During pandemic our family has been exploring the island we live on with our 3 year old and looking for fun short hikes nearby to enjoy nature.

Situated just a few miles from the beautiful South Wales coast, we are lucky enough to have many lovely walks on our doorstep. No need for the car, in just minutes we can be surrounded by green space, walking through peaceful woodland or the picture postcard village of Merthyr Mawr, with its ancient church and cluster of perfect thatched cottages. Over the 15th century 'Dipping Bridge' where the farmers would drive their sheep through the two parapets into the river for an annual dip - there is always something new to see. The much newer 'Swing Bridge' will take you on to the picturesque river crossing at Ogmore Castle - still marked by a series of ancient stepping stones that you can cross if the tide is right! If the river is too high, we can walk on to Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes - home to the 'Big Dipper' the highest dune in Wales and if we're feeling particularly energetic, a walk through the dunes with all its wildlife, will see us reach the sea at Ogmore-By-Sea and a much-deserved cuppa, before picking a route for the walk home! The kids love these places! Look them up - they do exist - I wish I had time to squeeze in more! Next time!

My dog Bonzo LIVES for walks and runs. She loves sniffing, watching for squirrels, and meeting new people! And being part Husky, she's always on the go go go. This walk is our favorite together in any weather.

Since I love cakes and pastries I decided to make a map out of my favourite bakeries and patisseries in my home town of Malmö. One lovely thing about Malmö, Sweden is our diversity and multiculturalism so I made sure to include both typical Swedish cakes such as semla and princess cake (google them, they’re delicious!) and some Italian, French and Arabic treats. Also, I threw in a handful of architectural sights for good measure. Just put on those eating pants and follow the bread crumbs!

A favourite trail of mine, embracing you in wildness at any time of year. Even driving/walking along the road near the trail is wonderful. I've illustrated some of the birds and animals I have seen there and the sense of change through the four seasons.

This is a map of my favorite restaurants, bakeries, bars and coffee shops in Logan Square. I recently moved away from this neighborhood and this is my way of reminiscing not only the place itself but a seemingly so distant time of wonderfully packed gatherings, edible explorations and convivial conversations. In this time of masked smiles and gloved gestures, I wanted to focus on their always friendly, familiar faces and that made any cup of coffee, glass of wine or bowl of soup so enjoyable not only for the body but for the soul. These small businesses are strongly surviving such time, carefully, graciously and more than ever passionately giving us flavors and feelings of hope and happiness to come.

Most of my walks this year have stayed close to home, and I've enjoyed noticing the variety of flowers just in my little part of Los Angeles.

I live in Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture in Japan. Chiba is next to Tokyo, but if you go south for about two hours, you will arrive in the idyllic countryside.
Facing the sea where surfers gather, it is a great location surrounded by mountains, rice terraces and fields.All of the pictures I have drawn here are my favorite places. A delicious vegan cafe, a farm-to-table cafe where you can eat wild herbs, a natural yeast bakery, a botanical dyeing clothes shop, a library with exciting books, and a beautiful rape field.

I live in Uptown Chicago, a beautiful and diverse neighborhood, and a very popular filming location. I'm sharing just a few of the points of interest during a short walk from my home. Along this walk you'll also see familiar spots from the TV shows Chicago Fire and Chicago PD.

Take a walk and discover these secret courtyards called "hofjes" in Amsterdam's Jordaan neighborhood. Originally built as housing for retired nuns, widows and older single women, these charming houses surrounding courtyard gardens are wonderful places to sneak a peak. Some of them are now home to music students and artists and you may even catch a concert or open atelier on your stroll. A few of my favorite hofjes are pictured! :)