Extraordinary experiences

Do you have a specific location in mind? I've mentioned the Ceremony of the Keys before for London. In Rome this past June we did the Scavi tour which was great, and the Domus Aurea which was fantastic! If you go to Syracuse in Sicily don't miss out on seeing a play in the ancient Greek theatre if they are performing while you are there. We saw Medea and it was amazing!

I think of those two tours as being well known so I’ll add another one, viewing da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” in Milan. Book tickets well in advance.
My favorite experience in The Netherlands was visiting Kinderdijk where 19 historic windmills are in their original locations.
I believe these are all well known but perhaps there are some who will learn about them.

I don’t have a specific country in mind cause no that we are retired we can add a place if it is worth it. Thank you Suki, we will be in Rotterdam for 6 nights next May. It’s going on my list.
I did read something about cave paintings in France but thought I read they were closed now to tourists.

I have found that concerts/recitals/dance performances in historic or unique venues to always be extraordinary experiences. Such as those in the cathedrals, churches, opera houses, and palaces. I found concerts in both Notre Dame Cathedral and St Chapelle in Paris to be quite extraordinary experiences. Evensong in almost any famous cathedral in Europe is a wonderful experience.

A private tour of Pompeii with Gaetano Manfredi. Certainly not an unknown site, but going with a guide of his capability was stellar!

Touring Cuba.

In 2012 was lucky to have been invited by the The International School of Film and TV.

Havana was fascinating. Architecturally amazing. Nicest people. Baseball is huge in Cuba. I took a box of baseball cards and handed them out to children. The smiles that simple gesture generated. Wonderful memories.

Also the cleanest city I have ever seen. Cleaner than Zurich.

You should try to secure tickets to touring inside Elizabeth’s Tower and seeing Big Ben.

EDIT: other than a security person having the Last Supper and The Crucifixion to myself.
EDIT: watching the Eiffel Tower light up
EDIT: Eel Pie Island artist enclave Christmas open house

I would advise be open to serendipity! And seize any opportunity for an extraordinary experience. In 2018 my daughter and I ended up at the Royal Wedding, because six months previously I had happened to buy some unbelievably cheap tickets to London on Norwegian Air for the third week in May. Once we realized what was going to be happening while we were there, about two months out, we cleared our itinerary for a day in Windsor. It was fabulous, free except for local train tickets, and we saw Harry and Meghan take their carriage ride. I'll never forget it whether they stay married or not ;)

The Ommegang in Brussels
Versailles Garden at night among folk dressed as in the days of Marie Antoinette. Plus fireworks!
Swiss National Day in Villars-sur-Orlon
Classical Yodeling Competition in Chur
These are events we serendipitously enjoyed- found after we'd booked accommodations. Others were planned, e.g. Scavi tour and the Ceremony of the Keys.
Not an event but stopping by the Paris Pantheon just in time to join a climb to the top- fabulous views!
We are looking forward to a "free" classical music concert next month at the Lucerne Festival- lucked out that it coincides with our two nights there.

We have found so often it’s the unplanned, unknown things you happen to literally walk into. An outdoor festival or concert, a sporting event….on and on. But yes….I love hearing about the local less known experiences, sites and tours. This forum gives us so much travel insight when otherwise we would miss out! We go to London next year. The Ceremony of the Keys will be on my list!

"We have found so often it’s the unplanned, unknown things you happen to literally walk into."

This is my experience as well.

My first overseas trip came out of nowhere. My husbands ship was doing a port stop with less than a weeks notice to us. I got thee three of us passports (amazing with just a few days), packed up the kids and headed to Portugal. I did not know a word of the language or anything about it, even the geography really. It was the best thing ever as we realized there was a whole world out there to explore. We were hooked.

On our trip over the last few weeks we had a couple other extraordinary experiences. One was being on a rib boat when a pod of orcas popped up right before us. The boat stopped and the orcas were playing beside us, less than 15 feet from the boat. It was unreal! On this same trip, on a whim one day we decided to hike to the volcano. Watching the action of the magma spewing out was stunning. Being able to sit and watch this right in front of you, so close, is truly amazing. The eruption ended just about 2 days later.

A few of mine

1) Christmas eve at Bethlehem;
2) Swan Lake at the Marinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia;
3) Attending the Passion Play in Oberammergau;
4) Oktoberfest three times;
5) Seeing the Sistine Chapel twice.

I went to New York City with my choir for a festival in 2014.
I visited the Tenement Museum, Ellis Island and the Museum at Liberty Island.
Three of the very best small museums I’ve ever been to….highly recommended.

In Lucca, Italy, a few years ago, we came across a tiny museum about the emigration of Italians to the US (mainly).
It was fascinating.
Couldn’t tell you how to find it again.
Also in Lucca, an unexpected parade of vintage Vespa and Piaggi scooters.
Hundreds of them!, happily hooting and laughing their way through the town.
They sounded like sewing machines on the move!

When I was on the RS best of Paris tour in 2018, a few of the tour mates and I went to St. Chapelle for an evening classical concert. Three or 4 cellists played Vivaldi 4 seasons with small lamps and moonlight through those magnificent stained glass windows. It was magical.

RS travel guides for each country has tons of info on great tours and experiences. The caves in southern France are open to the public, RS France guide explains it all. You can find his guidebooks in libraries, bookstores, and online.

I was in Paris in 2018 and fortunate enough to be there the first week of the month. On the first Friday of the month at Notre Dame, there was a Veneration of the Crown of Thorns and Relics. I made a plan to go and be there early enough for a good seat. My seat ended up being extra special as the procession happened right next to me. Extra special also because the priest tripped on his robe and the COT tube almost ended up in my lap! I got an upfront view of the Relics for sure. Looking now at views of the fire ruins breaks my heart. The ceiling debris was piled right where I sat during that ceremony. Hopefully I can visit her again someday when she is refurbished.

"Extra special also because the priest tripped on his robe and the COT tube almost ended up in my lap! I got an upfront view of the Relics for sure."

Oh my...that made me laugh out loud! I, too, was able to attend the Veneration service about a week before Notre Dame burned. I was pooped and had gone in to sit to rest. I realized the service was starting so stayed. A woman sat down next to me and said something in French to which I replied that I didn't speak French. To which she responded how will you know what is going on? I will tell you...which she did! When People were lining up to go up and kiss the Crown of Thorns I was going to stay seated but oh, no, my new friend was having none of that. She took me by the arm and we marched down the aisle together! What a lovely, lovely person! She and her parents were regular attenders at Notre Dame and my heart broke for them after the fire.

Eternelle Notre Dame, a virtual reality experience that is 45 minutes of extraordinary wonder. Just … beyond amazing. It’s now also offered underground right near Notre Same, and the original location at Grande Defense. I will be forever grateful to @JanetTravels for recommending it last year.
https://www.eternellenotredame.com/frequently-asked-questions/

I think planning has something to do with it plus what definition you use for extraordinary.

For me seeing plays with famous people has been extraordinary in London. I saw Equus with Daniel Radcliffe in London.

My parents and I also saw Judi Dench in person in Alls Well That Ends Well in London which we still talk about to this day.

But again, your mileage may vary.

My husband and I consider the gondola from Aguille du Midi on Mt Blanc in Chamonix over to Helbronner in Italy to be our most extraordinary experience in Europe. Perfect weather, stunning views.

Thank you for all the great ideas. I’m writing done in my “Future Trip Notes” file.