Time to bring this one back to the top...

Coming upon Monemvassia at the southern tip of the Pelopannese in Greece, via our sailboat. <BR>

Wow! Nice to see this one again :) <BR> <BR>Sitting in a wooden pew in the monastery church of Sveti Jovan Bigorski in Macedonia listening to the monks [and one nun!] chanting the evening office in old church slavonic, looking at the incredible carved walnut iconostasis and at the young people who had chosen a religious life in our modern era. [Other than one priest they were wearing very simple clothes that you and I might wear hiking in the mountains.]

Another one from me - I remember our first trip to Paris many years ago. At the end of the first day, we were so tired and still hadn't seen alot, hadn't gotten in the Louvre, and we were walking along the river at sunset trying to decide which little restaurant to eat in - totally overwhelmed by the many to choose from. Finally settled on this one little cafe, and we were seated by the window looking out over the river and Notre Dame. After we ordered, my husband asked me if I was having a good time. I looked out the window and said to him "how could I NOT be having a good time, I'm sitting here in Paris in a little cafe looking out at the cathedral draped in a glorious sunset." I was in PARIS, and that evening, it didn't matter if I got to the Louvre on this trip or anyplace else - I was in PARIS!

After a full, first day walking around Paris just soaking it all up, we couldn't sleep. We went wandering at 2 a.m. and happened to walk into the courtyard area of the Louvre. <BR> <BR>The buildings were lit beautifully, the Pyramid was glowing to our right, and the Arc du Carousel (sp?) was lit to our left with a red carpet leading across the ground to the road. And, best of all, not one other person was in sight. <BR> <BR>We spent over an hour taking pictures and gawking at the architecture. We got some killer shots and to top it off, as we were walking back toward the Quai, a small (and you who have been to Paris know what I mean by small) car pulled up next to us, and (I'm guessing because I don't speak much French) were trying to ask us directions. <BR> <BR>My husband and I looked at each other and then smiled at the people and began to apologize that we didn't speak French. You should have seen the look and rolled eyes on the lady's face. She wasn't rude or anything but you could tell she was miffed with herself for thinking tourists to be French locals. It was pretty funny. We were laughing and smiling all the way back to the hotel. <BR> <BR>I guess our effort at "blending", me with my silk scarf and black walking shoes and my husband with his blazer, scarf, and walking shoes, worked... <BR> <BR>A night I'll never forget! <BR> <BR>We're going again in 2 weeks and I just can't wait...

The new Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, Spain, in the Basque Country. Regardless of the art inside, the building is worth the visit. Outside, the many ondulating levels of the titantium facade call to mind flowing water, while the bulky shape resembles a large ship. Inside, thanks to the atrium allowing natural light to enter, I never get that feeling, as in large museums, of having entered a void. <BR> <BR>But by far, my most special, take-your-breath-away experience was in Sri Lanka. We went to Sigiriya and spent the night. Frogs were hopping all over the patios of the small countryside hotel. The humidity was unbelievable. We were awakened very early and taken to the bald mountain that just juts out of the wilderness. The only way up was to climb, crouched, along a path of footprints gouged out of the rockface. I put no trust in the rackety pipes-cum-barrister to hold onto! My legs trembled for fear I might fall to my death! But once up on top of the mountain, I'd never seen such a sight. We were above the clouds of mist rising from the wilderness. We could hear cars, trucks, lots of birds, obviously so close, but because of the mist, they seemed to come from another dimension. The rock had in olden times been a palace for royalty. Swimming pools had been carved out and although they were now filled with green water, I wished I could go back in time and jump in. Terraces led me up and down and around, all with the view of white fluffy clouds and bright blue sky in the background. I was on top of cloud nine - the photos prove it! I wanted to stay up there forever, exploring, imagining how it must've been, and also to avoid the death-defying trip back down. <BR> <BR>Such experiences cannot be had in the suburbs.

Two things stand out in my mind. The first was my first time to Europe on my honeymoon. We had flown to Zurich and taken the train to Lucerne. I remember getting off the train (exhausted of course) and realizing that I was actually in Europe!!! The second was riding into Paris on the Air France bus after an 8 hour flight, and the first site I saw was Notre Dame Cathedral. Pinch me, I'm in Paris!!! <BR>

I've done some travelling, less than some, more than others. Here are my high points: <BR> <BR>Onion topped church towers standing in the spring rain along the roadside in Bavaria. <BR> <BR>The view down onto Machu Picchu from Waina Pichu. Standing in the foggy mist, the ruins are surrounded by looming jags of mountains completely covered in dark green vegetation. Far, far below the steep ravines, a small brown river winds its way through the narrow slit of the canyon. <BR> <BR>The town of Ronda, Spain in May. The sun bounces strong rays off the white walls, cobblestone streets dip and turn through the town. A path leads from the municipal rose garden past a charming cottage engulfed in flowers, down to the olive groves below. Along the way wild flowers bob their heads in the breeze. <BR>

I hate Paris, approaching the Eiffel Tower then riding it to the top is a truely memorible experience.

1)On a gondola in Venice with singer and accordian player at sunset on the Grande Canal. <BR>2) The view from the Casino at night looking out over Monte Carlo <BR>3) Gold Beach-Normandy <BR>4) Dinner cruise on Lake Lucerne <BR>5) Walking at night in the fog in Charleston, SC <BR>6) The view of the St Lawrence at night from the lounge in the Chateau Frontenac <BR>

What a beautiful chain of answers I've enjoyed reading them all - Im not nearly as well travelled as many of the answerers - But I have had some unique moments traveling - <BR>1) Its not Europe - But smeone spoke about the Vietnam Memorial on DC - I was truly moved there and then when we walked over to the new Korean War memorial I was overwhelmed - <BR> <BR>2)I went to my parents homeland in Tuscany last summer for the first time and I fell in love with the Tuscan countryside - We were driving from San Gimignano to Lucca through the Chianti Region and stopped along the road to look out over the hills of grapevines and I could almost hear Bocelli singing - The light and air was beautiful! <BR> <BR>3) The David - Enough said <BR> <BR>

Last June, after a horrible fligh with concellations and horrible treatment by the airline, a shuttle bus dropped us off at the Arc d'Triomphe in Paris at 1:30 in the morning on a Friday (Saturday) night. It was my first trip to Europe; I was alone; the stone of the Arc seemed to glow; French people and a foreign language; I had no idea where my hotel was; backpack in hand; and it was my 18th birthday.

Great question....Here are some of mine, in no particular order. <BR> <BR>-Cruising around Manhattan at sunset <BR> the view of the skyline as the sun goes down and the lights come on is magical! <BR> <BR>-California..The lone Cypress on a cliff jutting into the Pacific, The drive <BR> around Emerald Lake to Tahoe and the <BR> view from Big Sur. <BR> <BR>-Monte Carlo harbor from Eze. <BR> <BR>-Portofino harbor as viewed from our <BR> flower laden stone balcony high atop <BR> the town-Late afternoon-sun glistening <BR> on the water-boats bobbing-lush foliage <BR> framing the scene-I've seen many <BR> paintings of it since. Just beautiful! <BR>

A lot of people back from great trips! So, why not bring this to the top and let them share...?

In no order: <BR> <BR>the Alhambra <BR>the mosque in Cordoba <BR>Hagia Sophia <BR>Chartres <BR>almost all of Italy <BR>matadors <BR>Italian shoes <BR> <BR> <BR>

Every once in awhile I click on this website and find myself really enjoying reading about people's travel experiences, taking me back also (sigh). Now I feel I should share my "took my breath away experiences" (which during my very first time in Europe was plentiful) during the 4-week "gone Europe crazy" tour of 8 countries and 13 cities I took last winter. Well, here's my list, and I've picked something for every city: <BR>1. in Budapest, Heroes Square, the Danube and its Parliament building <BR>2. in Vienna, snow falling at the Christmas market at the Schonbrun Palace and of course the palace itself, and the church at Stephensplaz <BR>3. in Salzberg, that great big castle where they have concerts and some parts of the "sound of music" tour <BR>4. in Prague, definitely the Vitus Cathedral and Charles Bridge <BR>5. in Munich (well around Munich) is the Ludwig castle, and I was a bit impressed with how sophisticated their train station was <BR>6. in Florence, definitely the Duomo, the view of the city from Michaelango Square and of course the art at the Uffizi, and the David <BR>7. in Venice, the San Marco basilica and the city itself with its tiny little "streets" <BR>8. in Pisa, that whole area of the leaning Tower, the church put together <BR>9. in Rome, wow I don't think I can name them all, but definitely St. Peter's basilica, the Sistine Chapel, any of Michaelangelo's works, and seeing the interaction the "Papa" had with the people on Christmas day <BR>10. in Barcelona, the old gothic church and another one on the hill (sorry I forgot the name) and Ramblas Street was fun <BR>11. in Madrid,the Palace and the art at the Prada <BR>12. in Paris, being at the top of the Eiffel Tower, the art at the Louvre <BR>and seeing the L'Arc d'Triumph at the Champs Elysee lit during New Year's Eve <BR>13. in London, the Westminster Abbey. <BR> <BR>I can't wait to go back!

For me, it was Westminster Abbey in London and all the history associated with it.

I've just read your wonderful experiences and long to have them all...I've traveled to Europe several times, but only to Great Britain, France, Germany and Austria. No moment has affected me more than on my first trip when our airplane finally broke through the clouds after a 9 hour flight and I was able to see the English countryside divided into into its patchwork design as we flew into Gatwick. A feeling went over me which said I was home, and I cried...I've never felt that anywhere before or since, but that first trip to England reached deep inside me, and I knew my "genes" had been there before me. I was in awe of London, but I spent two weeks in the countryside staying with friends and touring the country, and whenever I went in the smaller villages, it was as if I were a part of it. I'm not a believer in weird feelings, but I have all the faith that my ancestors walked the ground where I walked. (Now you can play the eerie music. :) ) <BR>

Wow. This thread has had good "legs." I have printed it out a couple of times for my husband to read. Thanks to ALL of you for sharing that moment that transcends. <BR>+ + + + + <BR>On my last trip to Macedonia we had wet spring snow that disappeared in Skopje, but stayed for a while in the mountains. One of my "magic" places in Macedonia is the Panteleimon monastery church halfway up Vodno mountain outside Skopje. On the way up the landscape itself was beautiful: hillsides full of trees and vineyards. When you get to Panteleimon you park in a lot that doesn't hae a view of the church, so the "coming around the corner" was a genuine "take your breath away moment." The small 12th century orthodox church with its walls of reddish/brown/tan patterned bricks and the many fluted roofs topped with open crosses covered with snow/icing stood out against the snow on the land. I'd been there twice before and it took my breath away. <BR>+ + + + + + <BR>For those of you who like pictures... <BR>http://www.ntsource.com/~dhfsbf19/march99/vodno8.jpg

Germany (May, 1991) <BR> <BR>I went to visit a friend in Germany and spent 10 days there, mostly in the country around Baumholder. The castles and churches were like a fairytale. The countryside was also the most beautiful I have ever seen. Also,the Rheine river was magical! <BR> <BR>France (March, 1998 <BR> <BR>My fiance proposed to me in Paris last spring, after a dinner cruise along the Seine. We took the Bateaux Vedette from Pont Neuf, behind the statue of Henri IV. It was the most amazing trip! The most moving experience for us was visiting the Louvre (The Mona Lisa and Winged Victory were breathtaking.) We also loved strolling along the Champs Elysee, which we nicknamed "Chauncey", toward the Arch de Triomphe. Also, the view from our hotel room at the Hotel Regina looked directly into the classrooms at the Louvre. We could actually see the students toiling away at their easels at night! Also, lying on the grass in the park, with the Tour Eiffel rising above our heads was incredible! And who can forget the food!!!!! <BR> <BR>England (May, 1998) <BR> <BR>We took the chunnel to London from Paris and it was awesome! Coming out of Waterloo station to see the Houses of Parliament; Big Ben; Westminster Abbey; the Thames; fish and chips; and, of course, Harrods!!!!!!!! It was such fun!!!!! <BR> <BR>We so enjoyed our engagement trip to Paris and London that we decided to go back to Europe for our honeymoon. Next Month, after our May 29 wedding, we will be taking a two week land/cruise combination tour of Italy, The Rivieras and Spain. I'll let you know how it goes!!!!! <BR>