Ever have a monument all to yourself?
Jun 22nd, 2008, 10:16 AM
#42
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Yes, I was the only person in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles when my sister and I visited a few days before Christmas in 2000. Unreal. there were only 8 of us on our tour and the others were all ahead of me and I realized I was there alone. I'll never forget it.
Jun 22nd, 2008, 12:14 PM
#44
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I've had quite a number of churches to myself - including having the key in my pocket - during my research projects. I usually took some extra time to sing in there. It was marvelous, I knew for sure no one would hear me.
Jun 22nd, 2008, 12:44 PM
#45
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In winter I have had only for myself for long periods of time some rooms in the Prado museum. The one I recall more is the Meninas room of Velazquez. It was an amazing experience. I know it is not a monument per se but I think many tourist would wish to view .
Jun 22nd, 2008, 01:35 PM
#46
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In Europe: the magnificent Greek temples at Paestum one early morning
In the US last fall we were surprised to find ourselves the only tourists at the ("rude"
North Bridge in Concord, MA on a glorious fall morning in October.
In the US last fall we were surprised to find ourselves the only tourists at the ("rude"
North Bridge in Concord, MA on a glorious fall morning in October.
Jun 22nd, 2008, 02:24 PM
#47
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I found myself alone in one of the temples at Abu Simbel with just a shaft of sunlight to keep me company.
Not Europe, but in Wash., D.C. one fall afternoon my husband and I were the only people at the Lincoln Memorial just as the lights went on. I've never forgotten it.
Not Europe, but in Wash., D.C. one fall afternoon my husband and I were the only people at the Lincoln Memorial just as the lights went on. I've never forgotten it.
Jun 22nd, 2008, 04:22 PM
#48
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Just once nyse. We had driven into Rome and finally found our hotel. It was near the Collosium. My husband wanted to take a nap and my daughter wanted to take a shower. And I wanted to go to the Colosseum so I did. This was in the 70's. Unlike today one could just walk into the Colosseum There as far as I could see was just one man in the whole place, a groundkeeper I believe. It was unbeliavable. Later after returning to the hotel we all went back to the Colosseum and there were people there (but nothing like one would find today). I can only assume I happened to have my first visit at a very magical time.
Jun 22nd, 2008, 04:33 PM
#49
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In Budapest, we were the only ones on Fisherman's Bastion at sunset- it had been raining all day, so no one was out but a few die-hard tourists, and we managed it just right.
Also, Saint Chappelle in Paris- we came in with a large tour group, but they hurried through so we had the gorgeous windows to ourselves for about 5 minutes. It was a perfect moment.
Also, Saint Chappelle in Paris- we came in with a large tour group, but they hurried through so we had the gorgeous windows to ourselves for about 5 minutes. It was a perfect moment.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 07:10 AM
#51
Just last month.
It was Sunday morning and my group and I decided to see the Verona arena. We had it all to ourselves. It was a wonderful sight to see.
Thirty minutes later, other tourists began to wander into the arena and the magical feeling started creeping away.
It was Sunday morning and my group and I decided to see the Verona arena. We had it all to ourselves. It was a wonderful sight to see.
Thirty minutes later, other tourists began to wander into the arena and the magical feeling started creeping away.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 07:21 AM
#52
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We were at the Taj Mahal at sunrise. It looked like a movie set, totally quiet and changing color in the light. The only noise was that of some birds. Within fifteen minutes, people began arriving and the magic moment was gone, but it is there in our memory forever.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 08:02 AM
#54
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Not in Europe - but my husband, brother and I had Caesaria in Israel to ourselves for hours... it was unbelievable. There was a light mist that kept the other tourists in the museum (but didn't scare two people living in Edinburgh!) and we did go in January - but still, we were the only ones walking around.
The ruins were absolutely magical and you got such a sense of how absolutely gigantic they were... we walked around for hours and finally found a tour bus as we were leaving. It's one of my best travel memories and it was so special to share it with my brother.
The ruins were absolutely magical and you got such a sense of how absolutely gigantic they were... we walked around for hours and finally found a tour bus as we were leaving. It's one of my best travel memories and it was so special to share it with my brother.
Jun 23rd, 2008, 12:50 PM
#55
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Being a famous sites at opening and closing is the most likely time to have a place to yourself. The list below is not to brag but to show how going an hour before closing or right at opening can make a world of difference in your experiences.
Mont St. Michel
The American Cemetary at Normandy
Pasteum
Spanish Steps
Anywhere in Venice before 7:00 a.m.
Louvre
The Orsay
The Forum in Rome
Las Ramblas
Getting up early is worth every second alone in a amazing place!(Better photographs too!)
Mont St. Michel
The American Cemetary at Normandy
Pasteum
Spanish Steps
Anywhere in Venice before 7:00 a.m.
Louvre
The Orsay
The Forum in Rome
Las Ramblas
Getting up early is worth every second alone in a amazing place!(Better photographs too!)
Jun 24th, 2008, 07:07 AM
#56
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Just caught this thread...what a great one!
For Europe, being on the top of the Glastonbury Tor in Somerset, England late at night with just a friend was pretty memorable (and a little spooky).
Photos of: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=glas...tor&page=2
In the U.S., I've headed over the Brooklyn Bridge on my bike with not a soul in sight in the middle of the span.
Will think of others...love reading these. Especially that Great Wall of China one--- goosebumps!
For Europe, being on the top of the Glastonbury Tor in Somerset, England late at night with just a friend was pretty memorable (and a little spooky).
Photos of: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=glas...tor&page=2
In the U.S., I've headed over the Brooklyn Bridge on my bike with not a soul in sight in the middle of the span.
Will think of others...love reading these. Especially that Great Wall of China one--- goosebumps!
Jun 24th, 2008, 08:05 AM
#57
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Last year my mom and I were in Rome for Christmas and decided to go to midnight mass at the Pantheon. On the walk back to our hotel we walked by the Trevi Fountain and there was no one else there...could hardly believe it. The next time we walked by in the middle of the day it was packed with people!
Several years ago in Prague. I got up early and walked to the Charles Bridge (it was about 7am) there was no one else there and I was able to get some great photos of the bridge and castle with no one in the photos.
Several years ago in Prague. I got up early and walked to the Charles Bridge (it was about 7am) there was no one else there and I was able to get some great photos of the bridge and castle with no one in the photos.
Jun 24th, 2008, 08:15 AM
#58
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Machu Picchu at sunrise. Just us and the ghosts.
Moorea at sunrise. Just us and the sea.
Masai Mara at sunrise. Just us and the wildebeests.
Angkor Wat at sunset. Just us and some monkeys.
Tonle Sap at sunset. Just us and a couple fishermen.
Grand Canyon at sunrise. Just us and all that eroded rock.
Moorea at sunrise. Just us and the sea.
Masai Mara at sunrise. Just us and the wildebeests.
Angkor Wat at sunset. Just us and some monkeys.
Tonle Sap at sunset. Just us and a couple fishermen.
Grand Canyon at sunrise. Just us and all that eroded rock.
Jun 24th, 2008, 10:35 AM
#60
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Low CountryIslander:
>>>Several years ago in Prague. I got up early and walked to the Charles Bridge (it was about 7am) there was no one else there and I was able to get some great photos of the bridge and castle with no one in the photos<<<
On one of our visits to Prague, we stayed at the Three Ostriches (U Tri Pstrosu)hotel, smack-dab on the Charles Bridge...with our windows overlooking it.
It was early spring and an overnight snow had fallen, lightly. When I looked out the windows there were two rows of footprints, but not a soul on the bridge at that early hour (5:30)..I got some great eery shots looking down on the bridge...by the time we had breakfast , the early "commuter" crowd had stamped out nearly all of the snow.
Those pics are favorites of mine. Unfortunately, it was pre-digital time, but I have scanned them.
stu t.
[email protected]
>>>Several years ago in Prague. I got up early and walked to the Charles Bridge (it was about 7am) there was no one else there and I was able to get some great photos of the bridge and castle with no one in the photos<<<
On one of our visits to Prague, we stayed at the Three Ostriches (U Tri Pstrosu)hotel, smack-dab on the Charles Bridge...with our windows overlooking it.
It was early spring and an overnight snow had fallen, lightly. When I looked out the windows there were two rows of footprints, but not a soul on the bridge at that early hour (5:30)..I got some great eery shots looking down on the bridge...by the time we had breakfast , the early "commuter" crowd had stamped out nearly all of the snow.
Those pics are favorites of mine. Unfortunately, it was pre-digital time, but I have scanned them.
stu t.
[email protected]
