Europe§
There are many countries in Europe, with distinctive cultural aspects to them. I’ve visited several and have posted some photographs from those visits here. Rather than list the albums in alphabetical order, I’ve grouped the countries based on geographical location and cultural affinity.
Italy§
Since I’ve lived in Italy for many years, I’ve accumulated photos from many cities in Italy. Rather than list all of them on this page, I’ve listed only links to the main cities. You can see a list of photo albums to all of the cities I’ve visited on the Italy page.
created: may 2007; location: rome, lazio, italy
There’s so much to see in Rome. I’ve been there a few times and have taken many photographs.
created: march 2008; location: florence, toscana, italy
There’s plenty to see in Florence and many people like it. I found it to have too many tourists and college students.
created: july 2010; location: milan, italy
I’ve lived in Milan for almost twenty years. So I have many photos from there, which I’ve grouped into multiple photo albums.
created: july 2017; location: genoa, italy
Although Genoa is near by, I’ve gone only a couple of times. I don’t have many photos from there.
created: august 2007; location: naples, campania, italy
People from the U.S. will rave about Naples. But I don’t see it. I’ve visited it only one time, though. Maybe I need to give it another chance.
created: october 2014; location: sicily, italy
My mother’s family is from Sicily. In fact, I have plenty of cousins still in Sicily. So I’ve visited a many times. I’ve grouped my photos from there into several albums.
France§
France and Italy are probably the most visited countries in Europe. I haven’t taken many trips to France, but they were memorable. It’s spectacular. The food cooked and otherwise — such as the cheeses — are wonderful.
created: july 2006; location: paris, france
Paris seems to have endless things to see and do. The main attractions are many: Eifel tower, Louvre art museum, the palaces, etc. The food is amazing: more great restaurants than you could dine at in a year.
created: june 2010; location: avignon, france
In the early 1300s, the then Pope was in exhile or imprisoned in France, in Avignon. Many of the buildings seem to date back to that period. One of the most amazing dinners I’ve ever had was in Avignon.
created: june 2010; location: bordeaux, france
Located near the Atlantic coast, as well as thousands of acres of vineyards, Bordeaux is rich in history, food, and wine. It’s a large city with many sites, like the Cathédrale Saint-André, and many 18th century mansions
created: june 2006; location: nancy, france
The main part of Nancy is so ornate, with buildings that seem to match classic, Louis XIV antigue furniture.
created: june 2006; location: lyon, france
Lyon has some old buildings, but is a more modern French city, with interesting things to do.
Greece§
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British Isles§
These albums contain photographs from trips I took to Dublin and London. I went a few times to London. Below are links to them.
created: february 2006; location: london, united kingdom
Positioned along the Thames River, London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. Therefore it includes the Houses of Parliament, along with Westminster Abbey and other interesting sites.
created: april 2008; location: dublin, ireland
Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is on the east coast by the mouth of the River Liffey. There you’ll find Dublin Castle, from the 13th century and St Patrick’s Cathedral from the year 1191.
Iberian Peninsula§
Iberia is primarily Spain and Portugal, but I’ve included also included Madeira, which is a Portugese island in the Atlantic. Below are links to these albums.
created: january 2009; location: lisbon, portugal
Although it’s seems a little economically depressed, Lisbon is nice place to visit. The food and wine area excellent and there’s so much to see.
created: january 2009; location: madeira, portugal
Madeira is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, far off the west coast of Africa, but part of Portugal. The food is good and the wine — fortified wine — is excellent.
created: january 2006; location: barcelona, spain
The Catalonians are wonderful people. I’ve been to Barcelona twice and enjoyed it so much.
created: january 2015; location: malaga, spain
Malaga is a delightful city on the south east coast of Spain, on the Mediteranean Sea, not too far from Gibraltar.
Benelux§
The Benelux countries are Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. I’ve visited Amsterdam and Brussels and some other towns in this small region.
created: october 2005; location: amsterdam, netherlands
I’ve been to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, only twice. I enjoyed it, but didn’t see much of the sites: I was there both times for work and didn’t have much time to roam.
created: september 2006; location: brussels, belgium
I had a meeting in Brussels and have even less time to see the sites than I did in Amsterdam. So don’t expect too many photos.
Balkans§
The Balkan countries are beautiful. I’ve included Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Below are links to my Balkans travel photo albums.
created: august 2017; location: dubrovnik, croatia
Dubrovnik is located in southern Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. The oldest section is enclosed in 16th century walls containing baroque and renaissance buildings.
created: august 2017; location: ljubljana, slovenia
Ljubljana is the capital of Sloveniak. The Ljubljanica River cuts through it, with many restaurants and coffee shops.
created: august 2017; location: sarajevo, bosnia-herzegovina
Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s located on the Miljacka River, surrounded by the Dinaric Alps. Its known as the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 that started World War I.
created: august 2017; location: zadar, croatia
Zadar is located on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. It’s known for Roman and Venetian ruins, including several Venetian gates in the city walls, and a Roman-era forum is 11th-century St. Mary’s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century.
created: august 2017; location: zagreb, croatia
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia with 18th and 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture. The Upper Town section contains a Gothic, twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral and 13th-century St. Mark’s Church, with a colorfully tiled roof. Nearby is pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes.
Baltic States§
The Baltic states are Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuanian. I’ve posted photos from trips I’ve taken to Riga and Vilnius. I haven’t gone to Estonia yet, but hope to do so.
created: september 2008; location: riga, latvia
Riga, the capital of Latvia, is located on the Baltic Sea at the mouth of the River Daugava. The pedestrian-only Old Town has many shops and restaurants and is home to Livu Square, with bars and nightclubs.
created: september 2008; location: vilnius, latvia
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania. It’s known for baroque architecture with cobblestoned streets, as well as the neo-classical Vilnius Cathedral and the gothic St. Anne’s Church.
Central Europe§
Central Europe contains some of the best known and most visited countries: Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are in this vague category.
created: august 2017; location: germany
In high school, I studied German. Plus, my great-grandmother’s family was from Germany. So I dreamed of visiting Germany for quite a while. I have a few albums from some of my trips there.
created: august 2017; location: switzerland
Switzerland is very near where I live in Milan: I can see the Swiss Alps mountains from my balcony on a clear day. I’ve posted a few albums from my visits.
created: july 2006; location: vienna, austria
If you like classical music, in particular Mozart, you must spend a few days in Vienna. It’s teaming with beautiful museums and parks, opera houses and elegant churches.
Eastern Europe§
The Eastern European albums contain photos from Russia, and Prague, Bratislava. I’ve been to Moscow many times since my wife is from Russia.
created: september 2008; location: moscow, russia
My wife is Russian and has an apartment in Moscow. So I’ve visited Moscow eighteen times so far. It’s big and has its difficulties, but I enjoy it: the restaurants, jazz clubs, and much more.
created: september 2008; location: st. petersburg, russia
As cool as Moscow is, St. Petersburg is a much more beautiful city to visit. The architecture of most of the buildings is better, and there are several cathedrals and a huge pallace. It’s worth the trip.
created: may 2005; location: prague, czech republic
Since Czechoslovakia surrendered to the Germans at the start of World War II, Prague is fairly untouched by war. In the old section of the city, there are hundreds of beautiful buildings predating Beethoven. And the bridge with black statues, as well as the main square with a cathedral are fabulous.
created: july 2006; location: bratislava, slovakia
Not as nice as Prague, Bratislava is still an interesting city to see and worth at least a day visit — especially if you can stop there on your way to Vienna as I did.
City States§
There a quite a few small, city states in Europe. So far, I’ve only visited one. However, I hope to visit more soon.
created: july 2006; location: bratislava, slovakia
Although the Vatican is located within Italy, it’s a sovreign nation. So, I have photos from my visits there in a separate album.