In my travels, only twice has my jaw literally dropped when I first gazed upon some site. Once was when I walked out of the train station in Venice and saw the Grand Canal. The other was when I first saw the Pyramids at Giza, just outside of Cairo. <BR> <BR>I was wondering if others has the same experience, and if so, where did it occur?

Not Europe, but it has happened to me once - when I stood on top of Borobudur in Java. Strangely, it wasn't when I first saw the temple that it hit me - you don't get that good a view of it from the ground. Standing on top, looking down on the rest of it, and at the view all around, was what was really breathtaking.

Howard, good one. <BR> <BR>No matter what your imagination conjures up beforehand, it doesn't seem to prepare you for the actual site itself. <BR> <BR>As a kid, I remember standing outside on the 86th(?) floor of the Empire State building, looking all around and being mesmerized. As an adult, there are some that just stay with me. I remember emerging from the Paris Metro at Bir Hakeim and walking around the corner to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up at night and being stunned at the beauty and the size of it. Two years ago, we emerged from the cable car at the top of the Zugspitze on a beautiful day in June to see lots of snow and the most breathtaking landscape I could remember. More than once, driving along the road to Neuschwanstein and having to pull over and stop just to look at that beautiful castle perched on that hillside. Walking into Keukenhof Gardens on a beautiful Sunday last May to see (and smell) the most incredible array of flowers that you can imagine. <BR> <BR>I could go on, just bringing back memories...

This Howard definitely agrees with the original-posting Howard about the reaction to the first sight of the Grand Canal when emerging from the Venice station. Even being told in advance to expect that reaction didn't diminish the thrill. <BR>My other jaw-dropping experience occurred when we drove to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. We parked the car, entered the main building of the North Rim Lodge and there before us in all of its magnificence was the Canyon...equally as thrilking.

My first look at the Bay of Naples, from the road south from Rome. We were up on a hill, on a sunny day, and the blue of the sea and the sky was so intense that I was seized by the desire to dive in right then!

Yes, natural beauty is amazing but the thing man created that has caused me to gape was---Wies church in Bavaria--It was so rococco/baroque/gilded/colorfully incredibe- I have seen many palaces and castles(France,Italy)that were more extravagant and more valued but I guess it was the size of the room with the bright lighting and color that imprssed me.Maybe it was that the site and exterior that was deceptively simple!It was a surprise!

Thanks which station is closer to the ramblas? Garcia or sants----do you have to take a subway or taxi??

<BR>Oh - *Jaw*-dropping! <BR> <BR>When my eyes first landed on the topic for this thread, I thought it said *Jew* dropping! <BR> <BR>Oi veh! <BR>

Coming out of the stairwell on the second floor at St. Chappelle in Paris. The stained glass was magnificent.

my first time in Provence, driving at dusk when all of a sudden the Pontde Gard emerged as if from the trees. A sight we were not looking for. Years later, seeing it again with loads of tourists was not the same, but seeing Mt. St. Michel from a long distance is still like being in a fairytale. Going in is a mob scene.

The sight of Venice. Enough said.

Standing on Omaha Beach, looking up at the cliffs and the German bunkers. My sister and I just stood there, saying over and over again "oh my God oh my God" <BR> <BR>The first redwood I ever saw live.

On our first trip to Rome, when we walked out of the metro station and there across the street was the colosseum. <BR> <BR>Walking up a short hill and seeing Waimea Canyon in Kauai for the first time. <BR> <BR>Seeing El Castillo (the biggest pyramid)in Chichen Itza. <BR> <BR>Mimi: Our first view of Pont D'Gard, although we went there intentionally. I imagine your sighting was much more exciting.

Walking out of my hotel in Edinburgh at night and looking up at the castle,with a full moon behind it. Magnificent!

There have been many, some described above, The colosseum, the Grand Canyan at sunrise or dusk, the Grand Canal in Venice, Neuschwanstein, the Zugspitze, the Statue of Liberty, but the most jaw dropping site was standing in the middle of a giant redwood grove. <BR>Cheers, <BR>Art <BR>

My first view of coral-blue water (after just driving out of the airport at Hamilton, Bermuda). <BR> <BR>GK

One thing that really made my jaw drop was the first time I climbed up Mt. St. Helen's and got my first glimpse inside the crater. After everything our county had been through it was amazing to finally see it - to see the devestation and also how nature had begun to reassert itself. I live only about 60 miles from St. Helen's (Washington State)and it erupted in 1980. <BR> <BR>I really hope to get to many of the European jaw-droppers people have described. Good post!

<BR>Rounding a city corner in Rome & having the Trevi Fountain in front of me all lit up. <BR> <BR>Even though I was looking for it -- I was unprepared for its magnificence.

Opening the curtain at the Hotel Eiger and looking out at the amazing vista of the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau on a beautiful, clear day (the night before, it has been foggy and rainy). <BR>

The ceiling in the sisitine chapel in Rome- how did they do that?!