The Tour Continues, Hello from Italy Options

[DonTraver]

Hello from Italy.

Well I’m still over here touring.

So far I’ve been to
England
Wales
Scotland
France
Belgium
Luxembourg
Nurburgring-3 weeks
Germany
Denmark
Sweden
Czech Republic
Austria
Switzerland
Italy

Now I’m in Aosta, Italy for a week.

The original plan was to ship my RS America back to California at the end of October. That’s changed. Now I’m going to spend the winter in Italy and Spain and maybe end the tour around November next year.

My insurance covers me in 29 countries and the custom laws in Europe allow you to visit each country for 4 months out of 12.

I drove Davos Pass through the Swiss Alps yesterday. What a drive. San Bernardino Pass isn’t far from Aosta so that’s on the list. There are a lot of mountain roads around Aosta, sounds like a plan.

I have no idea where I’m going next. This whole trip has been a exercise of winging it. I have rarely known what I’m going to do more than a few days in advance, I love it. A friend suggested Como, ok, it could happen.

See ya, Don

[DonTraver]

Look I'm not trying to be a smartass. I spent 7 years putting this together. I talked to every customs department over here. Numerous insurance companies.

Do you need any medicines, then you might need a special import licience.

Do you know the traffic laws in each country? I assure you they are all different, I got a ticket in Sweden for parking. I paid the meter, but I didn't have a resident sticker on the car, not being able to read Swedish is no excuse. Got pulled over in Czech Republic for not having a Vignette, they take Mastercard, you pay right now.

Oh and never ever ever say, "It's not like that in America", you can watch the fine skyrocket if you do, if you're lucky that's all that will happen, if you're not lucky, you'll be in the back of the squad car. Just smile and pay the money.

I am a Foreigner in Their country, I never forget that. I've jumped through a lot of hoops to do this. Is it worth it, damn right it is. but there is a whole lot to learn.

I'm not saying I know it all, but I know enough that I'm living a dream most people will never realize.

I'm a lucky guy, but good luck is usually preceded by a lot of work. The good news is it didn't cost me a dime to get any of the liciences or information I needed. When I got the last approvals is when it got expensive.

Or as my friend Henrick H. in Germany says, "I don't want to be the richest guy in the cementary". I want to burn it up, turn it up, and slide into home and say What a Ride. Too bad I had to wait until I was in my 60's.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now. Truth is if I can do it, so can anyone else.

Good Luck, Don