The view from the walls at Aigues Mortes in the Camargue, looking out toward the marshland and the sea; <BR>Emerging from the Waldo Tunnel on US Hwy 101 and being confronted with the Golden Gate Bridge and the city behind it; <BR>An early, early morning walk across Westminster Bridge and up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square; <BR>The view at sunset from the Mount of Olives over the old city of Jerusalem. <BR> <BR>Oh, Bill, <BR>Haven't looked for polar bears from a float plane (but have had a brown bear nudge my sleeping bag through the tent wall) but... fishing for halibut in a 14' Smokercraft off St. George Island in the Pribilofs (Bering Sea) and being investigated realll closely by a bowhead whale the size of a submarine. Felt like we were bait. <BR>

Somle more 'magic' places in 4 continents: <BR>1. Europe : the Plaza Mayor in Salamanca (Spain) <BR>2. America : Copan (ancient Mayan site in Honduras) <BR>3. Asia : The landscape south of Guilin <BR>around Yangshuo(Guanxi province; south of China) <BR>4. Africa : The Ténéré desert (Niger) <BR> <BR>Jef

To me this question isn't necessarily about places that have the most breathtaking view or anything like that, but rather, about those particular places that vibrate with some special energy, or induce daydreams, or make you realize how small you are or how big everything else is, or make you suddenly feel more awake or alive than you ever have before, or a place where the second you set foot there you felt that you had been there before, or a place that for some reason feels more comfortable and homey than your own bed, or a place that makes you feel like you're looking at everything differently than you ever had, or where you feel a spiritual presence, or a deep sense of calm, or a larger awareness of the people and things around you, or that otherwise speaks to you or has some special inexplicable resonance for you. These aren't necessarily the places I've enjoyed the most, or that took my breath away when I saw them, but just places I responded to in a way that is extraordinary. In no particular order: <BR> <BR>Punting on the river Cam, Cambridge, England. <BR> <BR>Takkakaw Falls and Peyto Lake in the Canadian Rockies. <BR> <BR>Dupont Circle, and the west steps of the Capitol, Washington DC. <BR> <BR>One particular trail in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica (just back -- trip report in Latin America forum).

Lisa, I really like your description or explanation of what this thread is looking for, so in response to that ... <BR> <BR>Just about anyplace with an awesome view of Manhattan; the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge, out the window of the airplane as you are approaching NYC, Midtown or Downtown craning your neck looking up at the buildings, or, absolutely best of all, sitting in a quiet spot in Central Park, but with a view of all the buildings bordering it. The contrast is amazing, I can never take enough pictures! And no place can make my heart pound (with excitement, not fear!) the way Manhattan does!

Lisa--- I reallly liked the way you re-stated the original concept of the question.

Here are a three of my favorite places: <BR> <BR>In Seville at a terrace café at the Guadalquivir, drinking a Tinto de verano and watching the river. <BR> <BR>Also in Seville, El Puente de Triana in the middle of the night, listening and speaking to the river. <BR> <BR>In Salobreña, Spain, Sitting at the top of a giant rock, feeling the sea breeze and watching the Mediterranean. <BR>

-"Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar"- <BR> Antonio Machado <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

This is a wonderful question I have enjoyed all the answers and hope to even check some of these places out for myself. Here are mine <BR>1. The countryside of Wales near Bala - breathtaking, peaceful <BR>2. Kensington Market, Toronto, Canada- where I live but it is so alive and funky <BR>3. Pont Neuf bridge Paris - sitting there watching the sun go down behind the Eiffle Tower - thinking about the wonderful day I just spent. <BR>4. The surrounding area of Fano, Italy - Mountains, Valleys, I never wanted to leave (not just because of the food)

What a lovely question! And what fun to read everyone else's responses. <BR> <BR>Hard to pick but would have to say - <BR> <BR>1) Cinque Terre, Italy - Making that first mountain climb from Monterosso al Mare, up into the hills toward Varnazza, and then turn around and see where you've been. <BR> <BR>2) Jasper Park in the Rockies - Camping along the Athabaska River and seeing bear with their young feeding along the distant shore. <BR> <BR>3) Kuta Beach, Bali - Watching the sunset colours blend between sky and sea. <BR> <BR>Sigh....

<BR> <BR>Gravelly Point, at the north end of the long runway at National Airport in Washington DC. <BR>I could sit there for hours watching the planes land. <BR>It's better when the wind is from the south, since the planes will be landing from the north, and swoop down about 100 ft above your head. <BR>This has always been my secret weapon for fussy out-of-town visitors. Even my mother loved it (just one more plane! Please!) <BR>As an added bonus, there's a beautiful view of the monuments on the other side of the Potomac river. <BR>

1. I have to agree with Gravelly Point, but I've always liked watching airplanes take off and land, anywhere. <BR> <BR>2. For sheer beauty, the very tip of Ocracoke Island, NC, during a sunset. You feel like you're on the surface of the moon. <BR> <BR>3. But for magic, anywhere in Paris. I feel more alive there than anywhere else.

My favorite places that seem to give me alittle bit of magic: <BR> <BR>1) On top of Calton Hill in Edinburgh, overlooking the city, the countryside & the Firth of Forth. <BR>2)Walking up to the top of the hill & from the castle in Salzburg, overlooking the country side & city. <BR>3)Driving up West Washington Ave, in Madison, WI, day or night, towards the State Capitol building. The stature of that building from that approach is magnificant.

1)Canoe Island Lodge on Lake George, NY. a bavarian lodge in the adirondacks. total family haven <BR>2) piazza Di spagna, Rome, on a summer night with friends and a bottle of wine. <BR>3)Kiawuh Island, SC. low country nature 20 min outside charleston <BR>4) the Mall in D.C. at night <BR>sorry these are all in the us!

If there is one place that I would say is magical, it would be Cornwall. I love the dolmens, castle ruins, rugged coastline, and the Arthurian Legends. It is a truly amazing part of England and of the world.

Watching the sunset at Oia, Santorini. I thought I was in heaven.

To the Top

The Grand Plaza in Brussels when the lights came on in the evening; being awakened at 4:00 a.m. by the church bells tolling the hour, and with the moon shining in and a cool breeze blowing through the french doors of the hotel balcony in a village three miles straight up above Montrose in Switzerland; the view from the Nuuanii Pali in Oahu--or most anyplace else in Hawaii, especially with a rainbow.

1. Stourhead house and gardens in England <BR> <BR>2. Old Town Square in Prague <BR> <BR>3. Piazza Navona in Rome

Prague- the arts and romantic feel on the Charles Bridge <BR> <BR>Bali - the multicolor sunset and its reflection on the water <BR> <BR>Inner Mongolia - never ended grassland and wild horses <BR> <BR>Amsterdam - sunshine, bicycles & canals <BR> <BR>Edinburgh - friendly and smiley Scottish people

Here are my 4: <BR> <BR>#1 - Standing in front of the Sphinx, with the Giza pyramids peering over its shoulders (even better, I once stood between the paws, and then walked around the entire Sphinx at gound level!). <BR> <BR>#2 - Standing at the "Window of Appearances" in the Temple of Medinet Habu, across the Nile from Luxor. Few tourists ever go here. You need a good floor plan; this is where the Pharaoh Ramses III would stand. <BR> <BR>#3 - The "Holy of Holies" in the Great Temple of Karnak in Luxor. The only two people who were even allowed into this room were the Pharaoh and the High Priest of Amon. You can stand in the same room where Ramses II stood! <BR> <BR>#4 - Venice...pure magic....

I just discovered this forum, and even though this is an old message, I can't resist: <BR>1. An outdoor cafe on the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain, listening to the "tunas" (student musicians) and watching gypsies sell red carnations <BR>2. Charleston, South Carolina, especially strolling along the Battery <BR>3. The Cloisters in New York City, in any season, overlooking the Hudson River <BR>4. Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii, at sunrise and at sunset <BR>5. A spring day I walked through the Roman Forum when roses were in full bloom

Oh there are so many, but here are the first ones that come to mind - <BR> <BR>Borobudur - a massive ancient Buddhist temple amidst rice paddies in Java, Indonesia <BR> <BR>The ruins of a Moorish Castle in Sintra, Portugal (My husband was so moved by this place he almost proposed to me right there and then, but he didn't have a ring to give me, so proposed three months later in Paris) <BR> <BR>Tamala Station, Shark Bay Western Australia - spent many childhood camping/fishing holidays here. Could spend two whole weeks without seeing anyone besides my family. <BR> <BR>Thanks for the question! <BR>

Eva, thanks for your question. I enjoyed reading everyone's magic place & 2 magic places and moments came to my mind. Both occured on my honeymoon which might have added to the "magic" feel but here goes anyway.... <BR> <BR>1) driving along the Amalfi coast with the sun shining above and the bluest sea shimmering below. It was the most "magical" drive I have ever taken! <BR> <BR>2) Checking into the Excelsior hotel in Firenze. My husband was talking to the bellman while I began opening windows to let the light into our dark hotel room. Little did I know.....I open a "window" to find a small terrace and stepped out onto the terrace to find the Arno right in front of me. The beauty of the river took my breathe away. I often think about this magical moment and know that this was "once in a lifetime."

The village of Hvar -- on the quay by the harbor, 20 minutes after sunset as the lights come on in the cobalt blue -- on the island of Hvar off the Dalmatian coast.

Some places that have my vote: <BR>~~Sonoma & Mendocino coasts, California <BR>~~Grand Canyon & Tuscon deserts, <BR> Arizona <BR>~~Cotswolds villages, England <BR>~~city centers, Edinburgh & Glasgow, <BR> Scotland <BR>~~Villa Borghese & Pantheon, Rome, Italy <BR>~~old town, Quebec City, Canada <BR>~~Manhattan, New York City <BR>~~Puget Sound islands & Olympic Nat'l. <BR> Park, Washington state <BR>========================================

Oh my!!! What wonderful memories, my personal favorites, (keeping it down to three: Standing atop the Pont du Guard in the south of France, at dawn, just before the hoards of buses arrive. Just breathtaking. the beuatiful square at Sienna Italy. Finally a beautiful port side cafe at Russell Bay in New Zealand, the north Island. Thaks for letting me share!!! <BR> <BR>

1.Fountains Abbey( ruins near Ripon,England)-so peaceful and quiet that you can "feel" your spiritual side! <BR>2.Glacier National Park(in Montana in the USA)-the beauty of the mountains and lakes overwhelm you. <BR>3.Lunch on top of the Eiffel Tower with a view that can't be beat! <BR>I want to leave now! Debbie

Thanks to all who answered my question <BR> on the magic places. I didn't think <BR> that this topic will be interesting <BR> for many persons. I enjoyed reading <BR> your opinions and I hope to see many <BR> of these places. <BR> Have great trips to the magic <BR> places!

Hi, <BR>My magic places would be: <BR> <BR>- The North of Norway in winter time watching the Northern Lights. That is breathtaking. <BR> <BR>- The Summer Palace in Beijing, China. <BR> <BR>- Magens Bay, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

How to limit to just a few... <BR> <BR>Walking on the Great Wall, sensing the amazing history and awe of the structure. <BR> <BR>Standing on the Champs d'Elysee at dusk just as the lights are coming on (the 1st place that ever took my breath away). <BR> <BR>Being on a deserted beach north of Rio with sand so fine that it squeaks as you walk on it. <BR> <BR>Walking through the Roman Forum just "a few years" after Julius Caeser... <BR> <BR>Central Park in the snow... and walking along the river at Battery Park City. <BR> <BR>That view of Vernazza shared by so many others. <BR> <BR>Manhattan and Venice - ANYTIME!! <BR> <BR>Thanks for letting me share... <BR> <BR>Dona <BR> <BR> <BR>

Great answers to this post! Mine are: <BR>1) Arches National Park, Utah <BR>2) Bellows beach on O'ahu, Hawaii <BR>3) the top of St. Peter's overlooking Rome <BR>4) Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria

Great question, Great answers. <BR> <BR>Top3 - Let me think. <BR> <BR>1 - Interlaken, Switzerland - A youth hostel right on the lake that even managed to impress 3 17 year old kids, of which I was one. Those were the days. <BR> <BR>2 - Your first sight of Venice as you step out of the train station. It's a different world. <BR> <BR>3 - The Wye Valley, Wales. I'm biased becuase its home, but it's still beautiful. <BR> <BR>Keep up the answers, getting loads of travel ideas. <BR> <BR>Steve

1. Sitting on the edge of the north rim of the Grand Canyon at sunset <BR> <BR>2. Walking on the Charles Bridge (anytime). It literally brought tears to my eyes. <BR> <BR>3. The entire town of Assisi. I loved everything about it. I truly felt at home there, very at peace.

That spot on the neck, just below the ear.... uh - oh - guess you didn't mean THAT.

Wow! What a wonderful way to spend my lunch hour! Thank you all for sharing - some I've experienced, some I know I've GOT to get to! <BR> <BR>My top 3: <BR> <BR>1. Strolling the narrow streets of Safed, Israel, where everything is blue - almost reflecting the sky! <BR> <BR>2. Experiencing the majesty and beauty of nature that is Yosemite. <BR> <BR>3. Mayan ruins at Tulum - being completely amazed at the ruins themselves, and wondering just how they got the water THAT blue! <BR> <BR>Ok, I'm ready to go - who's driving to the airport?? <BR>

Dear Eva: <BR> I'll vote for: <BR> (1) Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal - it's as if the royal family just stepped out (they fled during the 1916 revolution). Talk about atmosphere! <BR> (2) Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris - on a sunny Fall day. <BR> (3) ITALY! from north to south, including Sicily. What a gorgeous wonderful country.

Read this - popped out, got a sandwich an had to come back to !! <BR> <BR>1.Imerovigli, Santorini - enjoying breakfast on the terrace of our apartment overlooking the caldera - eating fresh fruit, drinking strong coffee and enjoying the most magical view on earth. <BR> <BR>2. Luxor - the view of the Nile, fertile strip and the desert/hills beyond - with the sound of the town in the background (a real town not solely a tourist incarnation like Hurghada) <BR> <BR>3. Being a Londoner I have to say sitting on Primrose Hill looking at the city stretch out into the distance <BR> <BR>We're off to Central + South America for 4 months this summer so I hope to have more magical places to add

the first site of manhattan sky line day or night when you drive over the midtown tunnel. i do it every day for 10 years and it's still makes me in awe.

Eva, It seems you've struck a pleasant chord with a lot of us. Mine in no particular order are: <BR>1. The top of the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotiuacan, Mexico. (Don't go there during he weekend. A Tuesday or Wednseday is better). <BR>2. Conques in France, a hilltop town that was once a stop for pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostella. The Romanesque Cathedral of St Foy "feels" holy. <BR>3. The shore around Le Mont St Michel during a sunset. There is a littel shrine to the Virgin (?) among the rocks on the shore. Very spiritual. (Watch out for the tide). <BR>4. The Grand Canyon. A very different view from the bottom than from the top. Not as magical from the bottom. <BR>5. In Saintes, France: The ruins of a Roman amphitheater with the tower of St Eutrope rising in the background.

It's been a while