, I set the destination as Stuttgart and started off from the hotel and did a few rounds of the town. The best trick is to follow the traffic and trust me it really works. After a few rounds in the town, I was much more comfortable behind the wheel. I started following the lady shouting from the phone and in no time I was on the Autobahn A8 towards Stuttgart.
Stuttgart is a modern city and amazingly the infrastructure looks out of the world. Just before you enter, you pass the Stuttgart airport and the autobahn passes from right under the parking cum shopping center around the airport. Its quite amazing. Since I was all alone, could not click any pics. Also saw the Mercedes Benz Museum from outside.
It was already 3 when I realized that I am getting late. Pointed the Kuga's nose towards Villingen-Schwenningen. I was now on the A81.
Reached there at 5 with a small stopover at BurgerKing for a quick lunch. Again I had no bookings for the night and I stopped just outside town to search online. The Garmin Mobile XT came in handy. It suggested me some good hotels which I called and finally booked myself a room with Parking/Wifi/Breakfast in Hotel Central. I will share the costs separately. It was already 5:30 when I checked in and was somehow feeling feverish. Since I still had good amount of daylight left, took a Crocin and laid for some time thinking of getting out in an hour. Plans are plan and when I woke up, it was 9. That sadly meant no Black forest for me in this trip.
Next day woke up at 8 got ready, had breakfast. My cousin reached there at 9:15. As I came out we were in for a pleasant coincidence. He had got a white Kuga.
He did not had a car till then and used to hire it whenever needed. Started at 9:30 for Wurzburg. As soon as we were back on the Autobahn, we stopped for refueling. Its always better to refuel on the Autobahns as its cheaper outside city limits.
The two Kugas with my cousin.
After that, I just had to follow him and the put the Lady to some good rest.
On a no limit zone somewhere near Stuttgart.
Reached Wurzburg by 13:00 where we were staying at a friend's place. Had lunch and started off for a tour around the city. I think I have been talking enough.
The first place we went was the Würzburg Residence. The palace where the Prince-Bishop of Wurzburg resided.
Can you imagine this was bombed to dust in the WWII and is completely rebuilt. We went inside and spent a good hour there. It was equally amazing from the inside. Sadly no camera's were allowed inside.
Huge gardens around the Palace.
A Chevrolet Camaro parked nearby.
After the Residence, we decided to walk towards the town center which has the Dom and a beautiful bridge over the River Rhine that leads to the Marienberg Fortress.
A Cute little Alpha Romeo parked on the way.
The Wurzburg Dom from inside.
A statue outside.
After a brief visit inside the Dom, we headed towards the Old Main Bridge.
A view of the Marienberg Fortress from the bridge.
After this, we did some shopping and went back for some rest. The plan was to do the Marienberg Fortress in the evening at around 7.
Came back in the evening. It was a great experience roaming about in the fort.
Culminated the Wurzburg trip with some long exposure shots.
Doesn't it feel haunted.
The City of Wurzburg from atop the fort.
Next day was it was to be the World Heritage town of Bamberg.