Kansas City is special to me because I moved here blindly for an internship and now 2 years later, I have fallen in love with this amazing little city. I didn't know what I was moving to - wheat? Cows? There's that if you drive out long enough, but turns out there's great food, great beer, and an amazing art community right outside my doorstep. It's been pleasant surprise every single day!

What to See in KC

I live in Cleveland and I created this map for a map contest from They Draw And They Travel.

Map Of My Heart

Kapana is a small walkable district in the town of Plovdiv. Its history dates back to the 16th century, when it was the merchant and crafts center of Plovdiv. A few of its streets are actually named after the craftsmen that practiced there for centuries: Zhelezarska Str. (Blacksmith Str.), Zlatarska Str. (Goldsmith Str.), Abadjiyska Str. (Coat-Tailor Str.), Kozhuharska Str. (Fur-Tailor Str.). The name itself (Kapana) means “trap” or “labyrinth”. And it’s well-deserved too — one can easily get lost in its cobblestoned streets that always meet at peculiar angles. Having lost its liveliness since the mid-20th century (the streets being mostly packed with parked cars), in the past few years the neighborhood has been revived again, largely thanks to Plovdiv's nomination for the European Capital of Culture 2019. Today Kapana is the colorful heart of Plovdiv — a social place with an artistic spirit and unique atmosphere.

KAPANA Creative District of Plovdiv, Bulgaria

This place is special to me because it's where my great aunt Hazel lived in 1921 when she was 19 years old. During that year, she ran a beauty salon and kept a journal of her life in town. Through my research using newspapers from the day and stories from the journal, I’ve gotten to know the town pretty well. These are my recommendations if you visit Austin, MN in 1921—sorry, I’m still trying to locate the speakeasies.

Visit Austin

This place is special to me because it is such a lovely, charming, and weird location in South Korea with a wonderful history. Imsil introduced cheese to the Korean diet in 1958, when a Belgian man moved to the region. He raised goats and made his own cheese, and the governor at the time requested that he teach the skill to others in the community. Imsil Cheese Theme Park provides a place to have fun, learn about cheese, and make it yourself!

Imsil Cheese Theme Park in South Korea

This place is special to me because I have watched it transform yet still maintain strong ties to its history during my 13 years living here.  An historic neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama, Avondale joins the old and the new, with a focus on community.  Avondale has grown from a small settlement clustered around a spring to a thriving entertainment district, spurred by the natural beauty and heritage of Avondale Park.  Local businesses pay tribute to Miss Fancy, the elephant that lived in the park during its brief stint as a zoo. They also celebrate the former occupants of their buildings (post office, firehouse, saloon), while poised to craft memorable stories of their own.  The area fosters a community spirit, from casual eateries, watering holes, shops and live music venues, to church cookouts and outreach programs.  Even the ducks contribute to that sense of community, as they swim and hang out together in the park.  I love my neighborhood!

Avondale: A Neighborhood Community in Birmingham, Alabama

Historic south end of Portsmouth NH including the unique Strawberry Banke Museum

Historic Portsmouth NH

Illustrated map of Low Moor where I grew up.

Low Moor Bradford

Malasaña holds the perfect harmony of the old and the new, and it’s the place I call home nowadays. I have been living in Madrid for a decade, and this is one of my favourite neighbourhoods. Bubbling with life at any time of the day and night it’s a place where you can find the trendiest people and places. Art exists inside galleries and museums but also in the streets, hip bars, pubs and cafes. My favourite thing are the contrast: the little old grocery shop next to the latest design shop, the bar that has been serving people for a 100 years (true story) packed with the trendiest crowd... If you’re into shopping here you will find the best vintage shops, and the newest design too. I have listed my favourite places in the area so you can have a complete day exploring: you can see art, grab a coffee, go shopping, have a bite, a drink and even dance all night.

Madrid: A day in hip Malasaña

This place is special to me because Lincoln is the perfect city to visit with your furry friend. Beautiful cobbled streets, expansive green spaces historic attractions and unique independent businesses. Here are just a handful of cafes, restaurants, hotels and attractions that would be happy to welcome you and your dog! Many of these places offer water bowls and tasty dog treats. Sorry to everyone I couldn't fit on the map, there are so many more besides!

Dog Friendly Lincoln

This place is special to me because of the wonderful chilhood memories I have there. I grew up in Brussels and I remember my weekends being full of museum visits, bike rides and waffle breaks. What inspired me the most to create this map was to think about all the places I go to when I have international friends coming for a short visit and I have to introduce them to my hometown in only a weekend. You can be sure that food is always a big part of the experience!

Bruxelles, ma belle

Bondi beach is one of Australia’s most iconic beaches.
It is a vibrant place, located close to the city that has a lot to offer.

Map of Activities at Bondi beach

This place is special to me because it's where I find all the ingredients for my favorite Armenian and Middle Eastern meals. It's where my kids go to school and learn our language, history and culture. It's where I teach, where I bump into friends, where I overhear old men discuss politics in Western Armenian, a language UNESCO has classified as endangered. It's where newspapers are edited, holidays are celebrated, weddings, baptisms, funerals are conducted. Little Armenia is just a few blocks in a small town, but it's my home away from home.

Little Armenia, Watertown

Being invited on holiday ten years ago by family friends when I was just 15 was the beginning of many years of adventures in this special town in Austria. Their love for it prompted it to become a home from home for them and I am privileged to have shared many trips, celebrating birthdays, Christmas and seeing in New Year surrounded by family and friends. I learned to ski in these beautiful mountains and have spent many hours having fun exploring the town and the local area. Schladming is special to me not only because of the breath-taking scenery, beautiful churches and quirky bars and restaurants but because of the memories I have made there with the people I love. My next visit in a few short weeks will see us toasting in 2020 and may my adventures long continue in this beautiful little place.

Schaldming, Austria

As my years of university passed by so fast, I wanted to honor some of my favourite places in Chapel Hill. I've laughed, cried, explored, pulled all-nighters, worked, and ate my way through this city, and am happy to be able to call it my home.

Home of the Tar Heels: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

This place is special to me because it’s charm and delicious food stole my heart. One of the first things I saw in Charleston was a happy family of dolphins swimming in the harbor, which is something I had never seen before.  New experiences like the wildlife made me feel connected to this small city. As we looked over the menu at Fleet Landing I saw a heron outside who was also looking for its dinner. I wanted to make this map highlighting the food we had in Charleston because of the people behind the food who cared about what they cooked and the experience they provided. The restaurants and landmarks I illustrated are just some of the many great places Charleston has to offer.

The Culinary Charm of Charleston

Tremont Ohio is a cool town just outside of Cleveland.

Tremont Ohio is Cool!

This is a walk through the Roman Forum, in the center of Rome, Italy
My best friend and I walked to High School together every morning, through the ruins of the Roman Empire... we were teenagers, so slightly unaware of the amazing history of our school walk...

Bibi and Leti Walk to School (through the Roman Forum)

This map shows a few of the traditional curtain pubs in St Pauli, Hamburg and other nightlife spots plus a couple of places where you can have a small snack.

St Pauli Curtain Pub Crawl

This map highlights some of the landmarks and other gems to be found in one of Barcelona's most historic neighbourhoods. Discover great spots for drinks or tapas or local shopping while navigating from the Palau de la Musica, to the Arc de Triomf, the Picasso Museum, the Santa Maria Del Mar Basilica and the charming streets in between. Some call it El Born some call it La Ribera... maybe even Sant Pere, but everyone can agree it's the best area in Barcelona!

El Born &amp; La Ribera

I moved last year to Nottingham and since then I fell in love with the city and its landmarks. There are so many beautiful things to see in this English town that I thought it deserves to be shared with you all.

The best of Nottingham

A map of my hometown, Uzice, showing some of the interesting buildings there. I wanted to show the diversity of architecture, ranging from very traditional, oriental buildings up to Yugoslavian brutalism. And we have funny names for all those buildings! Even the MoMa museum had an exhibition and our Hotel was one of the exhibited pieces. We have a Hydropower plant, which is the first electrical plant made according to Tesla's principles of an alternating current in Europe and second in the world, only five years after the first of its kind on the river Niagara in America. Also I've put only one food illustration, our traditional dish called 'Komplet lepinja" that can be only bought in Uzice, and that is one of the things that the Uzice is known for. I hope that this map would spark an interest in you that you find out more about this city.

Arhitectural styles in Uzice

This place is special to me because it’s the city where I arrived as an outsider, and left as a local. The map depicts “My Leeds” — the landmarks which helped me navigate the city when I first arrived as a university fresher, and the bars where I spent many incredible nights into early mornings. Known as “the London of the North”, Leeds grew out of Britain’s Industrial Revolution, and its rich, diverse history is reflected in the vibrant and eclectic city we see today. From elegant victorian shopping arcades and architectural splendour, to boozy bar-crawls and toe-tapping music venues, Leeds has plenty to offer the wide-eyed country boy when first moving away from home. No matter how many times I return to this city, there’s always a quirky new bar or restaurant to add to the extensive list of interesting places on offer, and although I may not currently live there, I always consider it to be home. Included in the map are not only the places, but the people who made this city an obvious, unquestioned choice for my favourite place — a place “where there’s music, and there’s people, and they’re young and alive” (The Smiths, 1986).

Young and Alive in Leeds

Park in the car park opposite the swimming pool. If the model trains are operating, have a ride before crossing the road and walking round the back of the swimming pool. Go to the back corner of the field and follow the Ribble way signs. Go past the houses and then the road turns into a track. There are allotments to the left and fields to the right. Enjoy walking past the horses, ducks and donkeys. Eventually come out in a field where the walk can go three ways. I like to follow the river path even when it's very muddy. On the other side of the river stands the majestic Waddow Hall. I usually turn round at this point but you can go much further following the signs along the river path.