My first arrival in Paris was marked by a strange enconter in St Merry Church but I enjoyed the coffee I took after that. Though I was working, I was glad to be in the place of art par excellence. And today, that I am trying to make a living there and that I am tried by circonstancies of all kind, I still enjoy to pause at the first terrasse and pry the so talkative form of Paris memory.

http://murcia.over-blog.com

It seems much more relaxed because you're on vacation. You can do the same in small American towns and see similar sights. It's just that we aren't usually on vacation in small American towns.

" we aren't usually on vacation in small American towns"...
Hmmmmm, I wonder why not.......

As an early riser, I too love the vibe of the early-morning "coming to life" of towns and cities in Europe, when the misty and dew are gently kissed by an unfiltered sun on the rise, and the local merchants are sweeping their doorways and stocking up their wares.

It's the best time to get a good shot of the ancient town square, before it fills up with cars. And it's the best time to get croissants while they're still warm and fresh.

Wish I was having one of those moments right now.

There are great small towns in the US.

There are great cities in the US.

BUT, life in Many European towns still - for the moment - retains more of the picturesque flavor than most US towns. Lots of reasons to explore, as all have noted, but certainly the car culture and relocation of small businesses out of town centers has a lot to do with it. Go to a suburban European enclave and it looks less like "Europe" and more like us!

I have only ever seen this in Madrid (very hot and dry in the summer). Early in the morning-like 6h00am, they spray the streets with water. I loved it, as if the whole city was taking a shower before work. Like its people.

Favorite places for an early morning stroll include Bejing (after the flag raising AT DAWN) Central London around Covert Garden during the set-up, but the winner is Salzburg in the late summer finishing with a coffee in the old city (It just takes your breath away no matter which way you walk) Love it

My most memorable wake-up was in Grindelwald, Switzerland, in late September, when the shepherds bring the cows down from higher to lower pastures for the season. While not quite the bustle of set-ups for the days, it signaled the change of seasons, and a concern of the area.

'By the way, this comes with a recommendation for a stay at the Hotel Gletchergarten, a wonderful Swiss inn on the edge of town. Family-run for many generations. View of the Eiger and glacier from many rooms.

It is so great to hear others' great memories of the day's early hours, somewhere in Europe.

Makes us all wish we were there right now!!!!

<i>&quot;By the way, this comes with a recommendation for a stay at the Hotel Gletchergarten, a wonderful Swiss inn on the edge of town. Family-run for many generations. View of the Eiger and glacier from many rooms.&quot;</i>

Seconded. We loved the place.

Here are two views from the front porch:

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/111...53249937eCiWPM

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/111...53249937BOThlW

I woke up this morning in my house in Northern Illinois, put on my slippers, grabbed my cuppa joe and went to my deck to watch my back yard wake up - sun coming over the trees, birds going everywhere and the dew on the flowers. Almost anywhere is magical if you take the time to see it...Maybe we just don't take the time when we're not on vacation.