The Impossible Shot: A Country in One Photo.

I’m Lara. I am a fine art travel photographer living in Slovakia. I am spending a lot of time traveling.

I’ve visited more than 53 countries and 300+ cities. My life is a constant movement. I am inspired by new places in their beauty, features, and uniqueness.

My great passion is to share my vision with the others, to showcase the variety of the world, full of color, depth and emotions. It’s not only the nature, but also unique human creations from antiquity to modern times. You can learn more at larairis.com

I thought for a long time about which photo to use to start the section. I concluded that I should begin with my own country, which is often overlooked by tourists due to its lack of popularity. Even the locals themselves aren’t too eager to welcome crowds of foreigners trampling through their national parks.

Liptovska Mara – Slovakia

Liptovska Mara – Slovakia. This is a huge lake, or rather, the largest reservoir in Slovakia, located at the foot of the High Tatras. It’s a very popular place for both active and leisure travelers, serving as a local resort of sorts. There’s even an ancient Celtic settlement called Havranok, where events such as reenactments of battles between the Romans and Celts are often held. Additionally, there are two great water parks – Beshenova and Tatralandia.

The photo was taken in early April, at sunrise, during the year when Covid had just taken over the world. And since all the hotels were closed, to capture this shot, I had to spend the night right in the car on the shore of Mara.

Festetics Palace – Hungary

Festetics Palace – Hungary. An amazingly beautiful architectural structure in the town of Keszthely, on Lake Balaton. In addition to the palace itself, there’s a magnificent park with fountains and a pond, perfect for a pleasant stroll. The resort town of Keszthely itself is also worth visiting and deserves attention.

This is probably one of my favorite spots on the lake. So, every time we visit Balaton, my family and I make sure to stop by this park again, even if just for a couple of hours.

The photo was taken in the evening, during the golden hours of sunset. Almost on the run.

Nigardsbreen – Norway

Nigardsbreen – Norway. The photo shows the road to the glacier. It’s about a couple of kilometers from the parking area. It’s not an easy path, especially for those who aren’t as fit as I am and are carrying 10 kg of equipment. You can take a short section of the journey by boat, but the rest has to be done on foot.

The views are breathtaking. And the closer you get to the glacier, the more intensely you feel the Arctic atmosphere. A strong wind starts blowing, with a fine, unpleasant drizzle. It was impressive. Felt like I had visited the North Pole)).

The photo was taken at the end of July.

Esztergom – Hungary

Esztergom – Hungary. The main attraction of the city is the Basilica of Saint Adalbert, the largest cathedral in the country and the tallest building in all of Hungary.

The city is also notable for its bridge, which connects two countries—Slovakia and Hungary—across the river. The bridge offers a stunning view of the basilica, as seen in this photo.

In Esztergom, you can also enjoy excellent thermal baths at Aqua Island or take a boat ride along the Danube.

Wadi Rum Desert – Jordan

Wadi Rum Desert – Jordan. A fantastic place and breathtaking in its beauty. It has recently been added to the UNESCO list. The desert is unique with its red sand, giving you the feeling of standing on Mars.

No wonder so many films have been shot here, including “Star Wars,” “The Martian,” “Dune,” and more.

This photo was taken during a private jeep tour of the desert. My wonderful guide brought me to this spot, seeing how much I love photography. While I was busy capturing the beauty, he quickly started a fire using pieces of dry wood gathered in the desert and brewed Bedouin tea, which our entire family later became hooked on! And so, we watched the sunset in the red desert, sipping hot tea from our cups.

Temple of Poseidon – Greece

Temple of Poseidon – Greece. Located very close to Athens.

The majestic marble columns of the temple rise at the edge of Cape Sounion. The temple is especially magical at sunset. Nowhere else can you feel the breath of Ancient Greece and be so captivated by the grandeur of a bygone era. Plus, it offers a stunning view of the Aegean Sea.

Shot with an amateur Canon camera in May.

Fanal Forest – Madeira

Fanal Forest – Madeira. This unique forest is famous for its twisted trees that form various shapes. Here, you can let your imagination run wild. However, the forest is not as interesting on a sunny day. That’s why everyone tries to visit during foggy weather. Since fog on Madeira is unpredictable, I had to return several times to catch at least a few minutes of the mystical spectacle when the trees seem to come alive and begin to move.

Rakotzbrücke Bridge – Germany

Rakotzbrücke Bridge – Germany. This basalt bridge is often called the Devil’s Bridge. It is located in the Rhododendron Park Kromlau, on the border with Poland. For me, it is an example of how man-made structures can harmoniously blend into nature, perfectly complementing each other. It’s interesting to visit during the blooming of rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as in the golden autumn. A stroll through the park and a picnic by the lake will leave pleasant and warm memories of your trip.

Lake Bled – Slovenia

Lake Bled – Slovenia. This lake is one of the most picturesque and photogenic places in the country. Bled Castle on a cliff with the snow-capped Alps in the background, and a small island with a church in the middle of the lake, which can be reached by boat, create an idyllic and peaceful scene. There are many walking trails here. I especially recommend walking around the lake, and after the walk, sitting in a café to enjoy the famous “Bled cream slice” cake. This unique Slovenian dessert is sold in many Slovenian towns, but only at Lake Bled will you find the authentic version, made according to a 200-year-old recipe.

This photo was taken at sunrise at the end of August. Access to this exact shooting point is not always possible, as the lake sometimes overflows and the wooden platforms are flooded.

Additional information for photographers: This shot was taken with a long exposure using a polarizing filter. I recommend bringing a wide-angle lens.

Castle Aggstein – Austria

Castle Aggstein – Austria. This castle, or rather its ruins, is located in the Wachau Valley, Lower Austria. There’s not much to do inside, but it’s fun to explore. Moreover, the views of the Danube bends from the castle are breathtaking. The castle also looks epic from the outside, as it’s built on a high cliff.

Entrance is paid, with parking right under the castle. Inside, there is a small restaurant.

The photo was taken in early November, during Austria’s golden autumn.

Reynisfjara Beach – Iceland

Reynisfjara Beach – Iceland. This beach is famous primarily for its black color, as it is made up of volcanic sand. It is commonly referred to as the “Black Beach.”
But it’s also known for its deceptive calmness and tranquility. This is one of the most dangerous spots. Many tourists have lost their lives here. The reason is that while walking along the beach, you never know when a wave may crash in with such force that it sweeps everything in its path deep into the ocean.

I learned about this much later after my trip to Iceland, and I was very fortunate that such a disaster didn’t happen to me while I strolled along the ocean’s edge and climbed the rocks.

Shot in June, around midnight. There’s no real night in Iceland during this month.

Giessbach Falls – Switzerland

Giessbach Falls – Switzerland. This photogenic waterfall is located in the canton of Bern and flows into Lake Brienz. It is beautiful with its numerous cascades. Here, you can climb to different levels and enjoy the rushing waters from various angles. The Swiss have equipped the area wonderfully. At the foot of the waterfall is the historic Giessbach Grand Hotel, which harmoniously blends into the surrounding nature and helps to imagine how luxuriously aristocrats vacationed in the 19th century.

We reached the waterfall by car. However, there is another option – by ferry, and then take the oldest funicular in Europe up to the hotel.

Menton – France

Menton – France. This is probably my favorite city on the Côte d’Azur that I have visited so far. It’s located very close to the Italian border. There’s a charming promenade, a beautiful beach, and an interesting historic center with narrow streets and small squares. The French spirit can be felt on every corner. In the evening, the city transforms into a cozy family atmosphere: tables are set up in restaurants along the street, and live French music fills the air.

Menton is also famous for its Lemon Festival at the end of February, where various sculptures are created from citrus fruits.

Arenal Volcano – Costa Rica

Adding a little exotic flair to the group.
Arenal Volcano – Costa Rica. This picturesque volcano, shaped almost like a perfect cone, is the most active in Costa Rica. Surrounding it is a national park filled with numerous hiking trails through lush tropical forest, featuring waterfalls and breathtaking views around every corner. The park’s flora and fauna are incredibly diverse: flying bats, hummingbirds, pheasant-like birds, monkeys, and more.

This photo was taken right from the terrace of our hotel room in the morning. I wish I could live like this forever, with such a view from the windows.