Travel Theme: Exits

As I looked through my travel photos for samples of exits I realized I was much more likely to take photographs from the point of view of the entrance, a time of anticipation. When I leave a place my mind has often moved on to the next. There are a few notable exceptions. The sculpture of Seated Hermes in the sculpture loggia of Villa San Michele in Capri drew me in to the pergola covered pathway beyond.

Villa San Michele, Capri

Travel Theme: Plants

I just couldn't resist this week's travel theme. I love plants but I challenged myself to exclude all the flowers (my favourites) and look for more unusual specimens among my photos, like this eccentric Agave Americana near the beach on Cap Ferrat.

Agave Americana on Cap Ferrat

Travel Theme: Neutral

Many of my favourite travel photos are those with vibrant blue skies, tempting foods or lush gardens. A neutral colour palette makes me appreciate other aspects of the subject, like the texture of the shell on this African spurred tortoise or the startled expression on this street performer in Florence.

African Spurred Tortoise, Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

Travel Theme: Entertainment

There are many different kinds of entertainment and music is probably my favourite. I've attended some formal concerts in wonderful settings, like St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London with its amazing acoustics.  I've also come across some memorable musicians playing outdoors.

St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London

Travel Theme: Frame

Some of my favourite travel photos are ones where I've included a frame within the scene. Architectural features like arches and windows are great for drawing the viewer into the scene (the older and crumblier, the better.) And sometimes nature helps out with a well-placed reflection or a striking piece of vegetation.

Villefranche Bay, France

Travel Theme: Fruit

I love to take pictures of food when I'm travelling so I shouldn't have been surprised by all the photos of fruit that I've collected. There's something very photogenic about a ripe, red strawberry or a fresh, fragrant lemon.

Strawberries in Tournus, France

Travel Theme: Wind

As a rule I don't like the wind. It can turn a cold winter day into a brutal one and cause snow to drift across my driveway. But I must admit I enjoy its cooling effect on a hot summer day. And wind can be very useful when it's generating power.

Wind Turbines on the Rhone River, France

Travel Theme: Land Meets Water

Some of the most spectacular locations on earth are found in that ever-shifting zone where land and water meet. And a rugged coastline certainly adds to the drama. When I see this photo of St. Peter Church in Portovenere I can still feel the tour boat heaving beneath me.

Portovenere, Italy

Travel Theme: Hats

I've noticed that some of the flashiest hats are worn by guards of one sort or another. For hundreds of years guards of the British monarchy have worn the iconic bearskin cap made from Canadian black bears. Animal rights activists have called for a change to faux-fur but so far the synthetic versions haven't fared very well in foul weather.

Queen's Guard, Tower of London

Travel Theme: Youngsters

I haven't done a travel theme for a while and this one allows me to share photos of sights and activities that appeal to youngsters. No matter what your age, when you're in a strange city it's always nice to see a familiar face like Tweety or a cuddly teddy bear.

Sorrento, Italy

Travel Theme: Doorways

What a great travel photo theme this week, thanks to Ailsa at Where's my Backpack? When I'm travelling around Europe I see all kinds of interesting doorways. Moving north to south, my first doorway is pretty in pink at the Royal College of Organists building in London. The facade resembles a giant cameo.

Royal College of Organists, London

Travel Theme: Golden

This week's travel theme was inspired by the warmth and glitter of the season. And there's no shortage of golden subjects to photograph in Europe, from the gold mosaic tiles of The Sky Over Nine Columns art installation on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, to delicate Venetian carnival masks peering out from behind shop windows.

The Sky Over Nine Columns by Heinz Mack

Travel Theme: Freedom

Many people equate the feeling of freedom with travelling the open road, but I’m not a road trip kind of girl. Birds must be the freest of all creatures, not tethered to the earth by gravity. Perhaps that's why the haunting cry of a sea gull always makes me feel free.

Sea Gull in Monaco

Travel Theme: Colourful

When taking photos on my travels, I'm drawn to vibrant colours. And this week's theme gives me the opportunity to look back on some of my favourite shots. I've always been partial to the colour blue, so I especially liked this little fellow spotted while visiting London in 2010. The Elephant Parade was taking place across the city's parks and walkways to raise awareness of the endangered Asian elephant and raise funds for the World Wildlife Fund.

Elephant Parade, London

Travel Theme: Arches

Centuries ago the Romans perfected the arch, which allowed them to build mighty structures that survive to this day like the Colosseum in Rome.

The Colosseum, Rome

Travel Theme: Numbers

Numbers are all around us and they serve many different purposes. Travellers will encounter numbers in different formats, like Roman numerals on a street sign in Pompeii or a foreign language like a French café sign.

Pompeii Street Sign in Roman Numerals

Travel Theme: Broken

This week's travel theme is broken and brings to mind photos I've taken in Provence, Monte Carlo and the city of Venice. The first photo is Saint Bénézet Bridge that once spanned the Rhone River at Avignon. It was damaged by heavy flooding in the 17th century and never rebuilt.

Saint Bénézet Bridge, Avignon

Travel Theme: Interior

I've seen many different churches, both large and small, during my travels through Europe. Some churches are memorable for their grand exteriors, like Notre Dame in Paris or Westminster Abbey in London. But others have left a lasting impression on me because of a beautiful interior.

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Travel Theme: Noise

A parading brass band at the Changing of the Guard in London or the steady beat of a lone drummer at the Avignon Festival in France  - are these sounds considered music? Or are they noise?

Changing of the Guard, London

Travel Theme: Edge

I've been having lots of fun with photo themes on Google+ and Twitter and now I've discovered a series of weekly travel themes on Where's my backpack? This week's theme is Edge, which immediately reminded me of the Giardini di Augusto, the Gardens of Augustus, on the beautiful isle of Capri. The island's stunning views reward visitors who venture to the edge.

Entrance to the Giardini di Augusto, Capri