"Orquestra Geração", From Portugal in Brussels.

Sometimes what’s national is really very good. That is the case of "Orquestra Geração". The "Orquestra Geração", a group of enthusiastic young artists, has come all the way from Lisbon to perform in Brussels, in the framework of OPEN DAYS, the European Week of Regions and Cities. The project Generation Orchestra, "Orquestra Geração" in Portuguese, is made up of a group of youngsters from deprived urban areas, which formed a young orchestra with the help of the City of Amadora, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, National Conservatory's School of Music and other partners. The aim is to involve the kids and youngsters under risk of exclusion and enhance their social and intellectual capacities for the rest of their lives. This pilot project has been co-funded by the Equal initiative, which supports actions in favour of employment and social inclusion. This photo was taken at the small concert by "Orquestra Geração" as at Berlaymont esplanade in Brussels. Even with the rain it was a remarkable moment.

Berlin Wall: 20 years after its fall. Germany

Tourists mill around the Gate; Postsdamer Platz, Berlin's thriving pre-war heartland which spent four decades stranded in no-man's land, is now home to a collection of gleaming new office blocks; the east's long-neglected Friedrichstrasse is lined with upmarket boutiques; and former West Germans have colonised newly trendy eastern districts.

Time (in Athens). Greece

Time, time, time
Make time, give time, take time out

Win time, cost time, the time of your life

Spend time, sell time, the good times and the bad

Kill time, zero time, all the time in the world

Time watch, time travel, time to begin

Time table, time square, can I fit you in

Time frame, time to go, time that you grew up

But tell me... How do you feel?

Shaun William Hayes

Surfing on a lunch break. Lisbon, Portugal.

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal and while many journalists, travel writers and observers claim that Portugal is one of the best places to live in Europe. For those who live and work in Lisbon would like to suggest that the capital city also stands out alone as a unique location in which to live in Portugal. The pace of life in rural Portugal and in the summer holiday resorts that many of us know and love can be considered relatively laid back – but Lisbon is quite different - It is a vibrant city, the pace of life can be quite fast as the professional classes who call Lisbon home have busy and full lives, and as a result there is always plenty to do, see and experience in Portugal’s capital city. The lovely capital city Lisbon has fascinating winding streets, beautiful historic monuments and architecture and great nightlife. That Portugal has great beaches, everybody knows. But it also has some of the best surfing spots of Europe – from wild beaches for the experienced to calmer beaches great for beginners, and more, you can combine that all year round with your busy city live just off the coast of Lisbon. Half an hour from the city center you have the Praia Grande near Sintra, particularly popular with body boarders, and other top destinations for both sports including the spectacular Praia do Guincho, the novice friendly Costa de Caparica, where this photo was taken, and, for the experts, Santo Amaro. Carcavelos in particular is a great place to meet local of all ages who surf away those school or work day stresses! Where in the world you can combine your work day with a surfing lunch break in October, in a nice sunny day?

Can flying be colorful? Yes it can.

Tablao at Corral de la Morería restaurant, Madrid. Spain.

Last week I was privileged to be able to see one of the best flamenco shows in Madrid at the Corral de la Morería restaurant "tablao". I saw the show whilst enjoying some marvelous Spanish food. The Corral de la Morería was inaugurated on 25th May 1957, making it the oldest flamenco show restaurant in Madrid. Its owner, Manuel del Rey, wanted to offer the best for his customers from the very beginning, hiring the best chefs and the most distinguished artists, such as Blanca del Rey, Antonio Gades, Lucero Tena, Pastora Imperio, Mario Maya or "el Güito". In all aspects, the restaurant strives to offer an exquisite service to the customer, and this is what makes El Corral de la Morería one of the best "tablao flamenco" restaurants in Spain, and definitely the best I ever see. The restaurant is located in a privileged spot in the heart of Madrid, in the old part of the city, next to the Royal Palace. The address is Calle Moreria, 17, 28005 in Madrid. The place is a cattle car when it comes to packing people in. Every single nook and cranny is jammed with a table. Nevertheless, I must say that the show was amazing. The costumes, intensity, and electricity of the dancers could be felt throughout the place. I realize while there that this restaurant is mentioned at the book “thing that you must do before you die”. I’m glad I did it. Would we do it again? YES.

Astonish view from in Cairo from Ibn Tulun Mosque. Egypt.

The Ibn Tulun Mosque is a huge and historic mosque in Cairo built by Ahmad Ibn Tulun. The oldest mosque in Egypt and one of the largest in the world, it is also famed for its lovely architecture and unique minaret. The minaret, the only one of its kind in Egypt, is modeled after the minarets of Samarra, with a spiral staircase around the outside. Andalusian influence can also be seen in the horseshoe arches of the minaret windows and elsewhere - this was brought to Egypt by Muslim refugees who were driven out of Spain by the Reconquista (1212-60). The Mosque is a great place to see, but the views from Cairo City are even more surprising.