Lucia vine on Big Sur in California - Čatež, Slovenia

The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Monterey County, California. It is part of the larger Monterey AVA and is located in the Santa Lucia Mountains above the Salinas Valley. Over 931 ha of vineyards are planted in the AVA, some as high as 366 m above sea level, with about half of them planted to the Pinot Noir grape. The region enjoys cool morning fog and breezes from Monterey Bay followed by warm afternoons thanks to direct southern exposures to the sun.

EUROPA stamp 2015 - "Old toys"

 

Postcrossing Meeting in Mariehamn - Mariehamn, Aland Islands

Mariehamn is the capital of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. Mariehamn is the seat of the Government and Parliament of Åland, and 40% of the population of Åland live in the city. The theme of the coat of arms of Mariehamn refers to the city's main livelihood, maritime transport, and the city's parks, which are typically lined with linden trees.

 

Nesvizh Palace Complex - Minsk, Belarus

It's a residential castle of the Radziwiłł family. Built in the 16th and 17th centuries, and maintained by the Radziwiłł family until 1939, the castle and the nearby Corpus Christi Church were instrumental in the development of Central European and Russian architecture. In 2005, the castle, church, and surrounding environment were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

 

Santuário do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos - Congonhas, Brazil

The Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos is an 18th-century Roman Catholic basilica in Congonhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The basilica is noted for its grand outdoor stairway with statues of Old Testament prophets. The interior has seven side chapels that illustrate the Stations of the Cross. The basilica was listed as a historic structure by the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) in 1939, and designated at It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

 

#18 GF - Prague, Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is known all over the world for decorated glass and crystals, and all this is handmade. The Prague Castle is in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest ancient castle in the world in terms of area.   

#4 GF - Budapest, Hungary

March 23 is the Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day.

"Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki"

"Lengyel, magyar – két jó barát, együtt harcol, s issza borát"

- a short rhyming formula about intimate friendship and kinship of the Polish and Hungarian people.

Budapest M1 metro line (Millenniumi Földalatti Vasút) - the oldest metro line in continental Europe, the second oldest in the world. It was opened on May 3, 1896, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002.

EUROPA stamp 2010 - "Children books"