Fattoria

We passed this newly built fattoria with guest rooms during a walk in the Tuscan countryside near Monteriggioni.

The Guardian

An Egyptian sphinx sits atop a wall in the peristyle leading to Diocletian's Palace in Split, Croatia. Built for the Roman Emperior Diocletian, the palace dates to 305 AD. Originally there were 16 such sphinxes.

Tuscan Afternoon

A stroll through the walled town of Monteriggioni leads down quiet streets and alleys such as this.

Pizza on the Piazza del Campo

I had lunch at this pizzeria while in Siena, Italy. It's located at the edge of the scallop shaped Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio takes place. The yellow flag bears a double headed eagle and represents the contrade del aquila, or district of the eagle. There are 17 contrade, and they date back to the middle ages.

Container Garden

I photographed this typical Tuscan container garden in Monteriggioni, while briefly visiting the walled medieval town with its population of several thousand.

Tuscan Doorway

This old door is brightened by the addition of flower pots. Texture by Shadowhouse Creations.

Eternal Rome

Ruins of a Roman temple framed by trees on the Palatine Hill above the Forum.

Bruges

With a few easy tweaks my photos of Bruges end up appearing as though they were taken in another era. Some folks don't care for this "frozen in time" aspect of this historic city, but I found it absolutely charming. I added an old paper texture to this photo, taken across from the main canal.

Damrak Pier, Amsterdam

Canal boat tours depart from this colorful pier near Centraal Station in Amsterdam.

Dining on the Canal

This canal-side restaurant in Amsterdam, with its adjacent tourist office, seemed to be a very popular spot.

Bridge, Enkhuizen

One of the bridges in Enkhuizen, Holland. Through the arch of the bridge can be seen the church tower of St. Pancras, built in 1450.

Santa Francesca Romana

This church, built in the latter part of the 10th century, is located along the ancient Roman Forum. The campanile in the background was built in the 12th century.
I added a gold texture by boccacino.

Doorway, Volterra

Walking down a street in Volterra, Italy, I chanced upon this doorway.  I loved the color of the aged stucco and the decorative details. Texture by Shadowhouse Creations.

Permanent Residents

Although several buildings are located on the Zuiderzee Museum property at Enkhuizen, goats are supposedly the only creatures who live onsite full-time.

General Store

This photo was taken in the general store at the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen, Holland.

News in the Singel

Canal houses along the Singel canal in Amsterdam. This was our 'neighborhood' for several days during our first trip to Amsterdam.
Texture by Karen Burns

Ruins of Heidelberg Castle

Another photo of the castle ruins, this time from the old town section below.

Monterosso al Mare

Monterosso is one of the five beautiful Cinque Terre villages and the only one to have an extensive sand beach perfect for sun bathing and swimming.

Capitoline Hill, Rome

View of Capitoline Hill from the Roman Forum.

Trevi Fountain, Rome

This photo of the magnificent Trevi Fountain was taken quite a few years ago during my first trip to Rome. Although I've been to Rome since, I never made it back to see this fountain again and I regret that.

Castelvecchio Bridge, Verona

The old castle bridge over the Adige River in Verona, Italy was built around 1355 and featured the world's largest segmented arch span at the time of its construction. It is built of red bricks over white marble.

Golden Swan

Another guesthouse not far from the Rothenburg's marketplace is this one bearing a sign showing a golden swan and rooster's head. Unfortunately, I can't verify the exact name.

Juliet's Balcony

The famous Juliet's balcony in Verona, Italy was actually built around 1936 and therefore has nothing to do with the Shakespearean herione. Still, it is a must-see sight on many tours and for many romantic tourists visiting beautiful Verona.

Market Square, Rothenburg

St. George slays the dragon atop a column rising from the fountain in front of Rothenburg's historic town hall in the market square.

Golden Griffin

An inn since 1374, this historic guesthouse with its distinctive griffin signage and diagonally striped shutters, is located near the marketplace in Rothenburg, Germany.

Hip Hotel

The Hip Hotel is located in the historic district of Heidelberg. Unfortunately, we didn't stay overnight in Heidelberg, so I've only seen that exterior of this lovely hotel.
Texture by Boccacino.

Medieval Gate Bridge, Heidelberg

The gate at the Old Bridge in Heidelberg, Germany dates to the 1700s.