Best of Travel 2010

We asked some of our travel contributors to give us their favourite travel photos of 2010. The result? A stunning look at the world around us.

Justin Watts

Cologne, Germany

Midday, July 2010

I walked passed these guys several times sitting in different locations asking for money, seemingly completely at ease with themselves. This photo, for me, is about priorities – the lads don’t have any quams about begging for money and could have been struggling to get enough together for lunch … but clothes and hair are another matter.

Marrakech, Morocco

Afternoon, September 2010

In Marrakech you cannot move more than a few metres on the tiny twisted alleyway-like roads without seeing some kind of scooter. I like this photo because it shows that even well to do ladies aren’t afraid to hoik up their skirts and mount a two wheeled steed.

Fiona McGregor

Auschwitz II – Birkenau Death Camp, Oświęcim, Poland

29 September 2010

It was a freezing cold day when I visited this sombre location, and despite my many layers, I was chilled to the bone; it made me wonder how the prisoners held captive in these death camps managed to survive in nothing but rags.

Auschwitz Birkenau is now a place of memorial for all those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. The site itself is massive, and smattering of people – from all backgrounds – wandered around, heads bowed. Groups of Israeli students proudly displaying Stars of David formed circles, laying tributes, placing stones, praying together and remembering. This photo shows the end of the line – the last stop for many victims of the holocaust, who were transported to death camps, by rail, in cattle carts. It shows that we still remember them, even now – no matter who we are.

Hiking Schilthorn Mountain, near Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

17 September 2010

We only had a few days in the picturesque mountain village of Lauterbrunnen. The day we decided to go hiking to view the spectacular vista of the Jungfrau alps, the entire mountain was fogged in. We decided to forge ahead through the mist, climbing higher in hope of reaching the cloud-break. We saw no-one else on our hike, except for heards of cows, their bells clanging eerily through the opaque clouds.

We came across a herd where one cow mooed incessantly and seemed quite distressed. We watched for a while as other cows circled her and occasionally mooed back. Fascinated, but getting cold, we hiked on for another 30 minutes. On our way back down, we passed the same herd and spotted the cow that had been in distress – now nuzzling a wet, snuffling little calf.

Liv Hambrett

Shanghai, China

July, 2010

I love this photo. I found strolling the streets of Shanghai meant my (albeit far-too-long) hair was fair game for photos and so after an extensive photo session on the Bund, smiling with babies and Grandparents alike, I thought I’d cash in some of the good credit I’d accumulated and ask these girls for their photo. They were delighted and look happier than their icecreams.

Shanghai, China

July, 2010

I had to photograph him. Look at that face. When I asked his parents if I could, they promptly turned to him, tapped the camera, and told him to pose. He wasn’t overly thrilled with it, initially, but he warmed up. After I’d taken the photos, the family asked if I could pose with the children for their own family album and thrust the baby into my arms. I was tempted to run off with him, I cannot lie.

Santorini, Cyclades, Greece

August, 2010

This area of Santorini, Amoudi Bay, is one of its most beautiful. A big call, considering the island itself is one of the most photogenic places in the world. I love this photo because it seems so moody and threatening, as if something bad is about to happen to that very small, very lonesome boat.

Macmasters Beach, Central Coast, NSW

January 2010

When you think of the Australian beach, you so often think of impossibly vibrant, sun drenched colours. I love that this photo, taken after a day of rain, has such an unexpected, yet still beautiful, palette.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is a city that is constantly surprising. Strolling through an elegant shopping district, one turn will take you down a tiny little alley where a delicious breakfast and street art await. This photo is really just paying homage to a nameless artist, but I do think it says something about the city itself.

Sydney Harbour, Australia

January 1st, 2010

I was bangsmack opposite the Opera House and practically beneath the Harbour Bridge for NYE in Sydney. This photo is taken as the midnight fireworks came to a close – the bridge is barely visible beneath all the smoke and lights.

Monisteraki, Athens, Greece

September, 2010

I had been snapping away for a few moments before these boys caught me and gave me a big smile. They were waiting for their Dad to pick some things up at the huge markets that sit in the middle of hot, dusty Monisteraki.

Shepherd’s Bush, London, United Kingdom

July, 2010

I love the colours in this shot – they’re sort of faded and old, particularly set against the dreariness of the wall. I fell in love with London when I was there this time, and Shepherd’s Bush played a big part in that.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

December, 2010

I think it’s the sign and the sky that make this photo for me. Amsterdam is such a beautiful city by day and by night, all the neon comes out to play. I love the orange against the wintery sky.

Muenster, Germany

December, 2010

For my first European Winter, Muenster received its biggest snowfall since records began. This snow-laden tree, against the pale blue sky, makes me cold just looking at it.