Big boys toys. Yes, my husband and I have seen them all over Europe. From Santa Margherita, Portofino, Maranello, and Bolzano, Italy to Salzburg, Austria and Munich, Germany, the amount of incredible mechanical toys that men collect is amazing. Be it cars, motorcycles or boats, the size and scope of what we have seen could fill many pages of the most famous men’s upscale magazines.
There have been the antique cars at touring events, the group of friends that were traveling along the coast of the Mediterranean in their classic roadsters that my husband met in Santa Margherita,
the cars at the Ferrari museum,
the antique Fiats on the square in Bolzano
to the Red Bull Formula One race cars, motorcycles and planes in Salzburg.
Who could forget all the yachts lined up in the harbor of Santa Margherita or the mega yacht that filled so much of the harbor in Portofino, Italy.
Munich, Germany was no exception. Parked in front of the Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski on the Maximilian Strasse, there was always a parade of exotic cars. The Mercedes Benz showroom was no exception.
If that wasn’t enough, we decided to visit the BMW museum on a rainy day. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a car buff or don’t own a BMW, you will enjoy this museum.
As you can see, men sure do know how to enjoy themselves with their big boy toys.
Back Road Journal 
I remember when I was in Europe, I was too young to go inside the casino at Monte Carlo, so I waited and explored around outside while my friends were inside. One of the things that still stands out the most to me is the kind of cars that would pull up to the casino. Incredible! And then there were the yachts down in the water…I would certainly enjoy the BMW museum!
Hi Kristy, Oh yes, Monte Carlo is well known for incredible cars and gigantic yachts. The BMW museum was great!
that was a great collection Karen and those darling Fiats. i once saw a big super launch dock in NZ, a wee ramp came down and a car drove out! Very good post, I shall show it to John he likes all those Big boys toys, in fact if he could get a few more of his toys out of my barn I could have another COW! celi
Hi Celi, I’m glad you enjoyed the collection. Some of those yachts really do come well equipped don’t they. Oh, I know what you mean. My husband’s jet ski came back from the cottage in Maine for the winter. We had to move everything around in the barn to make it fit.
Ha! I thought that first photo was one vehicle! Can’t really escape the phallic imagery of some of these, eh? 😉
Hi Camille, Thank you for stopping by for a visit. The motorcycle and car do have similar lines and could almost be considered as one from the photo.
Your post is so timely..I left my job after 27 yrs and need only a tiny car now.. so I opted for the Fiat.It reminded me of our trip to Italy..
I may be a little old..But it’s so easy to park:) And it says Ciao to me:)
Oh yes Monique, I could see you zipping around in the Fiat. Chia Bella! Happy retirement.
I will NOT be showing this post to hubby. He’ll get ideas!
😀
Beautiful cars –it would be hard to pick a favorite!
Hi Sue, I think our boys get their ideas without any photos or reading material. It somehow seems to be part of their DNA. I’m glad you liked the photos of the cars…you should have seen them in person. Oh and that yacht…I don’t need one, just wish I had a friend with one.
Ooh, that BMW in your last picture? I was gonna say “ah, how cute, an old-ish BMW (one which never really saw the light of day I guess), but then I looked a bit closer and it looks a bit like a concept car or something… modern day? What’s got into these designers’ heads? That car is hideous! Look at the front… what are those? Waffle irons?
Oh Charles! Do you know how to burst a car designer’s bubble. Here he has designed a sexy car that’s headlights will stand the impact of a wayward cow on the road and you call them waffle irons. HeHe. I can’t imagine what you would say about the back if I had posted that photo. I can see you are really into concept cars…let’s hope BMW doesn’t read my blog.
The “cockpit” part reminds me of a PT Cruiser – sorry if you happen to have one of these… “things”, but argh… You know… I hope BMW does read your blog… I won’t be in the market for one any time soon, but I wouldn’t be buying them if they have badminton racquet heads screwed onto the front like that 😀
I love it Charles…from waffle irons to badminton racquets. Yes, I can see that there isn’t going to be a BMW in the near future for you.
Those are some gorgeous toys!! I don’t know much about cars but I worked for a mega yacht builder so I’m quite familiar with those expensive very big toys!! The majority of the buyers came from other countries and obviously those with alot of money!!
Hi Linda, What do they say, “those with the most toys wins”. Those mega yacht owners are definitely in contention. I love of the old classic cars, some of which weren’t that expensive when built. Remembered the wonderful little car with the picnic basket on the back in the Bolzano post?
Love the little yellow Isetta behind the green 1936 BMW roadster.
Hi Bonnie, I’m so glad that you noticed the Isetta that I hinted about in the photo. What a fun little car.
Fun photos! I understand what you mean! We went to the Smithsonian and my husband – who is an aircraft maintenance officer – spent half of our vacation in the air and space museum!
Hi Ann, I definitely think it is a guy thing to like anything that has a motor.
Great post, Karen! Some of the BMWs seem more like works of art than actual cars. Still, if I had my druthers, you can keep the cars, the plane, and even the yacht. I will take that palazzo overlooking the harbor, though. See what you can do, won’t you, Karen? 🙂
Hi John, Thank you for the compliment. I’m with you about having a palazzo overlooking the harbor. Even one room overlooking Portofino harbor would be great. I agree about some of the cars looking like art. Now, most cars all look the same.
Wow. I’m not even in to boy toys and I have to admit this is pretty cool. I cannot wait to show this post to my sons who will both find it *utterly* ‘awesome’ – very fun Karen!
Hi Kelly, Thank you…I’m glad you enjoyed it. Hope your sons enjoy the post.
And big girls!!
Hi Kim, Welcome and thank you for stopping by. Of course, big girls as well. ..as you can see I appreciate their beauty.
Very nice toys!
Hi Giovanna, I’m glad you like the toys.
Exquisite pictures! The little red Fiat so up my alley!
Hi Nazarina, Thank you for stopping by my blog and your nice compliment. It seems that the little red Fiat is very popular the the readers. It was the same with the little Fiat with the picnic basket from the same post about Bolzano.
I am sending this link to my brother..he will love it!
he has been a car fanatic ever since he was 4 lol
Hi Sawsan, I hope your brother enjoys the post. There are some great cars in Europe.
Works of art!
Hi Greg, I agree…especially some of the classic cars.
You’ve seen some truly amazing and beautiful cars on your journeys, Karen, and thanks for sharing! My husband is turning green with envy about many of these. When you see a Formula One racing car like the Red Bull and Ferrari in person, it’s interesting to see how small they actually are, don’t you think?
Hi Betsy, We did see great cars on this trip. The race cars were so long and skinny. The fact that they mold the seats to match the body’s of each driver is interesting. I don’t see how they can spend so much time in such a tight space.
Oh yes…boys do have their toys. Cars, electric saws, hammers, nails. But this collection really takes the cake!
Hi Joanne, Thank you for your comment. Guys do know how to acquire some lovely toys.
We have the most amazing motor museum close to us with some exceptional toys 🙂
Hi Tandy, Motor museums are extremely interesting to visit…we have been to so many of them.
Those are all beauties but the only one for me floats! The mega-yacht is the one for me!
Hi Carol, The floaty toy sure beats a rubber ducky. The “dingy” they came to shore with wasn’t bad either.
There is something captivating about those beautiful old cars. Boys of all ages can’t seem to get enough of them.
Hi Cathy, The old cars are beautiful, elegant and shapely. You are so right…no matter their age, boys do love them. Whether to have them, look at them or just read about them.
Oh la la… I saw a bicycle that looked like art to me recently, does that count? Or must it be motorized? Shiny sparkly pretty toys! 😉
Hi Rachel, Yours definitely counts. They don’t have to have a motor at all to count. Thank you!
WOW! They are amazing, I wished to have this one, red “Mercedes Benz SSK”…
Thank you dear Karen you did great series, with my love, nia
Hi Nia, I think you have good taste in toys. You should have seen it in person…a real beauty.
Wow!! The cars are super awesome!! Love the BMW concepts!!!
Hi Dave, Thank you for stopping by my blog for a visit and your comment. The concept car was really interesting.
Gorgeous! I work for a major auto manufacturer (ahem, the better one) and love the perks (and bragging rights) of having a beautiful car. These pics are stunning! I hope someday I can go to Munich to see the museum!
Hi Ashley, Thank you for your compliment. The BMW museum is a must see for anyone going to Munich even if you are not a car lover.