The story behind the illustrations. 

My wife and I first started dating in 2015, and our very first trip together took us to Frankfurt. After we returned home, I created a small illustration of the Frankfurter Römer as a way to remember that special time. Neither of us could have known it then, but that single drawing would become the beginning of a tradition — one that has grown into nearly 500 illustrations documenting the places we’ve explored together. 

Since that first illustration, our lives have changed in ways we never imagined. We got married, became a family of four, and I continued capturing our journeys through art. Each illustration represents a place that has become part of our family’s story, whether it’s a city just a short drive from home or a destination on the other side of the world. To me, these illustrations are more than records of what a place looks like; they preserve the feeling of being there — the memories, moments, and experiences that made each journey special. 

Discovering places with a story to tell. 

Along the way, we've developed a special love for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Our first was Cologne Cathedral, and many more have followed. Some stand out for their breathtaking natural beauty, such as Jasmund National Park in Sassnitz, part of the Ancient and Primaeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe. Others keep drawing us back, like the Old Town of Bamberg, the UNESCO site we've visited more often than any other. We've also been lucky enough to explore five of the 11 Great Spa Towns of Europe, each memorable in its own way. 

We also enjoy following themes that connect places across countries and centuries. Sometimes that means tracing Martin Luther's footsteps, exploring the towns along Germany's Romantic Road, visiting former Free Imperial Cities, or discovering the rich history of the Hanseatic League. These themes often lead us to places we might never have considered otherwise, and every new destination feels like another piece in the collection. 

What started with a single illustration of Frankfurt has grown into Places We Have Been To, a collection of memories, one illustration at a time. I hope these illustrations inspire you to discover somewhere new, revisit an old favourite, or even start a travel tradition of your own. 

Happy travels!