diff --git a/src/App.svelte b/src/App.svelte
index cf337df..6aa1ff8 100644
--- a/src/App.svelte
+++ b/src/App.svelte
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@
     flex-direction: row;
     min-width: 0;
     height: 100%;
+    position: relative;
   }
 
   .map-area {
diff --git a/src/lib/firebase.js b/src/lib/firebase.js
index 758573c..644d57d 100644
--- a/src/lib/firebase.js
+++ b/src/lib/firebase.js
@@ -1,18 +1,19 @@
-import { initializeApp } from "firebase/app";
-import { getAuth, GoogleAuthProvider } from "firebase/auth";
-import { getFirestore } from "firebase/firestore";
+import { initializeApp } from 'firebase/app';
+import { getAuth, GoogleAuthProvider } from 'firebase/auth';
+import { getFirestore } from 'firebase/firestore';
+import { getStorage } from 'firebase/storage';
 
 const firebaseConfig = {
-  apiKey: import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_API_KEY,
-  authDomain: import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_AUTH_DOMAIN,
-  projectId: import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID,
-  storageBucket: import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_STORAGE_BUCKET,
+  apiKey:            import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_API_KEY,
+  authDomain:        import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_AUTH_DOMAIN,
+  projectId:         import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID,
+  storageBucket:     import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_STORAGE_BUCKET,
   messagingSenderId: import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_MESSAGING_SENDER_ID,
-  appId: import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_APP_ID,
+  appId:             import.meta.env.VITE_FIREBASE_APP_ID,
 };
 
-const app = initializeApp(firebaseConfig);
-
+export const app = initializeApp(firebaseConfig);
 export const auth = getAuth(app);
 export const db = getFirestore(app);
+export const storage = getStorage(app);
 export const googleProvider = new GoogleAuthProvider();
diff --git a/src/lib/layout/Layout.svelte b/src/lib/layout/Layout.svelte
index ea23cf4..90849fa 100644
--- a/src/lib/layout/Layout.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/layout/Layout.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 <script>
   import TopBar from './TopBar.svelte';
-  import Footer from './Footer.svelte';
 
   let { screen, onNavigate, hideTopBar = false, children } = $props();
 </script>
@@ -12,7 +11,6 @@
   <main class="main">
     {@render children()}
   </main>
-  <Footer />
 </div>
 
 <style>
@@ -20,11 +18,11 @@
     width: 100vw;
     height: 100vh;
     display: grid;
-    grid-template-rows: auto 1fr auto;
+    grid-template-rows: auto 1fr;
     overflow: hidden;
   }
   .layout.no-topbar {
-    grid-template-rows: 1fr auto;
+    grid-template-rows: 1fr;
   }
 
   .main {
diff --git a/src/lib/layout/selection.svelte.js b/src/lib/layout/selection.svelte.js
index 7609f5b..ee20752 100644
--- a/src/lib/layout/selection.svelte.js
+++ b/src/lib/layout/selection.svelte.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { db } from '../firebase.js';
-import { doc, onSnapshot, updateDoc, arrayUnion, arrayRemove } from 'firebase/firestore';
+import { doc, onSnapshot, setDoc, updateDoc, arrayUnion, arrayRemove } from 'firebase/firestore';
 
 let selected = $state(new Set());
 let totalCountries = $state(0);
@@ -20,29 +20,39 @@ export function initSelectionListener(uid) {
   });
 }
 
+const visitedRef = doc(db, 'visited', 'countries');
+
+onSnapshot(visitedRef, (snap) => {
+  if (snap.exists()) {
+    selected = new Set(snap.data().ids ?? []);
+  }
+});
+
+function persist() {
+  setDoc(visitedRef, { ids: [...selected] });
+}
+
 export function toggle(id) {
-  if (!_uid) return;
   const was = selected.has(id);
   const next = new Set(selected);
-  if (was) {
-    next.delete(id);
-  } else {
-    next.add(id);
-  }
+  if (was) next.delete(id);
+  else next.add(id);
   selected = next;
-  const userRef = doc(db, 'users', _uid);
-  if (was) {
-    updateDoc(userRef, { visitedCountries: arrayRemove(id) });
-  } else {
-    updateDoc(userRef, { visitedCountries: arrayUnion(id) });
+  persist();
+  if (_uid) {
+    const userRef = doc(db, 'users', _uid);
+    if (was) updateDoc(userRef, { visitedCountries: arrayRemove(id) });
+    else updateDoc(userRef, { visitedCountries: arrayUnion(id) });
   }
 }
 
 export function clearAll() {
-  if (!_uid) return;
   selected = new Set();
-  const userRef = doc(db, 'users', _uid);
-  updateDoc(userRef, { visitedCountries: [] });
+  persist();
+  if (_uid) {
+    const userRef = doc(db, 'users', _uid);
+    updateDoc(userRef, { visitedCountries: [] });
+  }
 }
 
 export function getSelected() {
diff --git a/src/lib/shared/countries.js b/src/lib/shared/countries.js
index a6401c4..4d7a0c1 100644
--- a/src/lib/shared/countries.js
+++ b/src/lib/shared/countries.js
@@ -1,25 +1,74 @@
-export const countryCodeMap = {
-  'Argentina': 'AR', 'Australia': 'AU', 'Austria': 'AT',
-  'Belgium': 'BE', 'Brazil': 'BR',
-  'Canada': 'CA', 'Chile': 'CL', 'China': 'CN', 'Croatia': 'HR',
-  'Czech Republic': 'CZ', 'Denmark': 'DK', 'Egypt': 'EG',
-  'Finland': 'FI', 'France': 'FR', 'Germany': 'DE', 'Greece': 'GR',
-  'Hungary': 'HU', 'India': 'IN', 'Indonesia': 'ID', 'Italy': 'IT',
-  'Japan': 'JP', 'Kenya': 'KE',
-  'Malaysia': 'MY', 'Mexico': 'MX', 'Morocco': 'MA',
-  'Netherlands': 'NL', 'New Zealand': 'NZ', 'Norway': 'NO',
-  'Peru': 'PE', 'Poland': 'PL', 'Portugal': 'PT',
-  'Singapore': 'SG', 'South Africa': 'ZA', 'South Korea': 'KR',
-  'Spain': 'ES', 'Sweden': 'SE', 'Switzerland': 'CH',
-  'Taiwan': 'TW', 'Thailand': 'TH', 'Turkey': 'TR',
-  'UK': 'GB', 'USA': 'US', 'Vietnam': 'VN',
+import { feature } from 'topojson-client';
+import worldData from 'world-atlas/countries-50m.json';
+
+// Full name → alpha-2 map covering all world-atlas country names.
+const nameToAlpha2 = {
+  'Afghanistan':'AF','Albania':'AL','Algeria':'DZ','American Samoa':'AS',
+  'Andorra':'AD','Angola':'AO','Anguilla':'AI','Antigua and Barb.':'AG',
+  'Argentina':'AR','Armenia':'AM','Aruba':'AW','Ashmore and Cartier Is.':'AU',
+  'Australia':'AU','Austria':'AT','Azerbaijan':'AZ','Bahamas':'BS',
+  'Bahrain':'BH','Bangladesh':'BD','Barbados':'BB','Belarus':'BY',
+  'Belgium':'BE','Belize':'BZ','Benin':'BJ','Bermuda':'BM','Bhutan':'BT',
+  'Bolivia':'BO','Bosnia and Herz.':'BA','Botswana':'BW',
+  'Br. Indian Ocean Ter.':'IO','Brazil':'BR','British Virgin Is.':'VG',
+  'Brunei':'BN','Bulgaria':'BG','Burkina Faso':'BF','Burundi':'BI',
+  'Cabo Verde':'CV','Cambodia':'KH','Cameroon':'CM','Canada':'CA',
+  'Cayman Is.':'KY','Central African Rep.':'CF','Chad':'TD','Chile':'CL',
+  'China':'CN','Colombia':'CO','Comoros':'KM','Congo':'CG','Cook Is.':'CK',
+  'Costa Rica':'CR','Croatia':'HR','Cuba':'CU','Curaçao':'CW','Cyprus':'CY',
+  'Czechia':'CZ',"Côte d'Ivoire":'CI','Dem. Rep. Congo':'CD','Denmark':'DK',
+  'Djibouti':'DJ','Dominica':'DM','Dominican Rep.':'DO','Ecuador':'EC',
+  'Egypt':'EG','El Salvador':'SV','Eq. Guinea':'GQ','Eritrea':'ER',
+  'Estonia':'EE','Ethiopia':'ET','Faeroe Is.':'FO','Falkland Is.':'FK',
+  'Fiji':'FJ','Finland':'FI','Fr. Polynesia':'PF','France':'FR','Gabon':'GA',
+  'Gambia':'GM','Georgia':'GE','Germany':'DE','Ghana':'GH','Greece':'GR',
+  'Greenland':'GL','Grenada':'GD','Guam':'GU','Guatemala':'GT',
+  'Guernsey':'GG','Guinea':'GN','Guinea-Bissau':'GW','Guyana':'GY',
+  'Haiti':'HT','Honduras':'HN','Hong Kong':'HK','Hungary':'HU','Iceland':'IS',
+  'India':'IN','Indonesia':'ID','Iran':'IR','Iraq':'IQ','Ireland':'IE',
+  'Isle of Man':'IM','Israel':'IL','Italy':'IT','Jamaica':'JM','Japan':'JP',
+  'Jersey':'JE','Jordan':'JO','Kazakhstan':'KZ','Kenya':'KE','Kiribati':'KI',
+  'Kosovo':'XK','Kuwait':'KW','Kyrgyzstan':'KG','Laos':'LA','Latvia':'LV',
+  'Lebanon':'LB','Lesotho':'LS','Liberia':'LR','Libya':'LY',
+  'Liechtenstein':'LI','Lithuania':'LT','Luxembourg':'LU','Macao':'MO',
+  'Macedonia':'MK','Madagascar':'MG','Malawi':'MW','Malaysia':'MY',
+  'Maldives':'MV','Mali':'ML','Malta':'MT','Marshall Is.':'MH',
+  'Mauritania':'MR','Mauritius':'MU','Mexico':'MX','Micronesia':'FM',
+  'Moldova':'MD','Monaco':'MC','Mongolia':'MN','Montenegro':'ME',
+  'Montserrat':'MS','Morocco':'MA','Mozambique':'MZ','Myanmar':'MM',
+  'N. Cyprus':'CY','N. Mariana Is.':'MP','Namibia':'NA','Nauru':'NR',
+  'Nepal':'NP','Netherlands':'NL','New Caledonia':'NC','New Zealand':'NZ',
+  'Nicaragua':'NI','Niger':'NE','Nigeria':'NG','Niue':'NU',
+  'Norfolk Island':'NF','North Korea':'KP','Norway':'NO','Oman':'OM',
+  'Pakistan':'PK','Palau':'PW','Palestine':'PS','Panama':'PA',
+  'Papua New Guinea':'PG','Paraguay':'PY','Peru':'PE','Philippines':'PH',
+  'Pitcairn Is.':'PN','Poland':'PL','Portugal':'PT','Puerto Rico':'PR',
+  'Qatar':'QA','Romania':'RO','Russia':'RU','Rwanda':'RW','S. Sudan':'SS',
+  'Saint Helena':'SH','Saint Lucia':'LC','Samoa':'WS','San Marino':'SM',
+  'Saudi Arabia':'SA','Senegal':'SN','Serbia':'RS','Seychelles':'SC',
+  'Sierra Leone':'SL','Singapore':'SG','Sint Maarten':'SX','Slovakia':'SK',
+  'Slovenia':'SI','Solomon Is.':'SB','Somalia':'SO','South Africa':'ZA',
+  'South Korea':'KR','Spain':'ES','Sri Lanka':'LK','St-Barthélemy':'BL',
+  'St-Martin':'MF','St. Kitts and Nevis':'KN','St. Pierre and Miquelon':'PM',
+  'St. Vin. and Gren.':'VC','Sudan':'SD','Suriname':'SR','Sweden':'SE',
+  'Switzerland':'CH','Syria':'SY','São Tomé and Principe':'ST','Taiwan':'TW',
+  'Tajikistan':'TJ','Tanzania':'TZ','Thailand':'TH','Timor-Leste':'TL',
+  'Togo':'TG','Tonga':'TO','Trinidad and Tobago':'TT','Tunisia':'TN',
+  'Turkey':'TR','Turkmenistan':'TM','Turks and Caicos Is.':'TC',
+  'U.S. Virgin Is.':'VI','Uganda':'UG','Ukraine':'UA',
+  'United Arab Emirates':'AE','United Kingdom':'GB',
+  'United States of America':'US','Uruguay':'UY','Uzbekistan':'UZ',
+  'Vanuatu':'VU','Vatican':'VA','Venezuela':'VE','Vietnam':'VN',
+  'W. Sahara':'EH','Yemen':'YE','Zambia':'ZM','Zimbabwe':'ZW',
+  'eSwatini':'SZ','Åland':'AX',
 };
 
-export const countryNames = Object.keys(countryCodeMap).sort();
+export const countryNames = feature(worldData, worldData.objects.countries)
+  .features.map(f => f.properties?.name).filter(Boolean).sort();
 
 /** @param {string} country */
 export function flagEmoji(country) {
-  const code = countryCodeMap[country];
+  const code = nameToAlpha2[country];
   if (!code) return '';
   return [...code].map(c => String.fromCodePoint(0x1F1E6 - 65 + c.charCodeAt(0))).join('');
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/stores/journalStore.js b/src/lib/stores/journalStore.js
index 435e6ea..de2aa6d 100644
--- a/src/lib/stores/journalStore.js
+++ b/src/lib/stores/journalStore.js
@@ -1,4 +1,8 @@
 import { writable } from 'svelte/store';
+import { db } from '../firebase.js';
+import {
+  collection, onSnapshot, addDoc, updateDoc, deleteDoc, doc, serverTimestamp
+} from 'firebase/firestore';
 
 /**
  * @typedef {{
@@ -14,110 +18,28 @@ import { writable } from 'svelte/store';
  * }} JournalEntry
  */
 
-/** @type {JournalEntry[]} */
-const mockEntries = [
-  {
-    id: '1',
-    title: 'First Day in Tokyo',
-    date: '2024-03-15',
-    location: { country: 'Japan', cities: ['Tokyo'] },
-    photos: [
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1540959733332-eab4deabeeaf?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1513407030348-c983a97b98d8?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1490806843957-31f4c9a91c65?w=600&q=80',
-    ],
-    transport: 'flight',
-    tripType: 'solo',
-    days: 5,
-    memo: 'Got completely lost in Shinjuku — stumbled into a tiny ramen shop with no English menu. The chashu just melted. Worth every wrong turn.',
-  },
-  {
-    id: '2',
-    title: 'Arashiyama Bamboo Grove',
-    date: '2024-03-18',
-    location: { country: 'Japan', cities: ['Kyoto'] },
-    photos: [
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1528360983277-13d401cdc186?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1545569341-9eb8b30979d9?w=600&q=80',
-    ],
-    transport: 'train',
-    tripType: 'friends',
-    days: 3,
-    memo: 'Arrived at 6am before the crowds. Just me and the wind moving through the bamboo. One of those moments you keep coming back to.',
-  },
-  {
-    id: '3',
-    title: 'Sunset on Montmartre',
-    date: '2024-06-02',
-    location: { country: 'France', cities: ['Paris'] },
-    photos: [
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1502602898657-3e91760cbb34?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1499856871958-5b9627545d1a?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1511739001486-6bfe10ce785f?w=600&q=80',
-    ],
-    transport: 'flight',
-    tripType: 'solo',
-    days: 7,
-    memo: 'Watched the whole city turn orange from the steps of Sacré-Cœur. A street musician was playing La Vie en Rose. Cliché, perfect.',
-  },
-  {
-    id: '4',
-    title: 'Inside La Sagrada Família',
-    date: '2024-06-10',
-    location: { country: 'Spain', cities: ['Barcelona'] },
-    photos: [
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1523531294919-4bcd7c65e216?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1583422409516-2895a77efded?w=600&q=80',
-    ],
-    transport: 'flight',
-    tripType: 'friends',
-    days: 4,
-    memo: 'Nothing prepares you for the light inside. The stained glass turns the whole nave into a kaleidoscope. Gaudí was building a forest.',
-  },
-  {
-    id: '5',
-    title: 'Central Park in Fall',
-    date: '2023-10-20',
-    location: { country: 'USA', cities: ['New York'] },
-    photos: [
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1534430480872-3498386e7856?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1485871981521-5b1fd3805345?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1522083165195-3424ed129620?w=600&q=80',
-    ],
-    transport: 'car',
-    tripType: 'friends',
-    days: 6,
-    memo: 'Peak foliage. Joggers, picnics, a guy playing saxophone near Bethesda Fountain. Hard to believe a city this big wraps around this much quiet.',
-  },
-  {
-    id: '6',
-    title: 'Wat Pho Reclining Buddha',
-    date: '2024-01-08',
-    location: { country: 'Thailand', cities: ['Bangkok'] },
-    photos: [
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1563492065599-3520f775eeed?w=600&q=80',
-      'https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1552465011-b4e21bf6e79a?w=600&q=80',
-    ],
-    transport: 'ship',
-    tripType: 'solo',
-    days: 2,
-    memo: 'Stood in front of the 45m golden Buddha for a long time. The mother-of-pearl inlay on the soles of the feet is impossibly detailed.',
-  },
-];
+export const journals = writable(/** @type {JournalEntry[]} */([]));
+export const journalsLoading = writable(true);
 
-export const journals = writable(mockEntries);
+const entriesRef = collection(db, 'entries');
+
+onSnapshot(entriesRef, (snap) => {
+  journals.set(snap.docs.map(d => ({ id: d.id, ...d.data() })));
+  journalsLoading.set(false);
+});
 
 /** @param {Omit<JournalEntry, 'id'>} entry */
-export function addJournal(entry) {
-  journals.update((entries) => [...entries, { ...entry, id: crypto.randomUUID() }]);
+export async function addJournal(entry) {
+  await addDoc(entriesRef, { ...entry, createdAt: serverTimestamp() });
 }
 
 /** @param {string} id */
-export function removeJournal(id) {
-  journals.update((entries) => entries.filter((e) => e.id !== id));
+export async function removeJournal(id) {
+  await deleteDoc(doc(db, 'entries', id));
 }
 
 /** @param {JournalEntry} updated */
-export function updateJournal(updated) {
-  journals.update((entries) => entries.map((e) => e.id === updated.id ? updated : e));
+export async function updateJournal(updated) {
+  const { id, ...data } = updated;
+  await updateDoc(doc(db, 'entries', id), data);
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/timeline/DeleteConfirm.svelte b/src/lib/timeline/DeleteConfirm.svelte
index 9428ebb..e9b7bcd 100644
--- a/src/lib/timeline/DeleteConfirm.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/timeline/DeleteConfirm.svelte
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 <div class="overlay" role="dialog" aria-modal="true">
   <div class="dialog">
-    <h2 class="title">Delete entry?</h2>
+    <h2 class="title">Delete trip?</h2>
     <p class="body">
       <strong>{entry.location.cities.join(', ')}, {entry.location.country}</strong> — {entry.date.slice(0, 4)} will be permanently removed.
     </p>
diff --git a/src/lib/timeline/EditForm.svelte b/src/lib/timeline/EditForm.svelte
index 2edd9f4..46b990f 100644
--- a/src/lib/timeline/EditForm.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/timeline/EditForm.svelte
@@ -18,11 +18,19 @@
   let cityInput  = $state('');
   let country    = $state(entry?.location.country ?? initialCountry);
   let date       = $state(entry?.date ?? new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10));
-  let days       = $state(String(entry?.days ?? 1));
-  let tripType   = $state(entry?.tripType ?? 'solo');
+  let days       = $state(String(entry?.days ?? ''));
+  let tripType   = $state(entry?.tripType ?? '');
   let photos     = $state([...(entry?.photos ?? [])]);
   let memo       = $state(entry?.memo ?? '');
-  let transport  = $state(entry?.transport ?? 'flight');
+  let transport  = $state(entry?.transport ?? '');
+
+  let errors = $state({
+    country: '', cities: '', date: '', days: '', tripType: '', transport: ''
+  });
+
+  function clearErrors() {
+    errors = { country: '', cities: '', date: '', days: '', tripType: '', transport: '' };
+  }
 
   const transportOptions = [
     { value: 'flight', label: '✈ Flight' },
@@ -49,8 +57,11 @@
     }
   }
 
+  // Suggest cities — when a country is selected show only cities from that country.
   let cityOptions = $derived(
-    [...new Set(get(journals).flatMap(e => e.location.cities))].sort()
+    country.trim()
+      ? [...new Set(get(journals).filter(j => (j.location.country || '').toLowerCase() === country.trim().toLowerCase()).flatMap(e => e.location.cities))].sort()
+      : [...new Set(get(journals).flatMap(e => e.location.cities))].sort()
   );
 
   function addCity(val) {
@@ -65,31 +76,45 @@
     cities = cities.filter(x => x !== c);
   }
 
-  function save() {
-    if (isNew) {
-      addJournal({
-        title: `${cities.join(', ')}, ${country}`,
-        date,
-        days: Number(days),
-        tripType,
-        memo,
-        photos,
-        transport,
-        location: { cities, country },
-      });
-    } else {
-      updateJournal({
-        ...entry,
-        date,
-        days: Number(days),
-        tripType,
-        transport,
-        memo,
-        photos,
-        location: { cities, country },
-      });
+  async function save() {
+    clearErrors();
+    let hasError = false;
+    if (!country.trim())           { errors.country   = 'Country is required.';          hasError = true; }
+    if (cities.length === 0)       { errors.cities    = 'Add at least one city.';        hasError = true; }
+    if (!date)                     { errors.date      = 'Date is required.';             hasError = true; }
+    if (!days || Number(days) < 1) { errors.days      = 'Enter a valid number of days.'; hasError = true; }
+    if (!tripType)                 { errors.tripType  = 'Select a trip type.';           hasError = true; }
+    if (!transport)                { errors.transport = 'Select how you got there.';     hasError = true; }
+    if (hasError) return;
+
+    try {
+      if (isNew) {
+        await addJournal({
+          title: `${cities.join(', ')}, ${country}`,
+          date,
+          days: Number(days),
+          tripType,
+          memo,
+          photos,
+          transport,
+          location: { cities, country },
+        });
+      } else {
+        await updateJournal({
+          ...entry,
+          date,
+          days: Number(days),
+          tripType,
+          transport,
+          memo,
+          photos,
+          location: { cities, country },
+        });
+      }
+      onBack();
+    } catch (err) {
+      showToast('Failed to save. Please try again.');
     }
-    onBack();
   }
 </script>
 
@@ -104,7 +129,7 @@
         Back
       </button>
     </div>
-    <span class="topbar-title">{isNew ? 'New entry' : 'Edit'}</span>
+    <span class="topbar-title">{isNew ? 'New trip' : 'Edit'}</span>
     <div class="topbar-right">
       <button class="topbar-btn topbar-btn--save" onclick={save}>Save changes</button>
     </div>
@@ -117,12 +142,14 @@
         <div class="field">
           <label class="label" for="edit-country">Country <span class="req">*</span></label>
           <SearchInput id="edit-country" bind:value={country} options={countryNames} required />
+          {#if errors.country}<span class="field-error">{errors.country}</span>{/if}
         </div>
         <div class="field">
           <label class="label" for="edit-city">Cities <span class="req">*</span></label>
           <div class="city-input-row">
             <SearchInput id="edit-city" bind:value={cityInput} options={cityOptions} onselect={addCity} />
           </div>
+          {#if errors.cities}<span class="field-error">{errors.cities}</span>{/if}
           {#if cities.length > 0}
             <div class="city-tags">
               {#each cities as c}
@@ -140,10 +167,12 @@
         <div class="field">
           <label class="label" for="edit-date">Date <span class="req">*</span></label>
           <input id="edit-date" class="input" type="date" bind:value={date} required />
+          {#if errors.date}<span class="field-error">{errors.date}</span>{/if}
         </div>
         <div class="field">
           <label class="label" for="edit-days">Days <span class="req">*</span></label>
           <input id="edit-days" class="input" type="number" min="1" bind:value={days} required />
+          {#if errors.days}<span class="field-error">{errors.days}</span>{/if}
         </div>
       </div>
 
@@ -160,6 +189,7 @@
             <input type="radio" name="tripType" value="family" bind:group={tripType} /> With family
           </label>
         </div>
+        {#if errors.tripType}<span class="field-error">{errors.tripType}</span>{/if}
       </div>
 
       <div class="field">
@@ -172,6 +202,7 @@
             </label>
           {/each}
         </div>
+        {#if errors.transport}<span class="field-error">{errors.transport}</span>{/if}
       </div>
 
       <PhotoEditor {photos} onchange={(p) => (photos = p)} />
@@ -190,6 +221,12 @@
 </div>
 
 <style>
+  .field-error {
+    font-size: 11px;
+    color: #dc2626;
+    margin-top: 2px;
+  }
+
   .edit-layout {
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: column;
diff --git a/src/lib/timeline/NewEntryForm.svelte b/src/lib/timeline/NewEntryForm.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6095e27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/timeline/NewEntryForm.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,454 @@
+<script>
+  import { get } from 'svelte/store';
+  import { journals, addJournal } from '../stores/journalStore.js';
+  import { countryNames } from '../shared/countries.js';
+  import SearchInput from '../shared/SearchInput.svelte';
+  import PhotoEditor from './PhotoEditor.svelte';
+
+  let { initialCountry = '', onBack } = $props();
+
+  // ── Fields ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  let cities    = $state([]);
+  let cityInput = $state('');
+  let country   = $state(initialCountry);
+  let date      = $state(new Date().toISOString().slice(0, 10));
+  let days      = $state('');
+  let tripType  = $state('');
+  let transport = $state('');
+  let photos    = $state([]);
+  let answers   = $state(['', '', '']);
+
+  let errors = $state({ country: '', cities: '', date: '', days: '', tripType: '', transport: '' });
+
+  // ── Steps ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  let step = $state(1); // 1 | 2 | 3
+
+  // ── Random questions ───────────────────────────────────────────────
+  const ALL_QUESTIONS = [
+    'If this trip had a movie title, what would it be?',
+    'What was the most unexpected thing that happened?',
+    'Which moment would you relive for just 10 more minutes?',
+    'What was your best accidental discovery?\n(A café, a street, a person, a view…)',
+    'If your trip had a theme song, what would it sound like?',
+    'What did you pack but never use?',
+    'What was the smallest thing that made you surprisingly happy?',
+    'If you could steal one thing from this place (without consequences), what would it be?\n(A tradition, a smell, a sunset, a food…)',
+    'What story from this trip will you probably tell your friends first?',
+    'What version of yourself showed up on this trip?',
+  ];
+
+  function pickRandom() {
+    const shuffled = [...ALL_QUESTIONS].sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);
+    return shuffled.slice(0, 3);
+  }
+
+  const questions = pickRandom();
+
+  // ── Helpers ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  // Suggest cities — if a country is selected, show cities only from that country;
+  // otherwise show all known cities.
+  let cityOptions = $derived(
+    country.trim()
+      ? [...new Set(get(journals).filter(j => (j.location.country || '').toLowerCase() === country.trim().toLowerCase()).flatMap(e => e.location.cities))].sort()
+      : [...new Set(get(journals).flatMap(e => e.location.cities))].sort()
+  );
+
+  function addCity(val) {
+    const t = (val ?? cityInput).trim();
+    if (t && !cities.includes(t)) cities = [...cities, t];
+    cityInput = '';
+  }
+
+  function removeCity(c) { cities = cities.filter(x => x !== c); }
+
+  $effect(() => { if (country.trim()) errors.country = ''; });
+  $effect(() => { if (cities.length > 0) errors.cities = ''; });
+  $effect(() => { if (date) errors.date = ''; });
+  $effect(() => { if (days && Number(days) >= 1) errors.days = ''; });
+  $effect(() => { if (tripType) errors.tripType = ''; });
+  $effect(() => { if (transport) errors.transport = ''; });
+
+  const transportOptions = [
+    { value: 'flight', label: '✈ Flight' },
+    { value: 'train',  label: '🚂 Train'  },
+    { value: 'bus',    label: '🚌 Bus'    },
+    { value: 'car',    label: '🚗 Car'    },
+    { value: 'ship',   label: '🚢 Ship'   },
+    { value: 'walk',   label: '🚶 Walk'   },
+  ];
+
+  // ── Navigation ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  function nextStep() {
+    if (step === 1) {
+      errors = { country: '', cities: '', date: '', days: '', tripType: '', transport: '' };
+      let hasError = false;
+      if (!country.trim())           { errors.country   = 'Country is required.';          hasError = true; }
+      if (cities.length === 0)       { errors.cities    = 'Add at least one city.';        hasError = true; }
+      if (!date)                     { errors.date      = 'Date is required.';             hasError = true; }
+      if (!days || Number(days) < 1) { errors.days      = 'Enter a valid number of days.'; hasError = true; }
+      if (!tripType)                 { errors.tripType  = 'Select a trip type.';           hasError = true; }
+      if (!transport)                { errors.transport = 'Select how you got there.';     hasError = true; }
+      if (hasError) return;
+    }
+    step++;
+  }
+
+  function prevStep() {
+    if (step === 1) onBack();
+    else step--;
+  }
+
+  // ── Save ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  let saving = $state(false);
+
+  async function save() {
+    saving = true;
+    const memo = questions
+      .map((q, i) => answers[i].trim() ? `Q: ${q.split('\n')[0]}\nA: ${answers[i].trim()}` : '')
+      .filter(Boolean)
+      .join('\n\n');
+    try {
+      await addJournal({
+        title: `${cities.join(', ')}, ${country}`,
+        date,
+        days: Number(days),
+        tripType,
+        transport,
+        memo,
+        photos,
+        location: { cities, country },
+      });
+      onBack();
+    } catch {
+      saving = false;
+    }
+  }
+</script>
+
+<div class="layout">
+  <header class="topbar">
+    <div class="topbar-left">
+      <button class="ghost-btn" onclick={prevStep}>
+        <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round"><path d="M19 12H5M12 5l-7 7 7 7"/></svg>
+        {step === 1 ? 'Back' : 'Previous'}
+      </button>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="steps">
+      {#each [1,2,3] as s}
+        <div class="step-dot" class:active={step === s} class:done={step > s}></div>
+      {/each}
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="topbar-right">
+      {#if step < 3}
+        <button class="save-btn" onclick={nextStep}>Next</button>
+      {:else}
+        <button class="save-btn" onclick={save} disabled={saving}>
+          {saving ? 'Saving…' : 'Save trip'}
+        </button>
+      {/if}
+    </div>
+  </header>
+
+  <div class="scroll">
+    <div class="form">
+
+      {#if step === 1}
+        <!-- ── STEP 1: Details ── -->
+        <h2 class="step-title">Trip details</h2>
+
+        <div class="row">
+          <div class="field">
+            <label class="label" for="nc-country">Country <span class="req">*</span></label>
+            <SearchInput id="nc-country" bind:value={country} options={countryNames} />
+            {#if errors.country}<span class="ferr">{errors.country}</span>{/if}
+          </div>
+          <div class="field">
+            <label class="label" for="nc-city">Cities <span class="req">*</span></label>
+            <SearchInput id="nc-city" bind:value={cityInput} options={cityOptions} onselect={addCity} />
+            {#if errors.cities}<span class="ferr">{errors.cities}</span>{/if}
+            {#if cities.length > 0}
+              <div class="tags">
+                {#each cities as c}
+                  <span class="tag">{c}<button type="button" class="tag-rm" onclick={() => removeCity(c)}>×</button></span>
+                {/each}
+              </div>
+            {/if}
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="row">
+          <div class="field">
+            <label class="label" for="nc-date">Date <span class="req">*</span></label>
+            <input id="nc-date" class="input" type="date" bind:value={date} />
+            {#if errors.date}<span class="ferr">{errors.date}</span>{/if}
+          </div>
+          <div class="field">
+            <label class="label" for="nc-days">Days <span class="req">*</span></label>
+            <input id="nc-days" class="input" type="number" min="1" bind:value={days} />
+            {#if errors.days}<span class="ferr">{errors.days}</span>{/if}
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="field">
+          <label class="label">Trip type <span class="req">*</span></label>
+          <div class="toggle-row">
+            {#each ['solo','friends','family'] as t}
+              <label class="toggle-opt" class:active={tripType === t}>
+                <input type="radio" name="nc-tripType" value={t} bind:group={tripType} />
+                {t === 'solo' ? 'Solo' : t === 'friends' ? 'With friends' : 'With family'}
+              </label>
+            {/each}
+          </div>
+          {#if errors.tripType}<span class="ferr">{errors.tripType}</span>{/if}
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="field">
+          <label class="label">How did you get there? <span class="req">*</span></label>
+          <div class="transport-grid">
+            {#each transportOptions as opt}
+              <label class="transport-opt" class:active={transport === opt.value}>
+                <input type="radio" name="nc-transport" value={opt.value} bind:group={transport} />
+                {opt.label}
+              </label>
+            {/each}
+          </div>
+          {#if errors.transport}<span class="ferr">{errors.transport}</span>{/if}
+        </div>
+
+      {:else if step === 2}
+        <!-- ── STEP 2: Photos ── -->
+        <h2 class="step-title">Photos</h2>
+        <p class="step-sub">Optional — add photos from your trip</p>
+        <PhotoEditor {photos} onchange={(p) => (photos = p)} />
+
+      {:else}
+        <!-- ── STEP 3: Questions ── -->
+        <h2 class="step-title">Your memories</h2>
+
+        {#each questions as q, i}
+          <div class="q-card">
+            <p class="q-text">{q}</p>
+            <textarea class="q-input" rows="3" placeholder="Your answer…" bind:value={answers[i]}></textarea>
+          </div>
+        {/each}
+      {/if}
+
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<style>
+  .layout {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    height: 100%;
+    background: var(--bg);
+    font-family: var(--sans);
+  }
+
+  /* topbar */
+  .topbar {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: space-between;
+    padding: 0 20px;
+    height: 52px;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
+    background: var(--bg);
+  }
+  .topbar-left, .topbar-right {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    min-width: 110px;
+  }
+  .topbar-right { justify-content: flex-end; }
+
+  .steps {
+    display: flex;
+    gap: 8px;
+    align-items: center;
+  }
+  .step-dot {
+    width: 8px;
+    height: 8px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: var(--border);
+    transition: background 0.2s, transform 0.2s;
+  }
+  .step-dot.active {
+    background: var(--accent);
+    transform: scale(1.25);
+  }
+  .step-dot.done {
+    background: var(--accent);
+    opacity: 0.35;
+  }
+
+  .ghost-btn {
+    display: inline-flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 6px;
+    font-family: var(--sans);
+    font-size: 13px;
+    font-weight: 300;
+    color: var(--text);
+    background: none;
+    border: 1px solid transparent;
+    border-radius: 8px;
+    padding: 6px 10px;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    transition: background 0.15s, color 0.15s, border-color 0.15s;
+  }
+  .ghost-btn:hover { background: var(--bg-subtle); border-color: var(--border); color: var(--text-h); }
+
+  .save-btn {
+    font-family: var(--sans);
+    font-size: 13px;
+    font-weight: 300;
+    color: #fff;
+    background: var(--accent);
+    border: 1px solid var(--accent);
+    border-radius: 8px;
+    padding: 7px 14px;
+    cursor: pointer;
+    transition: background 0.15s;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+  }
+  .save-btn:hover { background: var(--accent-dark); border-color: var(--accent-dark); }
+  .save-btn:disabled { opacity: 0.6; cursor: not-allowed; }
+
+  /* scroll + form */
+  .scroll { flex: 1; overflow-y: auto; }
+
+  .form {
+    max-width: 560px;
+    margin: 0 auto;
+    padding: 36px 48px 80px;
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 18px;
+  }
+
+  .step-title {
+    font-size: 20px;
+    font-weight: 400;
+    color: var(--text-h);
+    letter-spacing: -0.3px;
+    margin: 0 0 2px;
+  }
+  .step-sub {
+    font-size: 13px;
+    font-weight: 300;
+    color: var(--text-sub);
+    margin: -10px 0 4px;
+  }
+
+  /* fields (same as EditForm) */
+  .row { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; gap: 14px; }
+
+  .field { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 6px; }
+
+  .label {
+    font-size: 11px;
+    font-weight: 400;
+    letter-spacing: 0.08em;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    color: var(--text-sub);
+  }
+  .req { color: var(--accent); font-size: 11px; }
+
+  .ferr { font-size: 11px; color: #dc2626; }
+
+  .input {
+    font-family: var(--sans);
+    font-size: 14px;
+    font-weight: 300;
+    color: var(--text-h);
+    background: var(--bg-subtle);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border);
+    border-radius: 8px;
+    padding: 8px 12px;
+    outline: none;
+    transition: border-color 0.15s;
+    width: 100%;
+    box-sizing: border-box;
+  }
+  .input:focus { border-color: var(--accent-border); }
+
+  .toggle-row { display: flex; gap: 8px; }
+  .toggle-opt {
+    display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px;
+    font-size: 13px; font-weight: 300; color: var(--text);
+    padding: 7px 14px; border-radius: 8px;
+    border: 1px solid var(--border);
+    cursor: pointer; transition: border-color 0.15s, background 0.15s, color 0.15s;
+    background: var(--bg-subtle);
+  }
+  .toggle-opt input { display: none; }
+  .toggle-opt.active { border-color: var(--accent-border); background: var(--accent-bg); color: var(--accent); }
+
+  .transport-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); gap: 8px; }
+  .transport-opt {
+    display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; gap: 6px;
+    font-size: 13px; font-weight: 300; color: var(--text);
+    padding: 8px 10px; border-radius: 8px;
+    border: 1px solid var(--border); background: var(--bg-subtle);
+    cursor: pointer; transition: border-color 0.15s, background 0.15s, color 0.15s;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+  }
+  .transport-opt input { display: none; }
+  .transport-opt.active { border-color: var(--accent-border); background: var(--accent-bg); color: var(--accent); }
+
+  .tags { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 6px; margin-top: 4px; }
+  .tag {
+    display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 4px;
+    font-size: 12px; font-weight: 300; color: var(--accent);
+    background: var(--accent-bg); border: 1px solid var(--accent-border);
+    border-radius: 20px; padding: 3px 10px 3px 12px;
+  }
+  .tag-rm {
+    background: none; border: none; color: var(--accent);
+    font-size: 15px; line-height: 1; cursor: pointer; padding: 0; opacity: 0.6;
+  }
+  .tag-rm:hover { opacity: 1; }
+
+  /* question cards */
+  .q-card {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 10px;
+    background: var(--bg-subtle);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border);
+    border-radius: 12px;
+    padding: 20px;
+  }
+  .q-text {
+    font-size: 14px;
+    font-weight: 400;
+    color: var(--text-h);
+    line-height: 1.5;
+    margin: 0;
+    white-space: pre-line;
+  }
+  .q-input {
+    font-family: var(--sans);
+    font-size: 13px;
+    font-weight: 300;
+    color: var(--text-h);
+    background: var(--bg);
+    border: 1px solid var(--border);
+    border-radius: 8px;
+    padding: 10px 12px;
+    outline: none;
+    resize: none;
+    line-height: 1.6;
+    transition: border-color 0.15s;
+    width: 100%;
+    box-sizing: border-box;
+  }
+  .q-input:focus { border-color: var(--accent-border); }
+  .q-input::placeholder { color: var(--text-sub); font-style: italic; }
+</style>
diff --git a/src/lib/timeline/PhotoEditor.svelte b/src/lib/timeline/PhotoEditor.svelte
index 1415f41..0ac7f42 100644
--- a/src/lib/timeline/PhotoEditor.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/timeline/PhotoEditor.svelte
@@ -1,32 +1,35 @@
 <script>
+  import { storage } from '../firebase.js';
+  import { ref, uploadBytes, getDownloadURL } from 'firebase/storage';
+
   /** @type {{ photos: string[], onchange: (photos: string[]) => void }} */
   let { photos, onchange } = $props();
 
   let fileInput;
+  let uploading = $state(false);
 
   function remove(index) {
-    const next = photos.filter((_, i) => i !== index);
-    onchange(next);
+    onchange(photos.filter((_, i) => i !== index));
   }
 
   async function addFiles(e) {
     const files = Array.from(e.currentTarget.files ?? []);
     if (!files.length) return;
-
-    const dataUrls = await Promise.all(files.map(fileToDataUrl));
-    onchange([...photos, ...dataUrls]);
-
-    // reset so the same file can be picked again
-    e.currentTarget.value = '';
+    uploading = true;
+    try {
+      const urls = await Promise.all(files.map(uploadPhoto));
+      onchange([...photos, ...urls]);
+    } finally {
+      uploading = false;
+      e.currentTarget.value = '';
+    }
   }
 
   /** @param {File} file */
-  function fileToDataUrl(file) {
-    return new Promise((resolve) => {
-      const reader = new FileReader();
-      reader.onload = (e) => resolve(/** @type {string} */ (e.target.result));
-      reader.readAsDataURL(file);
-    });
+  async function uploadPhoto(file) {
+    const storageRef = ref(storage, `photos/${crypto.randomUUID()}`);
+    await uploadBytes(storageRef, file);
+    return getDownloadURL(storageRef);
   }
 </script>
 
@@ -37,13 +40,13 @@
   </div>
 
   {#if photos.length === 0}
-    <button type="button" class="empty-zone" onclick={() => fileInput.click()}>
+    <button type="button" class="empty-zone" onclick={() => fileInput.click()} disabled={uploading}>
       <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.2">
         <rect x="3" y="3" width="18" height="18" rx="3"/>
         <circle cx="8.5" cy="8.5" r="1.5"/>
         <path d="M21 15l-5-5L5 21"/>
       </svg>
-      <span>Click to add photos</span>
+      <span>{uploading ? 'Uploading…' : 'Click to add photos'}</span>
     </button>
   {:else}
     <div class="grid">
@@ -58,7 +61,7 @@
         </div>
       {/each}
 
-      <button type="button" class="add-cell" onclick={() => fileInput.click()}>
+      <button type="button" class="add-cell" onclick={() => fileInput.click()} disabled={uploading}>
         <svg width="22" height="22" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.5" stroke-linecap="round">
           <path d="M12 5v14M5 12h14"/>
         </svg>
diff --git a/src/lib/timeline/TimelineView.svelte b/src/lib/timeline/TimelineView.svelte
index afc8b3f..de7d0d3 100644
--- a/src/lib/timeline/TimelineView.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/timeline/TimelineView.svelte
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
   import TimelineCard from './TimelineCard.svelte';
   import JournalDetail from './JournalDetail.svelte';
   import EditForm from './EditForm.svelte';
+  import NewEntryForm from './NewEntryForm.svelte';
   import ShareCard from './ShareCard.svelte';
   import SharePreview from './SharePreview.svelte';
 
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@
 
   {#if view === 'new'}
     <div class="detail-scroll">
-      <EditForm initialCountry={newEntryCountry} onBack={() => { view = 'list'; newEntryCountry = ''; onDetailChange(false); }} />
+      <NewEntryForm initialCountry={newEntryCountry} onBack={() => { view = 'list'; newEntryCountry = ''; onDetailChange(false); }} />
     </div>
   {:else if view === 'edit' && selected}
     <div class="detail-scroll">
@@ -70,56 +71,52 @@
     </div>
   {:else}
     <div class="right-panel">
-      <div class="two-col">
-        <!-- Timeline column -->
-        <div class="timeline-col">
-          <div class="page-header">
-            <h1 class="page-title">My Journey</h1>
-            <button class="new-btn" onclick={() => { view = 'new'; }}>
-              <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round">
-                <path d="M12 5v14M5 12h14"/>
-              </svg>
-              New entry
-            </button>
-          </div>
-
-          <TimelineToolbar {sortKey} onSort={(k) => (sortKey = k)} />
-
-          {#if sortedEntries.length === 0}
-            <p class="empty">No journal entries yet.</p>
-          {:else}
-            <div class="sort-row">
-              <span class="sort-label">Sort by</span>
-              <select class="sort-select" onchange={(e) => (sortKey = e.currentTarget.value)}>
-                <option value="date-desc" selected={sortKey === 'date-desc'}>Newest first</option>
-                <option value="date-asc"  selected={sortKey === 'date-asc'}>Oldest first</option>
-                <option value="country-asc"  selected={sortKey === 'country-asc'}>Country A → Z</option>
-                <option value="country-desc" selected={sortKey === 'country-desc'}>Country Z → A</option>
-              </select>
-            </div>
-            <ol class="v-list">
-              {#each sortedEntries as entry, i (entry.id)}
-                {#if i === 0 || getYear(entry.date) !== getYear(sortedEntries[i - 1].date)}
-                  <li class="year-marker" aria-hidden="true">
-                    <span class="year-label">{getYear(entry.date)}</span>
-                  </li>
-                {/if}
-                <TimelineCard {entry} onClick={() => { selectedId = entry.id; view = 'detail'; onDetailChange(true); }} />
-              {/each}
-            </ol>
-          {/if}
-
-          <footer class="page-footer">
-            {sortedEntries.length} {sortedEntries.length === 1 ? 'entry' : 'entries'}
-          </footer>
+      <div class="center-col">
+        <div class="page-header">
+          <h1 class="page-title">My Journey</h1>
+          <button class="new-btn" onclick={() => { view = 'new'; }}>
+            <svg width="13" height="13" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round">
+              <path d="M12 5v14M5 12h14"/>
+            </svg>
+            Add trip
+          </button>
         </div>
 
-        <!-- Share preview column -->
         {#if sortedEntries.length > 0}
-          <div class="share-col">
+          <div class="share-row">
             <SharePreview entries={sortedEntries} onClick={() => (showShare = true)} />
           </div>
         {/if}
+
+        <TimelineToolbar {sortKey} onSort={(k) => (sortKey = k)} />
+
+        {#if sortedEntries.length === 0}
+          <p class="empty">No journal entries yet.</p>
+        {:else}
+          <div class="sort-row">
+            <span class="sort-label">Sort by</span>
+            <select class="sort-select" onchange={(e) => (sortKey = e.currentTarget.value)}>
+              <option value="date-desc" selected={sortKey === 'date-desc'}>Newest first</option>
+              <option value="date-asc"  selected={sortKey === 'date-asc'}>Oldest first</option>
+              <option value="country-asc"  selected={sortKey === 'country-asc'}>Country A → Z</option>
+              <option value="country-desc" selected={sortKey === 'country-desc'}>Country Z → A</option>
+            </select>
+          </div>
+          <ol class="v-list">
+            {#each sortedEntries as entry, i (entry.id)}
+              {#if i === 0 || getYear(entry.date) !== getYear(sortedEntries[i - 1].date)}
+                <li class="year-marker" aria-hidden="true">
+                  <span class="year-label">{getYear(entry.date)}</span>
+                </li>
+              {/if}
+              <TimelineCard {entry} onClick={() => { selectedId = entry.id; view = 'detail'; onDetailChange(true); }} />
+            {/each}
+          </ol>
+        {/if}
+
+        <footer class="page-footer">
+          {sortedEntries.length} {sortedEntries.length === 1 ? 'trip' : 'trips'}
+        </footer>
       </div>
     </div>
   {/if}
@@ -148,30 +145,23 @@
     background: var(--bg);
   }
 
-  /* ── Two-column layout ── */
-  .two-col {
-    display: grid;
-    grid-template-columns: 1fr 240px;
-    gap: 48px;
-    max-width: 1020px;
+  /* ── Centered single column ── */
+  .center-col {
+    max-width: 680px;
     width: 100%;
     margin: 0 auto;
     padding: 48px 48px 80px;
-    align-items: start;
     box-sizing: border-box;
   }
 
-  .timeline-col { min-width: 0; }
+  .share-row {
+    margin-bottom: 24px;
+  }
 
-  .share-col { padding-top: 60px; }
-
-  /* ── Responsive: narrow viewport ── */
-  @media (max-width: 860px) {
-    .two-col {
-      grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  @media (max-width: 760px) {
+    .center-col {
       padding: 32px 24px 60px;
     }
-    .share-col { padding-top: 0; }
   }
 
   /* ── Detail view ── */
diff --git a/src/lib/world-map/StatsPanel.svelte b/src/lib/world-map/StatsPanel.svelte
index bb14ffa..b8212f8 100644
--- a/src/lib/world-map/StatsPanel.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/world-map/StatsPanel.svelte
@@ -1,46 +1,18 @@
 <script>
   import { CONTINENTS, getContinent, continentTotals } from './continents.js';
-  import { getSelected, getTotalCount } from '../layout/selection.svelte.js';
-  import worldData from 'world-atlas/countries-50m.json';
+  import { getSelected } from '../layout/selection.svelte.js';
 
-  let collapsed = $state(false);
+  let hoveredSeg = $state(null);
 
   const continentColors = {
-    'Europe': '#3b82f6',
-    'Asia': '#ef4444',
-    'Africa': '#f97316',
-    'N. America': '#22c55e',
-    'S. America': '#eab308',
-    'Oceania': '#a855f7'
+    'Europe': '#6366f1',
+    'Asia': '#f43f5e',
+    'Africa': '#fb923c',
+    'N. America': '#06b6d4',
+    'S. America': '#f59e0b',
+    'Oceania': '#8b5cf6'
   };
 
-  const countryNameById = $derived.by(() => {
-    const map = { XK: 'Kosovo' };
-    for (const g of worldData.objects.countries.geometries) {
-      map[g.id] = g.properties?.name || g.id;
-    }
-    return map;
-  });
-
-  let visitedCountries = $derived(
-    [...getSelected()].map(id => countryNameById[id]).filter(Boolean).sort()
-  );
-
-  let visitedByContinent = $derived.by(() => {
-    const map = {};
-    for (const id of getSelected()) {
-      const cont = getContinent(id);
-      if (cont) {
-        if (!map[cont]) map[cont] = [];
-        map[cont].push(countryNameById[id] || id);
-      }
-    }
-    for (const cont of Object.keys(map)) {
-      map[cont].sort();
-    }
-    return map;
-  });
-
   let counts = $derived.by(() => {
     const c = {};
     for (const cont of CONTINENTS) c[cont] = 0;
@@ -64,11 +36,9 @@
       if (angle > 0) {
         const startDeg = deg;
         const endDeg = deg + angle;
-        const midDeg = (startDeg + endDeg) / 2;
-        const rad = (midDeg - 90) * Math.PI / 180;
         const sr = (startDeg - 90) * Math.PI / 180;
         const er = (endDeg - 90) * Math.PI / 180;
-        const cx = 90, cy = 90, outerR = 65, innerR = 30;
+        const cx = 50, cy = 50, outerR = 44, innerR = 22;
         const x1 = cx + outerR * Math.cos(sr);
         const y1 = cy + outerR * Math.sin(sr);
         const x2 = cx + outerR * Math.cos(er);
@@ -79,9 +49,7 @@
         const y4 = cy + innerR * Math.sin(sr);
         const largeArc = angle > 180 ? 1 : 0;
         const path = `M ${x1} ${y1} A ${outerR} ${outerR} 0 ${largeArc} 1 ${x2} ${y2} L ${x3} ${y3} A ${innerR} ${innerR} 0 ${largeArc} 0 ${x4} ${y4} Z`;
-        const lx = cx + 82 * Math.cos(rad);
-        const ly = cy + 82 * Math.sin(rad);
-        segs.push({ cont, color: continentColors[cont], path, lx, ly, angle });
+        segs.push({ cont, color: continentColors[cont], path, angle });
         deg += angle;
       }
     }
@@ -89,292 +57,199 @@
   });
 </script>
 
-<div class="panel" class:collapsed>
-  <button class="collapse-btn" onclick={() => collapsed = !collapsed} data-tip={collapsed ? 'see statistics' : 'close statistics'}>
-    {collapsed ? '◀' : '▶'}
-  </button>
+<div class="card">
+  <!-- count -->
+  <div class="stat-block">
+    <span class="big-num">{total}</span>
+    <span class="stat-sub">countries visited</span>
+  </div>
 
-  {#if !collapsed}
-    <div class="panel-content">
-      <h2 class="headline">your statistics</h2>
+  <div class="vdivider"></div>
 
-      <span class="bar-label">visited countries</span>
-      <div class="total-bar-wrap">
-        <div class="total-bar-bg">
-          <div class="total-bar-fill" style="width: {pct}%"></div>
+  <!-- world % -->
+  <div class="stat-block">
+    <span class="big-num accent">{pct}%</span>
+    <span class="stat-sub">of the world</span>
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="vdivider"></div>
+
+  <!-- donut -->
+  <div class="donut-block">
+    <svg viewBox="0 0 100 100" class="donut-svg">
+      {#if segments.length > 0}
+        {#each segments as seg}
+          <g class="seg-group"
+             onmouseenter={() => hoveredSeg = seg}
+             onmouseleave={() => hoveredSeg = null}>
+            <path d={seg.path} fill={seg.color} />
+          </g>
+        {/each}
+        <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="22" fill="#fff" />
+      {:else}
+        <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="44" fill="#f1f5f9" />
+        <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="22" fill="#fff" />
+      {/if}
+    </svg>
+
+    <div class="donut-info">
+      <span class="section-label">by continent</span>
+      {#if hoveredSeg}
+        <div class="tooltip" style="--dot:{hoveredSeg.color}">
+          <span class="tt-name">{hoveredSeg.cont}</span>
+          <span class="tt-val">{counts[hoveredSeg.cont]} / {continentTotals[hoveredSeg.cont]}</span>
         </div>
-        <span class="total-bar-text">{total} / {grandTotal}</span>
-      </div>
-
-      <div class="divider"></div>
-
-      <span class="bar-label">by continent</span>
-      {#each CONTINENTS as continent}
-        {@const contTotal = continentTotals[continent]}
-        <div class="row tooltip-wrap">
-          <span class="dot" style="background: {continentColors[continent]}"></span>
-          <span class="label">{continent}</span>
-          <span class="value">{counts[continent]}<span class="total">/{contTotal}</span></span>
-          {#if visitedByContinent[continent]?.length > 0}
-            <div class="tooltip-list">
-              {#each visitedByContinent[continent].slice(0, 10) as country}
-                <span class="tooltip-item">{country}</span>
-              {/each}
-              {#if visitedByContinent[continent].length > 10}
-                <span class="tooltip-item tooltip-more">...</span>
-              {/if}
-            </div>
-          {/if}
-        </div>
-      {/each}
-
-      <div class="donut-wrap">
-        {#if segments.length > 0}
-          <svg viewBox="0 0 180 180" class="donut-svg">
-            {#each segments as seg}
-              <g class="seg-group">
-                <path d={seg.path} fill={seg.color} />
-                <text x={seg.lx} y={seg.ly} text-anchor="middle" dominant-baseline="middle" class="donut-label" style="font-size: {seg.angle < 20 ? 12 : 15}px">{seg.cont}</text>
-              </g>
-            {/each}
-            <circle cx="90" cy="90" r="30" fill="var(--bg-raised)" />
-          </svg>
-        {:else}
-          <svg viewBox="0 0 180 180" class="donut-svg">
-            <circle cx="90" cy="90" r="65" fill="var(--border)" />
-            <circle cx="90" cy="90" r="30" fill="var(--bg-raised)" />
-          </svg>
-        {/if}
-      </div>
-
-      <div class="divider"></div>
-
-      <div class="disclaimer">Contains all UN countries, Kosovo, Hong Kong and Taiwan</div>
+      {:else}
+        <span class="hint">hover a slice</span>
+      {/if}
     </div>
-  {/if}
+  </div>
+
+  <div class="vdivider"></div>
+
+  <!-- progress bar -->
+  <div class="bar-block">
+      <span class="section-label" style="margin-bottom:6px">world coverage</span>
+    <div class="bar-bg">
+      <div class="bar-fill" style="width:{pct}%"></div>
+    </div>
+    <span class="disclaimer">All UN countries · Kosovo · HK · Taiwan</span>
+  </div>
 </div>
 
 <style>
-  .panel {
-    flex: 0 0 min(360px, 25vw);
-    background: var(--bg-raised);
-    border-left: 1px solid var(--border);
+  .card {
+    position: absolute;
+    top: 16px;
+    left: 50%;
+    transform: translateX(-50%);
+    background: #fff;
+    border-radius: 16px;
+    box-shadow: 0 4px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.10), 0 1px 4px rgba(0,0,0,0.06);
+    border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.06);
     display: flex;
     flex-direction: row;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 0;
+    padding: 0 4px;
+    height: 110px;
+    z-index: 10;
     font-family: var(--sans);
-    transition: flex-basis 0.25s ease;
+    white-space: nowrap;
   }
 
-  .panel.collapsed {
-    flex: 0 0 28px;
-    border-left: none;
+  .stat-block {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 4px;
+    padding: 0 36px;
   }
 
-  .panel-content {
-    flex: 1;
-    padding: 24px 28px;
-    overflow-y: auto;
-    min-width: 0;
-  }
-
-  .collapse-btn {
-    flex: 0 0 auto;
-    align-self: flex-start;
-    background: var(--accent-bg);
-    border: none;
-    border-radius: 0 8px 8px 0;
-    padding: 14px 5px;
-    cursor: pointer;
-    font-size: 16px;
+  .big-num {
+    font-size: 40px;
+    font-weight: 300;
+    letter-spacing: -2px;
+    color: var(--text-h);
     line-height: 1;
-    color: var(--accent);
-    transition: background 0.15s ease, padding 0.15s ease;
-    margin-top: 24px;
-    position: relative;
   }
+  .big-num.accent { color: var(--accent); }
 
-  .collapse-btn:hover {
-    background: var(--lavender-bg);
-    padding-right: 8px;
-  }
-
-  .collapse-btn::after {
-    content: attr(data-tip);
-    position: absolute;
-    right: calc(100% + 8px);
-    top: 50%;
-    transform: translateY(-50%);
-    background: var(--text-h);
-    color: var(--bg-raised);
-    font-family: var(--sans);
+  .stat-sub {
     font-size: 12px;
     font-weight: 300;
-    padding: 6px 12px;
-    border-radius: 6px;
-    white-space: nowrap;
-    pointer-events: none;
-    opacity: 0;
-    transition: opacity 0.15s ease;
-  }
-
-  .collapse-btn:hover::after {
-    opacity: 1;
-  }
-
-  .headline {
-    font-family: var(--heading);
-    font-size: var(--text-sm);
-    font-weight: 400;
-    text-transform: uppercase;
-    letter-spacing: 0.1em;
-    color: var(--accent);
-    margin: 0 0 20px 0;
-  }
-
-  .bar-label {
-    font-family: var(--sans);
-    font-size: var(--text-xs);
-    font-weight: 400;
-    text-transform: uppercase;
-    letter-spacing: 0.08em;
     color: var(--text-sub);
-    display: block;
-    margin-bottom: 8px;
+    letter-spacing: 0.03em;
   }
 
-  .total-bar-wrap {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    gap: 12px;
-    margin-bottom: 4px;
-  }
-
-  .total-bar-bg {
-    flex: 1;
-    height: 18px;
-    background: var(--accent-bg);
-    border-radius: 10px;
-    overflow: hidden;
-  }
-
-  .total-bar-fill {
-    height: 100%;
-    background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--accent-dark), var(--lavender));
-    border-radius: 10px;
-    transition: width 0.3s ease;
-    min-width: 0;
-  }
-
-  .total-bar-text {
-    font-size: var(--text-sm);
-    font-weight: 400;
-    color: var(--text-h);
-    white-space: nowrap;
-  }
-
-  .divider {
-    height: 1px;
+  .vdivider {
+    width: 1px;
+    height: 56px;
     background: var(--border);
-    margin: 16px 0;
-  }
-
-  .row {
-    display: flex;
-    align-items: center;
-    gap: 8px;
-    padding: 6px 0;
-  }
-
-  .dot {
-    width: 12px;
-    height: 12px;
-    border-radius: 50%;
     flex-shrink: 0;
   }
 
-  .label {
-    flex: 1;
-    font-size: var(--text-sm);
-    font-weight: 300;
-    color: var(--text);
-  }
-
-  .value {
-    font-size: var(--text-sm);
-    font-weight: 400;
-    color: var(--text-h);
-  }
-
-  .total {
-    font-weight: 400;
-    color: var(--text-sub);
-    font-size: var(--text-xs);
-  }
-
-  .donut-wrap {
+  /* donut */
+  .donut-block {
     display: flex;
-    justify-content: center;
-    margin: 20px 0;
+    flex-direction: row;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 14px;
+    padding: 0 28px;
   }
-
   .donut-svg {
-    width: 160px;
-    height: 160px;
-    filter: drop-shadow(0 2px 8px rgba(99,102,241,0.15));
+    width: 72px;
+    height: 72px;
+    flex-shrink: 0;
+  }
+  .seg-group { cursor: pointer; }
+  .seg-group:hover path { opacity: 0.8; }
+
+  .donut-info {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 6px;
+    min-width: 130px;
   }
 
-  .donut-label {
-    fill: var(--text-h);
-    font-family: var(--sans);
-    font-weight: 300;
-    pointer-events: none;
-    opacity: 0;
-    transition: opacity 0.15s ease;
+  .tooltip {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 7px;
+    font-size: 13px;
   }
-
-  .seg-group:hover .donut-label {
-    opacity: 1;
+  .tooltip::before {
+    content: '';
+    width: 8px;
+    height: 8px;
+    border-radius: 50%;
+    background: var(--dot);
+    flex-shrink: 0;
   }
+  .tt-name { font-weight: 400; color: var(--text-h); }
+  .tt-val  { font-weight: 300; color: var(--text-sub); }
 
-  .tooltip-wrap {
-    position: relative;
-  }
-
-  .tooltip-list {
-    display: none;
-    position: absolute;
-    top: calc(100% + 6px);
-    left: 0;
-    background: var(--text-h);
-    color: var(--bg-raised);
-    font-family: var(--sans);
-    font-size: 12px;
-    line-height: 1.5;
-    padding: 8px 12px;
-    border-radius: 8px;
-    box-shadow: var(--shadow);
-    z-index: 20;
-    white-space: nowrap;
-    min-width: 120px;
-  }
-
-  .tooltip-wrap:hover .tooltip-list {
-    display: block;
-  }
-
-  .tooltip-item {
-    display: block;
-    padding: 2px 0;
-  }
-
-  .tooltip-item + .tooltip-item {
-    border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
-  }
-
-  .disclaimer {
-    font-size: var(--text-xs);
+  .section-label {
+    font-size: 10px;
+    font-weight: 500;
+    letter-spacing: 0.14em;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
     color: var(--text-sub);
-    line-height: 1.5;
-    text-align: center;
+  }
+
+  .hint {
+    font-size: 12px;
+    color: var(--text-sub);
+    opacity: 0.45;
+  }
+
+  /* bar */
+  .bar-block {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    padding: 0 28px;
+    gap: 0;
+    min-width: 160px;
+  }
+  .bar-bg {
+    width: 100%;
+    height: 5px;
+    background: var(--bg-subtle);
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    overflow: hidden;
+    margin-bottom: 10px;
+  }
+  .bar-fill {
+    height: 100%;
+    background: linear-gradient(90deg, var(--accent), #a78bfa);
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    transition: width 0.3s ease;
+    min-width: 0;
+  }
+  .disclaimer {
+    font-size: 11px;
+    color: var(--text-sub);
+    opacity: 0.5;
+    letter-spacing: 0.02em;
   }
 </style>