Okay, what is the not widely known attraction that blew you away?
Feb 16, 2011, 7:22 pm
#61
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Al Deir at Petra - most people ooh and ahh over the Treasury, but if you take the time to make the long hike to Al Deir, you will get a fantastic view across a canyon to an amazing building carved completely out of stone, more magnificent than the Treasury in my opinion.
The Taj Mahal in northern India. I entered the atrium barefoot, went up the little gateway, about 1000 yards from the actual building and crossed the threshold to see the white building shimmering in reflection in the pool. Unbelievable... to a guy from a little town in West Virginia, that view, I can honestly say took my breath away.
Also, might I add Cinque Terre, Italy? I think it's better known now than it was 10 years ago when I went there, but it's about as perfect a slice of Italy as you could ask for.
Feb 16, 2011, 7:27 pm
#62
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FYI, if you want to return or anyone else wants to go: "free" is seasonal. They charge admission during late spring, summer, and most of the fall - when most of the tourists are around.
Feb 16, 2011, 9:04 pm
#64
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For me, a not-widely-known attraction that I loved was Hell's Gate, a geothermal attraction in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Feb 16, 2011, 11:06 pm
#65
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC
Posts: 214
A friend who lives in Rome wouldn't tell Mr.Cynnamin and me where he was taking us. We had no idea until I walked-in, and it still took a few moments before I realized what I looking at. It was really creepy and I left after the second room. So weird but I always recommend it to anyone who is going to Rome.
Feb 16, 2011, 11:23 pm
#66
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Join Date: May 1998
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I'll add a couple here.
First, the Cathar Castles in Languedoc region of France. Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Queribus, etc. are incredible examples of construction on top of mountains and cliffs. In the area is the fortress of Carcassonne, which is more well known, and also a terrific place to visit.
Second, several of the Paradors in Spain are incredible locations. I particularly like the Parador in Jaen (set atop Santa Catalina mountain, overlooking the city of Jaen, the surrounding valleys of olive trees, and the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background); the Parador in Cardona (hotel in a 9th century castle on top of a hill); and the Parador in Oropesa (in a castle dating from the 14th century). The small town of Oropesa is delightful as well.
First, the Cathar Castles in Languedoc region of France. Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Queribus, etc. are incredible examples of construction on top of mountains and cliffs. In the area is the fortress of Carcassonne, which is more well known, and also a terrific place to visit.
Second, several of the Paradors in Spain are incredible locations. I particularly like the Parador in Jaen (set atop Santa Catalina mountain, overlooking the city of Jaen, the surrounding valleys of olive trees, and the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background); the Parador in Cardona (hotel in a 9th century castle on top of a hill); and the Parador in Oropesa (in a castle dating from the 14th century). The small town of Oropesa is delightful as well.
Feb 16, 2011, 11:34 pm
#67
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On my first trip to Italy, we did the power tour of the major museums and Cathedrals.
While St. Peters, St. Marks, and the Duomo in Florence were certainly sights to behold, I was most blown away by the small cathedral in Como.
While St. Peters, St. Marks, and the Duomo in Florence were certainly sights to behold, I was most blown away by the small cathedral in Como.
Feb 17, 2011, 12:46 am
#69
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Feb 17, 2011, 1:51 am
#70
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Putuoshan (island near Ning Bo, China), a national park with oodles of Buddhist temples. The place is fragrant with incense.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park: it looks like you're closer to Monument Valley than Bismarck.
The National Building Museum in Washington, DC: A free museum, but the quirky building itself is more the attraction than its contents. A little off the beaten path of museums frequented by tourists. Free guided tour is excellent.
Golconda fortress, outside Hyderabad: a citadel inside a castle inside a complex inside over 20 km of walls encircling an old city. Has steps broad enough for elephants to climb.
Kimball Museum in Fort Worth: Contains what is Michelangelo's first known painting. I thought the Metroplex boring until I visited this lovely (and free) jewel.
Cape St. Mary's Bird Sanctuary, Newfoundland: The largest bird colonies in the world accessible by land. Also free, and cheap binocular rentals available if you did not bring yours. The rock covered by gannets is especially stunning --some of the most beautiful birds you'll ever see.
The Canadian Cold War Museum (unofficially called "The Diefenbunker"): A complex designed to house the Canadian government --and a lot of gold-- in the event of nuclear attack. The American counterparts are bigger, but you can actually visit this one!
Many, many more I want to see . . .
Theodore Roosevelt National Park: it looks like you're closer to Monument Valley than Bismarck.
The National Building Museum in Washington, DC: A free museum, but the quirky building itself is more the attraction than its contents. A little off the beaten path of museums frequented by tourists. Free guided tour is excellent.
Golconda fortress, outside Hyderabad: a citadel inside a castle inside a complex inside over 20 km of walls encircling an old city. Has steps broad enough for elephants to climb.
Kimball Museum in Fort Worth: Contains what is Michelangelo's first known painting. I thought the Metroplex boring until I visited this lovely (and free) jewel.
Cape St. Mary's Bird Sanctuary, Newfoundland: The largest bird colonies in the world accessible by land. Also free, and cheap binocular rentals available if you did not bring yours. The rock covered by gannets is especially stunning --some of the most beautiful birds you'll ever see.
The Canadian Cold War Museum (unofficially called "The Diefenbunker"): A complex designed to house the Canadian government --and a lot of gold-- in the event of nuclear attack. The American counterparts are bigger, but you can actually visit this one!
Many, many more I want to see . . .
Feb 17, 2011, 5:15 am
#71
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 50
After a long and lonely drive down southern New Mexico, White Sands National Monument was really impressive I thought. Climbing up and standing on top of the perfect white sand dunes, totally alone, was quite an experience.
Not sure how well known it is, but Shoshone Point at the Grand Canyon was incredible. As it's about a mile walk and no cars can usually get there thanks to a gate blocking it off, you can often find yourself on your own - a rare thing at that NP. Standing on that little stone precipice, the silence of the place gives you the peace I think you need to fully comprehend what your eyes are seeing.
Not sure how well known it is, but Shoshone Point at the Grand Canyon was incredible. As it's about a mile walk and no cars can usually get there thanks to a gate blocking it off, you can often find yourself on your own - a rare thing at that NP. Standing on that little stone precipice, the silence of the place gives you the peace I think you need to fully comprehend what your eyes are seeing.
Last edited by Robbyb; Feb 17, 2011 at 7:20 am
Feb 17, 2011, 6:59 am
#72
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My spectacular off-the-beaten-path spot: Bulgaria's Buzludzha monument, one of the highlights of our visit to Bulgaria--a crumbling, gigantic abandoned Communist monument that is amazingly sited on top of a bald mountain peak. It is incredible to visit at dusk, when the millions of swallows that live in it are flying around. We were there in the height of tourist season, spent the night at an old Communist-era ski resort a short walk away, and saw no one else there. It was like the last scene in Planet of the Apes, almost. Completely surreal.
Feb 17, 2011, 8:20 am
#73
Join Date: May 2007
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The Scottish Tattoo held in Edinburgh every year. Or is it every other year, I forget. Anyway, I saw that it was being held at the same time I'd be visiting some years ago and decided to see it just for something to do, but had never heard of it. I've never been a fan of bagpipes, but the Tattoo was very enjoyable and impressive. My favorite band was the aborigines from New Zealand. The combination of bagpipe and didgeridoo.... breath-taking!
I also adore the Korean War memorial on the Mall. Since it's right next to the Vietnam Wall, I think it's a bit over-shadowed. However, the life-size statues trudging through the muck combined with the haunting faces on the wall are quite emotionally powerful.
And this isn't really an attraction, but I used to know someone who lived halfway up the south side of the volcano on Hawaii. (I'm pathetic, I know, but I forget the name of that big volcano.) Modest but pretty house, steeply sloped yard with coffee and mature avocado trees. As if that wasn't wonderful enough, you step behind her house and..... the flat land of South Point sprawls below the steep slope of the volcano below you. You have a 180 degree view of the ocean around South Point. THAT was breathtaking. That's one property that I'm sure has it's value increased a thousandfold from the view alone. The tax assessment probably reads something like "land: 5,000 building: 100,000 view: 100,000,000,000"!
I also adore the Korean War memorial on the Mall. Since it's right next to the Vietnam Wall, I think it's a bit over-shadowed. However, the life-size statues trudging through the muck combined with the haunting faces on the wall are quite emotionally powerful.
And this isn't really an attraction, but I used to know someone who lived halfway up the south side of the volcano on Hawaii. (I'm pathetic, I know, but I forget the name of that big volcano.) Modest but pretty house, steeply sloped yard with coffee and mature avocado trees. As if that wasn't wonderful enough, you step behind her house and..... the flat land of South Point sprawls below the steep slope of the volcano below you. You have a 180 degree view of the ocean around South Point. THAT was breathtaking. That's one property that I'm sure has it's value increased a thousandfold from the view alone. The tax assessment probably reads something like "land: 5,000 building: 100,000 view: 100,000,000,000"!
Feb 17, 2011, 11:36 am
#75
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I'll throw in another spot in Italy.
Hadrian's Villa. The same guy famed for the wall in the UK built an amazing complex about an hour outside Rome. The best way to describe it was Rome in miniature. There's baths, a theater, tons of buildings, an aqueduct and more. Absolutely spectacular for something 2,000 years old. And the best part, I can't remember seeing another person there!
Hadrian's Villa. The same guy famed for the wall in the UK built an amazing complex about an hour outside Rome. The best way to describe it was Rome in miniature. There's baths, a theater, tons of buildings, an aqueduct and more. Absolutely spectacular for something 2,000 years old. And the best part, I can't remember seeing another person there!