Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro, secluded in the southern end of the Gulf of Kotor. The Bay is one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea and is sometimes called the southern-most fjord in Europe. The city has a population of about 14,510. This picturesque old Mediterranean city is surrounded by
Albania, Butrint Ancient City Ruin
Butrint was an ancient Greek and later Roman city. Today it is an archeological site 14 kilometres south of the Albanian town of Saranda near the Greek border. It was known in antiquity as Bouthroton in Ancient Greek and Buthrotum in Roman Latin. Located on a small hill it overlooks the Vivari Channel. It was
Ukraine, Lviv Photos 1
Lviv is the largest city in western Ukraine and is regarded as one of the main cultural centers of the country. The old heart of Lviv with its 19th century buildings and cobblestone roads survived World War II and then the Soviet occupation largely unscathed. There are many industries and institutions of higher education such
Ukraine, Lviv Photos 2
Lviv is the largest city in western Ukraine and is regarded as one of the main cultural centers of the country. The old heart of Lviv with its 19th century buildings and cobblestone roads survived World War II and then the Soviet occupation largely unscathed. There are many industries and institutions of higher education such
Ukraine, Kiev Photos 2
Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, is a progressive stylish and educated city with magnificent church architecture, world class museums and a long history of invasion and occupation. Today it vibrates with modern life, high tech, antique shops and vegetable markets .
Ukraine, Kiev Photos 1
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population is about 3 million. It is a major industrial, scientific and cultural center for Eastern Europe. It is also the location for many industries, schools and universities and
Greece, Corfu Island, Achilleion Palace
Corfu is a resort island in the northwest of Greece where Greek mythology once flourished, where European royalty secluded and sunbathed and modern tourists swamp the beaches and hills in the summer season. On a hill overlooking the Ionian Sea is the beautiful Achilieion Palace built in 1890 by Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Bavaria
Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine
Yalta is an historic resort city that bubbles with modern life, cruise ships, shops and restaurants and a long waterfront promenade along the Black Sea. Surrounding the city are snowcapped pine covered mountains, vast vineyards and sprawling suburban townships. Since the 19th century the city was a health spa for health impaired aristocrats and commoners
Balaklava, Ukraine
Balaklava is today a sleepy and charming harbor town with yachts, cafes, high hills and a 15th century Genovese castle ruin. Its history goes back 2500 years. However, it’s history is darker and more ominous than now meets the eye. In the mid 20th century here was located an enormous and highly secretive Soviet nuclear
Turkey, Istanbul 2012
The ancient city of Istanbul is divided into Europe and Asia, old and modern, tradition and innovation. Muslim tolerance, magnificent mosque Ottoman architecture, a beautiful location on the sea, and the countless high and low end eateries, all make this city a universally appealing place to live and visit.
Ohrid Lake, Macedonia
Ohrid Lake is one of Europe’s largest (about 20 miles long) and deepest (about 1000 feet) lakes. It is on the western border between Macedonia and Albania. The town of Ohrid is in Macedonia and is a charming, church-filled ancient settlement with Roman ruins, an appealing lakeside promenade, waterfront cafes, a medieval fortress and magnificent
Odessa, Ukraine 1
Odessa, Ukraine is a lively commercial, industrial, touristic port city on the Black Sea. It was once the valued seaport for the Soviet Union. Today it still houses some of Russia’s naval ships, by agreement until 2036. The city is famous for it Potemkin Steps, 192 granite steps (installed in 1841) that lead down to
Odessa, Ukraine 2
Odessa, Ukraine is a lively commercial, industrial, touristic port city on the Black Sea. It was once the valued seaport for the Soviet Union. Today it still houses some of Russia’s naval ships, by agreement until 2036. Each year the city mounts a ‘Carnival Humorina’ with a colorful parade of revelers in costumes, funny facial
Syria Country Photos
Syria in 2011-12 is in upheaval, rebellion and civil war with hundreds of thousands of ‘rebels’ battling against government military forces to end the dictatorial repressive regime of the ruling Assad family. The land itself is beautiful with historic Roman ruins and peaceful valleys. In the market souks of Aleppo and villages life continues as
Guatemala, Antigua Photo Gallery 2012
Antigua, Guatemala is more like an outdoor museum than a living city, overloaded with colonial Spanish architecture, yellow-ochre-blue walls, tiny specialty shops full of artwork, paintings and local jewelry, touristic but charming cafes serving quiche or dark chocolate drinks and dozens of old church ruins–and functioning ones as well–rough cobblestone roads constantly under repair, high-end
Lebanon Country Photos
Lebanon is known for its unique efforts in the Middle East to guarantee civil rights and freedom to its citizens, ranking first in the Middle East and 26th worldwide (out of 66 countries) in the The World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2011. Due to its tightly regulated financial system and the highest gold
Bahrain Country Photos
Bahrain has a reputation as a relatively liberal and modern Persian Gulf. The government has encouraged tourism development which is a significant source of income. Despite a recent period of political liberalization including some changes in the criminal code, in 2011 during the ‘Arab Spring’ major protests against government policies led to massive street protests.
Kuwait Country Photos
Kuwait is a constitutional emirate with a parliamentary system of government, with Kuwait City serving as the country’s political and economic capital. The country has the world’s fifth largest oil reserves. It is the eleventh richest country in the world per capita. In 2007, it had the highest human development index (HDI) in the Arab
Saudi Arabia Country Photos
Saudi Arabia is a complex, mysterious, fundamentalist country with much wealth from vast oil fields. It boasts the most modern standards for the middle and upper classes. However the form of Islam practiced there is backward and repressive that does not allow much personal freedom of expression, especially for women. Salafism, also known as Wahabbism
Tunisia Country Photos
Tunisia’s area is almost 165,000 square kilometres (64,000 sq mi), with an estimated population of just over 10.4 million. Its name is derived from the capital Tunis located in the north-east. Tunisia began the famous ‘Arab Spring’ of revolution in 2010 with an intensive campaign of civil resistance, including a series of street demonstrations taking
UAE/Dubai Country Photos
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven states situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf. The seven states, termed emirates, are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Dubai is the most well known due to its progressive financial policies and daring architecture.
Palestine Photo Gallery
Palestine is both a historic settled culture and a territory in transition and conflict. Situated at a strategic location between Egypt, Syria and Arabia, and the birthplace of the Judaism and Christianity, the region has a long and tumultuous history as a crossroads for religion, culture, commerce, and politics. The region has been controlled by
Qatar Country Photos
Qatar has been ruled as an absolute monarchy by the Al Thani family since the mid-19th century. Formerly a British protectorate noted mainly for pearling, it became independent in 1971, and has become one of the region\’s wealthiest states due to its enormous oil and natural gas revenues. In 1995, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al
Oman Country Photos
Oman is a quiet prosperous, modern and progressive Arab sultanate where life has settled into a quiet place in the Middle East. Little is heard of it in the modern world except as a peaceful land of rugged beauty and friendly people. It is ruled by a benevolent Sultan who since his reign began in
Yemen Country Photos
Yemen has a land area of 555,000 square kilometers and a population of approximately 24 million (2010). Its capital and largest city is Sana’a. Yemen’s territory includes over 200 islands, the largest of which is Socotra, about 415 km to the south of mainland Yemen, off the coast of Somalia. It is the only state