Juan Convers

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.

At the end of our Colombian trip, we were lucky with a really pleasant, sunny day, so we made our way up to one of Bogotá’s most iconic landmarks: Monserrate. Located over 3,150 meters above sea level, this mountain has been watching over the city for centuries, and today it’s not just a religious site but also one of the best vantage points you can find in the Capital District. You can get there by taking the cable car (which we did), riding the funicular train, or climbing up the steep walking trail. The reward is always the same — a sweeping view of the capital that seems to go on forever and allows you to grasp the magnitude of the city.

It's hard to capture the full scale of Bogotá even from this height, but I tried my best with my GoPro camera to get a fisheye view of the city. The picture shows the sprawling urban landscape, with its mix of colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers, and vast neighborhoods, particularly in the southern part of Bogotá.

Now, being at more than 3,100 meters above sea level is no joke, and the air is definitely thinner than what we’re used to in Europe, so it was a good idea to take it easy and enjoy the view rather than rush around. The altitude was a bit challenging for two of our family members, but the experience was well worth it. Here you can visit the official site and get additional information

Next page