We left Milan this morning at about 10:30 AM after breakfast:
What I was anticipating to be a 3.5 hour drive, was closer to 2.5 due to the fact we were flying on the Autostrade most of the time.
We followed many different cars at different times, but we were normally crusing between 100-115 MPH most of the time. Just outside of Milan - as you get on the Autostrade - you collect a ticket at a toll booth. You then pay as you get off (we stayed on all the way to France - just 5 minutes for Monaco). The toll was 22.60 euro!
Interesting to note that on the Autostrade there are very few exits and onramps. Maybe one every 15 miles or so! There are gas stations are restaurants at regular intervals. We never saw a police car the entire trip - except one parked at a gas station.
We arrived in Monte-Carlo at about 1PM.
We checked in to the Hotel Metropole. I am happy to report the hotel is winner! It's sublime. Very tastefully decorated with expensive touches. We were upgraded to a Jr. Suite Deluxe:
We had lunch at the Joel Robuchon restaurant here at the hotel. It was our best meal of the trip thus far. I highly recommend it!
We are getting ready to head over the Casino and explore.
A few notes on the car:
1. The forward alert feature is fantastic! (Not sure if this requires the Active Cruise Control or if its on all F01/F02s) I have it on "late warning" and when it senses a forward collision is imminent it displays a large red car icon on the head up display and cluster. If you don't step on the break and it senses a forward collision is VERY likely it sounds a few warning chimes. It works very well without a single false alarm so far. It has saved my butt at least once.
2. The air vent direction options are neat. First time I've seen this. The front middle air vents have a direct vent from the center - and also the ability to vent around the outside frame (in between the chrome edges). It is very clever and provides the option to distribute the air directly and indirectly at the same time (or one or the other only):
3. Close up of the new iDrive controller with the ceramic trim:
Black Sapphire Metallic in the sun:
Bug riddled front:
