Taken in Venice in June 2013.

Seeing these two gondoliers taking in the view of St Mark's Square somehow struck me as quite sweet. Despite seeing the landmarks every day, they could still appreciate a good view when they saw one.

Taken in Venice in June 2013.

I took this photo in the early morning before the crowds appeared and before the gondaliers readied their boats.

Taken in Venice in June 2013.

I particularly like this view of the dock with its old fashioned light and a gondola ready for its first passengers of the day.

Taken in Venice in June 2013.

The morning light hadn't quite made it through the misty morning and this latern was still shining. This was taken just at the entrance to the Grand Canal.

Taken in Venice in October 2007.

This photo was taken in the early morning from the Accademia Bridge over the Grand Canal. I love the old fashioned lights with the old palaces in the background bathed in the soft morning light.

Taken in Venice in June 2013.

This photo looks out to the Grand Canal but with the reflection of the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in the background. The island was reflected against one of the boat stop shelters on the Grand Canal.

Taken in Venice in June 2013.

I was walking along one of the many little streets of Venice when I looked up and saw all these clothes pegs in a windowstill. I loved the colour of the pegs against the plants.

Taken in Florence, Italy in February 2017.

Joined locks now seem to be everywhere - a symbolism of being joined together in love. Or at least a declaration for all to see. This particular group is on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. 

Taken in Florence, Italy in February 2017.

There is something about 'The' Firenze Bridge - Ponte Vecchio. It oozes history, straddling the chocolatey Arno. It was looking particularly fine this bright February morning. But it's much nicer to look at from afar than stand on it, heaving with tourists!

Taken in Lake Como, Italy in October 2018.

It was early morning and the sun was rising over the mountains, creating soft reflections on the water.

Taken in Varenna, Lake Como in October 2018.

Villa Monastero on the shores of Lake Como is one of the beautiful botanical gardens that you can spend hours wandering around. And of course, there are wonderful views of the lake.

Taken in Varenna, Lake Como in October 2018.

Villa Monastero on the shores of Lake Como is one of the beautiful botanical gardens that you can spend hours wandering around. And of course, there are wonderful views of the lake.

Taken in Warsaw in November 2011.

I took this on an Autumn day in Lazienki Park in Warsaw. I love the way the trees branches bend down into the picture but you can still see the reflection of the bridge behind.

Taken in Palermo, Sicily, in October 2007.

It was a particularly wet day so we decided to escape central Palermo and head to Monreale Cathedral. I particularly loved the lush cloisters with a view of the mountains in the background.

Taken in Prague in November 2009.

I took this photo in the Castle District of Prague. I loved the old fashioned rooves and the wonderfully ornate lampposts.

Taken in Prague in November 2009.

This is one of the many alleyways in the Castle district. It was a sunny day and I love the way the sunlight pours through the arches and the alleyway disappears round the corner in the distance.

Taken in Prague in November 2009.

There are so many wonderful alleyways in the Castle district. As I was wandering around, I looked up this particular alleyway to see an elderly woman slowly strolling up it. It's one of my favourite photos of my trip.

Taken in Prague in November 2009.

This is a view of the city from the Castle district looking down towards St Charles Bridge and the Old Town Hall.

Taken in Prague in November 2009.

This is a view of Prague, looking down to St Charles Bridge and beyond. I always think cities look so different at night. Prague is especially pretty with its many spires and domes lit up.

Taken in Tallinn, Estonia in 2019.

One of the prettiest old towns I’ve visited in Europe, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And very photogenic!

Taken in Tallinn, Estonia in 2019.

Estonia’s most photographed seagull, Steven, lives in the Old Town on the Kohtuotsa viewing platform, where he loves to pose for photos. He’s a European Herring Gull. And he was definitely in a posing mood when I visited him and Tallinn’s old town.

Taken in Tallinn, Estonia in 2019.

This old passage called St Catherine’s Passage gives you a glimpse into the past. You can find remnants of St Catherine’s Monastery Church, which is the one of the oldest churches in the city. You can also visit artisans creating their work, much like the artists of old.

Taken in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2019.

Vilnius has quite a few surprisingly leafy areas for an old built-up city. This is in the grounds of an old church - the Holy Trinity Unite Church - close to the Gate of Dawn. The church itself is quite plain, compared to the other churches in Vilnius. But the grounds were alive with spring greenery.

Taken in Vilnius, Lithuania in 2019.

The Jewish quarter in Vilnius doesn’t really exist anymore, having been destroyed in the war. But you can see remnants of the quarter in the Old Town. There are also a few murals dotted about to commemorate what was once known as once known as the “Jerusalem of the east”.

This view was taken on a spring day from the Konstantino Sirvydo park.

Taken in Cordoba, Spain in December 2007.

There were so many carriages lined up outside the Cordoba cathedral on this day. While the weather was nice, it was still December and I was surpised to see so many carriages out - but I guess they need to make money even in the winter!

Taken on Santorini in July 2017.

This is one of those iconic photos of Santorini - the blue domed church. It was a beautifully warm summer's morning, and the crowds had not quite descended on Oia. I managed to snap this photo just after someone had been posing on the roof! Luckily, just the domes and backdrop of the caldera in this photo.

Taken on Santorini in July 2017.

Walking around Oia in the morning, I saw this church facade, just as the sun was peaking through the arches. I love the towering bells, with the hint of the blue dome in the background. 

Taken on Santorini in July 2017.

Surprisingly, there are a lot of blue doors in Oia! But this one in particular caught my eye, with the steps leading down to the front and a hint of the sea beyond. It looked wonderfully clean and simple - and heavenly. 

Taken on Santorini in July 2017.

The vibrant bougainvillea caught my eye first, but I love the combinations of the pink, yellow and blue. This is actually a fairly common sight in Santorini - contrary to the whites and blues that you see in postcards. It sings 'summer' to me. 

Taken on Santorini in July 2017.

This is a view of Oia surrounded by wonderful wildflowers, on the walk from Imerovigli to Oia. The pink of the flowers really makes the blue of the sea stand out and Oia's glimmering buildings look like icing on the peninsula. 

Taken on Santorini in July 2017.

This lovely little church is on the way to Skaros Rock in Imerovigli, where I was staying. It was early in the morning and the sun was just starting to hit Oia in the background. A wonderful peaceful spot before the crowds descended. I saw several wedding photo shoots here in the evening!

Taken on the southern side of Madeira in September 2016.

The main island of Madeira feels tropical, being closer to Africa than Portugal. But it is part of Portugal! Madeira is volcanic so has fantastic mountainous scenery that rises up from the sea.

I took this photo after we had driven into the interior of the island and then circled back down to the southern coast, through this amazing pass. The clouds kept rolling in but the sun would peak through every so often. An amazing place!

Taken on the northern side of Madeira in September 2016.

The main island of Madeira feels tropical, being closer to Africa than Portugal. But it is part of Portugal! Madeira is volcanic so has fantastic mountainous scenery that rises up from the sea.

This is a photo of the northern side of the island, where there are small villages in the valleys close to long stretches of beach. We had climbed up some hairpin lanes to get this great view of the valley below.

Taken in Santana, Madeira in September 2016.

Santana is a small town on the north coast of Madeira. It is well known for its traditional stone houses, with their vibrant colours and thatched roofs.