Juan Convers

One of the joys of spending weekends in Basel is being just steps away from the French border. It’s really easy to slip across early in the morning, pick up fresh bread from a local bakery, and return before sunrise — ready to enjoy breakfast with a still-warm baguette. And as if that weren’t enough, this trip often rewards early risers with breathtaking sunrises, like the one captured in the previous photo on Burgfelderstrasse.

According to some data published recently by Eurostat, life expectancy at birth in the European Union climbed to 81.7 years in 2024, an increase of 0.3 years compared with 2023.

The figures show a notable differences across member states. Italy and Sweden are at the top of the rankings at 84.1 years, followed by Spain at 84.0 years. At the other end of the spectrum, Bulgaria (75.9), Romania (76.6) and Latvia (76.7) recorded the lowest life expectancy.

It's inteesting how most countries have now surpassed their pre-pandemic levels. Of the 26 EU countries with available data, 24 saw improvements between 2019 and 2024. The biggest gains were observed in Lithuania (+1.1 years), Czechia, Latvia and Romania (+1.0 each).

This 2024 results suggest that many EU countries have not only recovered from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic but are continuing to make gradual progress in public health and longevity.

Every once in a while, you get lucky enough to witness that exact moment at sunrise when the sun first peeks over the horizon, painting the sky in a beautiful palette of orange and pink hues. That’s exactly what happened in Morges a couple of weeks ago, when I opened the windows to let in the fresh morning air and I was fortunate to capture it in the image above. I hope my significant other is lucky to have such a view today. Happy Birthday K!

One of the towns we had the opportunity to visit last month was the colorful town of Filandia, located in the hills of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle. It was my first time visiting this place, which truly captures the essence of the region’s cultural and natural heritage.

This town is as beautiful as Salento, but it felt more authentic and less touristy, with its cobblestone streets, brightly painted balconies, and sweeping views of rolling coffee plantations.

Just before arriving in town, we stopped at the Mirador Colina Iluminada, a tall wooden lookout that offers 360-degree views across the Andes and stunning perspectives of the surrounding regions of the famous Colombian Eje Cafetero. And of course, we couldn’t miss stopping by one of the Café Quindío stores to enjoy a delicious Colombian coffee and take a break before continuing our walk around the town.

Above you can see a representative picture of the beautiful town of Filandia.

In the city center of Bogotá, the Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) is one of Colombia’s most fascinating cultural treasures. Home to over 55,000 pieces of gold and other materials from pre-Hispanic cultures, it offers visitors a comprehensive journey through the artistry, beliefs, and traditions of the ancient peoples who once called this land home. Among its star attractions is the iconic Muisca Raft — a masterpiece of pre-Columbian goldwork that embodies one of the country’s most enduring legends: El Dorado.

The Muisca Raft is more than just an extraordinary work of art; it is a window into the ceremonial life of the Muisca people. Created between 600 and 1600 CE using the lost-wax casting technique, this intricate gold sculpture depicts a ritual at Lake Guatavita, where a new chief — his body covered in gold dust — offered gold and emeralds to the gods. Measuring just under 20 cm in length, the raft features the central figure of the chief surrounded by attendants, banners in hand, sailing into legend. Today, it remains one of the museum’s most celebrated pieces — a vivid reminder of the myth that defines Colombia’s pre-Columbian heritage.

Next page