Have some of the best views in the world:
Archive for the ‘Europe’ Category
Benches in Switzerland Leave a comment
Some things never change Leave a comment
Today we traveled to Strasbourg, where I had been over 40 years ago as part of a ninth-grade class trip when I was going to school in Brussels. I remember little except that I had bought some cherries at the market near the cathedral and offered them to the girl I had a crush on but who had heretofore ignored me. But that day I got not only a ‘thank you’ from her but also a smile. I was in heaven.
I took the first picture on that trip and the second one today. It’s nice to know that in a world of constant change, some things remain the same:
Colmar, Alsace Leave a comment
October is the perfect time to visit this Alsatian gem, as the crowds have thinned, the weather is gorgeous, and the city’s balconies are still filled with geraniums.
Fairytale Alsace Leave a comment
First time visit to Alsace left me impressed: Germany doesn’t have a monopoly on cute little towns filled with half-timbered houses! In fact, the towns in Alsace are prettier because they are more colorful, especially these 3 along the Alsatian Wine Road.
Colmar at Night Leave a comment
This quaint little town is quite crowded during the day, but at night it is peaceful yet equally beautiful.
French countryside Leave a comment
Captured in the early morning just before landing at Charles de Gaulle airport outside of Paris. I can almost smell the croissants that a bakery down there probably is serving up right now.
iPhone, edited with Snapseed
Paris couples Leave a comment
Paris is great for all kinds of couples. Here are just a few examples.
The kissing couple:
The ‘I’d rather spend my time with my cellphone’ couple:
The fashionable tourist couple (with matching hats):
All kinds of couples, basically:
Paris cafe culture 1 comment
Spotted these wonderful characters in various cafes in Paris:
Canon Powershot G12
Crooked Paris 2 comments
So many streets in Paris feature buildings that seem to lean against each other, each one at a different angle.
A visit to the Bois de Boulogne 4 comments
This lovely park contains wonderful distractions: lakes with row boats, a childrens’ amusement park, endless trails through sun-dappled woods, the new Louis Vuitton Foundation building, and much much more.
The quietest spots in Paris Leave a comment
Are its beautiful cemeteries. Recently I visited two: cimetière Montparnasse and cimetière Montmartre. Click on any photo to see them in slide show format.
Paris Icons 5 comments
Yes, just about everyone knows these and they’ve been photographed from all possible angles – but when you’re in Paris it’s hard NOT to take pictures of some of the icons that make this city so lovely and unique:
Paris Sunsets 4 comments
Every evening on my recent trip to Paris rewarded me with gorgeous sunsets. Click on any pic to see them in slideshow format.
Paris Passages 4 comments
On a recent trip to Paris, I strolled through several of the beautiful covered shopping arcades that were built in the early 1800’s. Click on any picture to see them in slide show format.
I was inspired by this lovely post on a blog I follow, which has great insider tips about Paris. Thanks Theodora!
Tuscan Courtyard Leave a comment
Captured in the town of San Giminiano.
Olympus C3000Z
ISO 100
f/2.8
1/160 sec
edited with Nik Efex Analog Pro
Little-known Tuscany 1 comment
I once had the opportunity to see some of the lesser-known gems of Tuscany – here are some shots of Pienza, Monteriggioni, Montalcino and San Giminiano. Click on any one to see them in slideshow mode.
The Tiny Streets of Bruges 7 comments
Bruges is full of small streets, unexpected views, and gorgeous canal scenes. It’s definitely my favorite small city in Europe. Plus, the chocolate and fries are to die for.
Sleeping in Paris 6 comments
I caught these folks napping in the same park in Paris – I guess the afternoon sunshine made everyone a bit sleepy. Wish it were that warm here, now…
Paris Nightlife 1 comment
I am always enchanted by the many cafes in Paris, especially the neon signs at night. I’m going through my past photos, as the winter storm has kept me from taking new pictures.
Canon Powershot G12
ISO 400
f/4.5
1.3 sec
Ghostly Cemetery Leave a comment
A long exposure in the cemetery Pere Lachaise in Paris produced a nice effect that was well-suited for this melancholy place.
Canon Powershot G12
ISO 200
f/8
1 sec
Windmills 250 Years Apart 1 comment
You come across all kinds of windmills in Belgium – old ones from the mid 1700s to new ones towering over the freeway.
Reflections of Flanders 2 comments
Belgian Chocolate is the Best 4 comments
Many country claim to make great chocolate (Switzerland, Germany, Italy), but none have as much variety as Belgium. Here are just 3 of the dozens of chocolate shop windows I drooled over in Bruges.
Bruges at Night 5 comments
Bruges is even more scenic at night (especially after a rain shower, as all the tourists have retreated to their hotels):
AT-AT Walkers Attack Holland! 2 comments
Actually, these were locks that control the flow in one of the many canals in the Netherlands. But from afar, I was reminded of the AT-AT Walkers from Star Wars (original below):
Amsterdam in Black and White 3 comments
Even in black and white, the city of Amsterdam is beautiful. Especially at night. Click on any one picture to see them in slideshow format.
Velomobile 2 comments
This guy won’t get wet when it rains in Amsterdam, but how he squeezes in there is a mystery to me. You can find out more at velomobiel.ne.
He didn’t seem to command much attention among the other bike riders:
Canon 7D
ISO 125
f/11
1/80 sec
Dutch Graffiti 2 comments
Amsterdam had some cool graffiti, these are just a few examples. Click on any picture to see them in slideshow format.
The Eye 4 comments
This film museum in Amsterdam opened in 2012, and is across the river from the Central Station. Great architecture!
Canon 7D
Google Location
Who Needs Strollers? 3 comments
I didn’t see any strollers in Amsterdam: Kids either walked with their parents or they were ferried around on bikes. And helmets? Didn’t see any of those, either. And pets of course got the same treatment. 🙂
Click on any image to see images in slide show format.
Amsterdam at Night 9 comments
I had the pleasure of having a professional photographer named Tom show me around Amsterdam at night, and teach me about night photography. I arranged it through Photo tours of Amsterdam, and was extremely happy with the tour, which lasted from 10:15pm (when it was still light out) until 1:45am. I can highly recommend it. Here are some samples from that night’s work. Click on any one picture to see them in slideshow format.
The World’s Capital of Cycling 1 comment
Amsterdam offered a great opportunity to practice panning, while enjoying the variety of bicycle riders. I’m not sure how romantic all this seems when it rains, but in the summer it is enchanting to see how everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) rides their bike. And no one bothers with helmets – how wonderfully nonchalant!
Click on any image to see them in slide show format.
My New Favorite Bakery 3 comments
This little bakery is called Hinkel and is in the ‘Altstadt’ (old town) of Düsseldorf, Germany, where I recently bought some delicious sweets. I wish I had enough room in my luggage to bring back some of that tasty bread. Here’s my last post on bakeries.
Canon 7D
Google Location
Postcard from Bruges 2 comments
After a day of overcast skies, the sun finally managed to get through in the late afternoon, for a beautiful view of one of the many canals in this beautiful city.
Canon 7D
ISO 100
f/11
1/160 sec
The Cat Who Owns The Bar Leave a comment
This cat certainly seemed to have the run of the house in the little Amsterdam bar I stopped in to inquire about the menu. Fortunately the weather was so nice that everyone sat outside, leaving her the interior.
Canon 7D
ISO 320
F/2.8
1/100 sec
Vintage London 4 comments
Discovered some cool pictures my dad took when he was in London in the 1950s, so I had them scanned, then cleaned them up a little with Aperture, and thought I’d share them:
My favorite Paris cafe 4 comments
Well, actually there are too many to list, but this one’s very nice: Au Rocher de Cancale in the Rue Montorgueil. Posted today because a new follower from Paris made me realize how much I miss it.
Canon Powershot G10
ISO 100
7mm
f/4
1/100 sec
Berlin Train Station Platform Leave a comment
As I waited for my commuter train to Potsdam, just outside of Berlin, I caught the train as it pulled into the station.
Canon Powershot G10
ISO 100
6.1mm
f/8
0.8 sec
Evening along the Seine in Paris Leave a comment
Paris has so many beautiful spots to relax and be romantic – this is one of my favorite ones.
Canon Powershot G10
ISO 200
12.1mm
f/3.5
1/125 seconds
Berlin stroll Leave a comment
A rainy night didn’t keep me from walking around Berlin earlier this year while on a business trip, and capturing this scene on one of the main avenues of Berlin: Unter den Linden.
Canon Powershot G10
ISO 200
6.1mm
f/6.3
1.0 seconds
Snapshots For Sore Eyes 