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Lisboa, Portugal by Betty Turbo
Corvallis, OR, US
Read More...I lived in Portugal 20 years ago and Lisbon was a city of which I have many fun memories. I'm FINALLY getting back for a visit in a few months, so I'm trying to remember the old (like CENTURIES old) faves, as well as check out all the new things which have appeared in recent years (hello vegan sushi and drag queen cooking classes!). Staying in a 5th floor walkup with no elevator, so I'll be sure to work up an appetite for eleventy million pastéis de nata.
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The Parks and Palaces of Sintra, Portugal by Isabel Valfigueira
Lisbon, PT
Read More...This place is special to me because… it’s an outstanding beautiful place. Sintra is full of extravagant palaces, romantic gardens and parks, beautiful castles. Here we find nature, trees, culture, peace. Amazing place to go for a walk or hiking. And to look for inspiration!
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Algarve, Portugal by Katia Bulbenko
Weehawken, NJ, US
Read More...This place is special to me because it's where we go on vacation every summer to visit my mother-in-law, who moved to the town of Carvoeiro over 20 years ago. Drawing this map, I kept thinking of all the wonderful reasons I love it here. The rocky cove beaches, the amazing azulejos (tiles) covering the outsides of buildings and insides of churches, delicious fresh fish (grilled sardines!), the scent of eucalyptus trees up on Monchique, where you can refill your water bottle directly from the spring, the beautiful doors everywhere, the crystalline turquoise water and deep blue skies, the curious cork trees halfway stripped of their bark, (and shops that sell everything made of cork), the dolphin sightings, the delicious pastry called pastel de nata (custard cups...think flan pie!), the fabulous soaps I bring back, the hill towns and medieval castles. The soulful fado singing. The fields of crooked almond trees, and almond liqueur. The piri-piri hot sauce that I'm obsessed with! A million stars pinned against a clear black night sky. Sooooo many good things. My daughter took her first steps and went to her first beach here, on Praia Grande. The weather is always sunny and perfect, and each time we go it's a combination of visiting all of our favorite places (like Porches, for pottery) and trying new ones. One time we drove to Sagres which is the most southwestern point in Portugal. You can walk out to the tip of the cape, atop tall vertical cliffs, surrounded by water on 3 sides. The place is magical and really feels like the edge of the world. A nearby beach made of smooth black rocks is a good place to watch surfers. The people in the Algarve are so friendly and welcoming, it really is an easy place to just be. By the end of our visit we always realize how this place has taught us to slow down and relax.
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Ericeira, Portugal: Fishing and Surf Village by Isabel Valfigueira
Lisbon, PT
Read More...This place is special to me because this is where I used to spend my summer vacations as a child and teen. I always stayed in my cousin’s house. It was an adorable typical little house. Ericeira is a small and lovely village. Is a very calm, charming, typical fishing town that is situated along a coastline of outstanding surfing beaches. Nowadays, and because of the boom of surf lovers, Ericeira is a nice fusion of Portuguese heritage houses and atmosphere with a cool surfing ambience, where traditional fishermen’s cottages live amongst trendy lounge bars and cafes. The fresh smell of the sea is all over this place. It’s truly just wonderful.
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RECENTLY ADDED MAPS
Rio de Janeiro by Abby
Boston, MA, UShis place is special to me because I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to live and work here for the past year. Rio is an impossible city; full of breathtaking beauty, frustrations, joy, and complications. Its busyness and hustle lie in stark contrast to the unmovable tranquility of the mountains and ocean that cradle the city. Although this map may seem jam packed with details, I actually had a tough time paring down the places and references I included!
Schladming, Austria by Rebecca Hollingsworth
Nottingham, GBBeing invited on holiday ten years ago by family friends when I was just 15 was the beginning of many years of adventures in this special town in Austria. Their love for it prompted it to become a home from home for them and I am privileged to have shared many trips, celebrating birthdays, Christmas and seeing in New Year surrounded by family and friends. I learned to ski in these beautiful mountains and have spent many hours having fun exploring the town and the local area. Schladming is special to me not only because of the breath-taking scenery, beautiful churches and quirky bars and restaurants but because of the memories I have made there with the people I love. My next visit in a few short weeks will see us toasting in 2020 and may my adventures long continue in this beautiful little place.
Arhitectural styles in Uzice, Serbia by Auvrea Illustration
Belgrade, RSA map of my hometown, Uzice, showing some of the interesting buildings there. I wanted to show the diversity of architecture, ranging from very traditional, oriental buildings up to Yugoslavian brutalism. And we have funny names for all those buildings! Even the MoMa museum had an exhibition and our Hotel was one of the exhibited pieces. We have a Hydropower plant, which is the first electrical plant made according to Tesla's principles of an alternating current in Europe and second in the world, only five years after the first of its kind on the river Niagara in America. Also I've put only one food illustration, our traditional dish called 'Komplet lepinja" that can be only bought in Uzice, and that is one of the things that the Uzice is known for. I hope that this map would spark an interest in you that you find out more about this city.
ABC: Atlanta Brunch Club by Givi Carter
Atlanta, GA, USThis place is special to me because it exemplifies the most important conjoined meal of the day--brunch. I've included a couple of my favorite spots in ATL, though I'd need a much bigger map to include every amazing brunch place!
Welcome to Los Angeles, California! by Randi Zafman
Los Angeles, CA, USLos Angeles is an amazing place to visit, but it’s an even more special place to live. As a second generation Angeleno, I can say that LA is so much more than Hollywood and the beach. We have pretty much everything you can imagine. Come see for yourself!
3 Days in Old Town Key West by Scott Schiller
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USThis place is special to me because my girlfriend and I visited the island during a milestone birthday. It was my first time visiting the Keys and I was blown away by the lush trees and flowers, the intriguing history, the abundant sunshine, tropical birds and marine life...and the delicious fish and fritters! There's simply no better place to celebrate a birthday, Key West is truly a paradise! This map is now a cherished keepsake of my vacation, but it can also be used as a guide for anyone planning their first-time visit!
Dessert spots in London Soho by Yan Yu Lee
Cambridge, GBThis place is special to me because it is the perfect place to seek for all things sweet. Soho has a lot to offer and here are some of my favourite place to visit if you fancy for something sweet.
Spend a Day in the North of the Netherlands by anjora
Groningen, NLThis place is special to me because it is a cute, small, cycle-friendly city. I love ambling through its quaint streets, seeing what's new at my favourite places and shopping without bringing back any plastic...all on a cycle!
Austin Downtown Breakfast by Kat Hubbs
Austin, TX, USThis place is special to me because...I just moved to Austin this summer, so it's my new neighborhood that I have enjoyed exploring through food. These are a few of my favorite breakfast spots in downtown Austin. Here it's Tacos over Burritos in the morning, and I have to say the Migas at VeraCruz are the best! My favorite trendy, chill and work places are on the west side, along with some great diners. But, the absolute best place is a bit north of downtown so I had to squeeze it in - Bird Bird Biscuit. It is worth the extra drive - get the fresh fried Queen Beak sandwich it's the best in town!
Map of Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia by Kata
Kragujevac, Sumadija, RSThis place is special to me because I grew up in Kragujevac and a few years ago I returned to my hometown to finish my university degree. Like most people from small towns, I too, was itching to move as soon as possible, get out there and see the world. I'm not saying I've changed, but I've started to appreciate this place more over time, people who live here, it's history. It is said that the town got its name after a bird, a type of raven or an eagle, that's been living in these areas for centuries - kraguj. And if you were to visit for a day, here are a few places to stop by. (:
