Marion's Travel Pictures

Driving in the Italian Fog...

2012-01-25T18:00:00.000-08:00

Bleak, foggy Landscape on the road to Verona

White Line & Farm House in the Fog

White Line & Fog Dazzling Light

Heavy fog on the highway linking Milan to Verona

Triangles...

2012-01-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

Triangle & Grey Sky - Aker Brygge, Oslo, Norway

Red Triangle & Cloudy Sky - Koege, Denmark

Leaning Triangle Road Sign - Sirmione, Lake Garda, Italy

Playing with the Picnik Texture Effect

2011-10-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

I went a little crazy with the Picnik Texture effect and here is the result:

View of Big Ben from Saint James's Park - Autumn in London

View of the London Eye from St. James's Park - Fall in London

I first took a look at all the texture effects on Picnik, then decided to try the crumpled paper texture and old yellow paper texture on these autumn pictures of London which looked bad because of the grey/white sky. I also played with the brick wall texture Picnik effect on a photo taken with my cell phone that I
already posted on the blog a few months ago.

Halloween Night at Assistens Kirkegård Cemetery

2011-10-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

Those are the kind of stupid pictures that you take when you forget about the time change and almost end up locked up in a huge cemetery like Copenhagen's Assistens Kirkegård after closing time on the eve of Halloween night! :-)

Halloween shot - Copenhagen's Assistens Cemetery at night

Strange Lights in Assistens Kirkegård Cemetery - Copenhagen, Denmark

A visit to Ravenna, the City of Mosaics

2011-10-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

As you can see in these pictures, Ravenna, Italy, is really worth a visit for its splendid Bysantine mosaics dating back to the 5th-6th Century. A tour of the city can take more than one day since there is a lot to see and Ravenna mosaics can be admired in 8 different religious buildings, all listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Church of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Neonian Baptistery, the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel and the Mausoleum of Theodoric.

Baptism of Christ Mosaic in the Arian Baptistery - Ravenna, Italy

Baptism of Jesus Christ Mosaic in the Neonian Baptistery - Ravenna, Italy

Mosaic in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Ravenna, Italy

The Three Magi Mosaic in the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo - Ravenna, Italy

Basilica of San Vitale - Ravenna, Italy

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe - Ravenna, Italy

Black & White Curves

2011-10-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

Detail of Mural with Black & White Curves
Street Art in Lower Manhattan, New York

Black & White Posters in Christianshavn, Copenhagen, Denmark
Fobiskolen ("School Phobia") is a successful Danish theater play in 3 episodes.

Arnaldo Pomodoro Sculptures in Amaliehaven, Copenhagen

2011-10-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

Arnaldo Pomodoro's abstract colum with Copenhagen Opera House in the background

Featuring modern abstract sculptures by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro, the newest garden in Copenhagen, Amaliehaven (Amalie Garden), offers great photo opportunities. Pictures of the Pomodoro bronze columns which adorn Amaliehaven waterfront park may sometimes look like abstract paintings, especially when taken with a gray sky and/or details of the Danish Opera House in the background.

Top of Abstract Column Sculpture by Arnoldo Pomodoro - Copenhagen, Denmark

Detail of Arnoldo Pomodoro sculpture in Amaliehaven, Copenhagen

Abstract Sculpture in Amaliehaven Garden, Copenhagen, Denmark

Urban Landscape : Copenhagen Chimneys

2011-09-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

Just like fairy tale castles, lovely colored houses and great modern architecture, industrial chimneys are fully part of Copenhagen's urban landscape...

Old Industrial Chimney & Wind Turbines in Copenhagen, Denmark

View of Copenhagen harbor from Charlottenlun, Hellerup, Copenhagen

Copenhagen Harbor with the Black Diamond on the right side

Industrial Chimneys behind Noma (the world's best restaurant) - Copenhagen, Denmark

Fishermen Portraits - Monopoli, Italy

2011-09-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

Today I'm posting a few photo portraits of fishermen at work that I shot in Puglia, Southern Italy a couple of years ago. I was taking winter morning stroll around the fishing port of Monopoli when I spotted a group of men who were repairing a fishing net and decided to take some pictures of them.

Italian fisherman mending a fishing net - Monopoli, Puglia, Italy

Italian fishermen fixing a fishing net on Monopoli harbour

Italian fisherman repairing fishing net - Monopoli, Southern Italy

Old Italian Fisherman at Work

Green and Yello Fishing Net - Monopoli Fishing Port

Old Italian Fisherman Mending Net

Breakfast at Baresso Coffee, Copenhagen

2011-09-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

Baresso Coffe on Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen, Denmark, is a cool place to start the day and have a yummy breakfast with cinnamon buns and hot chocolate! :-)

"Caffè Latte Chocorange" + "Spandauer" & "Kanelsnegl" Danish Pastries

Danish Breakfast at Baresso Coffee Shop

Day Trip from Copenhagen: Køge & Vallø Castle

2011-09-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Characterized by lovely colored houses and nice cobble streets, Køge, Denmark, is a great destination for a day trip from Copenhagen. Located 50 km South of the Danish capital, Køge is very easy to reach from the city center thanks to the E line of the S-train commuter rail system (the journey from central Copenhagen takes only 45 minutes and trains leave every 10 minutes). After a stroll through the historic center and a visit to the small Køge museum and interesting KØS Museum of art in public spaces, you can take an old local train and finish your day out by visiting Vallø Castle Park.

Vallø in autumn

Driving through Arizona...

2011-09-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

These are some Arizona pictures that I took on a road trip from Las Vegas, Nevada, to the Grand Canyon West Rim. The trip was really worth it, not only for the Grand Canyon attractions including Eagle Point and the Skywalk (Hualapai tribe's observation deck), but also for the beautiful Arizona roads and Mojave Desert scenery with Joshua Trees.

(Dead?) Snake, Cows and Joshua Trees

Dirt Road & Joshua Trees

A storm is coming...

Ads, old cars and church in Dolan Springs, Arizona

Food Porn: Danish Flødeboller

2011-08-31T05:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is not a "food porn" blog but, after the zucchini flower fritters post, here is another food shot that I wanted to share : a picture of two classical and coconut Flødeboller from Køge's GuldBageren pastry shop. I go crazy for Danish flødeboller, especially coconut and coffee flødeboller, which are some of the best food memories from my stay in Denmark!

Want to know how to make flødeboller?

Here is a selection of great flødeboller recipes that can be found on the web:

"Friday and Flødeboller" - Check out Sandra's homemade recipe and make traditional flødeboller with biscuit base.
"Danish Frisky Creamy Balls" - Follow the advice of Melbourn-based food writer Dunkan Markham: add original flavors and make mandarin, violet and rose flødeboller.
"Danish Delights: Flødeboller" - Check out this yummy recipe of flødeboller with marzipan base and raspberry-flavored filling.
"Road to the Perfect Flødeboller" - Like Yamahomo from Foodbuzz.com, try Copenhagen's chocolate shop Summerbird's recipe with macaron base and apple compote in the marshmallow filling.

Food Porn: Zucchini Flower Fritters

2011-08-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

Take a look at my grandma's zucchini flower fritters. They are the best fried zucchini blossoms ever! :-)

Yummy zucchini fritters

Delicious fried zucchini blossoms

Mouthwatering zucchini blossom fritters

Scrumptious fried zucchini flowers

Looking for a delicious zucchini flower fritters recipe?

- Visit BleedingExpresso.com for zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, spinach and prosciutto.
- Check out SBS Food for zucchini blossom fritters with feta and basil.
- Visit Savour Fare for fried zucchini flowers with Herbes de Provence.
- Check out The Sustainable Scribe for zucchini flower fritters with arugula salad.

Lisbon Street Art

2011-08-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

Street art is one of the many good reasons to visit Lisbon, Portugal. If you're looking for great examples of Lisbon street art check out this mural-painted, abandoned building located just next the Art Deco entrance of Picoas metro station on Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo.

Birds - Street Art in Lisbon, Portugal

Bird - Lisbon Street Art

Boy with masked face and catapult - Lisbon Street Art

Yellow hand with a human-shape catapult - Street Art in Lisbon

Walking through the Backstreets of Lisbon...

2011-08-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

Today I'm posting some pictures shot last June on an early evening walk through the backstreets of Lisbon, Portugal, in the Baixa and Rossio areas. As you can see in the photos, Lisbon backstreets are full of graffiti-covered walls and abandoned houses, shops and restaurants.

Portuguese men walking in a grimy Lisbon backstreet

Abandoned restaurant in dirty backstreet - Rossio, Lisbon

Empty street in Lisbon, Portugal

Old Portuguese man in front of cheap restaurant - Lisbon, Portugal

Marseille in Summer : Relax at the Beach!

2011-08-23T11:24:00.000-07:00

Summertime in Marseille means relaxing at the beach with no need to go out of the city!

If you're spending the summer in Marseille you can choose from urban beaches - such as Le Prophète, Le Prado and La Pointe Rouge beach - or lovely Mediterranean coves with crystal clear waters and breathtaking scenery - such as St-Estève beach on Frioul Island or Sugiton, Morgiou, Sormiou and En Vau cove on the Calanques rocky shores. Here are some pictures of three Marseille beaches where you can bath and relax during summer months:

Marseille in summer: "En Vau" cove

Summer time in Marseille: Staint-Estève Beach, Frioul Island

In Le Prado seaside area you can find beaches, bars, restaurants, children playgrounds, a skatepark, a roller blade and bike path and even a ferris wheel!

Summer in Marseille : Le Prado beach area

Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen

2011-08-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

The changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace, the main residence of the Danish Queen, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Copenhagen. You can see the Danish Royal Life Guard (Den Kongelige Livgarde) marching through the streets of Copenhagen every day between 11:30 and 12:00. The parade starts from Rosenborg Castle next the lovely King's Garden and stops at Amalienborg Palace for the ceremonial changing, which, I have to admit, is a bit boring... except when the Queen is present and the Royal Guards music band play in the palace square.

OM - Benfica, such a bad memory...

2011-08-03T05:14:00.000-07:00

OM - Benfica... Such a bad memory for a fan of Olympique de Marseille like me... While strolling through the streets of Lisbon, Portugal, I stumbled upon this Benfica emblem, which brought up to my mind that painful memory of Marseille's unfair defeat against the Portuguese soccer team in the 1990 European Cup semi-finals, when Benfica player Vata scored a decisive hand goal and took his team to the final against AC Milan.

SL Benfica Emblem in central Lisbon

Here is the video of SL Benfica player Vata's hand goal:

Palio of Legnano - Part 3 : Medieval Clerics

2011-07-31T07:36:00.000-07:00

After medieval ladies, knights and warriors, here are three more photo portraits taken during the Palio of Legnano historical pageant : three pictures of medieval clerics including a bishop with embroidered mitre and scepter, a cardinal wearing scarlet choir dress, and a monk holding a wooden staff with bell.

Bishop - Palio of Legnano 2011

Cardinal - Palio of Legnano pageant 2011

Monk - Medieval pageant - Palio of Legnano 2011

Palio of Legnano - Part 2 : Medieval Ladies

2011-07-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

Here are 5 more pictures of the Palio of Legnano (Milano) : 5 portaits of pretty medieval ladies from different Legnano's contrade (city neighborhoods) who took part in the 2011 palio historical pageant. Take a look at the beautiful embroidered fabrics and the ladies' medieval jewels and crowns!

Beautiful medieval Lady - Palio of Legnano 2011

Lady of the manor - Contrada San Magno - Palio of Legnano 2011

Young Medieval Lady of the Manor - Palio of Legnano 2011

Smiling lady of the manor - Contrada San Domenico - Palio of Legnano 2011

Medieval Lady with Crown and White Vail - Palio of Legnano 2011

Palio of Legnano Pictures - Part 1 : Medieval Warriors

2011-07-17T04:09:00.000-07:00

The Palio of Legnano is a traditional event held every year in Legnano, a small town about 20 miles north of Milan, Italy. Way less famous than the Palio of Siena, the event commemorates the Battle of Legnano fought on May 29, 1176, between the Lombard League and the troops of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Like in Siena, the Palio consists in a horse race in which each horse represents one of the 8 "contrade" of the city: Contrada Flora, Contrada San Magno, Contrada Legnarello, Contrada Sant'Erasmo, Contrada San Martino, Contrada San'Ambrogio, Contrada San Bernardino, Contrada San Domenico. The palio horse run is preceded by a magnificent historical pageant through the city streets featuring over 1000 performers all dressed in beautiful medieval costumes as you can see in the portraits below.

I took a lot of pictures of the 2011 medieval pageant and I've decided to publish a series of blog posts on the Palio di Legnano with some portraits of knights and medieval warriors including Frederick Barbarossa and Alberto da Giussano:

Frederik Barbarossa - Palio of Legnano 2011

Medieval Knight - Palio of Legnano 2011

Alberto da Giussano - Palio of Legnano 2011

Young Medieval Warrior - Palio di Legnano 2011

Medieval Executioner - Palio di Legnano 2011

London Street Photography: School Girls walking down the Mall

2011-05-24T09:36:00.000-07:00

Today's London picture is a shot of English school girls walking down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Most of the girls in the picture wear a yellow pullover, a red skirt and grey socks... a school uniform that matches the cloudy London sky and the colors of the autumn leaves that are falling down the street.

London Street Photography: Little Girl & Giant Lion

2011-05-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

One more Trafagal Square picture in my "London Street Photography" collection today: the candid shot of a little girl looking at one the fourth huge bronze lions at the base of the famous Nelson's column. We can't see her face on this picture, but it looks like she's talking to the giant lion in front of her. :)

Trafagal Square Lions - London, UK

London Street Photography: Covent Garden Before Opening Hours

2011-05-20T00:34:00.000-07:00

Today's London street shot is a photo that I took on a morning stroll at Covent Garden before opening hours: a sad picture in which you can see a lonely old man sitting at the empty terrace of a Covent Garden restaurant. Who can say who or what is waiting for...

Lonely man sitting at the deserted terrace of a restaurant - Covent Garden, London