Medici Fortress

In the background is the Rocca Nuova, or New Fortress, built by Lorenzo the Magnificent in 1475. It sits at the highest point in Volterra, a town with a population of 11,000 which dates back to Etruscan and Roman times.

The Grasshopper

With a view of the canal boats at Damrak and close to the red light district of Amsterdam, The Grasshopper restaurant and coffee shop is well situated and popular with tourists.

Red Rock Country

Distant view of Sedona's unique red rock formations while hiking near Oak Creek.

Sedona Trail

One of the trails we hiked along Oak Creek during a November visit to Sedona.

The Beehive

Founded in 1870, the name of this Dutch department store chain (De Bijenkorf) translates to "the beehive" in English. Its flagship store is located on Dam Square in Amsterdam.

Spa Basket

I photographed this spa basket because which attracted me with its various soft, hard and cool stone textures in soothing earth tones. A texture layer increased the effect.

Mainz Hotel

I photographed this hotel because I liked the colors, the wrought iron railing and the flower boxes at the lower windows. We did not actually stay here.

Orange Cat, Taormina

One of the many cats I saw while strolling through the steep alleyways of Taormina, Sicily. This particular cat was enjoying soaking up the sun.

Dining Al Fresco

Heidelberg diners enjoy beautiful weather in this hotel courtyard.

Secluded Spot

This secluded canal-side spot provided a quiet respite from the crowds of tourists who flock to Bruges to enjoy a sense of the Middle Ages.

Roofs of Dubrovnik

A view of the red tiled roofs of old town Dubrovnik, Croatia, taken from the town wall.

Vitruvian Man

This wooden sculpture of da Vinci's Vitruvian Man is located just outside the Leonardo Da Vinci museum in his hometown of Vinci, Italy. The museum is filled with wonderful exhibits and includes many of his inventions, drawings and various machines.

Marktbrunnen of Mainz

A closeup view of the top of the Marktbrunnen, a Renaissance era fountain by sculptor Hans Backoffen, with the clock tower of Mainz cathedral behind it.

Mainz, Old and New

A view of the 1000-year-old Mainz Cathedral is seen in the distance past a modern art installation at the State Museum (Landesmuseum).

Open for Business

The Historik Hotel Gotisches Haus in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Across the Canal

The view across the Singel canal from our Amsterdam hotel, the Estherea.

Amsterdam Cafe

The view of Spuistraat from the Restaurant & Brasserie Luden in Amsterdam.

Dresden Dawn

A view of Dresden across the Elbe river with textures added to give a painted look.

Cecilienhof Palace

The palace was begun in 1914 by Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany and was built to look like an English Tudor country home. Following the exile of the Emperor and his son in 1945, it served as the location of the historic Potsdam Conference.

Textured Wall

This weathered wall is adjacent to Boboli Gardens in Florence.

A River Runs Through It

In this case the river is the Pegnitz and the old town of Nuremberg was built along the river in the 11th century. To the left is the former Holy Spirit Hospital, a famous landmark founded in 1332 and one of the largest hospitals in Europe at that time.