Looking down on Lubeck - with tiltshift

Nicosia, Cyprus

St Julians, Malta

Saint Jean de Luz

skogskyrkogården, Sweden

Venice

Grand Place, Brussels

Lower Luxembourg

European Capitals 5: Stockholm

Colourful (at least in summer), artistic, intellectual, expensive, connected, and stylish are just some of the words that can be used to describe Stockholm. The capital city of a country that was once a major European power, it has the architecture to match that old grandeur.

European Capitals 4: London

 London does not an Olympic games to attract people. It offers something for everyone from culture to glamour to food and drink. Yes, it is expensive and crowded, seemingly with more visitors than residents. Yes the public transport is creaking. Yes the weather is often miserable. But the sights, the museums, the buzz all make up for it.

European Capitals 3: Madrid

Madrid: Freezing in winter, baking hot in summer. Yet it offers some of the best art and entertainment in Europe. There is fine art, a Royal Palace and wonderful parks and gardens. The best way to see the city is by wandering through the streets big and small. Try starting on Grand Via and and then heading on through the back alleys. In summer, take a break from the heat with a drink in the many bars. Better still, be like a local and avoid the heat of the day by going out in the evening.

European Capitals 2: Berlin

Berlin has been at the centre of European history for a century, and for much of that time it has been a city divided. Now it is unified, trendy, and with a wealth of things to see and try, from the Siegessäule to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to currywurst and Berliner Weisse.  

Cold war and coca-colonisation at checkpoint charlie

European Capitals 1: Paris

Paris is so French it makes the rest of France feel German. It radiates beauty, emotion, disdain and snobbery like no other. If some of the art and design is timeless, such as in Notre Dame (illustrated here), then some of it such as the Pompidou Centre talk of a particular time. Like all great capitals, it demands a long-term exploration on foot, wandering away from the more famous landmarks to get the real feel of the city.