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My name is Johan Lolos. I'm a self-taught travel photographer from Belgium, and 4 years ago I decided to leave Europe and travel the world.

When I jumped into photography, first as a random backpacker traveling in Australia and New Zealand for two consecutive years, I was far from realizing that Europe has so much to offer in terms of landscape and diversity. As a very inexperienced traveler, I thought I needed to travel to the other side of the planet to be able to see unique sceneries and experience unforgettable road trip vibes. It took me three years to figure out my hometown Liège is less than a day’s drive away from some of the most beautiful mountains in the world: the Alps. 

From the moment I realized that, I started to list all the places in Europe I would like to visit during the summer months. I have had a few road trip experiences in the past, but they never exceeded three months, which has always been the perfect duration for me. Not too long, not too short, just what I needed to start missing home yet being fully satisfied with the trip. However, three months didn’t seem enough to explore most of the Old Continent, and this time I really wanted to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. Eventually I came out with an itinerary covering three main regions of Europe, and going through 17 countries in a period of five months. I wish I had included more countries and more regions but this would have required to be on the road for an extra 5 months, which I didn’t want.

On May 15, 2017 I started my journey, which I named "Peaks of Europe". The trip was divided into three legs: the North, the Balkans and the Alps, and I returned home on October 6, 2017. 145 on the road, 17 countries visited, 23,280km / 14,465miles driven and a total of 40,760km / 25,330miles traveled if we include the few planes and ferries.

Every day, I was sharing my daily life through my Instagram Stories on my account @lebackpacker. My followers' response to these candid and genuine moments of life was huge, and they suggested I should publish a book out of this trip. I shot a total of 4Tb or images and came back home with a full 1Tb hard drive. Out of those 30,000 photos, I made a selection of 200+ images that I curated in a photo book: "Peaks of Europe".

My book can be pre-ordered on my website www.peaksofeurope.eu, but I first wanted to give you a little preview of what Europe has to offer in all its diversity. I hope you'll enjoy those images and that they will give you itchy feet for your next trip in the summer.

More info: peaksofeurope.eu

#1

Augstmatthorn, Switzerland

Augstmatthorn, Switzerland

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#2

Lago Di Braies, South Tyrol, Italy

Lago Di Braies, South Tyrol, Italy

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#3

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

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terybriggs avatar
Mama Panda
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this one! It looks more like a painting than a photograph! Absolutely beautiful =)

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#6

Hamnøy, Lofoten, Norway

Hamnøy, Lofoten, Norway

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sandymurphey avatar
Sandy Murphey
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The little houses protest being dwarfed by the majestic rock formation, by being the most attention getting color.

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#7

Soča, Triglav National Park, Slovenia

Soča, Triglav National Park, Slovenia

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#8

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

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#10

Lago Di Carezza, South Tyrol, Italy

Lago Di Carezza, South Tyrol, Italy

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#13

Gerold, Bavaria, Germany

Gerold, Bavaria, Germany

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#14

Lech, Vorarlberg, Austria

Lech, Vorarlberg, Austria

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terybriggs avatar
Mama Panda
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this one resembles a location in the mmorpg I play. Simply beautiful!

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#15

Soča, Triglav National Park, Slovenia

Soča, Triglav National Park, Slovenia

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#16

Matterhorn, Valais, Switzerland

Matterhorn, Valais, Switzerland

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#17

Meteora, Thessaly, Greece

Meteora, Thessaly, Greece

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#19

Mangart, Triglav National Park, Slovenia

Mangart, Triglav National Park, Slovenia

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#20

Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten, Norway

Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten, Norway

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#21

Nordenskiöld Land National Park, Svalbard (Norway)

Nordenskiöld Land National Park, Svalbard (Norway)

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#22

Simos Beach, Elafonisos, Greece

Simos Beach, Elafonisos, Greece

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#24

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

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#25

Lötschental, Valais, Switzerland

Lötschental, Valais, Switzerland

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#26

Mont-Blanc, Haute-Savoie, France

Mont-Blanc, Haute-Savoie, France

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#29

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

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#30

Aiguille Du Midi, Haute-Savoie, France

Aiguille Du Midi, Haute-Savoie, France

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pepi_fsf avatar
Petya
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can't imagine where you've climbed to take this. But it's definitely worth it, the photo is breathtaking :)

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#31

The Quiraing, Isle Of Skye, Scotland

The Quiraing, Isle Of Skye, Scotland

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#32

Augstmatthorn, Switzerland

Augstmatthorn, Switzerland

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#33

Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

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#34

Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten, Norway

Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten, Norway

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#35

Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

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#36

Valbonë National Park, Albania

Valbonë National Park, Albania

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#38

Gorner Glacier, Valais, Switzerland

Gorner Glacier, Valais, Switzerland

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#40

Elafonisos, Peloponnese, Greece

Elafonisos, Peloponnese, Greece

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