Magic Moments: 2008
Just a few magic moments in a trip can make it a success in your mind for the rest of your life. The moon rising over the Jungfrau...being alone at your own private Stonehenge...feeling Celtic pride well up in your non-Celtic soul after hours of traditional music in an Irish pub...meeting your "Old World" relatives for the first time. Do you have a favorite magic moment from your European experience?
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thank you
since 1995 i have traveled with your advice, to great trips through, britain, france ,belgium, the netherlands, germany, italy, austria, hungary, czech republic, poland and slovenia. thanks for being there with me. lets go onto croatia, romania, bulgaria, and yes russia. thanks rick and staff. could not have left seattle without you! jeff
jeff leach
naches, wa USA Sat 12/20/2008
Hurrah for Jetlag
Four memories stand out in my mind through our years of travelling--all stemming from the fact that we always wake up at ungodly hours (about 3:30AM) our first mornings in Europe:
1) Walking the lakeside promenade in Montreaux while it was still dark and as dawn came, kept on walking east until we find ourselves in the Castle of Chillon--we were the first ones in and for a while, the only ones. We felt like we owned the place.
2) Walking into the train station of Chur, Switzerland (to get to St Moritz)on an early Sunday morning about 6AM--no one around but you hear this wonderful music; we find the harp player playing soulfully by one of the gleis; of course we bought his CD.
3) Gettting to Ravello on the first bus from Amalfi--off the main piazza seeing the housewives clamoring around a tiny fishvan to get their fresh seafood for the day's cooking. Minutes later, we headed down a small lane where we see a dog sitting in the middle of the street facing a building--he was wagging his tail like crazy and licking his chops. As we got closer, we saw it was a butcher chop!!!
Best of all 4) Waking up so early on our first morning in Paris, that we were out by 5:45 AM in the 5th Arrondisement. Even cafes were still close and the little market near Notre Dame was just setting up. We headed on to Notre Dame where we see a man sweeping debris between the church wall and the iron gate. He saw us craning our necks to see into the open door of Notre Dame--lo and behold, he motioned us closer and let us in and just motioned us to just be quiet. Notre Dame all by ourselves for 10 whole minutes!!! Later, lots of pictures around the church and the Pont behind it with no tourist in sight.
Flora P.
Chicago, IL USA Mon 12/15/2008
Berlin Brandenburg Gate
I just got back from Berlin after being gone for 25 years.
Before I left, I promised that I will do my best to return when the Brandenburg gate is open and that you can walk through under it. When I was in Berlin 6 times before, the best that I can view this gate is by standing in an outpost and view the guards and the gate.
It was such an awesome feeling now that I was so free to walk under it!
After I did it a few times, I was standing there and two elderly couples saw me and smiled and asked how I was. I told them my story and they told me that they were separated by the wall for so many years and every year during their wedding anniversary, they always walk under the gate and celebrate.
It was really awesome!
Ben
USA Fri 11/21/2008
Wake up. It's Paris.
It is such a fantastic feeling: First, I'm in a nondescript airport in Chicago. I get into a nondescript airplane, arrive at another nondescript airport, get on a nondescript train (RER), pull into a nondescript train station, climb a few stairs and—voila!—I'm walking down Boulevard St. Michel at dawn on a Sunday, just after a rain. The sun is beginning to shine, and I have a huge smile on my face as I walk along the Seine to my hotel. I have been to Paris several times, but I'm still always amazed at the feeling I get when I come out of the RER.
Carol
Chicago, USA Thu 11/13/2008
Never Been There, Feels Like Home
The first time I set foot in Ireland, walking through the customs screening area in Dublin felt like coming home after being away for a long time. Yes, I'm of Irish ancestry. We think my ancestors emigrated during the 1860's and I've never seen photos of the family in Ireland. How can one feel so connected to someplace they have never been and only seen pictures of in National Geographic? Maybe it's a Druid thing?
Terry
Sparks, NV USA Fri 10/31/2008
Workers' Museum (Arbejdermuseet), Copenhagen, Denmark
My late husband was born and reared in Copenhagen. We married there and lived in a typical Dansk apartment in the early 60s (before moving to Queensland, Australia).
In the early 80s the Workers' Museum (Arbejdermuseet) in Copenhagen was opened. It is one of the best places to both visit and eat at in Copenhagen.
After walking through 150 years of Danish culture, both work and habitat, you can dine at the Café (a typical Dansk restaurant from the early years) in the same building for a very reasonable price. The food and traditional beer are delightful. And, you'll more fully appreciate the cuisine after visiting the Museum itself.
I never go back to Denmark (Danmark) without a visit here: http://www.arbejdermuseet.dk/UK/Cafe/cafe_oelhalle/default.asp?menu=4
Don't miss it!
Patricia Oates
Baton Rouge, LA USA Sat 10/25/2008
Moment of Grace in Venice
We had spent our first full day in Italy getting blissfully lost in the streets of Venice, before joining our RS group the next day. After roughly 9 hours of non-stop walking and picture-taking, the sun was setting and the locals were out for their evening stroll. My husband was approached by a street vendor selling roses, and purchased two for me. As we walked along we saw a very elderly couple walking ahead of us, arm in arm, all dressed up. They looked so precious, on impulse I stepped in front of them and held out one of the roses. The woman's eyes flew open, she looked at her husband, then back at me and said, "Grazie! Grazie! Mille grazie!" She then held up six fingers followed by two more and said "anno" (years) - it was their 62nd anniversary! What a priceless moment of sweet grace for all of us. I took their picture, and it will forever be one of my favorite moments in Italy. What a way to begin our tour.
Mary Kay
Ellensburg, WA USA Sat 10/04/2008
Magical Moments
Its hard to pick just some....(in no order)
1. Eating Gelato at sunset on our last night in Italy
2. Walking through Rome to the Vatican at 6AM, after the worst night of my life in a sketchy "pension house." Hearing a horses hooves clip clopping echoing through the empty streets of Rome while standing alone at the Spanish Steps.
3. Robert Burns Night in the Western Highlands after one of the most challenging hikes of my life, hearing the "address to the haggis" in Gaelic said by a true Scotsman
4. Dancing "Strip the willow" with my flatmate at a Ceilidh
5. Watching fireworks from the Military Tatoo in Edinburgh from my bedroom window
6. Watching the sun set over Berick Upon Tweed on my way back to Edinburgh last Easter
7. Successfully navigating Geneva by myself and emerging from the United Nations building to the sun shining after it had been raining all day.
8. Riding up Braid's Hill on a clear February late afternoon and gazing at the view from the top.
Emma
Edinburgh , UK Sun 09/07/2008
Sarajevo: a chance meeting in a cemetery
May of 2008. We were visiting Sarajevo. Whilst I was planning our trip I had downloaded a photo of Sarajevo from just above Kovaci cemetery.
The Guesthouse we booked just happened to be near this cemetry so we visited on our first day.
We wandered around the cemetery trying to take it all in and while doing so , a man and his young son were paying attention to a particular grave. I said ( and gestured) " family"......" yes"......It was his brother who had obviously been a victim of the war. He gestured me around to see the name: Samir. he pointed to his young toddler son......" Samir"....
We spent an hour or more with this man and his son. He took us up above the cemetry and pointed to distant white-streaked fields. More cemeteries.
We 'talked' for over the hour. He was explaining the war and describing his city.
He had no English and we had no Bosnian yet it became clear that he wanted us to see the diversity of religion and ethnicity that had always existed in his city. We shall never forget that hour and hopefully we shall learn to understand it's meaning.
Frank
Galway, Ireland Wed 09/03/2008
Rouen
My magical moment was on a Normandy trip. We stayed the first night in Rouen at the Cathedral hotel. All I wanted to see was the Rouen Cathedral that Monet had painted over and over.
My husband was buying something in a small shop and I saw this poster. I asked the shop keeper about it and we were amazed.
Now, I know it is a touristy thing to do. But is was magical. There is a light show each night at dark where they light up the cathedral to look like Monet and Lichenstein paintings. In all my travels it is my favorite thing among so many.
AND it was FREE!
Sue
Springfield, VA USA Fri 08/15/2008
Paris for the Millenium
Like many people, in the year prior to the millenium, I was often asked, "Where would you like to experience the millenium?" I would always automatically respond, "Paris." After a while I asked myself, "Well, why don't you go? You've got plenty of time to plan."
I made my reservations and a German friend joined me in Paris. On New Year's Eve we sat on a doorstep for hours directly across the river from the Eiffel Tour. When the fireworks were finally underway, I remember saying to my friend, "As long as I live I'll never see anything this beautiful."
Jude
Berkeley, CA USA Fri 08/15/2008
Magic Moments in Paris
My most amazing moment, actually I have two. My daughter and I have always been fans of the Degas ballerinas. We have several "cheap" replicas throught our house. When I came upon the prototype at the Muse D'Orsay, I seemed to have glued myself to the case and stared for what seemed like hours! Needless to say, I took a picture and had it blown up and framed when I returned to the States.
The second "awe" moment was when I saw the Eiffel Tower light up for the first time. It was my second day in Paris and I had yet to visit the Tower. I happened to be walking on Pont Neuf when I looked to my left and saw it lit up like a Christmas Tree. I immediately called my mother back home and the first thing she asked me was "what it looked like"? I told her through misty eyes, it was undescribable.
ddw
Houston, Texas USA Thu 08/07/2008
Hadrians Wall/Greenhead
On a tour of Britian in the early 90's I was alone and backpacking. One day I headed out for Hadrian's Wall starting at Homesteads and spent the day roaming about the wall for what seemed like forever. I finally came into a small village of Greenhead where I checked into the well appointed hostel shed my pack and had lasagna and some crumpy at the local Inn. I slept like a baby that night. The next morning as I waited at the bus station to connect to the rail I munched on a juicy apple as the sun washed over me. At that moment I felt as good as I ever have. I was happy to be alive and on the road.
Steve
Big Eagle , KY USA Tue 07/29/2008
Singing in Salzburg
I've had several, but one that stands out happened in Salzburg. There were about 20 of us in an upstairs room with the mountain as a ceiling at St. Peter's Stifftskellar Restaurant (wonderful restaurant, if you haven't been), and we were in the middle of a fabulous lunch. At that point, about 15-20 Gypsies were seated at the other set of tables and as such, our two groups comprised the entire room.
We finished up lunch with the Salzburger Knockerel (absolutely worth every cent). During an after-lunch drink, the Gypsies had finished their meal as well. Then, a once-in-a-lifetime moment occurred, because as soon as they were done, they began to sing - not out of some 'sing-for-your-supper" deal, but just out of the sheer joy and ebullience at having had a wonderful meal.
A wonderful meal capped by a sincere round of singing in a beautiful setting.
Doesn't get any better.
cmason
Georgetown, TX USA Sat 07/26/2008
I stayed at a hostel, I think in Inverness, last summer. One night I came back from a pub a few minutes before my friends and joined a small crowd of folks listening to man playing guitar and singing folk songs. After being invited, I sat down to play also. In the end, we spent several hours trading american and scottish folk songs. I still remember it as a 'magic moment' and a privilege.
Teacrimes
Worcester, MA USA Thu 07/03/2008
Where have you been for the last 100 years?
Our Magic Moment: After my mother died, my Dad and I took a family roots trip to Sweden in 1997. Our last name is very unusal and my Dad always looked in the phone book when we were kids to locate any long lost relatives. Never found any. Armed with one name and a street address in the little town of Hudiksvall (3 hrs N of Stockholm on the Baltic Sea)- we started in Stockholm to look for family records. Nothing.
We took the train to Hudiksvall and went to the local church..only to be told the records for the area had all been moved four hours north.
I was frustrated...but not my Dad...we went back to the hotel. In our room, my Dad decides to look in the phone book...Well, there were two listings for individuals with our last name!
Dad called one of them (his cousin) and they hung up on him. So we engaged the help of the hotel staff who called for us. We ended up meeting Bengt (age 50) and Pers (age 80) and had such a wonderful time!
There is much much more to the story but we have gone back several times [as recent as this last month :)] and visited four sets of cousins, had a family reunion (100 people showed up) with a photo in the local paper.
Beth
Sacramento, CA USA Sat 06/28/2008
Swiss Rainbow
We were in the Swiss Alps in May, specifically in Murren at the Hotel Alpina on our patio facing the Jungfrau. It was our last night there and it was a bit overcast from the earlier rain. Suddenly before our eyes was the most amazing end to end rainbow we have ever seen over the mountains (and the biggest!)!
Ali
Newton, MA USA Fri 06/27/2008
Impressionists at the D'Orsay
All of us have seen posters and pictures in books of the many famous Impressionist paintings. My Magic Moment was the first time I saw my favorite Renoir painting "in person" at the Musee D'Orsay in Paris, May 2005. Goosebumps and tears were the results (and I'm not usually a publicly emotional person). I've re-visited the painting (and the many others) on several return trips to my favorite city.
Holly
Durham, NC USA Mon 06/23/2008
Daughter takes over
My 19-year-old daughter was taking no responsibility for our one-month trip in the UK and France and letting me manage all the arrangements. She showed no interest in assisting me. Finally I made her buy a card for her cell phone in Paris all by herself (she doesn't speak French). She had to negotiate the purchase with a sales clerk and then fill out a substantial form with another clerk. It was a complex process (I had already done it).
After she successfully accomplished that, I suddenly couldn't do anything right without her assistance, and she insisted on managing arrangements for the remainder of the trip.
J. Sinclair
Vallejo, CA USA Thu 06/19/2008
A Great Paris Park
When you're in Paris, in search of something great, off the beaten path, don't miss a wonderful park up in the 19th Arrondissment: Parc de Buttes Charmont. Perhaps the most beautiful urban park I've seen anywhere, it's filled (particularly on Sundays) with families and individuals of all types, enjoying the amazing scenery-- small mountains, gazebos, a lake and much more. Don't fail to experience it; it's easy to get to via the Buttes Charmont metro stop.
Paul J. Morris
Oradell, NJ USA Mon 06/02/2008
Metro Mishap
My entire family were in Paris and about to take the Metro for the first time. I had finished lecturing my Niece and Nephew (ages 5 and 8) on staying together and making sure everyone gets on the train. I was hearding everyone on the train when the doors closed with me on the wrong side. The looks on their faces as the train pulled away was priceless. I hopped on the next train and met them at our stop. Needless to say, Uncle Bruce (UB) caught a lot of flack for that one!!
Bruce
Everett , Wa USA Tue 05/27/2008
Banos Arabes in Sevilla
Three years ago I studied in Sevilla, Spain for 6 weeks during the summer. I had left my fiance at home, so by the end of the term, I was homesick and stressed about final exams. My friends and I decided to go the Banos Arabes (Arabic Baths) the night before finals to relax a little. I knew the Banos were kind of like a spa, but I had no idea that I was going to be able to drink herbal tea, sit in a sauna, and swim around in whole ROOMS of warm water for an hour and half. When we left, my muscles were so relaxed that I could barely wobble to the nearest taxi. It was a fantastic way to end my time in Spain. Best 18 euros I ever spent.
Emily
Gainesville, FL USA Tue 05/06/2008
Kidding with local kids
I'm a teacher and I love talking with kids. On our recent trip to Europe, I had 2 fun experiences with this.
The first was on the train between Antwerp and Bruges. 2 young kids sat down across from me...turned out they spoke only Flemish! Their Mom was nearby and she said it was okay for me to talk with the kids (she spoke some English). Soon we all were laughing like crazy as the kids tried to teach me some Flemish.
The other was on a crowded tram in Amsterdam. A young mom got on with a little guy about 4. He sat down on the step beside me and started playing with a plastic toy dinosaur.
It wasn't long before he was making the dinosaur chew on my leg, my ankle, my fingers, etc. and I pretended to be in agony and horror. Not a word between us, but we sure had a good time! (And Mom was grinning, so I guess she didn't mind.)
Margaret
USA Fri 05/02/2008
Use Other Languages
Don't speak only English, USE the languages you studied before travel. Our best memories have often arisen bcuz we engaged locals in THEIR languages. We gave directions to a Spanish woman lost in Rome- and shared an espresso and pastry w her. I talked about the weather with a ferryman on Lago Como and about a proud mamma's son, the chef from San Fran, in Menaggio. In Germany, we passed the time on trains by talking to seatmates in German. Sure,we halted and often couldnt find the right words, but people happily helped and sometimes slid into English for the nonce. It is the best way (short of playing w babies or appreciating dogs) of making friends fast and memories last.
Paul n Sara
Newburyport, MA USA Wed 04/23/2008
wild train ride
my wife and i are taking the train from chiusi to naples(4 hrs). we go to our car and we have the 2 middle seats facing each other. 2 italian woman facing each other and 2 italian men facing each other. all of a sudden the lady to my left starts speaking to the other lady. after an hour of non stop chatter from her i ask if anyone spoke english. the guy next to me said "a little", so he starts translating all of the conversation in the train car. this lady did not stopping talking to all of us the whole 4 hours. we were all laughing and in tears and having a great time. it was like we became friends for those 4 hours on that train ride. we ended up getting a group picture and saying our good-byes. it is something we will never forget. :):)
bruce
sauk rapids, mn USA Fri 04/18/2008
From heartbreak to lucky break
After having our daypack stolen from the reception desk at our hostel in Prague, (containing our camera, rail-passes, and all souvenirs from the past 3 weeks of our first European vacation), we pressed onto Vienna to continue our adventure. We were pretty heartbroken and depressed over what had been lost, but we still had our passports, clothing and wallets.
Both being music majors, we randomly stumbled across the ticket kiosk for the Vienna Philharmonic. Lucky enough, there was a concert that same day, but another American couple in front of us in line was debating whether to buy the last two tickets. One was standing room, the other behind the orchestra. For some silly reason, they decided they didn't want to spend 20 Euro to buy the more expensive seat, and we ended up seeing the Vienna Phil!!! We're both horn players, and we were certainly pleased to discover our seat behind the orchestra was literally behind the horn section! We switched seats at intermission. : )
Bobbi
WI USA Fri 04/11/2008
CA
In early March we spent two lovely weeks in Florence and Venice. Our return trip included a 10 hour all night layover at CDG (don't ask). Not wanting to spend loads of cash on a room for what would turn out to be just a few hours, my husband and I decided to catch the train into town. We have been to Paris a few times so felt comfortable in this adventure. We were going to see the Eiffel Tower all lit up from the Pont Neuf, the spot we first saw it on our honeymoon. Well we did! It was, as usual, incredible. But it was also 34 degrees and after midnight. And we are from Florida and not used to the cold. We did not last long before we went looking for a late night bistro were we sat over cafe creme watching a French version of MTV for two hours. Then we went to our favorite internet point off St. Michel which is open all night. We stayed warm and caught up on our web surfing for 3 hours. Then we caught the first train of the morning back to CDG. Sounds like hell, right? Non! Two weeks later we are still laughing about our silly night in Paris. We will always have our silly night in Paris! A magical but silly night in Paris.
FL USA Wed 04/02/2008
Ste. Chapelle
Often the most memorable travel moments have been when things DIDN'T go according to plan.
In Paris, we went into Ste. Chapelle with no expectations. (For some reason, I hadn't read up on this site in advance.) Inside, the building was dark and not especially interesting. We were just about to leave when I noticed a small spiral staircase at the back. I went up the cramped, winding stairs and stepped out into the most breathtaking expanse of sunlight filtering through stained glass I've ever seen in my life. The color and light were all around me and were so overwhelming I literally could not catch my breath for the beauty of it, all the more so for being unexpected.
This occurred more than 35 years ago and is still as vivid in my memory as the day it occurred.
Lee Sauer
Sacramento, CA USA Tue 03/18/2008
An incident in Normandy
My wife's cousin, Richard, is visiting us this week. He came down last weekend from Quebec and drove his girlfriend, Danielle to JFK airport for a flight to the Maldives to visit her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. Richard, a Quebecois and frequent visiter to France, has been giving us periodic advice on how to handle ourselves during our stay in Paris. We booked our Paris trip through www.Untours.com to AVOID the bus tour experience. Tonight over a bottle of wine, French bread and some salad, he told us that in Paris (he pronounces it Paree) it is very common to see people bring their dogs into even the most fancy restaurants. A few years ago he and Danielle were in Paris visiting Danielle's best friend, Marjolaine, who works for Radio France International in Paris. Marjolaine has a huge dog named Arthur. This dog is used to being fed from the dinner table. However, this is not polite. So if asked whether Arthur is fed from the dinner table, her answer will always be "Non!". As the story goes, Richard, Danielle, Marjolaine and her husband, Duclos, were at a fancy restaurant in Normandy one evening. Of course Arthur came along also. The French like to show how well behaved their dogs are. So when everyone sat down for a fancy gourmet dinner, Arthur sat at perfect attention. However, when it became evident that he was not going to be fed from the table, he began howling like a wolf. Marjolaine finally had to lead Arthur out of the restaurant. But because Arthur is such a big dog, his wagging tail is at table level. So on the way out of the restaurant many tables were swept clear of anything in the way, including wine bottles.
Richard (with his facial expressions) does a much better job of telling this funny story. Experiences like this, no matter how embarassing or funny, are what we look for in our travels. Immersing yourself in the culture of a foreign country will produce longer lasting memories than the "must see" tourist site. We do all our traveling minus the instant loud crowds that bus tours create. Having an exchange with a local is what I call traveling.
Bill Kover
Piscataway, N.J. USA Sun 03/16/2008
Paris engagement
Paris was full of magical moments- but the best would have to be:
On the 2nd night of our Paris trip (a gift)-after a full day of sightseeing and a wine tasting- my boyfriend and I went up the Eiffel Tower at sunset for beautful views of the sun setting and the city of light coming to life. After the tower, we walked across the street to a carousel. While riding the carousel- he proposed to me! As we stepped off of the carousel the Eiffel Tower came to life with millions of twinkling lights and the crowd roared. My heart was so full at that moment I thought I would burst. It was the perfect end to the day!
ARL
USA Thu 02/28/2008
Death By Chocolate Funny in Rome
I had the "Rome" pages from Rick's book in my hand while standing in line for gelato. Without a word, the man behind the counter handed me a Death By Chocolate gelato. I said "how did you know that's what I wanted?" and in a heavy accent he said "Rick Steve's said so."
Marguerite
Charleston, SC USA Mon 02/25/2008
Paris bikes
When I was in Paris last summer I took the Big Fat bikes day and night tour. The BEST part of the night tour was riding around the inner courtyard of the Louvre Museum on a bike.. it was dark and quiet except for a lone cello player... I was expecting Silas the monk to come out of a dark corner. =)
I also loved riding my bike along the river bank. It was so freeing and daring.
Tricia
Destin, fl USA Sun 02/10/2008
Finding Flagmount, Co Clare
In 2000, my Mam and I had to take a trip to Ireland for family reasons. Anyway, she grew up outside Flagmount, Co Clare. It was just my mam & I on this particular trip. I had driven many times to the town in the past w/& w/out her, however, on this particular trip my mam insisted that I take another route that my Aunt had wanted us to take. My Aunt's directions were horrible & we got so lost. It would normally take me not time at all to get to Flagmount, but this time I was driving around the 'wilds' of Clare for hours.
My mam who had not been to flagmount w/a member of her family w/her did not recognize any possible landmarks. That was until we came up over a hill and looked down into the valley below and be both saw straight ahead Lough Graney; which is the Lough were Flagmount is situated on. We were actually at a fork in the road at this point.
I asked my mam which way...left or right...as we could see that the road clearly went around the Lough. She didn't know & I didn't know. We decided to go right. After we turned turned right to go down the road around the Lough, my mam says, "I wish we would run into someone I know."
No sooner had she said that then we see an old farm/gent walking down the road in his "wellies", tweed blazer, walking stick, and a black/white sheep dog! I stopped the car and he came over to the driver side. I explained that I was looking for the town of Flagmount. I he said, " Now, what you wanting to be doing now, is to go up to that gate" as he pointed to two stone pillars way down the road. And then he continued, "You want to be passing that gate and you want to be keeping on that road and you will get to Flagmount." I was quite relieved. I thanked him for his help.
I explained that I was taking my mam to see her cousins in Flagmount. At that point he bends down looks into the car .. sees my mam and says, "Junie... Junie Hogan..is that you? It's me, it's me, it's Paddy Kennedy!" He and my mam exchanged words for a few min. Then he looks at me and he says, "Now what you want to be doing is when you get to that gate down there.." pointing to the pillars. he continued, "You want to be turning around and go back the way you came and when you get to the fork in the road make a right." He then leaned down again, looking at my mam and said, "Johnny's house is the first house on he left and Rogers is the third house."
My cousins laughed because it seemed that this gent before he seen my mam was willing to send the 'yanks' around Lough the long way. My mam told me that it was a bit freakish,because she had no clue who this 'Paddy Kennedy' was & to this day does not remember him or his family from her childhood.
claregirl02
westminster, md USA Fri 02/08/2008
Morning in Tuscany
I had been dreaming of visiting Tuscany for years, my husband had had the great luck of spending six months in Montisi before we married. On our dream vacation, visiting friends in London and Paris and Montisi, Italy. We took the train from Paris to Lyon, where we rented a car and drove through the Alps, spent a night in Rivoli. We then drove to Montisi, arriving after dark. We were greeted by our friends and had a lovely visit, got ourselves tucked into our apartment and fell fast asleep in the quiet Montisi countryside. In the morning, I woke early, excited to see Tuscany! As I entered the bathroom, the light from the window and the view of the Tuscan Hill Country appeared as a impressionist painting hanging on the bathroom wall!
Truly, the light is amazing!
Laurie
Dallas, OR USA Sat 01/12/2008