Last night, we took a short stroll in Geneva. It had been a long time since we were last here. We lived in Geneva for 5 years, and even though we were only back for one night, it felt really good. Here are a few late evening impressions of the city, taken from Pont des Bergues, where the Rhône flows into Lake Geneva. It was a nice walk down memory lane -  Geneva, Switzeland

On our first day in Tallinn, we took a three-hour guided tour around the city, where the guide shared its rich history with us. Since Tallinn isn’t a large city, it was easy to get our bearings. The city is best known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Old Town is a maze of cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and defensive walls that date back to the 13th century.
Tallinn’s history has been shaped by various rulers over the centuries. It began as a fortified city in the 12th century and grew into an important trade hub during the Hanseatic League in the Middle Ages. Over time, it was ruled by the Danes, the Teutonic Order, the Swedes, and the Russians, with each leaving their mark on the city’s culture and architecture.


In 1918, after the collapse of the Russian Empire, Estonia declared independence, and Tallinn became the capital of the newly independent Republic of Estonia. This period lasted about 22 years, during which the country developed its own national identity and cultural institutions. However, this independence was short-lived, as Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940, then by Nazi Germany during World War II, and again by the Soviets in 1944. Estonia remained under Soviet control until it regained independence in 1991.
Today, Tallinn is a fascinating blend of old and new. It has a modern side with a strong focus on technology, especially in the IT and software sectors, which many of the locals we spoke to were involved in. Tallinn is clearly a major tech hub with a strong digital infrastructure.


The morning after our tour, I woke up early to capture some postcard-perfect shots of the Old Town at sunrise.
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Tallinn, Estonia.

The Curonian Spit is a 98-kilometer long sand dune peninsula with towering dunes, pine forests, and rich biodiversity. On its western side, it is bordered by the Baltic Sea, a large body of saltwater separating the Scandinavian Peninsula from mainland Europe. On the eastern side, the Curonian Spit borders the Curonian Lagoon, a brackish water body that mixes saltwater from the sea and freshwater from rivers and streams. This picture shows an iron construction on a pier into the lagoon near Nida, the southernmost Lithuanian village on the Curonian Spit, close to the border with Kaliningrad, Russia - Curonian Spit, Lithuania

Oh, if you're ever in Vilnius, one thing you absolutely have to try is hot air ballooning. It's such a unique way to see the city and its surroundings from above. Vilnius is one of the few European capitals where this is allowed (Copenhagen might be the other, but I’m not sure). Our flight offered incredible views of the Old Town, green parks, rivers, and the countryside. The sunset made everything even more stunning. I took way too many photos and now I'm busy sorting through them all – separating the wheat from the chaff!

​While we were in Vilnius, we also visited something completely different – the Republic of Uzupis. Known for its artistic and free-spirited atmosphere, Uzupis declared itself an independent republic in 1997 as a playful statement of creativity. It has its own flag, president, and even a quirky constitution. You can even get a passport stamp from Uzupis, but we wisely decided not to, just in case it caused issues when traveling to other countries. During our visit, I took this shot of two people swinging from a bridge over the river, perfectly capturing the whimsical vibe of the area – Vilnius, Lituania

Early morning in the Old Town of Vilnius, with warm sunlight casting a glow on the cobblestone streets. This historic area is filled with churches, from Catholic to Orthodox, and showcases architectural styles like Gothic and Baroque. As one of the largest medieval towns in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll see church spires dotting the skyline everywhere. The Old Town is known for its cozy cafes, small markets, and narrow streets—perfect for exploring. But if you're out this early, don’t expect to find any cafes open for that morning coffee! - Vilnius, Lithuania

This is a picture of Vilnius Cathedral, right in the middle of Cathedral Square, in the heart of the Old Town. Our guide, Thomas, told us it’s the most important Catholic church in Lithuania, with roots going all the way back to the 13th century. The cathedral has been rebuilt many times over the years, showing off different styles like Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, before finally taking on its current neoclassical look in the late 1700s. – Vilnius, Lithuania

If you're walking around Warsaw, you can't miss the Palace of Culture and Science – it dominates the skyline, and naturally, I had to photograph it. But the challenge was how to find a unique and appealing composition for such an iconic and often-photographed landmark. Known as the "Soviet Tower," this structure is a lasting symbol of Soviet influence, completed in 1955 as a "gift" from the Soviet Union. Standing 237 meters tall, it blends Socialist Realism and Art Deco. Despite its controversial origins, it’s now home to theaters, museums, and offices. Today’s post is an attempt to capture this iconic tower from a fresh perspective – Warsaw, Poland

When we walked to Piłsudski Square, known as one of Warsaw’s most important public spaces and the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which commemorates all fallen soldiers, we came across a huge construction site. The site was hidden from view by large panels showing images of what the area likely looked like in the past. I found this display to be a beautiful “Trompe-l'oeil,” creating an almost surreal combination of old, representing the past, and new, symbolizing the future - Warsaw, Poland

After photographing Castle Square early on a rainy morning, I headed to the Old Town. The day before, it was crowded with tourists, but in the early hours, it was quiet and peaceful. The puddles left from the rain allowed me to explore some interesting reflections in my photos. A bit about the Old Town: it’s the historic heart of Warsaw and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearly destroyed during World War II, it was carefully rebuilt to reflect its original charm. Surrounded by colorful buildings and cobblestone streets, the Old Town is one of the most beautiful and iconic spots in Warsaw – Warsaw, Poland.