Barcelona, Spain refuses to be just one thing. Perched on the northeastern edge of the Iberian Peninsula where the Mediterranean meets Catalonia, Spain's second city pulses with a creative restlessness that has defined it for centuries. This is where medieval Gothic quarters give way to Modernista fantasies, where Gaudí's melting architecture challenges every assumption about what buildings should be, where fierce Catalan identity coexists with cosmopolitan openness, and where the weight of two thousand years of history somehow feels less like a burden than fuel for constant reinvention.

Sète, France lingers long after you've left its canals behind. There's something about a place that hasn't been polished for visitors, that continues its daily rhythms whether you're watching or not, that makes it harder to shake. You'll remember the particular quality of light bouncing off the Grand Canal at dusk, the taste of oysters eaten standing at a market stall, the view from Mont Saint-Clair where sea and lagoon embrace a sliver of land that somehow became a town. Sète doesn't demand that you fall in love with it—the fishing boats will keep coming in, the joutes will happen every summer, Les Halles will open before dawn regardless of whether tourists discover it. But if you've paid attention, if you've wandered its bridges and climbed its stairs and lingered over its seafood, you'll find yourself thinking about return before you even realize it.

Marseille, France doesn't apologize for itself. France's oldest city—founded by Greek sailors around 600 BCE—sprawls across sun-bleached hillsides above the Mediterranean, wearing its 2,600 years with a swagger that more polished French cities can't quite muster. This is a port town in its bones: gritty, multilayered, stubbornly authentic, and utterly unlike anywhere else in France. While Paris perfects its postcard beauty and the Côte d'Azur chases glamour, Marseille does its own thing.

Monaco is a study in contrasts—a tiny sovereign nation of less than one square mile that somehow contains more wealth, glamour, and drama per capita than perhaps anywhere else on earth. Wedged between the French Riviera and the Mediterranean Sea, this glittering principality is a place where superyachts worth hundreds of millions bob in the harbor, Formula 1 race cars scream through the streets once a year, and the Belle Époque splendor of the Monte Carlo Casino still draws high rollers from around the world. But beyond the obvious opulence and the celebrity sightings, Monaco reveals itself to be far more nuanced than its jet-set reputation suggests:

On the 8th day, God made the most perfect and picturesque coastal village: Villefranche-sur-Mer in the French Riviera. One of the best Côte d'Azur destinations among celebrities, travelers, and Europeans seeking sunshine , coastal views and local seafood, Villefranche-sur-Mer exudes charm. Bright sun rays bathe pastel-colored buildings that line cobblestone streets and narrow winding alleys. Each narrow path guides the traveler or local past medieval churches and to open markets brimming with local tomatoes, apples, oranges, among other seasonal fruits and vegetables. We spent the day winding ascending narrow paths upward then descending the same paths directly down the hill to the turquoise Mediterranean Sea—a mesmerizing and jaw-dropping body of water no photograph can truly truly capture.

One could live in Forence, Italy a thousand years and bearly scratch the surface of its complex and engaging culture! Florence is a city where every cobblestone street and sun-drenched piazza tells a story of artistic genius and innovation. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, this jewel of Tuscany transformed the course of Western civilization, giving the world Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Dante. Today, the city remains a living museum where Brunelleschi's iconic terracotta dome still dominates the skyline, masterpieces fill world-class galleries, and medieval bridges span the gentle Arno River. But Florence is far more than its glorious past—it's a vibrant modern city where leather artisans practice centuries-old crafts, trattorias serve soul-warming Tuscan cuisine, and locals gather for evening passeggiata through Renaissance squares. Whether you're standing awestruck before the David, savoring gelato near the Duomo, or getting lost in the winding streets of the Oltrarno, Florence captivates with an intoxicating blend of art, history, and la dolce vita.

Pisa is a city renowned for its iconic landmarks, rich history, and vibrant culture. Once a thriving Roman port sitting on the coast until the 15th century, Pisa now lies on the alluvial plain of the Arno River, about 10 kilometers from the Ligurian Sea. The city has seen much disruption since Roman times, from medieval sea battles to land conflicts between Tuscan rivals Lucca and Florence, and suffered severe damage during World War II. Today, Pisa is a popular tourist destination, with the city's unique Piazza dei Miracoli (The Square of Miracles), a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to Pisa's iconic Leaning Tower. However, beyond the tower, visitors will discover the many treasures of this city—its unique character, rich cultural heritage, and glimpses of an authentic Italian lifestyle.

Since earning a Classics minor as an undergraduate, I have been fascinated with ancient Rome—from its political structure and military tactics to its art, architecture, and pottery. Though I have studied many Roman stone buildings, key sculptures, and graphic ceramic pots (with geometric patterns and detailed scenes of hunting, myths, and daily life) in textbooks, it is impossible to experience scale, texture, color, and context without standing right here, fully present, in front of the structure or object, preserved in situ in one of the most magical, ancient cities in the world.

The timing seemed perfect to act on a lifelong dream: visiting Paris. Paris Photo was opening, November seventh marked my birthday, and several photographer friends would be in that part of the world working on projects—both still photography and film. During the Obama years, friends-of-friends facilitated an invitation to stay at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence, which sealed the deal. The residence has historically showcased American and French art and history, with cultural aspects highlighted through restorations, exhibits, and events. Though I spent time wandering dimly lit, romantic streets along the water, sampling French cuisine, learning the Paris Métro system, and purchasing a few pieces of jewelry to memorialize the trip, my main focus was experiencing historic buildings, museums and art. A few highlights here.