Good taste in head gear! The hat second from the right looks kinda like the one Chelsea Clinton was spotted donning about town, trying to hide from prying eyes and camera gear before her big wedding.

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Location: Corfu, Greece ★
Photo courtesy of raymond6030

Is it just me, or does this picture smell amazing?

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Location: Valensol, France ★
Photo courtesy of mikelongphotography

Such a delightful view of the Louvre. I love it!

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Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of SHUN [iamtekn]

She seems to be managing just fine, but I think she'd be more confortable cooking with a hands-free Bluetooth Borg'd to her ear.

And did anyone else catch the typo? It should be crêpes.

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Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of Lindsay1

I first saw a story on the Estonian town of Tallinn on one of my favorite PBS imports from Europe - Euromaxx. Old European city centers are a delight to discover and explore alone or with friends, camera in tow. Tallinn looks like another such gem that I look forward to tackling on a future European tour.

Read more about the Historic Center (Old Town) of Tallinn here.

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Location: Tallinn, Estonia ★
Photo courtesy of wanderzell

Anyone who loves Venice will likely fall for Corfu, too. I've not been, but I'm already quite smitten. Corfu was once a key piece in the vast and powerful puzzle of properties that made up the Republic of Venice. For four centuries, Corfu was an outpost of the Most Serene Republic. Though a part of Greece, this idyllic island has plenty of Italian history and soul.

Read more about the Old Town of Corfu here.

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Location: Corfu Town, Corfu (Greece) ★
Photo courtesy of #victoria#

Back on our UNESCO tour, I thought a quick layover in the most serene city on the planet would be nice. It's my all-time favorite place, and wouldn't be surprised if it remains so, despite future travels far and wide. The destination I describe is, of course, the one and only, the original, Venice, Italy.

I intentionally selected an image for our delight from the beautiful body of work by Irene Suchocki. Her work is, in a word, delicious. I believe I first discovered her amazing photography on Etsy, and continue to follow along on Flickr. She's an incredible artist and I wish I had her eye and dreamy post-processing sense/abilities. While I like my own photographs and style just fine, I like hers immensely moreso. Her evocative images stir the soul and are, always, an inspiration.

Read more about the city of Venice and its lagoon here.

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Location: Venice, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of IrenaS

Today would be a perfect day for a dip in Iceland's famed Blue Lagoon, the all-natural, mineral-rich geothermal spa. With an average temp of 104 °F, it would be a welcome respite from my disappointingly chilly (and foggy) San Francisco Bay Area summer.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - peterbaker - 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: Blue Lagoon, Iceland ★
Photo courtesy of peterbaker

Did you know that the Palace and Park of Versailles is on the UNESCO World Heritage List? I didn't. So it turns out I've been to one more UNESCO site than I'd thought, then. Magnifique! Just like Versailles.

I went for the first time this spring, and spent an entire day there. Arriving early, around 9AM, I was able to wander the park and gardens for hours with hardly a soul in site. It seems everyone begins with the palace and ends in the gardens. Going at it the other way around pays off in peace, if you ask me. After exploring the ample green grounds, I found my way to the Trianons - the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon - and then back to the palace for the finale.

I must say that by the time I reached the palace I was truly wiped out. While I expected Versailles to be grand and grandiose, it was about a million times more majestic and freakishly expansive than I'd anticipated. The palace is big and beautiful, yes. But it was the recently renovated Hall of Mirrors that took my breath away. Perhaps it was the time of day and the light in which I saw it. Whatever it was, it moved me to a few fleeting tears. I tried to capture it with my camera, but unhappy with the results, all said photos were deleted.

Of my remaining snaps, I've selected two to share here with you today. A view through one of the palace's beveled glass windows to a portion of the grounds outside (above), and one of the many lavish painted panels that adorn the palace ceilings (below).

Alas, I didn't get to Versailles on one of the days when all the fountains are turned on. Next time. And I'll have to make a point of staying all day so that I can experience the waters in the setting sun, hopefully half as beautiful as the day that FrankBa made this amazing image of a similar scene.

Read more about the Palace and Park of Versailles here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - FrankBa - 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: Versailles, France ★
Photo courtesy of FrankBa

Well, if ever there was a site that should be considered and added pronto to the UNESCO World Heritage List it's the gorgeous medieval slate city of Piódão in Portugal. I mean, look at this picture. How incredible does this tiny town look? And the little white church? Too cute and delicious for words.

I've never been to Portugal, but you can bet that when I get there, Piódão will be at the top of my list of the first Portuguese cities to see!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - nunorealinho - 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: Piódão, Portugal ★
Photo courtesy of nunorealinho

What pretty city walls!

Read more about the Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - dea_volente - 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: Baku, Azerbaijan ★
Photo courtesy of dea_volente

Much as images like this one move me and make me want to go, I acknowledge that there are some places that I will never venture to in the flesh for myriad reasons. I did, at one time, think it'd be cool to visit the Galápagos Islands, but no more. It's just not that important, per the devastation that my desire for pretty pictures and the experience of a lifetime would bring to the fragile islands.

"Situated in the Pacific Ocean some 1,000 km from the South American continent, the 19 islands of the Galápagos and their surrounding marine reserve have been called a unique living museum and showcase of evolution. They are threatened by invasive species, growing tourism and immigration. The number of days spent by passengers of cruise ships has increased by 150 percent over the past 15 years, for example. This increase has fueled a growth in immigration and the ensuing inter-island traffic has led to the introduction of more invasive species."

A very sad turn of events for this, the first site to have been placed on the World Heritage List, inscribed in 1978.

Read more about the Galápagos Islands and why they're on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - toddmoy - 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: Galápagos Islands ★
Photo courtesy of toddmoy

I almost selected one of the classic pics of the hollow horse, but I didn't want to make it so easy for you to guess where on UNESCO's list of spectacular sites we're visiting vicariously, today. So. Hollow horse. Must be the ancient city of Troy in modern day Turkey, right? Right!

Read more about the archaeological site of Troy here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - thencirky - 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: Troy, Turkey ★
Photo courtesy of thencirky

I didn't realize that such modern examples of architecture could make the UNESCO list of special sites. For some reason, I'd always assumed that only old or ancient buildings could be considered and honored thus. But now that I know, it makes sense. One only has to look at this unique structure for a minute to understand why it deserves such recognition.

Read more about the Sydney Opera House here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - ammarts - 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: Sydney, Australia ★
Photo courtesy of ammarts

You know what's ridiculous? In all my trips to Paris, I've never ventured down to hang out on the banks of the Seine. And it wasn't until my most recent trip that I learned that this particular piece of Paris is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Who knew? Well, clearly I was out of the loop. But I'm in now, and on my next visit I'll head down yonder for sure. People always look like they're enjoying themselves there, at all hours of the day, and on into the night, too.

Read more about the Banks of the Seine here.

Please note that for some strange reason today, the UNESCO site is spitting out periodic errors. They seem to have it all fixed and under control now, but in the event you experience a boo-boo when clicking on the UNESCO links, give it a good Parisian shrug and try again later.

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Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of L'Apéro du Jeudi

What a stunning bridge and setting! So glad it was rebuilt after the original bridge was destroyed in the 1990s per the war. When I was nearby in 2006 I wasn't able to make it to Mostar, but it's most definitely on my list of future trips.

Read more about the Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - kaihnu - 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: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina ★
Photo courtesy of kaihnu

What a place! I hope I get to see this dreamlike vision in person, one day. Looks incredible. As are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from the handful I've had the good fortune to visit thus far. Actually, perhaps I'll make a point in the weeks and months ahead to seek out UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Vivaca. That would be an interesting virtual journey for all of us, no doubt.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Mangini Adalberto & Laura (Laura busy) - 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: Ha Long Bay, Vietnam ★
Photo courtesy of Mangini Adalberto & Laura (Laura busy)

What is cuter than a Fiat 500?

Few things, in my opinion. Except for kittens, of course.

"Once a year the seaside town of Garlenda on Italy's Ligurian Coast plays host to the world's biggest gathering of fans of one of Europe's favorite cult autos, the Fiat 500."

So, in honor of the cinquecento and the celebration taking place in Garlenda (wish I could be there), I've selected this creative portrait of the beloved car. I think it captures its essence beautifully. Don't you?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - floranged - 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: Florence, Italy ★
Photo courtesy of floranged

Calgon, take me away! I just got some bad news. But after being transported to Bonifacio via this stunning snap, I'm starting to feel better already.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Super.Apple - 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: Bonifacio, Corsica (France) ★
Photo courtesy of Super.Apple

As a Bay Area native, the allure of the area is often lost on me. When you've spent decades in a place, born and raised, what makes it so special or interesting in the eyes of visitors has often long been lost on the locals. At any rate, I do from time to time try to rediscover my home and was happy to do so recently with my mother at the De Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. A picture-perfect day, if only I'd remembered or bothered to bring my camera along. I'm not certain, but I think the penguins were my mother's favorite. So, mom, this one (courtesy of HarshLight) is for you!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - HarshLight - 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: San Francisco, California ★
Photo courtesy of HarshLight

J'adore cette pyramide. Et cette jolie photo!

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Location: Paris, France ★
Photo courtesy of lucbyhet

I wasn't able to post yesterday because the Share This button wasn't available in Flickr's new and improved site rollout. Seems the trouble is fixed, today. Lookin' good! I'm digging the new design. And I'm digging this groovy graffiti photo, too!

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Location: Sydney, Australia ★
Photo courtesy of GNewtown_graffiti