Portugal Floating through fluffy clouds I descend from the heavens to an exotic green island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This pretty much sums up my very first experience of Madeira, the lushly green and versatile oasis.

Croatia "If you want to see paradise on Earth, come to Dubrovnik." | George Bernard Shaw, 20th Century Irish playwright and political activist

Zeeland, the Netherlands "My ship is already arriving, I look up from the beach, writing in the sand, is done for me now." | From Dansen aan Zee, a song by Peter Slager / Paskal Jakobsen of contemporary Vlissingen rockband BLØF

Lombardia, Italy High above the modern, rises the ancient. Narrow cobblestone streets shielding the sun. Arches and churches, tourists and locals. One can spend hours living.

Croatia Once part of the Venice Republic, now probably the most romantic spot on the Adriatic coast. A place where one month in the year thousands dance until the sun rises.

Germany "Berlin, the greatest cultural extravaganza that one could imagine." | Legendary 20th and 21st Century British singer-songwriter David Bowie