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Blog > Time to pick the best EUROPA stamp!

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May is here, so it’s time to choose the best EUROPA stamp of the year!

This year’s theme is “Bridges”, a theme which we are particularly fond of, for what are postcards if not metaphorical bridges between two worlds? Sadly, most post offices took a less poetic approach to the theme, and featured almost exclusively physical constructions…

EUROPA stamp 2018

Nothing wrong with that, but personally, we would have liked to see a bit more imagination in the chosen approach. Still, there are some beautiful stamps in the selection, so please go check out all the entries and cast your vote to help PostEurop choose the best bridge stamp of 2018! 🌉

P.S. – We’re curious to know… which bridge did you vote for? And how many of them have you crossed yourself? Let us know in the comments!

144 comments so far

DorotheeB, Germany

There are three of the stamps I like most: Vatican, Switzerland and Moldova. And I love the variety of the bridges theme by the respective countries.

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AleksandrFrankovic, Italy

Luxembourg made a nice metaphorical exemple of bridge, and I liked it a lot... the decision was hard, almost all the stamps are wonderful. I eventually had to decide between the Spanish, the Luxemburgish and the Belgian one, and I voted for Belgium 🇧🇪 because of its amazing old fashioned architecture ^.^

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meiadeleite, Portugal

@Alemnk Yup, Luxembourg is definitely the exception!

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surfclub66, United States of America

I voted for Lithuania, but I liked Moldova next. I like the scenic stamps. I would definitely rather see that than metaphorical designs. Bridges are amongst the most beautiful of our architecture and a testament to the brilliance of our ancestors.

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fanny0051, France

Hello! I vote for the Moldava bridge stamp, it's so rustic!

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P-star, Australia

I really liked the Norwegian design.

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taorni, Spain

Luxembourg is my favorite! I love that original perspective
I have to say that Spanish one is more special than it looks like here, because the silhouette of the bridge is shaped and you see whatever is below the stamp :)

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Gan_Gan, Malaysia

I voted for Romania's. I like the harmony colors and relaxing drawing used in the design.

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meiadeleite, Portugal

@taorni Oh... Is the shape of the bridge cut out of the stamp?

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chrisstonycreek, France

I voted for Luxemburg because I think in the rough times we have today and with all the bad news from all over the world, people should remember to built bridges, not borders or walls. Meet each other and understand each other. Care! And that is what that stamp seems to say to me. It matches postcrossing ;-) I love it.

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Lejo, France

Norway and Ukraine are my favorites.
I am afraid the Belgian stamp - that I also like - is not going to appear on many postcards. It is a stamp for envelopes over 50 grams and it will cost € 3.90.

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Hawwa, Spain

@meiadeleite Yes, it is! :)

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Nana_Sue, Germany

I like the stamp of Moldova best. It shows how easy it is to build a bridge. Also, you can see that it can be a shaky affair. Great symbol at this time.

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ErikaT, United States of America

My two favorites were Moldova and Norway, but in the end I voted for Norway.
For me, the color and angle of that yellow line really elevated the design.

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Emma35, France

I voted for Moldova !

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Dimitr, Russia

I am fraud Austria stamp.

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wels19602012, Germany

MY FAVORITE IS NORWAY. I LOVE THAT ORGINAL PERSPECTIVE . GREETINGS FROM GERMANY.

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taorni, Spain

@meiadeleite that's right!

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inesbarbosa, Portugal

I voted for Spain, I loved that the stamp is long :)

I personally don't love the Portuguese ones... and I am with you on this one, they could've done some stamps much better :(

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nofrodelius, United States of America

I live in Germany, in Düsseldorf in fact... but I had to go with the Isle of Man. I love that it isn't a traditional bridge (instead a railway). The overall composition is also very nice.

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inki1963, Germany

I voted for moldavia. The choice was very difficult, especially because there is a German bridge which I see every day on my way to the Office...

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LittleFox, Netherlands

I voted for the Netherlands :D

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yagga, Germany

I voted for the Finnish Stamp. But it was really hard to make a decision.... the Norvegian and the Moldavian stamps are also really great!!!

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honeybee, Austria

I like the Russian Europa stamp very much. The Austrian one looks also very precious if you see the stamp in reality.

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Antonina__, Russia

very interesting! :-) my choice: Russian Federation ( I really like to send it to my unknown friends :-)), Hungary, Norway and Cyprus!

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athinaral, Greece

All of them are very beautifyl . But , I choose Moldova , Slovensco and Monaco !

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Trans_Niqabi, United States of America

I voted for Moldova! It was the most beautiful and unique.

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Louise2705, Netherlands

I like the Moldova stamp

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Bees-and-Butterflies, France

I voted for Romania. I really like the picture and the history of the bridge.

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kzswap, Kazakhstan

Voted for Moldova

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anxious51, United States of America

I voted for Moldova.

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VikSam, Poland

Moldova! It is really fantastic!

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H1ldeke, Belgium

Ukraine is my favorite ❤️

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mpaulamoraes, Brazil

My favorite is Russian Federation.
mpaulamoraes from Brazil.

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Banauson, Germany

I voted for Sweden :)

From Germany

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pathetiquejazz, Russia

I was choosing between Moldova 🇲🇩 and Finland 🇫🇮 and finally I've chosen the latter. :)

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LuSays, United Kingdom

Moldovia but it was a hard choice!

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meiadeleite, Portugal

And bonus question: how many of these featured bridges have you crossed yourself?

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Idler, Finland

Beautiful stamps and difficult to choose, but eventually I voted for Moldova. I’m very surprised to read the comments here: looks like it was a favorite of a lot of postcrossers :)

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TattooMom, Netherlands

Well, that doesn't happen a lot, but I voted for the Netherlands, because it is a very pretty stamp (Netherlands unlike) with a picture of a very old original local bridge. Very good choice, Dutch postal service!

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alizium, Moldova

Surely Moldova))

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Pulmu, Finland

I voted for Finland, but like Norway and Moldova, too.

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Hrustik, Ukraine

Moldova is the best) also Cyprus and Monaco are nice, but this year it seems most of the stamps are dull and not interesting (imho)

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Jennie12, United States of America

Luxembourg!
I loved them all though, wish I could visit them all someday.

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siobhan, Germany

I voted for Moldova, but it wasn't an easy choice. I liked that Luxembourg chose a different approach, but artistically it isn't really my taste. The German one is quite boring, I think.

And I believe I've only ever crossed the Rheinkniebrücke in Düsseldorf, it's not far from where I live.
I also think it's sad that some of the Europa stamps have face values that make them unsuitable for international mail. I would love to see all these stamps on my postcards, but I wouldn't deliberately overpay myself or expect it from any other postcrosser.

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Norway_girl, Norway

I voted for Finland!

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Sarah_Connor, United States of America

There are so many great ones, but I chose Moldova.

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ColorfulCourtney, Germany

I voted for Luxembourg for having the courage to be creative. My next choice would have been Latvia, for having the courage not to go into a long explanation...

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mihneaR, Romania

I voted for Moldova too! It is so Romanian style :) If you came across this part of the world, in rural area you' ll find a lot of such bridges. most probably in all East Europe region...

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FairyFoot, United Kingdom

Royal Mail issued Bridge stamps three years ago, and I have been across 4 of those. No sign yet from Royal Mail for this year.

Out of these Europa bridges, only one I have been across but I do not remember it - the one in Ireland in 2000 when I went to the 6 Nations rugby matches in Dublin, by train from Belfast. .

I have yet to decide on my favourite bridge.

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perrydeborah, United States of America

Europe..It’s So Beautiful and unique..I would love to cross that bridge...

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meiadeleite, Portugal

I think we've crossed the Vasco da Gama bridge 🇵🇹, the Montagu Curtain Bridge 🇬🇮, the Ponte Pietra 🇮🇹, the Puh Bridge in Ptuj 🇸🇮, the Öresund bridge 🇸🇪 and the Sant'Angelo Bridge 🇮🇹... so that's 6 — and a lot more still to cross! 😊

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CarminaBurana, Canada

I voted for the Lichenstein. All in woods! :D And I never recevied any of these stamps. Maybe one day, though. :D

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sunshineforlife, Philippines

I voted for Switzerland!

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Angelthepup22, United States of America

I voted for Germany, I liked it est and it's the only stamp that actually got used on a card to me, arriving from Germany Today. (DE-7184838)

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cherrytree687, United States of America

I voted for Finland! Some day I hope to cross all of the featured bridges! I've crossed the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. <3

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leaflets, China

Voted for Belarus.

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Riinka, Finland

It's too hard a choice, I have so many favorites! Like many of you, I'm fond of the Moldavian stamp and I also fell in love with the Finnish one. Besides these two, I really like the stamps from Norway, Faroe Islands, Latvia and Luxembourg. So it might take a while before I'm able to make a decision on which stamp to vote :)

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lostresviajeros, Austria

Oh god, all of them are nice and impressive in a way. Very hard decision! - In the end I voted for "San Marino": For the little railway ;) , and the sweet design of the stamp.

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katyakela, Russia

I voted for Cyprus because it was really only one the best ....at least for me. Beautiful nature and animal made it .

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Luci89, Czech Republic

It was hard to choose. But finally I chose Bosnia and Herzegovina - the red one stamp.

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livi16, Spain

The Spanish stamp collects a panoramic image of the bridge, with the green landscape so typical of the Cantabrian lands painted. The silhouette of the bridge is stamped and its image can be seen reflected in the reflection of the estuary.

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Siniara, Finland

I vote Moldova

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MagicLantern, Germany

I couldn't decide yet between one of the more colourful stamps or Norway's lovely gloomy entry. Germany (as often) didn't even try to create an appealing stamp.
Thanks @Angelthepup22, yours is probably the only vote we got. So it won't be Germany zero points ;)

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zomertje, Netherlands

I voted for Luxembourg, liked that the most in close call with Switserland

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meiadeleite, Portugal

I like the idea of Russia's "Soaring bridge", even if the stamp is not particularly remarkable in its design. A "bridge" that gives people a different viewpoint, and then allows them to return to where they started... sounds a bit like a metaphor, right?

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islander61, Bahamas

I like the colours and style of ERIE/IRELAND but finally decided on ROMANIA. Such beautiful artwork in both :)

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saulytera, Lithuania

I voted for Luxembourg because of artistic aproach.
And I wasn't dissapointed at all when I saw the new Lithuanian stamp duet released. But was actually very happy as the price is the one I send postcards. :) The last stamp was more serious, these are so romantic. :)

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Iside82, Italy

It was an hard choice, there are so many beautiful ones... Belarus, Bosnia, Croatia, Greece, Italian Ponte Pietra itself... but at the end I voted Norway. I love its cloudy and somehow mistic atmosphere.

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Merrilyn, Australia

I voted for Moldova, There is a sense of being about to step onto the bridge and going to new territory.

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dlchenev, United States of America

Romania; for the use of line and color.

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sumares, Puerto Rico

So sad we can only vote for one design!

I went with the Vatican City, but I also liked Andorra (€1.20), Gibraltar, and Russia.

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TerraPax, Czech Republic

I voted for Romania!

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fiden, Switzerland

i voted for Lithuania, this place is really amazing.
btw, i am open to swap with anyone 2018 stamps from Switzerland

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PstCrdGrl, Finland

Damn, they screwed up with the photo of the Finnish stamp... It's much prettier for real :( For me it was a battle between Greenland and Norway but I chose Norway in the end. I could choose Finland too cause it's gorgeous in real :)

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Luciano, Brazil

My favorites is Spain.

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szanes1, Hungary

I voted for Cyprus, but I like Russian and Guarnsey too.

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Regndroppar, Finland

I voted for the Bosnian-Herzegovinian stamp that features the bridge at sunset/sunrise (?) although there were many wonderful and beautiful options, e.g. Macedonia, Cyprus, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Jersey, Isle of Man... I preferred the photo stamps to the painted/drawn stamps.

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Chenoah, Germany

I liked the moldovian one the most.

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hidalgo, Spain

My favorites : Ukraine, Slovakia and Spain.

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mounten, Italy

I voted for Romania I like the girl cycling on the bridge. The choice was very difficult I like: Guernsey, Finland Luxemburg and Moldavia too. I crosssed the Italian bridge in Verona "The stone bridge".

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honeybee, Austria

Yes, the one of Romania is also very pretty and the one of Lithuania, too. I was happy to receive them on postcards lately.

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Flippie, Canada

Hi, I'm Dutch and live in Canada, so I voted for the Netherlands, off course, Anneke.

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MoonWarrior, United States of America

I voted for Luxembourg. Simply because I like the approach they took, and the result is beautiful! Hard to believe a middle schooler did that! My other favorites we're Romania, Poland, Norway, and Finland. Finland stamps are my all-time favorite! They always have the coolest stamps.

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Loli-ts, Spain

France, because of the strong symbolism of that bridge (that I have crossed some times!).

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mountzzz, United States of America

I chose Macedonia. I'm not a city lover and loved the forest theme.

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AutismMom, United States of America

Finland 🇫🇮! Absolutely stunning!

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PaulinaV, Belarus

I voted for Lithuania, but I also liked Moldova, Spain and Norway
And the next stamp lover whose address I'll get through Postcrossing will get a Belarusian Bridge stamp :)

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teamug, Germany

Hard choice. my own country as it often happens: quite boring.

But I loved Liechtenstein (all in wood), Moldova, the Isle of Man (so nice) and beautiful Finland - but could have probably chosen quite a lot more....

I only ever crossed the one in Germany, but have crossed lovely bridges in other countries although they were not featured on these stamps.

For Germany I would have suggested the Geierley bridge, a suspension bridge of 360 metres. It crosses a lovely valley and is for pedestrians only.

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Nana77, Luxembourg

Hello to all, Luxembourg here! :-))
I just LOVE how many people are mentioning the Luxembourg one, which I just purchased at the post office. I thought I was being biaised for thinking it was so exceptionally beautiful, but apparently many people agree with me. :-)))
I also love Moldova and Greenland, but I just had to vote for Luxembourg here, even if it's my own country. ;-)

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elehtola, Finland

Castle Cornet in Guernsey ; I vote this ; this stamp is full of life. I can almost hear the ocean's noise! Beautiful and an very interesting creation.

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rlbucky, United States of America

My favorite is the Bosnian bridge! Don't know why but I do!

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betslets, United States of America

There are too many beautiful choices -- true to life, or with imagination -- I therefore voted for Lithuania (primarily because of my Lithuanian heritage, but also because I used my imagination thinking I would be able to visit the castle, myself).
I have visited many places in Europe, but did not cross but one bridge that was the most memorable and it was in Lucerne, Switzerland -- a covered bridge, built in 1333 and with paintings to view overhead. (Since it was over 40 years ago, I referred to my journal, but have no name for it) .

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rlbucky, United States of America

My favorite is the Bosnian bridge! Don't know why but I do!

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Kogotok7, Russia

I voted for Moldova! The 2nd and the 3rd places in my personal voting go to Lithuania and B&H respectively.
I have seen and been to the Soaring bridge in Moscow and I shoud say that it looks much better in reality! The views opening from this "bridge" are amazing, but I am dissapointed in the stamp version which is so boring. The design and the choice of colours is definitely not the best one.

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ch_nz, Germany

I voted for the Spanish stamp.

What you cannot really see on the website and in the image is, that the actual bridge is omitted in the stamp, meaning that the bridge is a bridge shaped hole. You can see the actual bridge as a reflection in the water. This is one of the most innovative designs for a stamp that I have seen in a long time.

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Anast03, Russia

It was difficult to choose one thing, but all the same the choice fell on Finland. I liked her very much. *^*

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AmitxSahoo, India

I will go with Luxembourg!! <3

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Likovanie, Russia

My favorites: Greenland, Gibraltar, Andorra.
It is difficult to choose from a photograph, often a picture is deceptive, and a beautiful stamp in addition to the image, also is a print quality and a paper.

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momto5, United States of America

I loved Ukraine but ultimately voted for Poland because I loved the perspective and history represented.

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HM, Netherlands

Spain

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MissPatitav, Spain

It was really difficult to choose because there were many incredible ones. But finally I decided to vote for the one showing Mostar bridge.
I have crossed some of them and it was great counting them, Sant'Angelo Bridge in Rome; San Vicente de la Barquera, in Cantabria, Spain; the one in Sibiu, Romania; Rion–Antirion Bridge in Greece; The Bay of Rijeka in Croatia.

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Paauuu5, Belarus

Belarus of course ^_^
I love my country!

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CarrieJoJo, United States of America

I voted for the bridge in Italy. Sadly I have not crossed any of these bridges. Yet.

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Riinka, Finland

Update: I voted for Latvia! I find the balanced color scheme pleasant and I also like the contrast between the tranquil countryside and the forward moving train. In addition, I'm a sucker for all sorts of railway themes, so in the end I'm not so surprised that I ended up voting for this very stamp ;)

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pucky, Netherlands

absolutely Greenland.
Such a wonderful painting!

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zalia_pieva, Lithuania

LITHUANIA FOR LIFE ! :DD
HAHA, i'm from Lithuania,and i think, that this stamp is amazing

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Latitude38, United States of America

Like many others, I struggled but finally voted for Moldova. I wish there was a way to purchase a bag of all of them!

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ALFAVIT, Russia

I always like the choice of plots on the postage stamps of Austria and Switzerland, but this time Cyprus, of course, Russia.

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Terry5, United States of America

I voted for Moldova. I do like all the of engineering marvels, but this one showed what is probably some villages need to just get over the river. I am also a fan of the single color simplicity shown in Sweden, Denmark and the Portugal series. Tough choices.

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Robin67, Austria

Sadly, I find most of those stamps very unexciting. I like Italy best, followed by our stamp (= the Austrian one).

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aGnesTR, Switzerland

I'm asking myself who sent you the Swiss stamp? We have a really beautiful stamp with the Verzasca bridge Ponte Romano:
https://www.briefmarken-sieger.de/typische-schweizer-landschaft-das-verzascatal-briefmarkenblock-postfrisch-schweiz.html

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Lucie49, Czech Republic

I really love stamp from Finland <3

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LaylaSoccer, United States of America

finland is CUOOOOOL! I like it!

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LaylaSoccer, United States of America

BEAUTIFUL!

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VoRi, Germany

I am civil engineer and I have to deal with bridges. That's one of the reasons why I collect postcards and stamps with bridges. So I think that ALL the new European stamps are great! But I think that the most beautiful one is the stamp from BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA with the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge.

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swan, United States of America

I voted for Finland. I also liked the metaphorical bridge for Luxembourg a lot. I liked some of the others a lot, too, but the pictures didn't have enough detail.

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EHW, Germany

I voted for Moldova. It's so simple.

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Mysteria, Germany

I voted for Luxembourg because of the amazing metaphorical interpretation of the theme. I loved the colours, too!

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funderwood, United States of America

Luxembourg for bringing a human element into the theme and showing us that bridges do not have to be physical structures. The colors far outdid the other presentations, however this was not an easy choice. Lastly, that a child was involved in the design clinched it for me.

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Sissi69, Italy

Aland for me.

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zzif65, Belarus

I voited for Germany))))

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cerisette79, France

FINLAND!!!!!!! so lovely!

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perohans, Norway

I voted for the stamp from Faroe Islands, I really liked the colours and unusual shape of the bridge. The only bridge I have crossed is the bridge in Lovech, Bulgaria. Very beautiful and unique bridge.

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Boroka, Hungary

Finland's stamp is beautiful <3

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TammyT, Australia

Croatia and Spain xoxo

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Arabel-Inez, Netherlands

Guernsey I voted for that stamp is real pretty, we crossed the bridge of the German stamp.

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IrinaAlexandr, Russia

We voted Ukraine! Stamp s very beautiful!

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IrinaAlexandr, Russia

Stamp from Finland is wonderful!!!!!!

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jiangyun, China

I like the Moldova and Luxembourg stamp,so wonderful!

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Mirfi, Australia

I voted for Moldova, I thought it was different from the others. I also liked the whimsical feel of the Geurnsey stamp.

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EdithK, Netherlands

I voted for Belarus. Not because the stamp is so beautiful, but because the bridge is leading to the island of sorrow. It's such a beautiful place - a great place for remembrance. The bridge becomes symbolical here.
I have been on two of the bridges: Belarus and Vatican.

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tuikar, Finland

My vote was for Croatian stamp! I liked the colours and the setting - I’ve seen it live from my patio on a holiday. It’s impressive 🇭🇷

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Silvia_L, Germany

I really like the Saxony card in the German Landmark Series very much.
But there are a lot of other great ones.
Happy postcrossing to everyone.

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Michi_1995, Austria

I love the Austria flag Cards and the Hugs Card but I havn't seen all Cards ;-) I love them all so I would be really happy being surprised :-)

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naturhanninchen, Germany

I like the Luxemburg stamp really much. It Shows the Connection between two people.

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pamwade, United States of America

I liked the Moldovia bridge. I wonder if it is broken down from so much use or lack of use and time and weather, What are we missing on the other side?

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Catamo, Australia

The ‘country’ postcards are beautiful but my favourite would have to be the “Happy Postcrossing’s from South Africa’, my home country! Even though I’m no longer there, my heart will stay in SA forever 😊

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eyelashchann, United Kingdom

We Realy love the "Around the world" ones..... But ALL are amazbals!

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Saapo, Finland

Papersisters rock :)
And I love all those FI stuff. Hope to see more of those. And By the way, I have ready ordered a nice little package. Thanks!

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milobolin, United States of America

I voted for Denmark because of the clean lines, symbolic of their architecture in general, yet the stamp was colourful and would represent a modern europe well. Russia was my 2nd choice because I'm fond of the historic russian buildings, kremlins, etc.

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radiofan, Austria

I like many countries stamps, including the Austrian, but I voted for the Ukrainian. It shows a beautiful historic bridge, I adore the former crafting /designing abilities. The stamp is colorful, it has nice design.
But choice was hard... many stamps are really great, and I'd like to get them :)

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Lmeo, France

I love all because they are all beautiful

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isagv, Germany

I voted for Finland because it is nature pure. I also received it on a card already. A real eye catcher. Than I also like Germany very much. This bridge is near my hometown. Finally a nice stamp from German Post.

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