This place is special to me because I've been living in Beijing for the past 5 years and these are my favorite places to recommend to visitors as well as tips for places to eat and things to do.

This 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!

This place is special to me because I climbed to the Tiger’s Nest monastery and visited with the monks. It was an arduous, extraordinary journey which will never be forgotten. The town of Paro also features the National Museum of this amazing country, which is filled with friendly people, cows, and dogs everywhere.

This place is special to me because I love living and working here, surrounded by the colorful architecture of Downtown Queretaro. I really enjoy going on walks around the beautiful streets and plazas where you can sit and experience the happy atmosphere. Its a place where you find all kinds of activities, from music and film festivals, to museums, theatre and nightlife. 

The Jordaan is the oldest &, in my humble opinion, most beautiful part of Amsterdam. It carries so much history, charm & quirky details. The homes here are breathtaking & theres always some interesting art or collectibles in the home windows, which I love!

This place is special to me because since I was little I had always had a fascination with witches, black cats, and the strange and unusual. Salem’s history is iconic and always draws in the curiosity of many, from the famous Salem witch trials, to being the film location for the cult classic Hocus Pocus. The charming pubs, historic locations and museums aplenty will surely put a spell on you as well.

This place is special to me because it combines the beauty of the Ukrainian mountains and the sophistication of a European city. Here live the most talented people on planet Earth. Uzhhorod city champion of mini-sculptures!

This place is special to me because it perfectly connects past, present and future. Attracted by it‘s myth I visited Bad Gastein. Located absolutely idyllic, 1002 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Austrian alps of Salzburger Land, there is a lot to discover: charming Belle Époque buildings, it‘s iconic waterfall in the town centre and the alpine scenery. The thermal springs made it to an popular bathing resort in former days. There was an endless coming and going of famous artists, royals, novelists and composers. After it has been temporary forgotten it‘s been rediscovered by young creative people, who became aware of it’s great potential. Little boutique hotels and alpine lodges with new concepts opened. Bad Gastein is absolutely worth a journey to experience this unique historic atmosphere, the new established urban chic, combined with the stunning scenery which invites to ski and hike.

This place is special to me because I have always loved the museums in the South Kensington and Knightsbridge areas and was intrigued to discover that this part of London was nicknamed 'Albertopolis' after Price Albert, husband to Queen Victoria, as a way of recognising his contribution to the cultural history of the country.

This place is special to me because I have been creatively inspired by this place from childhood. Santiniketan is a small university town in West Bengal, India approximately 180 kilometres from Calcutta. It was the birth place of Bengal School of Art, a movement in the early 20th century, against colonial influence, which changed Indian art. Santiniketan school was established by poet-philosopher-visionary and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore which later became Visva Bharati University (1921) and attracted the most creative minds in the country and the world. Artists like Abanindranth Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar Baij contributed immensely to this place and to art education, embracing rural arts and crafts and an environment where art would be a part of life. The architecture of Santiniketan is unique and is a beautiful blend of various cultural influences fused with sculptures, art, music and literature. It attracts a lot of tourists as well as art enthusiasts as a hub of creativity. Classes are still taught in the open and nature and its seasons are still celebrated instead of religious festivals. My map concentrates on the main attractions, the multi layered culture and its inhabitants of this town – the Santhal community, the students, the flora and fauna. A trip to Santiniketan is like an art pilgrimage to me!

This place is special to me because it is unlike any other place I have been to before. Holmön is a small island with a strong sense of community in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland. In the process of moving through the island’s environment, working on student projects and engaging with locals, my classmates and I had ourselves become a part of its community.

The island is removed from the hustle and bustle of a busy outside world and characterized by its physical limitations. It depicts a place of excitement, exploration and powerful contrasts. The local climate is marked by large seasonal temperature differences which offer plenty of outdoor activities all year round. During the winter months Holmön has around 50 residents who are regularly cut off due to weather and ice conditions. Every summer tourists take over the island — more than a 1000 people a day attend the annual mail rowing and folk festival. My map gives a brief overview of selected activities the island Holmön has to offer.

This place is special to me because it was the city where I rediscovered my love for opera. City where Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was set, Verona is much more than the city of star-crossed lovers. With its rich history, beautiful architecture and unique cuisine, it was enough for me to fall in love with this charming little town. But the highlight of the trip was attending one of the shows at the ancient Roman amphitheater. I still remember the way that the singers performed under the beautiful night sky. To end the evening on a perfect note, we ate the best pistachio krapfen (donut) at an amazing little gem. It only opened late at night but that didn’t stop us from eating one too many donuts!

This place is special to me because it holds my happiest memories. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to travel to France this past summer; it was my first time traveling overseas! My boyfriend, a Parisian himself, had always told me stories of Paris’ brilliance and wonder after dark. When I finally got the chance to visit, fairytales came to life while running under street lamps and glittering monuments. Those memories were the perfect way to prove that a long distance relationship is possible. Paris had among the most brilliant and colorful sights I have ever seen, and I hope to share them with you through this map!

Venice is the only place on Earth that brought me to tears upon seeing it for the first (and only) time. To me it is just such a unique and special place full of quirks, beauty and history. Flooding has always been a threat to this special city and coincidentally while I was illustrating this map, it was hit with the highest tide waters it's experienced in 50 years. A recent climate change study has said that if global warming is not addressed, Venice could be completely submerged by 2100. I do hope that we citizens of the Earth can work together to effect change so that this treasured city will not some day be only visible in photographs.

This place is special to me because 2 years ago me and my husband got there for our honeymoon. It was the first time we travelled to another country, visited a museum, ate burgers, drank coffee, walked through the Hyde Park - as husband and wife.
It was the best week we could've imagined. We visited a lot of museums, ate traditional dishes, laughed a lot and simply had the best time of our life.