This illustration is an autobiographical map of many of the places dear to me. It's got anything from stupid and fun things I did as a kid, to my girlfriend Meg & I buying our first house this year and doing it up.
And lots of tea, beer and coffee!

This place is special to me because it has opened me the doors to the world of whales and has given me inspiration, good friends, illustration projects, work, contacts, relax, adventures and even an art exhibition at the Húsavík Whale Museum! Every time I’m there, I feel like being home and there is always something good to do! Go see the whales, relax at the sea baths looking at the bay, get inspired by the mountains, a coffee or a tasty lobster soup, explore the town museums, walk around the harbor or near the river, or just breathe and feel that you exist! This is my heart’s home, a place where I’ve always belonged to.

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.

Just my take on one of the most magical places on earth.

This place is special to me because I studied here at the Savannah College of Art and Deign for four amazing years. You can bet I became acquainted with every coffee shop that stayed open past 6pm! From the hangout across the Illustration building to the coffee shop that has s'mores, wine, AND tacos, these are my favorite places to get a caffeine fix!

This place is special to me because of the wonderful chilhood memories I have there. I grew up in Brussels and I remember my weekends being full of museum visits, bike rides and waffle breaks. What inspired me the most to create this map was to think about all the places I go to when I have international friends coming for a short visit and I have to introduce them to my hometown in only a weekend. You can be sure that food is always a big part of the experience!

Edinburgh is a special place to me because it's my second "home". I've been living in Edinburgh for 12 years and 3 months now and so many sweet and sour memories happened in this beautiful city and shockingly I have never illustrated anything about Edinburgh before. That's why I decided to illustration this beautiful city as my second entry for this competition. I use to working in one of restaurant in this map for 4 and half years as a professional chef before I turned my career into professional illustrator. My first Children's menu commission job was commissioned by one of the most delicious burger restaurant in Edinburgh and it's also in this map. All the locations I decided to illustrated in this map are my favourite location in Edinburgh. Maybe one day when you have chance to visit Edinburgh you can use my map as guide!

Low Moor is the neighbourhood I grew up. I have fond memories of growing up here. As a kid, me and my friends loved playing out, having adventures and riding our bikes round the area. We only stopped playing for dinner time and the ice cream van! We actually used to have walkie talkies in case anyone spotted the ice cream van a few streets over and could alert everyone else! The "big wheel" is an iron monument in the heart of the neighbourhood which commemorates the local iron works heritage. We use to hang out here and try to climb it! The big puddle was HUGE and we all used to ride our bikes through it! I have fond memories of the church too. Before it was turned into flats, the hall used to be the hub of the community with kids clubs and events. Even though my family weren't Christian, we were still very much welcomed there.

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.

This place is special to me because I have moved to Trier from Moscow 2 years ago and i have totally fallen in love with this place. Trier is over 2,000 years old – making it the oldest city in Germany with an astonishing 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There is a lot to see in downtown Trier with traces of the Roman times almost everywhere you look. The city is often referred to as the “Rome of the North” because it served as the key city of the Roman northern territories. There are many beautiful vineyards located around Trier which are perfect for taking walks. But there’s plenty of nature inside the city of Trier as well. Old trees rise among the historic buildings, casting welcome shade in the summertime. Trier has a special atmosphere all of its own. It is an ancient city but young at heart.

This place is special to me because I love art. Paris has everything for the art lover. I mapped down the top beautiful museums that feature the works of famous artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and more. Impressionism, which is my favorite art movement, found its origins in Paris.

Over the last few years I visited all these places in beautiful Switzerland. I felt in love with the lakes, gorgeous mountains and historic towns. This little country has everything what I fancy: chocolate, cheese, stunning nature and maybe the happiest cows in the world.

Museum map

Discover Mullion. Situated on the west coast of the Lizard Peninsula this village is surrounded by beautiful Cornish landscape and abundant wildlife. Seeing that the main demographic is over 60 it's not a surprise that garden safaris, scarecrow trails and coffee mornings feature prominently in village life. However, that's not to say Mullion hasn't anything else to offer, on the contrary! Alongside these activities you can get out and walk the coastal paths, taking in the magnificent views from the cliffs and harbour, go surfing and kayaking from the popular beaches of Poldhu and Polurrian, visit a chocolate factory at Trenance, get in a round of golf at Mullion club before treating yourself to a lovely cooked breakfast at Colroger Deli and then perhaps a quick pint pulled for you at the Old Inn. If after all that you'd like a quiet sit down why not visit the historic 15th Century church St.Mellanus, and be inspired by the craftsmanship you'll find in the carved wooden pews.

I moved last year to Nottingham and since then I fell in love with the city and its landmarks. There are so many beautiful things to see in this English town that I thought it deserves to be share with you all.