The photos are from Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France (indescribable), North Karelia region in Eastern Finland (one of my favourite places in Finland) and Barcelona and its surroundings. Barcelona — the city of Antoni Gaudí­ i Cornet — is an amazing place, with the Eixample district designed with a strict grid pattern, cut by wide avenues diagonally. Surrounding small towns and beaches are nice too, especially Sitges, Castelldefels and Ocata.

See photos by tags: Chamonix, Finland, Barcelona

That’s all for now. I’m thinking of buying a new camera, but I’m not yet sure which one — Canon G9? Having a new toy might even encourage me to teach myself the basics of digital photography. If only I had the time!

This weekend I went through most of my old photos (mostly from holidays) taken during the last 2–3 years (all taken with a Sony DSC-W1 digital camera). I selected some 100 shots that I liked the most, and started uploading them. Feel free to go and see for yourself!

Photo sets (Riviera, Gothenburg, Helsingborg)

By tags (Belgium, Berlin, Paris)

More photos to come

Over the next coming days, I’ll upload some more photos. Take a look at the thumbnails below; these photos are taken in Barcelona, Chamonix and Finland.

Gothenburg is one of those places that always make you feel good; people are very friendly, funny and laid back. I had such good fun with many of my friends who are still living there.

Gothenburg is full of talented musicians and personalities. I find the atmosphere there particularly positive and encouraging. It’s a place that has made a lasting impression on me, so I try to visit the city whenever I can. In fact, every time I go there, it feels like I never left!

Belgium is where I live and work — and I love Brussels too –, but Gothenburg has a special place in my heart. You can see my photos on Flickr, taken in Gothenburg and Helsingborg during my trip.

It’s full of parks, cafes, clubs, bars, museums, galleries, media corporations, small boutiques, picturesque streets and sites of historic interest. This is the place where you can find the latest in music, art, architecture, and design. Berliners I met were extremely friendly and helpful. I only wish I could speak better German ;-).

A couple of weeks ago I visited the city for the third time. I still can’t stop admiring it, especially the Eastern part, where you can find nice boutiques and bars with relaxed atmosphere. The architecture in Berlin is fascinating too, with contemporary glass and steel structures - including interesting grid-type facades - with endless variations in shape, weight, symmetry and proportion. Visiting Berlin always makes me wonder why we don’t have such excellence in modern architecture and city planning in Brussels too!

No travel description would be complete without a few words about shopping. Below you can find the best small boutiques I have found so far (arranged by district):

Friedrichshain

• Cottoncake: Gabriel-Max-Strasse 21, 10245 Berlin
• Big Brobot: Kopernikusstrasse 19, 10245 Berlin
• Prachtmädchen: Wühlischsstrasse 28, 10245 Berlin

Prenzlauer Berg

• Skunk Funk Shop: Kastanienallee 19, 10435 Berlin

Mitte

• Tenderloin: Alte Schönhauser Strasse 30, 10119 Berlin
• Popshop: Weinmeisterstrasse 8, 10178 Berlin

Kreuzberg

• Cherrybomb: Oranienstrasse 32, 10999 Berlin
• Kreuzberganker: Kreuzbergstrasse 31, 10965 Berlin
• Faster, Pussycat!: Mehringdamm 57, 10961 Berlin

One more thing: if you visit Friedrichshain, you should definitely check out Alles Gute… (Simon-Dach-Strasse 3, 10245 Berlin). It’s a cosy cafe and wine bar, and they have home-made pastry too.