This place is special to be me because Tiong Bahru, a quaint old neighbourhood tucked almost south of our busy Singapore island, is the perfect place for the kinda day when I needed to spend some time by myself or with a friend or two and not knowing exactly yet what to do. This is because Tiong Bahru has good bits of everything--local food galore, independent bookstores, art galleries, Instagrammable wall murals, vinyl music store, local fashion labels, temples and many more hidden sites. The neighbourhood is almost entirely in Art Deco architecture. Being there is like taking me back in time, when days were longer and time was slower. Awesome!

This place is special to me because I grew up there and I know it by heart. Truthfully working on this map made me realize how special that neighborhood really is with all it's possibilities for social activities and general standard of living. I'm very grateful to have been able to grow up there. So therefore this map is my way of saying thanks. :)

This place is special to me because I live in Amsterdam Eastside, which is the most amazing colourful neighbourhood. With colourful I mean there are people of so many cultures living here, it's wonderful. And the last couple of years many students have come to live here too, which means it's the most lively area you can possibly imagine!! You can get food and foodstuffs from all over the world and cafes and restaurants everywhere....see for yourself....

This place is special to me because it's where I find all the ingredients for my favorite Armenian and Middle Eastern meals. It's where my kids go to school and learn our language, history and culture. It's where I teach, where I bump into friends, where I overhear old men discuss politics in Western Armenian, a language UNESCO has classified as endangered. It's where newspapers are edited, holidays are celebrated, weddings, baptisms, funerals are conducted. Little Armenia is just a few blocks in a small town, but it's my home away from home.

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.

This place is special to me because I will always remember the first time I drove through these neighborhoods and simply could not believe that such a fairytale setting existed in the real world! Earl Young was a self-taught builder and architect who built both commercial and residential structures. The majority of his creations lie within the two areas shown on this map (each mushroom on the map is the location of another Earl Young house). Pure magic! And special year-round, even in winter.

Mapping Special Places

This is a special place to me because it is in my neighborhood and is an oasis in a busy, growing city. The park is home to a wide variety of birds, trees, and native plants. The park hosts multiple activities including bird walks, bicycle races, outdoor concerts, and an annual box car derby. The park is a peaceful place with well marked walking/running trails and thoughtfully placed benches for viewing the city and surrounding areas.

It’s a city of medieval houses and narrow cobblestoned streets with a very romantic and cozy waterfront and lovely parks – just perfect for a stroll. And there is always the right time to clink glasses with the locally grown sparkling wine! In December the famous Christmas market takes place and the beautifully lit old town makes just the perfect backdrop for impressive memories of a lovely visit.

This place is special to me because this is where I grew up. The map is, in a way, my very own "Penny Lane" - an illustrated ode to the residential Moscow, Russia neighborhood of my youth, seen through a fairytale lens of sorts. It's not big on landmarks, but if you want to come face to face with a moose or see a power plant up close and personal, this is absolutely the place to visit.

Kapana is a small walkable district in the town of Plovdiv. Its history dates back to the 16th century, when it was the merchant and crafts center of Plovdiv. A few of its streets are actually named after the craftsmen that practiced there for centuries: Zhelezarska Str. (Blacksmith Str.), Zlatarska Str. (Goldsmith Str.), Abadjiyska Str. (Coat-Tailor Str.), Kozhuharska Str. (Fur-Tailor Str.). The name itself (Kapana) means “trap” or “labyrinth”. And it’s well-deserved too — one can easily get lost in its cobblestoned streets that always meet at peculiar angles. Having lost its liveliness since the mid-20th century (the streets being mostly packed with parked cars), in the past few years the neighborhood has been revived again, largely thanks to Plovdiv's nomination for the European Capital of Culture 2019. Today Kapana is the colorful heart of Plovdiv — a social place with an artistic spirit and unique atmosphere.

Kagurazaka is my absolute favorite place in Tokyo! They have a variety of restaurants, cafes and shops that sell authentic Japanese stuff, and plenty of traditional architecture, such as Akagi shrine and Zenkoku temple. It is the perfect place to hang out with your friends and enjoy the lively atmosphere!

The contest inspired me to draw a map of San Telmo, one of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, where I live. I hope the map and its travel tips make you love this place as much as I do.