PHOTOGRAPHY: KATARINA KYRKA

Located on the high ground of north-east Södermalm and presiding over Saltsjön (branch of the Baltic Sea that joins up with Lake Mälaren in Gamla Stan), Katarina Kyrka is one of the major churches in Stockholm and also one of the prettiest.

Built on the burial site of the victims of the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520, the church has twice been destroyed by fire, the most recent of which happened in 1990 (restored and reopened in 1995). The nearest Tunnelbana station is Medborgarplatsen but it is also within walking distance, albeit uphill, from Slussen. Entrance to the church is free.

Nearby, you will also find the traditional-style colourful houses in Fjällgatan and there are some spectacular views to be had of Gamla Stan, Kastellholmen, Djurgården and Saltsjön.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SKEPPSHOLMSBRON

Skeppsholmsbron is one of the more iconic bridges in Stockholm, due mainly to the two gold coloured crowns that adorn it. It is a relatively short bridge that crosses a small section of the Baltic Sea between the Blasieholmen peninsula and, unsurprisingly enough, the small island of Skeppsholmen.

There are excellent views of Gamla Stan (as in the photo above), Södermalm and the elegant buildings of Strandvägen (Östermalm district)  from here.

PHOTOGRAPHY: RIDDARHOLMEN

One of my favourite views in Stockholm is that of Riddarholmen island from the park outside the City Hall; even more so as the sun starts to set. The colours of the buildings are so pretty and the sound of the water in Riddarfjärden is very relaxing.

ILLUSTRATION: PEACE

PEACE © GINGER NUT DESIGNS

This A4 illustration is titled Peace. It is inspired by the Hindu god Ganesha. In this piece, the central point is the seated figure of Ganesha set against a baby pink background that is decorated with the word 'peace' in a variety of different languages.  Materials used: promarkers and fine liner pens.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SEGOVIA

About an hour or so north-west of Madrid lies the city of Segovia. It's the capital of the province of the same name (in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León). It is one of the smallest provincial capitals in terms of population, but is of great historical and architectural importance. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage City in 1985. It is most definitely one of my favourite places in Spain.

PLACES TO VISIT

• The Roman Aqueduct, located in Plaza del Azoguejo, what that stands out the most in Segovia. Constructed in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD (without mortar), it is the most important Roman civil engineering work in all of Spain.
• The Alcázar (fortified palace) is said to be one of the inspirations for the Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom.
• The enormous Gothic Cathedral, located in Plaza Mayor.
• Many examples of Romanesque churches.
• Sierra de Guadarrama (which lies betweeen Madrid and Segovia), which often has snow capped peaks even in the early summer.
• La Granja de San Ildefonso, a lovely town 11km from Segovia.

ALCÁZAR DE SEGOVIA

ROMAN AQUEDUCT, SEGOVIA

SEGOVIA CATHEDRAL

PLAZA MAYOR, SEGOVIA

SIERRA DE GUADARRAMA