The Samarian Gorge.

A hillside north of Todos Santos in Baja in 1991, watching the seven-minute total eclipse roll through.

For me it's a tie - The South Island of New Zealand and the Berner Oberland in Switzerland.

Colosseum in Rome and Eiffel Tower in Paris

Assissi,Italy in December. Lack of tourist made it the most tranquil and peaceful place I've been. Also there is a tiny church about mid village that was previously a pagean temple or pantheon at one time. I thought this church was even more beautiful than St. Peters or the Vatican.

Man-made it's got to be the pyramids - however many facts and figures you may already know, it doesn't prepare you for how BIG they realy are.

As for natural, I'd have to agree with the caldera at Santorini - it must have been some explosion when that went up!

For me, standing on the Great Wall of China was a life-changing moment.

The Grand Canyon

Walking out of the modernist Venice train station to the Grand Canal..one of my big WOW moments.

I wouldn't like to answer this for someone I knew well or who had an unusually similar background and upbringing for me let alone for someone with very different cultural and societal expectations but...

In terms of what has taken my breath away:

A good game drive or walk in one of Africa's many excelletn safari destinations...

Deserts - the Namib Desert was my first but I'd like to visit the Sahara and others too

India - my family are from there originally but I visit it through the eyes of a Brit and it's just wonderful in so many ways. It has many problems but those don't reduce the Wow factor for me

France - always a favourite... not an obvious WOW but... I always feel good in myself during my trips there

Walking through a stone archway...and there it is...all spread before you -- Machu Picchu.

Yes, Ira, I agree. The Grand Canyon - awesome.

For me, the "biggest wow" was my first time looking at Mount Vesuvious, the Bay of Naples, and the coast stretching from Naples to the Sorrentine Peninsula.

Arriving in Venice via water taxi and having the whole city before my eyes on an exquisite day; flying over the Alps on a cloudy day and seeing the snow covered peaks above the clouds; the Grand Canyon - WOW!

"Jaw Dropping Site" with 192 responses:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1307609

My vote would be for St. Peters, although I have to agree with the Grand Canyon as well. Actually, there are quite a few places that made me stop and say "wow" during my travels, but those are the two that top my list.

Just returning from Rome I have to say I found it awesome because I enjoy the art so much. There is so much to see there. Around every corner there is something different. It was Paris until I visited Rome.

Driving into Yosemite Valley, going through the tunnel and coming out and being hit with the vista of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls. Truly awesome, and in our own backyard.

Last week I was in Paris. It was a beautiful evening so I took a walk on the Seine from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower. Just as I reached the base of the tower, it started twinkling. I stood and watched in awe, wishing I could capture that moment and keep it forever.

Another place that wow'ed me was the first time I saw Red Square in Moscow. It was around 10pm and I couldn't wait until morning to see it. I walked into the square, and WOW!! It was fully lit and very quiet, as few people were around. I was amazed at all of the colors. I'll never forget the feeling of finally realizing my dream to see this part of the world which at one time had seemed so off limits.

Hmmm. LOYL, you just reminded me of coming throught the tunnel and seeing the faces of Mt. Rushmore perfectly framed by the end of the tunnel. That was a big wow.

The Grand Canyon - especially subsonic, below the rim in an F-14.
M