Another picture-perfect day at the beach. In Italy no less! Ahhh. Just what the dottore ordered. We'll go for a swim and a gelato, then dinner and a passeggiata. And another gelato, of course. Love this photo. A little mini-Mediterranean scoop of heaven, it is.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - turydddu - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Calabria, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of turydddu

I was looking for pigeons in Venice, but somehow I happened upon these guys in Moscow. Venice recently ruled that it's no longer legal to sell food for or feed the flying rats that were so central to the St. Mark's Square experience for so long. I think it's better for the city and its preservation, but I must say that I'm glad I got to experience Piazza San Marco when the birds were at the height of their menacing numbers. Some of my favorite photos of the landmark square and its monuments feature the birds. And when I see images like this one, I only adore them more. It's definitely a love-hate relationship, but whether you're a fan or not you must admit the crazy critters are quite photogenic fellows.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - uncle_andrey - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Moscow, Russia ★
Photo courtesy of uncle_andrey

Today, let's reflect on Venice. A place I can never imagine tiring of. A world of water and light. What's not to like? I think it's wonderful the way this photographer has intentionally turned the town upside down. Or is this the real right-side up? A watery portrait of Venice mirrored in its many canals is as real an image of the city as the one standing on solid ground. Perhaps moreso.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - crio - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Picasa Web Albums that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of crio

Now that looks like fun. What a place. I've been dreaming about hauling over to the heavenly Seychelles ever since I happened upon a photo of La Digue. Last November I had some spontaneous beach banter with a former German supreme court justice (or the equivalent therein) on Lanikai Beach in Hawaii. She was trying to convince me that Lanikai Beach is the most beautiful beach in the world. I argued that myriad beaches in the Seychelles looked pretty darn enticing, but she said no. The Seychelles were indeed gorgeous, but too remote and with little to do otherwise. That Lanikai was perfect and I would do well to cherish it and its proximity to California, and look no further. Not even anything Tahiti has to offer is superior. Having sampled all these beaches in person, I'm sure she's right. Even still, I won't know unless I go (to the Seychelles, myself) for sure. Right?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - dannyw - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Seychelles, Africa ★
Photo courtesy of dannyw

So close, and yet so far! The opening ceremonies are just over a week away. The 2004 games in Greece are such a blur now. I'm sure Beijing will be the same before too long. That's what I'm loving about this picture; its timely symbolism of time, blurred. Even though it was taken in front of the new Olympic stadium (soon to be old) well before the games begin (soon to be began), it could easily have been taken well after. Pretty cool, eh?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - toyohara - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Beijing, China ★
Photo courtesy of toyohara

Countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. I can't wait! Wish I could be there to see Dara Torres kick a55 in the pool! A 41-year-old swimmer, breaking records no less? Awesome. What I wouldn't give to see her events live, in Beijing. But enough about Dara. Look at this gorgeous image of the Olympic torch relay passing through Macau. I love the movement captured in this many-layered reflection. Let the games, and the many photos thereof, begin!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Mlnacio - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Macau, China ★
Photo courtesy of Mlnacio

I'm breaking my one photo a day rule and going with a second pic of the day. The exception is due to this exceptional panorama and crowd of 200,000 to 250,000 folks in Berlin who showed up to get a glimpse of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. I can't get my mind around this crowd. Must have been amazing to have actually been there in person. It looks so crazy! Crazy amazing, that is. And the guy isn't even president at this point. Yet. Unbelievable, right? Anywho, kudos to the crowd and photographer Michael Stoß for capturing the energy and essence of this incredible event. Click here for the full, 360-degree effect. Great shot! And the screenshot's not too shabby, either.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - stevegarfield - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Berlin, Germany ★
Screenshot courtesy of stevegarfield

Well, it's the end of the week and I find myself spending another Friday in Paris. This time, I'm craning my head up to take in a twilight-like shot of La Tour Eiffel, in all her star-studded glory (love the new ring d'étoiles, by the way). What would Paris be without this celebrity of steel? Charming still, I'm sure. Glad we don't have to vive that différence though, oui?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - reinn - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of reinn

It's mid-summer and I've yet to spend a day at the beach. Majorly missing the week I spent on Oahu, a year ago this month. The climate here in Northern California just isn't as sunny and sweet as people imagine. Mark Twain was right - The coldest winter I spent was a summer in San Francisco. Rendering the summery scene pictured here as highly irregular on most San Francisco Bay Area beaches at any time of year, even in the middle of July. Unless, perhaps, we're having a heat wave. Even then. What I love about this picture though is the saturated pastels that are almost neon, with a cotton candy quality about the golden brightness of the light. It's delicious, don't you think?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - lrargerich - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: It's a mystery ★
Photo courtesy of lrargerich

Why is it that I've only just been to Canadia - à Montréal - for the first time, this year? People always talk about how beautiful and wonderful it is, but being right next door I think it's easily overlooked. That's my story, anyway. But, oh Canada! I want to see more.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - kennymatic - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Vancouver, Canada ★
Photo courtesy of kennymatic

OMG I love this image! The range of blues is brilliant. It's almost like an aquatint etching combined with a photo. So very Venice. Gorgeous. And I'm not 100% certain, but I think the island in silhouette is indeed San Michele - the cemetery of Venice. I've only stopped there once and taken a short walk around the grounds. You pass it on the vaporetto (water bus) ride from Venice proper to the islands of Murano, Burano, and/or Torcello.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - miemo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of miemo

What a view! What light! My first ever visit to picture-perfect Piran next spring can't come soon enough. As a self-confessed Venophile - if that's not a real word, it should be - I'm making it my mission in life to visit any and every corner of the former Republic of Venice, before I kick the bucket (or after; either way). I love the rich architectural legacy of La Serenissima, along with the labyrinthine layouts so typical of medieval - and now modern - Europe. The past, as preserved in a place like Piran, to me, is serenely irresistible.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - mattbrown79 - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Piran, Slovenia ★
Photo courtesy of mattbrown79

I'm a huge fan of sand, but only where there's water close by. And given that I wilt (and welt, in the form of heat rash) in warm weather over 80F, the closest I'll ever get to the desert dunes of North Africa is likely looking at photos like this one from the sweat-free comfort of my Northern California home. It looks beautiful though, doesn't it? Too bad I don't have a higher tolerance for heat. I would love to experience this for myself, with camera in hand. In lieu of live, thank goodness for other people's pictures. What a treat for us armchair travelers, at home.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - RickStevens - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Tunisia ★
Photo courtesy of RickStevens

I've not yet had the pleasure of going to Greece in the flesh, but this photo captures perfectly the intimate essence of exactly the way I imagine its isles must look and feel. The perspective here is lovely. Doesn't it seem that you could just reach out and touch the bougainvillea? Maybe break off a bit and tuck it behind your ear. Close your eyes and feel the sun warm your face.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Colleen Curnette - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Santorini, Greece ★
Photo courtesy of Colleen Curnette

I love the dusty dreamy colors and timeless quality of this photo. It could be 1968 or 2008. The mood is magnifique. Beautiful bleu, blanc, and rouge, from the sky to the cloud-colored cathedral to the lady in red. Très français, no?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - steveslep - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of steveslep