Malarrif lighthouse is in western Iceland on the seashore of Snaefellsnes peninsula. It is a beautiful rocket shaped lighthouse 24m (~80 ft) tall, built in 1917 and then rebuilt in 1946. Your first stop is the Visitor Center of Snæfellsjökull National Park. The Visitor´s Centre is full of information and facts about life around the Glacier. Next head towards the ocean and you will find the Malarrif lighthouse standing on the cliffs of a black pebbled beach. There were some huge waves crashing on the rocks the day we were there! Keep in mind that a 1.6 km hike will take you to the huge sea stacks of Londrangar. But of course you can get in your car and drive there if you are in hurry. Don’t miss them for sure!

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This beautiful lighthouse at the old harbor of Chania in Crete island, Greece. Probably it is the most recognizable part of the city. It is a Venetian lighthouse originally built in the 16th century & later modified by the Egyptians in 1839. Unfortunately when we visited Chania entrance to the tower wasn’t allowed. However there is a long mole that protects the harbor from the sea. You can walk all the way to the end of it and enjoy the city view. Also, there are many restaurants and bars in the harbor were you can enjoy your meal and drink along with the lighthouse shining in the dark. While you are in Chania you should also consider visiting the world famous Balos Lagoon. West Crete is a perfect destination for your summer vacantion!

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The world famous Lagoon of Balos is located on the northwest side of Crete island in Greece. It is about 56kms from the city of Chania. However in order to get there by car you have to drive a pretty bumpy, gravel road. You leave your car in a parking lot, or at the side of the road if there are too many cars already there, and you continue on foot. After a hike of about 30 minutes you will reach Balos Lagoon. Although it is a little bit difficult to get there by car it totally worth seeing Balos up from the hill! Be prepared to walk under the hot sun in Greek summer. So be prepared and take with you a hat, sunscreen and water. To get to Balos more easily there are ferries leaving from Kissamos village.

It’s a good idea to get there as early as you can before the crowds from the ferries reach the place. The beach has white sand and swallow, hot waters making it an exotic and really beautiful beach. It is no wonder this beach is quite often included at the top ten beaches of the world! The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna, are protected under the Natura 2000 program.

If you visit Chania for vacation this is a place you shouldn’t miss!

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Iceland is full of huge rock formations. This one is Gatklettur, aka the “Hellnar Arch”. A famous, naturally formed circular stone arch found between the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This dramatic stone formation takes the shape of an arch and is set over the water, surrounded by bird-rich cliffs. In the past you could even get down to the soar. It is forbidden now, probably it was dangerous because of the swirling waves. However, there is a deck where you can stand and enjoy the view.

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Reynisfjara black sand beach gives you a close up view of the huge Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks. It is located at the south coast of Iceland, just beside the small fishing village of Vik i Myrdal. Unfortunately, due to a severe windstorm, rocks had fallen onto the beach. Therefore we were not allowed to get any closer. This beach is also famous for the dangerous “sneaker waves” that can sweep you into the ocean. Nonetheless, Reynisfjara has been selected in the top ten list of the most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world!

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Diamond beach in Iceland owns its name to the chunks of icebergs floating ashore which look exactly like diamonds on the black sand beach. Breiðamerkursandur is the icelandic name, but I think diamond beach is much easier to pronounce! An amazing place to visit. Combine it with a beautiful sunrise and it becomes magical! At the opposite side of the photo there is Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Pieces of ice break from the glacier and float by the river into the sea. Then the waves throw them back into the beach

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Sithonia is becoming my favourite summer destination in Chalkidiki, Greece. Find an amazing view, leave your camera shooting and relax watching the stars in the night sky. And in the next morning choose one of the many amazing beaches to go for a swim! For this photo I shot around 100 images and combined them with a blue hour photo.

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This shot was taken in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, next to Saint Nicholas church (which obviously you can’t see in the photo). I was trying to find something interesting to shoot when I saw those rocks covered in green moss. Luckily the sunset was on my side and it gave me a colourful sky. After so many years taking landscape photos in Thessaloniki it is getting harder and harder to find something new to photograph. Probably I should travel more!

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This place is one of my favorites close to my home village. I really like how the waves have sculptured the base of this rock and how it stands alone in the middle. There is a Greek fish restaurant overlooking at this place called Villa Stasa. It’s food is great and the view is awesome. Don’t miss the zucchini! Actually this is the third time I am trying to photograph this place. I like this photo the most but still I haven’t get a show that I really like. I’ll have to try again!

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This is Thasos island in Greece as seen from the city of Kavala. I just happened to be at Kavala city for a wedding when the full moon painted with golden light the blue sea. I picked up my camera and got out to take this shot! Thasos island has some wonderful beaches and an amazing natural pool. More about this on another post!

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