Where is your "magic place"?
Jan 12th, 2004, 02:00 PM
#161
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Mhmmm...
The church of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona, on a saturday afternoon, at the exact moment they turn on the lights just before a wedding...
Sunset on the Pont Sant Angelo in Rome
Other than those, I can only think of places that were magical because of what happened...
Once we were just going into St. Peter's, trying to grasp the size of the place, when a little old lady, a nun, walked in. She was carrying a tiny little suitcase, and it was clear that she had just arrived after a long journey. She walked in, looked at the ceiling, and dropped to her knees, her hands on her face, crying uncontrollably. It was one of the most touching moments of my life.
Another was in Florence, at sunset on the Ponte Vecchio. We were there, looking at the river, when a girl stopped there and started playing beautifully on a harp. It was amazing how everyone just stopped talking and just stood there, enjoying the view with a beautiful soundtrack.
And yet another was in Piazza Navona. We were sitting at Tre Scalini, having a tartufo (of course), when a guy who was there at the cafe with a couple of friends started to play a guitar. A lot of people stopped and everyone started singing with the guy. He wasn't doing it for money, just for the heck of it. It was a lot of fun.
The church of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona, on a saturday afternoon, at the exact moment they turn on the lights just before a wedding...
Sunset on the Pont Sant Angelo in Rome
Other than those, I can only think of places that were magical because of what happened...
Once we were just going into St. Peter's, trying to grasp the size of the place, when a little old lady, a nun, walked in. She was carrying a tiny little suitcase, and it was clear that she had just arrived after a long journey. She walked in, looked at the ceiling, and dropped to her knees, her hands on her face, crying uncontrollably. It was one of the most touching moments of my life.
Another was in Florence, at sunset on the Ponte Vecchio. We were there, looking at the river, when a girl stopped there and started playing beautifully on a harp. It was amazing how everyone just stopped talking and just stood there, enjoying the view with a beautiful soundtrack.
And yet another was in Piazza Navona. We were sitting at Tre Scalini, having a tartufo (of course), when a guy who was there at the cafe with a couple of friends started to play a guitar. A lot of people stopped and everyone started singing with the guy. He wasn't doing it for money, just for the heck of it. It was a lot of fun.
Jun 29th, 2004, 05:14 AM
#163
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Classic threads such as this deserved to come again. My magic place is still the vine covered terrace of the Albergo Panorama on Lago Maggiore (in Gerra). All I have to do is call to mind the blue-violet dusk or the shimmery(shimmery?) mornings, and the stress flows right out of me. Thank you, h2 and Eva, for this reminder. J. (and did I mention the blue-green water, and the breeze stirring the grapevines overhead, and the terracotta roofs, and the quiet?)
Jun 29th, 2004, 11:02 AM
#164
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The hotel/restaurant Les Hospitaliers in the Drôme region of France. It's part of a medieval village that was once home to the Knights of Malta, lovingly restores by M. et Mme. Yvon Morin, the owners. Dining outside on the terrace on a summer's night is unbelievable--nothing but a few lights across the valley to tell you that you're not alone in a beautiful dream.
Jul 6th, 2004, 06:34 AM
#165
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The Manifold Valley in Peak District in England was like paradise when I was a child.
The Lake District in England.
Taormina, Sicily
Waterfall Beach,Albany, West Australia
All of New Zealand-super magic
Northern New South Wales and Manjimup,West Australia where I live now near Beautiful forests.
The Lake District in England.
Taormina, Sicily
Waterfall Beach,Albany, West Australia
All of New Zealand-super magic
Northern New South Wales and Manjimup,West Australia where I live now near Beautiful forests.
Jul 6th, 2004, 09:52 AM
#166
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Great thread for travel ideas and reminiscing!
Mine are
Port Said looking out to the Mediterranean at night
Early morning in rural Austria near Salzburg, walking barefoot through fields and down country lanes
Burg Eltz in winter
All of Florence
The changing view over the Rhine River from my Omi's window. I watched the trees grow, the skyline of the town across the river change, and the sun rise and set many times over the course of 20 years and that view will always hold magic for me.
Mine are
Port Said looking out to the Mediterranean at night
Early morning in rural Austria near Salzburg, walking barefoot through fields and down country lanes
Burg Eltz in winter
All of Florence
The changing view over the Rhine River from my Omi's window. I watched the trees grow, the skyline of the town across the river change, and the sun rise and set many times over the course of 20 years and that view will always hold magic for me.
Jul 6th, 2004, 04:02 PM
#168
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With my husband on our honeymoon in the Cinque Terre... though Venice was almost as romantic!!
From a non-romantic viewpoint, being in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1998 before all the violence really flared up in Israel. It was my high school graduation present (a few months belated) and was it ever memorable!
From a non-romantic viewpoint, being in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1998 before all the violence really flared up in Israel. It was my high school graduation present (a few months belated) and was it ever memorable!
Jul 6th, 2004, 05:42 PM
#169
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What wonderful places - I realize I haven't travelled NEARLY enough!
My three so far...
Tingtagel - King Arthur's castle on the coast of Cornwall. Absolutely awesome.
Paris - all of it.
Rye, England - the quintessential English village. Stunningly pretty.
My three so far...
Tingtagel - King Arthur's castle on the coast of Cornwall. Absolutely awesome.
Paris - all of it.
Rye, England - the quintessential English village. Stunningly pretty.
Aug 12th, 2004, 10:47 AM
#171
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This thread should be condensed and published and maybe the Fodorites will have a hit "1000 places to visit before you die" book. 
My magical places/moments
San Francisco - I live here and love here. I love the city, the fog, the people, the food, the diversity, the nuts and fruits
all of it.
Monterey, California - 17 mile drive - my first view of Monterey years ago.. my stunned amazement of its beauty
Machu Pichu, Peru - The view of Machu Pichu from the Sun Gate in Machu Pichu, Peru. Sitting on the rocks in Machu Pichu while the fog envelopes you just for a moment and then move away... one of the most indelible moments in my memory, drinking chica (corn beer) in the Aguas Calientes
Kerala, the South of India - The magical Backwaters, the tea estates in Kerala shrouded amongst misty hills, watching elephans in the wild, eating shrimp in spicy coconut gravy, walking into a spice garden and standing in awe of Kerala - the place Columbus came looking for when he got lost - the place that gave the world black pepper and cinnamon and cardamom...
Rome, Italy - sigh.. Loved every part of Rome
Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy - Eating berry gelato.. yummy
Siena, Italy - another indelible moment - watching Andreas Bocceli singing in the Il Campo in Siena - a free concert we happened to walk into.. and watching it amidst medieval buildings bathed in red glows from lamps
Barcelona, Spain - The Las Ramblas, when the local football club plays any English football team. This can get rowdy and fun.. but boy! was that memorable when the Celtics played Futbol Club of Barcelona
Madrid, Spain - getting drunk on wonderful sangrias .. while tasting this delicious poison from every bar we saw
Seville, Spain - when the orange flowers are in full bloom. Standing in the corner and breathing in the freshness, watching flamenco dancers and listening to their beautiful wailing music
Cordoba, Spain - sipping milk shakes and eating Arabic pastries in a tea-shop. Sigh!
Montreal, Canada - getting corn rows while attempting to converse in French with the teenager who is doing my hair, on a beautiful day
I am sure I will have more memories. Reading this post restated to me how beautiful the world is and how little I have seen..
To London and Paris in December... after which I will have some more memories.
My magical places/moments
San Francisco - I live here and love here. I love the city, the fog, the people, the food, the diversity, the nuts and fruits
all of it. Monterey, California - 17 mile drive - my first view of Monterey years ago.. my stunned amazement of its beauty
Machu Pichu, Peru - The view of Machu Pichu from the Sun Gate in Machu Pichu, Peru. Sitting on the rocks in Machu Pichu while the fog envelopes you just for a moment and then move away... one of the most indelible moments in my memory, drinking chica (corn beer) in the Aguas Calientes
Kerala, the South of India - The magical Backwaters, the tea estates in Kerala shrouded amongst misty hills, watching elephans in the wild, eating shrimp in spicy coconut gravy, walking into a spice garden and standing in awe of Kerala - the place Columbus came looking for when he got lost - the place that gave the world black pepper and cinnamon and cardamom...
Rome, Italy - sigh.. Loved every part of Rome
Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy - Eating berry gelato.. yummy
Siena, Italy - another indelible moment - watching Andreas Bocceli singing in the Il Campo in Siena - a free concert we happened to walk into.. and watching it amidst medieval buildings bathed in red glows from lamps
Barcelona, Spain - The Las Ramblas, when the local football club plays any English football team. This can get rowdy and fun.. but boy! was that memorable when the Celtics played Futbol Club of Barcelona
Madrid, Spain - getting drunk on wonderful sangrias .. while tasting this delicious poison from every bar we saw
Seville, Spain - when the orange flowers are in full bloom. Standing in the corner and breathing in the freshness, watching flamenco dancers and listening to their beautiful wailing music
Cordoba, Spain - sipping milk shakes and eating Arabic pastries in a tea-shop. Sigh!
Montreal, Canada - getting corn rows while attempting to converse in French with the teenager who is doing my hair, on a beautiful day
I am sure I will have more memories. Reading this post restated to me how beautiful the world is and how little I have seen..
To London and Paris in December... after which I will have some more memories.
Aug 13th, 2004, 09:49 AM
#173
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"L'Infiorate" in Spello, Italy (near Assisi) - the annual festival on Corpus Christi weekend when most streets become a carpet of flower blossoms. I attended this year, June 5 -6. Arrive Saturday so you can witness the actual construction of the carpets, and then tour again on Sunday am before the religious procession causes all to scatter. It takes infinite patience to put these pieces of art together. Many participants work all night on their hands and knees - a memorable tradition to witness.
Aug 13th, 2004, 10:43 AM
#174
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My magic place is almost always the most recent place I've visited. So for now: sunrise (or sunset) in the Serengeti.
The Roman Forum.
Any warm bar in Paris when it's raining outside.
Assisi mid-week, off-season, when you have the town (almost) to yourself.
Lots and lots of places, actually.
The Roman Forum.
Any warm bar in Paris when it's raining outside.
Assisi mid-week, off-season, when you have the town (almost) to yourself.
Lots and lots of places, actually.
Aug 23rd, 2004, 03:05 PM
#177
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What a great long-lasting trail!
1. The middle of the meadow at the floor of Yosemite Valley at night, lying in the grass on your back looking at the kazillion stars reflecting their light off the face of Half Dome.
2. Your first glimpse of Venice.
3. The deck bar (w/ margarita, of course) on Stearn's Wharf at sunset, looking back on the town of Santa Barbara in the rose pink light.
4. Outside at any rive gauche cafe in Paris at dawn (perhaps the street is wet from last night's drizzle...)& that first swallow of cafe au lait.
5. Standing in front of whatever is your most treasured painting in the Uffizi - seeing it for the first time 'in real life' and weeping.
Oh my gosh - there are 62 others!!!!!
1. The middle of the meadow at the floor of Yosemite Valley at night, lying in the grass on your back looking at the kazillion stars reflecting their light off the face of Half Dome.
2. Your first glimpse of Venice.
3. The deck bar (w/ margarita, of course) on Stearn's Wharf at sunset, looking back on the town of Santa Barbara in the rose pink light.
4. Outside at any rive gauche cafe in Paris at dawn (perhaps the street is wet from last night's drizzle...)& that first swallow of cafe au lait.
5. Standing in front of whatever is your most treasured painting in the Uffizi - seeing it for the first time 'in real life' and weeping.
Oh my gosh - there are 62 others!!!!!
Aug 23rd, 2004, 07:56 PM
#178
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What a great thread!!
1. The village of Oia in Santorini Greece.
2. Terrace bars of "Little Italy" Mykonos Greece.
3. On your private sundeck facing the blue sky and clear water in Bora Bora, French Polynesia.
1. The village of Oia in Santorini Greece.
2. Terrace bars of "Little Italy" Mykonos Greece.
3. On your private sundeck facing the blue sky and clear water in Bora Bora, French Polynesia.
