Most memorable sunset/sunrise of your European or UK trip
 

Sometimes on your travels you are just in the right place at the right time, and that memory stays with you for ever. Perhaps because I was (maybe still am) a 'photographer wannabe'; I think that in particular there's something about the dawn of a new day or it's closure that can make a scene or an experience that much more memorable. As an almost never travelled, I'd love to hear from Fodorites who are willing to share the when and the where of such a moment.

JoMark

Almost thirty-five years ago during my first trip 'abroad' I was privileged to see the sun slowly rise over the Acropolis in Athens. From darkness to daylight I watched it all.

Now, after so many years of travel (and so many sunsets and sunrises) I have never been as moved as I was early that morning.

bill

My daughter and I sought refuge from the cold in a small cafe directly across from Rome's Coleseum. We both stopped talking at precisely the same moment and turned to see the setting sun punctuate the amber of the stones of this already-incredible edifice. It was literally and figuratively jaw-dropping. Left us speechless for a few moments. Then we got great photos!

P.S. There's an old saying " If you can talk, you can sing. If you can walk, you can dance." We can add "If you can push a button, you are a photographer." Greatness is not required. Have FUN.

JoMark,

In Umbria, during the fall months, mist and fog are constant companions early in the morning....as the sun rises, it all burns off, but until then, there are often some magnificent views around the hilltowns. One morning, we were approaching Orvieto from the hills and saw just such a sight....all the tufa on which Orvieto is built was obscured by the mist and all you could see was the town itself, coming through the tops of the fog...it looked to be suspended in the air....the sun was rising and made it look truly ethereal as it "floated" right before our eyes...

For me, it's the sunset across Lago Maggiore from the little vine-covered terrace of Albergo Panorama in Gerra-Gambarogno. Thanks for asking. Just thinking about it gives me a rush. J.

For some reason, I have always found the sunrises to be more memorable than the sunsets in Europe. Not sure why.

Anyway, here is a picture of daybreak in Rome, from the rooftop terrace of the Colonna Palace hotel. And no, I didn't share my breakfast with the pigeon...

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...53249937fySpnL

Lots of great sunsets - but the best ever was one evening sitting on the little beach in Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull w/ the sun setting directly behind Iona and the Abbey.

It went through just about every color of the rainbow and the water in the Sound was on fire. The brilliant water, gorgeous sky, and Iona and the Abbey - just the most memorable sunset I've ever seen - better that any on Hawaii or anywhere else.

Those willing to get up at dawn have the world to themselves for a short time.
Last month in Rothenburg we got up early and got some great shots of the nearly empty streets as the sun rose and there was the yeasty aroma of fresh bread from the bakeries. Just a few hours later I took a shot of the same street full of people snacking on the crumbs. Dawn is it’s own reward.

Most memorable sunset - at the tip of the remote Dingle Peninsula in Eire and here on one of western Europe's westernmost points the sun sank so majestically - and i though the next land from here is America! When the sun did set the night became so dark you could see billions and billions of stars due to the lack of city lights.

Walking across the North Bridge in Edinburgh at Sunset, seeing the skyline with the church steeples & castle, was my best sunset shot.

No question -- skimming over the "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia, Turkey in a hot air balloon at sunrise.

No contest for me. It occurred one morning when I arose at around 6 in our villa on Tuscan hillside, looked out the window and witnessed this most fantastic view of a total scene of pink and blue as the sun was rising. (And I have the photos to prove it!)

Most recently I would say seeing the bridge over the Loire lit up from the vantage point of our 3rd floor room in Amboise, with the rosy clouds behind it.
Sunrise: some years ago our overnight flight from Seattle to Heathrow was coming in over the Orkneys and Hebrides. The sun was just coming up over these islands and the view out the window was stunning.
And yes, I too loved standing on the bridge in Edinburgh and realizing the skyline I was seeing was the one in the movie Peter Pan.

Many people swear by watching dusk settling over Paris from the step at the top of Sacré Coeur.

This past October at the Rock of Cashel in Cashel, Ireland. We arrived early evening at our B&B just down the street from the castle and decided to go for a quick walk to stretch our legs. When we crested the hill we were utterly captivated. The world actually seemed to stop and we clicked a few photos after spending time just enjoying the beauty of it all.

here's the 2 we nabbed...
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dixiel...pg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dixiel...pg&.src=ph

I have several that were fabulous. The best sunrise was overlooking a frozen lake just outside Fuessen, Germany. At first there was a mist over the lake and it looked as though the snow covered mountains were floating in the sky and then, as the sun rose a little higher, the mist burnt off and the entire frozen lake sparkled like thousands of scintillating diamonds. It was just magical and this was the view from our verandah so didn't even have to get dressed up and go outside for it.

As for sunsets, three come to mind immediately. One was in Scotland, as we sat near the ruins of Urqhart Castle with the loch in the background and the other was in Flam, Norway with the moutains behind the fiord. The sunrise the following morning was also preety spectacular.

Just to show that beautiful sunsets and sunrises don't have to involve water, there was a glorious one in Provence. We were driving towards Orange for the evening, and the sky as far as the eye could see was a blaze of orange. Really most appropriate.

On an overnight trip to Delphi, I woke up very early in the pre-dawn hours (insomniac) and had the urge to go for a walk. I walked through the modern town and out to the ancient sanctuary of Apollo. Although the site was obviously closed, I had a seat nearby and watched the dawn over Mount Parnassos. It was a very moving, surreal experience. Delphi is magical anyway, but there in the half-light, no cars, no people, only the birds just starting to sing...wow. Apollo--god of sun, music, prophecy--has always been my favorite of the Olympian pantheon, so that made it extra special.

Mine was of the sun setting in Florence,

www.pbase.com/trsw/image/51841822

This was taken from the Ponte Vecchio

I was awake pre-dawn one morning this summer in Oban, Scotland. I walked through the streets hoping to climb a hill on the south side of Oban Bay. By chance I found the footpath leading up to Pulpit Hill. The top of the hill was a little park with benches and a view of the harbor below. I watched the sun rise, and when it did, a rainbow appeared. I had the whole hill to myself and watched the rainbow until it faded from view (and took about a million pictures).

Best sunrise: after a night out partying with my friends in Alicante I was headed home alone. I spent my last 100 pesetas on the wrong bus, and I got off just in time to not be completely stranded. So, I decided I would just walk the few miles home. And I decided that since I was in heels, I would take them off and walk on the beach. The sun was just coming up and I kept walking and watching the water. It peeked through just as I was on a little outstretch of land and it was all water in front of me with the sun blacking it out. I watched the whole thing, then kept walking. Of course, when I fished in my pocket for the key I also found 100 more pesetas, but it was worth the walk.

Best sunset: In Plaça Sant Felip Neri in Barcelona when you can't see anything but the plaza walls and it goes from gold to black in about a second.

The sunsets in Santorini are pretty hard to beat, also Tuscany and of course Venice.

Sunrise from our room at the Villa Athena in the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, Sicily. It was very special since I almost never see the sunrise and our room looked out on the largest of the temples. It was amazing.
((c))

Mine would have to be one of two in Italy. The first was sunset from the top of the Spanish Steps. We had gotten there at dusk and when I got to the top of the steps, I turned and saw a brilliant orange sunset glowing behind three domes - one of the them the dome of St. Peters. It was an amazing sight.

Two days later that sunset had a rival as I watched the sun set over the Bay of Naples from my hotel room in Sorrento. The clouds made an amazing picture and the sky was almost red. I thought of the saying we have in Maine - "Red sky at night, sailor's delight" and hoped for great weather the next day. We were not disappointed!

That would have to be July in Iceland. Around mid-night the sun went down to the horizon in the west, but not below. I was fascinated watching the sun slowly move along the horizon and rise from the east in the morning.

One of my favorite sunrises was in Edinburgh. Took the overnight train from London & arrived early in the morning at Edinburgh. Walked to the top of Calton Hill & watched the sunrise over Edinburgh & Firth of Forth. The view form there is, IMO, spectacular, then add in the sunrise.

At Stonehenge England.

Thanks for sharing all these 'moments'. For someone who is more of an owl than a lark I can see I'm going to have to get up a little earlier on our European holiday or miss out on some potentaially spectacular sights.

A friend of mine, when asked where his favorite place is, always responds, it's where I've most recently been. I sort of agree with that since when reading this question my first impulse was to say Barcelona - the sun setting over the city from the harbor. Here's my shot of that:
www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/58239581
www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/58239583

But one of my all time favoroites is in London, of the Houses of Parliment and Big Ben from across the Thames:
www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/56411526

And my other all time favorite is in Florence, from Piazza Michelangelo:
www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/56792163

And for sunrise, not as dramatic as the sunsets, but I love the Seine in Paris early in the morning:
www.pbase.com/annforcier/image/24361678

I have been very fortunate and have seen many beautiful sunsets around the world but the most recent that comes to mind is the one in the village of Oui on the island of Santorini last October. I hope to experience many more sunsets and sunrises....

My favorite picture was through the Eiffel Tower as the sunset two years ago and we had just come down. The most amazing sunrise I ever saw was on the plane ride to Paris last summer and happened to look out the window just as the sun appeared. It was the most brilliant flash of color I have ever seen.

Walking on the beach in Loch Torridon, Scotland, the sunset was spectacular. As I walked back to our lovely B&B on the hill (Ferroch House . . .highly recommended), the windows reflected the fiery streaks of the dying sun. Beautiful.

Another time, sailing past Stromboli on a cruise, the volcano was perfectly silhouetted in the pink sky. What a sight!

Watching the sunset at Notre Dame overlooking the Seine. Just amazing!!

I have one for both:

Sunset: Eiffel Tower with my best friend. We bought a bottle of CHEAP red wine and just hung out, waiting for the sun to set. It was so fun people watching and when the tower lit up it was one of the most magical things I have ever seen!

Sunrise: walking home from a long night partying in Valladolid, Spain. The sun was rising as I approached my apartment. There were 2 young guys on the street and one of them slapped me on the butt as I passed by! I was pretty horrified, but didn't quite know what to say or do so I just kept walking. I have to laugh a little at myself when I think about it now. I'm sure it was a pretty funny sight to see a foolish American girl walking home at that hour. I got about 2 hours of sleep before I had to be up for class that day

Early one morning in Zermatt packing and getting ready for an early morning train. I stepped out onto the balcony to take a glance at the Matterhorn.

As the sun rose, the pink and yellow shades on the peak were beautiful. Slowly, the colors came down the mountain until the whole town was engulfed with early morning sunshine. Simply Beautiful.

Marla

Isabel - wonderful pictures. You have talent.

one of the best sunsets i have experienced in europe was in gammel skagen, denmark.

just this past easter weekend i experienced a spectacular sunset on the north coast of devon. the whole scene was rather cloudy and a little murky except for lundy island which appeared to be on fire. it was amazing.

Dear JoMark,

I'll also admit to be a "photographer wannabe," so I often take a lot of shots both early in the mornings and late at night. I've seen some marvelous sunrises and sunsets--most of which are framed by the surroundings and landmarks around them. But the one place that I've found a truly remarkable sunset on its own is in Calabria, Southern Italy. The sunset has so many beautiful colors- blues, purples, oranges, roses, pinks, etc. The only bad part, the sunset falls more quickly than just about anywhere I've ever seen. One or two shots, and it's gone. Always leaves me longing for the one the next evening.

we need to see more photos!

My most memorable sunset in Europe was from a cliff overlooking the town of Perranporth on the west coast of Cornwall. A long stretch of wide beach, lots of birds, puffy clouds that turned every color of gold, blue, pink and green... It was really gorgeous. We sat up there on a bench for over an hour.

Then we tried to find a decent dinner in Perranporth. A let down after the sunset. ;-)

Two shots from Provence in October 2004:

Sunrise: http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...2&cat=3420

Sunset: http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...hp?photo=23763

Both of these photos were taken from the farmhouse we rented for 6-1/2 months, between Bonnieux and Lacoste in the Luberon. There were many moments like this.

Kathy