Many of us travel to Europe to experience the wonderful cultural heritage and meet the people. <BR>But how about beautiful scenery and interesting natural sites (and sights). What's your favorite? A place in the Alps? One of the fjords? A Greek Island?

I just love Königssee. It's a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains in the far SE corner of Germany. On the far side of the lake, you can hike to a smaller lake called Obersee which is also totally gorgeous! Beyond that are waterfalls. It's very peaceful there and the lakes are the cleanest I've ever seen. <BR>Another really cool place is Partnachklamm in Garmish-Partenkirchen. It's an amazing gorge with a trail carved into the rock on one side and a mountain stream crashing down the middle. <BR>And nothing beats hiking to the top of any mountain in the Alps!

I haven't been very many places but so far the most beauuuutiful site --- the Berner Oberland's Lauterbrunnen Valley in the spring. Waterfalls everywhere on both sides of the bluffs, lush green valley with charming Swiss cottages complete with cows!

My husband and I were in Germany in June and in Mittenwald (a 15 minute walk from the center of town) is a gorge where one can walk along the walkway enjoying the water rushing down from the mountains. The air was so cool from the water and quite refreshing! Lovely color too!

Another vote for Germany: <BR> <BR>The RHINE GORGE between Bingen and Koblenz. It's hard to separate the natural beauty of this place from its history and its mythology, of course, but it is as visually stunning as any place I know - vine-clad cliffsides, jutting castles, and the mighty river itself with its many different moods. The entire gorge is poised to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Sight after the UNESCO convention this December.

Wow Bill, Do not get me started. I seek <BR>out the best natural splendor, and these <BR>are my favs---so far ! <BR>SANTORINI <BR>HALLSTATT <BR>AMALFI COAST <BR>BERNER OBERLAND <BR>THE DOLOMITES <BR>I do Ireland next--may add a new one.

The Cliffs of Moher take my breath away to the point I don't know whether to laugh out loud or cry from the beauty of it.

My favs include the Norwegian fjords, some of the Italian lakes, the Amalfi coast, and Santorini. Also, the Samaria gorge at Crete, and some of the smaller, unspoiled Greek islands. All of Italy has the potential for me, at a given moment.

Without a doubt, hands down, it has to be the Italian lake country (including the Swiss lakes). This is the most beautiful, the most romantic, the most everything of anyplace I have ever been. To sit on a square beside Lake Como, drink a wonderful REAL espresso, and admire the snow covered Alps while palm trees wave in the breeze...heaven could not be better. Great views, wonderful people, great food, what more could one ask for. God, I need to get back there SOON....better call my travel agent and get it booked.....

Lake Ohrid in the Republic of Macedonia. The lake and the town are UNESCO world heritage sites. <BR>The mountain meadow basin on the mountain road on the way into the small Macedonian town of Galichnik.

I'm not telling anyone about my favorite spot. I've never seen anyone else at this place and it's so peaceful and beautiful. One hint - it's just South of Salzburg, a bit off the beaten track.

I started this thread because I'm just starting to plan next summer's vacation in Europe, but I suppose I should throw in my suggestion. <BR>In my fairly limited experience with "natural Europe", I think my top candidate so far is the Orkney Islands north of Scotland. Dramatic cliffs everywhere, uninhabited ultr-green islands poking out of the sea, supreme tranquility, and the added bonus of a small population of VERY friendly and "real" people. (We were coming back from a long hike and walking along the road. We got a ride, unsolicited, from a young couple who took us back to their house for tea.)

For me it has to be mountains. I hugely liked the place I stayed in the Pyrenees; but I think the two that "took my breath away" (why doesn't someone start a thread on that are both in Scotland. <BR> <BR>The first was reaching the Cuillin Ridge on Skye on a stunning September day and seeing the 360 degree panorama of the Outer Hebrides, the Small Isles, the other mountains in the Cuiilins, Kintail and Torridon. <BR> <BR>The other was sailing out of Oban up the Sound of Mull again on a stunning May morning, past Lismore and Kerrera and Mull; at 6.30 with a pink sunrise behind me casting a surreal light on the otherwise deep blue sea and gorgeously beautiful sky

Once again, I am on the same page with Iola. Natural sights for me: Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, country roads in Chianti in late summer; mustard gold and olive green hills around Arezzo in fall; also stands of chestnut trees high in the mountains of the Maremma area; and the pearly lagoon of Venice on a gray November day with the sun weakly peeping through the misty sky.

I like the area around Killarney in Ireland.Other favourites would be the Highlands of Scotland <BR>and large areas of the Alps in Switzerland and Austria.I thought the Italian lakes Como and Garda are beautiful but they are surrounded by houses unlike the lakes of Killarney which are still in their natural state.

Without question Switzerland's Berner Oberland, more specifically the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the views from Muerren. There's just nothing like it in Europe, or the US for that matter. <BR> <BR>Ed <BR>Rome.Switzerland.Bavaria <BR>www.twenj.com <BR>

regularguy, et al: <BR>Thanks for a chance to revel in these images. Mine is Lake Geneva, viewed from a bench in front of the Eden au Lac hotel in Montreux. Save my place! I'll be there in 60 days. <BR> <BR>s

I've only been to the UK & Ireland, but I agree with Stacey. The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland are outstanding. <BR>Their height(almost 700 feet) is humbling and if you are feeling brave <BR>you can go right up to the edge. <BR>It's one of the most awesome sights I've seen.

the jung frau near interlake, switzerland

Glad to see Lake Ohrid and the Dolomites getting a guernsey. <BR> <BR>I'll add a couple from my recent trip to Portugal: Cape St Vincent, the most south-westerly point of Europe, and the village of Marvao on the border with Spain. This village is built on and into a great rock formation and is spectacular whichever way you look at it, from the surrounding plain, from the highest point of the village, or looking out to the braod plains to the west.