I'm not able to discuss intelligently the merits of the IDL, or even the nuances of each country's requirements. We were never stopped, so I can't even opine from experience. Knofpt told me I needed to have it, and I got it. It was $20 at the AAA store, and that included a year's membership to AAA (I got a couple of free Europe maps). The whole process took like 15 minutes. Don't worry, be happy. Ride more, stress less.
Before the trip, I pitched the idea of a side jaunt to the Pyreneese. Greg discouraged it - takes a couple of days to get to them (from the Alps) and a couple of days to get back - all 4 days would have been not very good riding. Of coruse I yielded. If I go back to Europe to ride, that will be something to revisit for sure.
Since we have such a small airport, we have only 3 airlines to choose from (United, Delta, American) and obviously, there will be at least one stop. I had 2 going (Houston, Heathrow), and only 1 coming (Houston). On the plus side, our small airport (only 5 gates) is a BREEZE to get through security, check in, etc. We plan 45 minutes from the moment we step in the terminal, but it RARELY takes more than 20 minutes total. Drop off and pick up is at the front door of the terminal. Cell lot is like 150 feet away. There is something to be said for that.
Regarding budget, again, I'm sharing in good faith what I actually paid. There are many ways to do it. Quite frankly, being frugal... errr.... a cheap bastage, there were plenty opportunities for me to trim some cost specifically with lodging and food. As an example, every day, Greg stopped (either mid-morning or mid-afternoon) for coffee, pastry, snacks, etc. That was basically $10-$15 a day that I would have largely skipped. However, in all fairness, this was THEIR vacation too, and I know factually that Greg and the others enjoyed those stops to have refreshments and the socialization, the view, etc. And I enjoyed it as well - I was happy to go along with that change in my own personal normal routine. In the end, I don't think it would have made that much differenc (maybe 10% in food cost) and moreover, I was with the group, and in the end, the group decides. Also, as I mentioned in the ride report, very early on, we decided to let Greg and Bryan choose the lodging and put it on their credit card for dividing up cost later. At that point, I stopped commenting in any regard on the lodging chosen. Whatever ya'll decide, I'm good with. Maybe I would have found something less expensive, very likely not. Regardless, once I let that go (and I did), it was very freeing not to be concerned with it. I distinctly remember one afternoon when it was warm. While I was swimming in the river, Greg and Bryan made lodging arrangements for that evening. Pretty cool.
The extra expense in Switzerland was a no-brainer. If you want to play, you gotta pay. The riding there is unparrelled from all angles. The dollar is not very strong now compared to the Euro or the Franc, but again, we are there and then was NOT the time to pinch pennies. With the Iranian war, fuel ended up being more expensive than we planned for, but again, what are you gonna do? The motorcycle doesn't run on air.
Basically, I bought the farm and the cows. I might as well get the ranch with it. I'm very happy I did it and do not regret the expense one bit.
Before the trip, I pitched the idea of a side jaunt to the Pyreneese. Greg discouraged it - takes a couple of days to get to them (from the Alps) and a couple of days to get back - all 4 days would have been not very good riding. Of coruse I yielded. If I go back to Europe to ride, that will be something to revisit for sure.
Since we have such a small airport, we have only 3 airlines to choose from (United, Delta, American) and obviously, there will be at least one stop. I had 2 going (Houston, Heathrow), and only 1 coming (Houston). On the plus side, our small airport (only 5 gates) is a BREEZE to get through security, check in, etc. We plan 45 minutes from the moment we step in the terminal, but it RARELY takes more than 20 minutes total. Drop off and pick up is at the front door of the terminal. Cell lot is like 150 feet away. There is something to be said for that.
Regarding budget, again, I'm sharing in good faith what I actually paid. There are many ways to do it. Quite frankly, being frugal... errr.... a cheap bastage, there were plenty opportunities for me to trim some cost specifically with lodging and food. As an example, every day, Greg stopped (either mid-morning or mid-afternoon) for coffee, pastry, snacks, etc. That was basically $10-$15 a day that I would have largely skipped. However, in all fairness, this was THEIR vacation too, and I know factually that Greg and the others enjoyed those stops to have refreshments and the socialization, the view, etc. And I enjoyed it as well - I was happy to go along with that change in my own personal normal routine. In the end, I don't think it would have made that much differenc (maybe 10% in food cost) and moreover, I was with the group, and in the end, the group decides. Also, as I mentioned in the ride report, very early on, we decided to let Greg and Bryan choose the lodging and put it on their credit card for dividing up cost later. At that point, I stopped commenting in any regard on the lodging chosen. Whatever ya'll decide, I'm good with. Maybe I would have found something less expensive, very likely not. Regardless, once I let that go (and I did), it was very freeing not to be concerned with it. I distinctly remember one afternoon when it was warm. While I was swimming in the river, Greg and Bryan made lodging arrangements for that evening. Pretty cool.
The extra expense in Switzerland was a no-brainer. If you want to play, you gotta pay. The riding there is unparrelled from all angles. The dollar is not very strong now compared to the Euro or the Franc, but again, we are there and then was NOT the time to pinch pennies. With the Iranian war, fuel ended up being more expensive than we planned for, but again, what are you gonna do? The motorcycle doesn't run on air.
Basically, I bought the farm and the cows. I might as well get the ranch with it. I'm very happy I did it and do not regret the expense one bit.
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) with direct flights to Munich or Frankfurt, Germany
.