Photographing a lavender field has been on my bucket list for many years. As a result, when I learned that there were some blooming fields near Thessaloniki, where I currently live, I couldn’t pass it up. I grabbed my camera bag and drove to Mesimeri in search of the perfect lone tree in a lavender field.

Best time to visit the lavender fields of Mesimeri

There are numerous lavender fields in the Mesimeri village area. Mesimeri is less than a half-hour drive from Thessaloniki’s city center. Plant nurseries have recently been established in the area where aromatic and medicinal plants such as lavender are grown. 

Lavender blooms in the early summer and is harvested by the middle of July. Of course, it can vary depending on the weather, so the timing of the full bloom may differ slightly from year to year. The second two weeks of June are probably the best period to visit the area. And, of course, time your visit for sunset or sunrise to get the best light. Just be wary of the bees buzzing around!

Photographing the lavenders

I was fortunate to witness an incredible sunset with beautiful red and magenta tones in the clouds. A lone tree, of course, is an excellent subject for a beautiful landscape photograph. Because the atmosphere was so clear, we could see Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest mountain, in the distance.

Another lone tree stands in a lavender field beneath the waxing crescent moon in the following photo. The moonlight beautifully illuminates the lavenders. The warm colors of the sunset remain visible in the sky. This lavender field is easily accessible because it is located on the main road connecting Mesimeri and Epanomi. It’s the Gresense lavender field. Gresense is an essential oil manufacturing company. So, please be careful not to damage the lavenders while taking pictures in the field!

These images are available as fine art prints if you’d like to hang them on your wall!

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Godafoss waterfall is located in the river Skjálfandafljót in north Iceland. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country. It has three different vantage points and I believe all of them are pretty amazing! This is the view from the east side which is a great place to view the sunset. From this side you can also climb down to the water’s edge. Just be careful since it’s very slippery and rocky. No reason not to visit this place if you are travelling around the ring road of Iceland!

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Kirkjufell (church mountain in Icelandic) is a 463m high mountain on the north coast of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is claimed to be the most photographed mountain in the country. We got there one hour before sunrise and there were already 30 photographers who had theirs tripods and cameras ready to shoot! Not to mention how many people were in the place the previous afternoon. Probably you have seen this composition many times before but it is hard to resist and not take this photo. Afterwards you can explore the area and find many different and interesting angles to shoot!

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Vestrahorn is a breathtaking mountain in south-east Iceland. You will find it in Stokksnes Peninsula, close to the town of Höfn. To get to Vestrahorn you will have to drive about six hours from Reykjavík. Therefore it is most often visited by those travelling the South Coast of Iceland or are on a road trip around the ring road of the island. On the Ring Road drive east past Höfn and after around 7km, just before reaching the tunnel, turn right onto an unmarked gravel road. Follow this road for around 5 km and you will have reached the black sand beach of Vestrahorn. Keep in mind though that since Vestrahorn is on private land you will have to pay a fee to get there!

Vestrahorn is a quite wild and remote location. It is made out of iron and magnesium rich gabbro rock, which leads to its dark and jagged appearance. Vestrahorn translates to “West Mountain” due to its proximity to the similar Eystrahorn, or “East Mountain”. Its dramatic peaks reach up to 454 meters (1490 ft.). The mountain rises behind a beautiful black sand beach with sand dunes scattered all around.

You might ask what time of the year is best to visit Vestrahorn. No matter whether you visit this place in Autumn, Winter or Summer it has a lot to offer for sure. If you are a photographer this iconic mountain could be described as a playground! There are so many different compositions to choose from! If you are lucky and there is no wind you will also be able to see the reflection of Vestrahorn into the calm ocean water. No wonder why this is such a famous tourist location.

In this photo you see the reflection of Vestrahorn mountain into the calm sea water during sunrise. Snow covers one of its peaks. The warm sun light is painting the mountain with red and orange tones. A small opening in the clouds allows the morning sun light to paint with beautiful red and purple tones the whole landscape. A few fluffy clouds are filing the blue sky making this scene look dreamy! Vestrahorn is such a beautiful mountain!

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Godafoss is a magnificent waterfall in the Mvatn District of Northern Iceland. Its name translates as “Waterfall of the Gods” in modern Icelandic! However, an old Icelandic folklore mentions a Viking leader named Orgeir Ljósvetningagoi as the source of the waterfall’s name. Nonetheless, due to its location on the Ring Road, approximately 45 minutes east of Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest city, it is easily accessible to tourists.

During our road trip around Iceland, we chose a settlement that was very close to this waterfall, which turned out to be a great decision. We didn’t have to get up super early the next morning to see a spectacular sunrise. The first photograph depicts the sunrise. The sky had beautiful purple and pink tones. Simply stunning!

Goðafoss waterfall is formed by the Skjálfandafljót River’s water, which falls from a height of 12 meters across a width of 30 meters. You can see Godafoss from two different viewpoints, so you could easily spend an hour there. You can also take a stroll down to the river’s edge. Cutting rocks, on the other hand, can be dangerously slippery, so proceed with caution. Aside from that, the walkaways and lookouts are fantastic for making the most of your visit.

This long exposure black and white photograph was taken from the riverbank on the east side of this lovely waterfall. Can you see the silhouette of a man standing on the rocks at the top of the waterfall? Now you can get a sense of scale of how big this waterfall is!

The following image was taken from a deck on the East Bank. Again, a long exposure contributes to the scene’s calm and peace. I think that the autumn colors complement the orange hues in the sky perfectly. Although, to be honest, the waterfall was definitely loud!

Of course, Godafoss is an excellent location for viewing the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis is always a spectacular sight. When you combine it with an incredible landscape of Iceland, you have a spectacular show into the arctic wilderness.

You should definitely not miss this waterfall if you are driving around Iceland or the Diamond Circle. Both the East and West Banks are worth a visit to take in the scenery and snap some photos!

If you liked my photos they are available as fine art prints, canvas prints and other products.

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Gullfoss (meaning “Golden Falls”) is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls found in the Hvítá river canyon in south-west Iceland. It is very easy to access as part of the Golden Circle route. The photo can’t make justice of how huge this waterfall is. In fact it has two stages. The first, shorter cascade is 11 meters (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 meters (69 feet). The water afterwards flows through a gorge. Depending on the wind you might get a little wet or a lot. We were lucky enough to have a great sunset when we visited this waterfall! Oh, and an amazing northern lights show over Gullfoss afterwards!

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Nestled in Iceland’s stunning South Region, Seljalandsfoss waterfall is a must-see natural wonder that’s incredibly easy to reach, thanks to its prime location right alongside the famous Route 1 (the Ring Road). This majestic waterfall plunges an impressive 60 meters (about 197 feet), but what truly sets Seljalandsfoss apart from other waterfalls is the unique experience it offers—you can actually walk behind the cascading water!

Imagine standing in a hidden cave behind the curtain of water, feeling the cool mist on your face as you watch the waterfall from a completely different perspective. The view is nothing short of breathtaking, especially during sunset when the golden light filters through the falling water, creating a magical, almost otherworldly atmosphere. It’s a photographer’s dream and an unforgettable moment for any traveler.

However, a visit here requires a bit of preparation. Because you are so close to the waterfall, you will almost certainly get soaked by the spray, so waterproof clothing is essential. A sturdy rain jacket and waterproof pants will keep you comfortable while you explore. For photography enthusiasts, a waterproof camera or a reliable protective cover is highly recommended. When I visited, I had to wrap my camera in a waterproof protector to capture the perfect shot without damage. Even then, I found myself constantly wiping the lens to clear away droplets and maintain a crisp, clear image.

In summary, Seljalandsfoss is not just a waterfall—it’s an immersive adventure that combines Iceland’s raw natural beauty with a rare, interactive experience. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or simply someone looking for a memorable outdoor activity, this waterfall should be at the top of your Iceland itinerary. Just come prepared to get wet and be ready to be amazed!

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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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Sunflower a.k.a Helianthus in Greek tilts during the day to face the sun and turns back to the east in the morning. There is a tragic love story in ancient Greek mythology that explains this movement. The goddess of love, Aphrodite, had punished Helios, the all-seeing Sun, to be in love with Leucothoe although he was in relationship with her siste, Clytie. You see Helios had told Hephaestus, the Aphrodite’s husband, that she is cheating on him with Ares, the god of war. Helios disguised into Leucothoe’s mother to get entrance to her chambers and told her he is in love with her. Clytie felt betrayed and informed their father, Orchamus, who enraged ordered to bury her alive! However Helios ignored Clytie and never returned her love. Instead he transformed Leucothoe’s lifeless body into a plant. Clytie, after not eating or drinking anything for nine days finally transformed into a heliotrope leaning towards the sun everyday.

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Japan is famous for its cherry blossom period, known as Sakura. A small city in Greece called Veria, is full of peach trees which have beautiful pink flowers. I needed a drone here to show you the amazing pink carpet those trees make. Since I don’t have one, here is a shot of some peaches under the starry sky. The ideal period to visit the area is sometime in the middle of March and there is a contest running for the past three years for the best photo.

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