London: Regents Park in snow

Snow is not very common in London.  Maybe snow falls and sticks once per winter.  And when it happens, the city shuts down, transport grinds to a halt and the airports have difficulty coping.  If you have nowhere to go, this can be a great excuse to stay in and enjoy the quiet.  In the morning one of these snowy mornings, I went by Regents Park to get some snow photos of the area.  

London: Big Ben at dusk

The iconic Big Ben photographed below at dusk.  The bottom photo includes the Thames, while all three shots included the wonderfully clouded darkening sky.  

France: Parisian windows and shutters

Ah Paris.... The beautiful city of Paris.  Even details like windows and shutters are beautiful here and worthy of being photographed.  

London: Camden

Google says: The London Borough of Camden is a borough of London, England, which forms part of Inner London.

Camden Town, is however, known to be more of an alternative young town within London, where famous former resident Amy Winehouse chose to live and spend much time. Camden is well-known for its markets and night-life, and below are some photos from the much beloved area of London.

I particularly love the shot of the man on the motorcycle-style seat in Camden market (middle photo).  These motorcycle-seats are a common resting place in Camden's markets and overlook the lock.

London: Borough Market

This is by far my favorite place to spend a Saturday in London. The one and only Borough Market and all is wonderfully gourmet food and beverage stalls.  Great for grazing or shopping for that evening's dinner.  

France: The Streets of Paris

The top photo is a view of the Seine River taken from within the Louvre.  The bottom photo is on the street leading up to Opera, with a knowing cyclist in the foreground.

France: More Paris shots

In Paris, even everyday things like a bird in the trees, flowers in a market stall, street signs or a place for an evening meal or worthy of a photo and look more beautiful.

France: The Eiffel Tour in Paris

The Eiffel Tour is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.  I like in the top photo how the sky seems to be playing well with the top of the tour.  

France: The Louvre in Paris

The Louvre.  The world's most visited museum, and its no surprise to anyone who visits why this is.  The Mona Lisa.  The Venus de Milo.  The Winged Victory.  And its iconic glass pyramid.  

France: Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris

The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris on a rainy day in January.  

France: Soldes in Paris!!

Soldes in France is the two times per year that sales occur in France.  And let me tell you, when there are sales in Paris, there are significant sales!!!  I happened to strike it right at arrive in Paris on one of the first few days of the Soldes, which resulted in spending way too many hours in Galleria Lafayette, my Soldes favorite!

This photo is from the impressive dome-ceiling in Galleria Lafayette.  It changes colors fairly frequently and can be seen from all floors within the store.  

London: London Tower Bridge

London Tower Bridge has to be my favorite landmark in London.  Its bright blue color and intricate details set it apart from any other bridge I have seen anywhere in the world.  It is also lit beautifully at night.  The bottom photo is a view of the city and London Tower (where the crown jewels are kept) from the London Tower Bridge. 

London: Westminster by night

Walking around Westminster on a Friday night in January is a lot quieter than I would have expected. I snapped a phone booth as well as a night-time shot of Big Ben with the tube station in the foreground.