Jelcz 043 - Żory, Poland

Jelcz 043 - a Polish intercity bus, produced in the years 1959–1986 by Jelczańskie Zakłady Samochodowe, in Jelcz, currently Jelcz-Laskowice. This model was a licensed version of the Czechoslovak Škoda 706 RTO bus. Due to its appearance, it is commonly called a cucumber.

 

Spanish steps - Rome, territory of Sovereign Military Order of Malta

The monumental stairway of 135 steps is linked with the Trinità dei Monti church under the patronage of the Bourbon kings of France, at the top of the steps, and the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See in the Palazzo Monaldeschi at the bottom of the steps. The stairway was designed by the architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi.

 

"ICBC Chinese Dragon" Sichuan Airlines Airbus A320-232 - Taipei, Taiwan

Sichuan Airlines is the largest airline in Western China. The airline is based in Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Sichuan Airlines is also the first airline in mainland China to operate Airbus A320 and the first batch of airlines in mainland China to receive Airbus A350. In 2018, the airline was the 42nd largest airline group in the world ranked by traffic.

 

#1 COTW - Kotor, Montenegro

The old Mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period. It is located on the Bay of Kotor, one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. Some have called it the southernmost fjord in Europe, but it is a ria, a submerged river canyon. Together with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive landscape.

 

Virtual Postcrossing Meeting - Toronto, Canada

The diverse population of Toronto reflects its current and historical role as an important destination for immigrants to Canada. About half of its residents were born outside of Canada and over 200 ethnic origins are represented among its inhabitants. 

 

200 years since the first balloon flight Maxicard 1984 - McLean, Virginia

The picture depicts the first manned balloon ascent in Austria, which was carried out by Johann Georg Stuwer (1732-1802).

On July 6, 1784, Johann Georg Stuwer ascended a hot-air balloon of his design from his fireworks display, marking the beginning of manned aviation in Austria. Instead of a basket, Stuwer had a "large wooden ship" attached. On board, along with Stuwer, were his son Kaspar, his assistants Michael Schmalz and Johann Hiller, and the architect Daniel Hakmillner. 15,000 spectators watched the spectacle. After the successful ascent, the balloon was pulled down again and the evening concluded with the allegorical fireworks display "Monument of Honor to the Invention of Mr. Montgolfier."

 

#76 GF - Wartau, Switzerland

The Gretschins-Herrenfeld and Ochsenberg prehistoric settlement and sacrifice sites, the ruins of Wartau Castle, and the so-called Walser Rathaus (town council house) auf Palfries are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance. The villages of Azmoos and Oberschan and the hamlets of Fontnas and Gretschins are part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

 

An airport painting - Ternopil, Ukraine

Ternopil known until 1944 mostly as Tarnopol, is a city in the west of Ukraine, located on the banks of the Seret. Ternopil is one of the major cities in Western Ukraine and the historical regions of Galicia and Podolia. Ternopil is a centre for the light industry, food industry, radio-electronic and construction industries. In the Soviet and early post-Soviet period, a harvester plant and a porcelain factory operated in the city.

EUROPA stamp 2020 - "Ancient postal routes"

 

Qingguo Lane in Changzhou - Changzhou, China

As Qingguo Lane, at that time, joined the grand canal between Beijing and Hangzhou, one of the longest and oldest canals in the world, many ships gathered there, making it a fruit distribution centre. There were also many fruit stores along the bank. Many famous people once lived there including the one-time leader of the Chinese Communist Party Qu Qiubai, and military strategist Tang Jingchuan, who was born in Wujing, Changzhou.

 

Multiview of Istanbul - Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul was the 2010 European Capital of Culture. The city has surpassed London and Dubai to become the most visited city in the world, with more than 20 million foreign visitors in 2023. The historical centre of Istanbul is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city hosts the headquarters of numerous Turkish companies, accounting for more than thirty per cent of the country's economy.

 

Statue I. Gh. Duca and the Church Fair - Bucharest, Romania

Ion Gheorghe Duca was a Romanian politician and the Prime Minister of Romania from 14 November to 29 December 1933, when he was assassinated for his efforts to suppress the fascist Iron Guard movement. He completed his studies at the University of Paris, earning a doctorate in law in 1902. As part of a group of professors, physicians, soldiers and other professionals, he helped bring scouting to Romania.

 

Postcrossing Meeting in Konz - Schieren, Luxembourg

Konz is a city in the Trier-Saarburg district, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Saar and Moselle, approx 8 km southwest of Trier. Konz is the seat of the Verbandsgemeinde ("collective municipality") Konz. 

 

Kolyvanskoje Lake - Barnaul, Russia

Lake Kolyvan, colloquially called Savvushka, is a lake in Russia located at the foot of the Kolyvan Mountains in the northwestern part of Altai. The lake is at an altitude of 337 meters over 4.5 km2. Its maximum depth is 28 meters. An optical research station was installed in 2004 at the top of Bolshaya Mountain which overlooks the lake.

 

#75 GF - Oost Souburg, The Netherlands

The village was first mentioned in 1162 as Sutburch and used to mean "southern fortified place" because it was the most southern of three defensive structures to defend against the Vikings. Oost (east) was added later to distinguish it from West-Souburg. Oost-Souburg developed around the 9th century walled fortification. The fortification was abandoned in the 10th century.

EUROPA stamp 2018 - "Bridges"

 

F-16C, Krzesiny Military Air Base - Lublin, Poland

The 31st Air Base is a Polish Air Force base and military airport, located in Krzesiny, part of the Nowe Miasto district of Poznań. The base was officially constituted on 31 December 2000, and since then has been the home base for the 3rd Tactical Squadron. It was the first base to host Polish F-16 fighters.

EUROPA stamp 2021 - "Endangered national wildlife"