Mount Etna

A distant view of Mt. Etna from Taormina, Sicily with two textures from Shadowhouse Creations added.

Triumphal Arch, Paris

This image shows a portion of the interior arches of the Arc du Triomph in the Place du Carrousel in Paris. It was built around 1806 to commemorate Napoleon's victories and was originally topped by the famous bronze horses from St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, which had been captured by Napoleon in 1798.

I've added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations.

Cruising Amsterdam

While enjoying a pleasure cruise of Amsterdam's canals, I took this photo looking towards Sint Nikolaaskerk church, not far from Centraal Station. The short, round tower in the foreground is Schreierstoren, which was built in the 15th century and now houses a cafe. According to Wikipedia, this is the spot where Henry Hudson set sail for North America.

I've added textures created by borealnz and les brumes.

Fort Carre, Antibes

We visited Antibes on a beautiful, sunny day and the first thing we saw after departing from the train station and walking into town was the 16th century Fort Carre.

Textures created by Shadowhouse Creations and rubyblossom

Colle Verde

Colle Verde is an ancient Tuscan estate which has been producing wine and olive oil since it was founded in the  16th century. Located in the hills above Lucca, it is a wonderful place to stop and sample their products, or even stay for a night or two since it is part of the Italian agriturismo program.

I've added several square textures from Shadowhouse Creations.

Via dell'Amore

I loved this metal sign above a doorway in the Via dell'Amore (Street of  Love) in Pienza, Italy. Unfortunately, I don't recall the name of the shop or restaurant. I've added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations to my original photo.

Canyon Hues

This picture was taken at the Grand Canyon on a somewhat crisp and breezy day. Textures from boccacino and Shadowhouse Creations were added.

Sedona Vista

This picture was taken while hiking in Sedona near the Bell Rock formation. I added several textures courtesy of Shadowhouse Creations.

Begijnhof, Amsterdam

The Begijnhof is an inner court consisting of 47 distinctive town houses, many dating back to the Middle Ages.  This statue represents one of the many beguines, or Catholic lay women, who were similar to nuns but took no vows and were able to leave their cloistered community and wed if they chose. When the last beguine passed away in 1971, the Begijnhof was turned into private housing.

I've added textures from Shadowhouse Creations and boccacino.

Rothenburg Market Place

Rothenburg Marktplatz

The Market Place is the bustling center of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the site of the Rathaus (town hall) as well as numerous shops and cafes. The soft pastel buildings and plentiful flower boxes are a delight to the eye.

I've enhanced my photo with a texture by Emma Cox on the Flickr texture group.

Fishing Nets

Here is another picture of colorful Burano. These fishing nets caught my eye because of their repeated round shape. I loved walking around this island and finding something new to delight my eyes around every corner.

A texture from boccacino was added.

Rothenburg Toy Shop

I saw these little girls playing with stuffed toys outside a toy shop in Rothenburg and took their photo unobserved by them. They were dressed in costume as part of a Medieval fair that was being held in town that day.

Two textures from Shadowhouse Creations have been added.

Heidelberg Castle Ruins

Seeing the ruins of the once extensive Heidelberg castle very tantalizing, causing me to wonder what the castle would have looked like at its finest. A victim of several lightning strikes and wars over the centuries, the castle is now undergoing reconstruction.

I've added textures by rubyblossom and cathair studios.

Decorative Tile, Split

Unfortunately, I don't recall much about this assortment of bricks and decorative stonework that I photographed near Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia. I have tried to find more information, but have had no luck, so I can't really say whether this sculptured tile is ancient or modern.

The texture I used is by pareeerica.

Palm House Pond at Kew Gardens

The Palm House pond with its graceful fountain overlooks a museum built in the mid-1800s at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, an easy side trip from London. I've added two textures from Shadowhouse Creations, including a polaroid effect.

Sailing Past the Pirate's Castle

We passed the fortress on Pidgeon Island as we sailed into Kusadasi harbor. Kusadasi is the closest port to Ephesus as well as other Turkish ruins such as Miletus, Didyma, Priene, Pamukkale, and Aphrodisias. During Byzantine times, the fortress served as a defense against pirate attacks.

I've used textures from borealnz and brenda starr.

Bikes at Centraal Station

The first time I visited Amsterdam I was amazed at the number of bicycles everywhere I looked. It's the preferred mode of transportation and it took me awhile to adjust to the fact that bicycles usually have the right of way and pedestrians really need to stay focused in this city! This picture was taken at Centraal Station, the main train station in Amsterdam. Instead of multiple car parks, they have multiple bicycle parking lots.

I've added a texture by Tanya Felsheim from the Flickr free texture group.

Laundry Day, Burano

Now, here is a person who loves cacti! What are the odds they are originally from Arizona, now living in Burano, Italy? (Just kidding.) Admittedly, there are plenty of locations in Europe and other parts of the world where cactus seems to thrive in nature. I was also intrigued by the numerous water bottles.

Thanks to Shadowhouse Creations for another wonderful texture which I overlaid for a golden glow.

Zuiderzeemuseum

This picture was taken at the Zuiderzeemuseum, an open air folk museum in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands. The outdoor part of the museum is a recreation of a village of small houses and shops showing Dutch life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

I've added textures by Nancy Misiewicz and Shadowhouse Creations.

Boulders Everywhere

The Boulders resort in Carefree has managed to maintain its natural desert landscaping, wherever possible. There are several paved, and nonpaved, pedestrian paths throughout the grounds that make for a pleasant walk when the weather is not too hot. You see lots of quail, rabbits, lizards and other 'critters' who make their home at the resort.

I've added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations.

Reach for the Sky

We stayed at the Boulders resort in Carefree this past weekend and this was one of many saguaros on the extensive grounds. Some of the cactus have signs in front of them indicating that they've been named as a result of various contests over the past few years. I don't recall if this one had a name.

I've used adjustment layers to add drama.

Venetian Gondolier

A very tightly cropped photo of a gondolier and his beautiful gondola on the Grand Canal in Venice. Palazzo Salviati, with its 1920s glass mosaics, is in the background.

West Door of Temple Church

I fell in love with this ornate door at the Temple Church in London, just off Fleet Street. The church was built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century and mentioned in Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code. I was lucky to be the first one on the premises the day I visited explored its historical corners and medieval ambience.

I've added textures from Shadowhouse Creations and Jody DogMa.