Aside from the architecture and the history, the thing I love most about Venice is its cats. My friends there tell me there aren't as many as there used to be, but there are still little lions roaming in all corners of the city. This one here cracks me up. LOL cats. Love 'em.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Diva In Training - 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 Diva In Training

I can't think of a better way to describe this photo than, "it's so Venice." A city with a million faces, facades, and moods to match, it can be hard to tell the difference between the real Venice and the museum or movie version of the city's - true? - self. Or is there a difference at all? I think that photos like this go a long way to answering that - unanswerable? - question. I know what my answer is. What's yours?

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Sara Mazzoni - 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 Sara Mazzoni

This is the most magical hour in Venice, in my personal opinion; the early morning hours when the city is yours. As everyone else sleeps. As to this particular picture - simply stunning. I've only ever seen Venice in the fog once, and it was fleeting. I hope to have similar mornings in Venice this spring. At least one!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Jonathan c Riley - 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 Jonathan c Riley

New year, new post. Took me long enough, right? Happy (much belated) New Year! I look forward to traveling with you virtually through a flurry of inspirational photos in 2009. Starting with this here beauty by Hugo Martinez. I happened upon this photographer's work when searching for Lensbaby inspiration, as I am the proud new parent of a brand-spanking new Lensbaby Composer. Combined with my new Nikon D90, I hope to capture some spectacular shots in Venice, Italy this spring. Can't wait. In the meantime, I look to you all for inspiration. As per usual. I think Hugo Martinez' work with the Lensbaby is fantastic and I must say I'll be beyond pleased if any of my images are as delightful as his dreamy portraits of Paris. Kudos Hugo. You rock!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - hmphotografia - 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 hmphotografia

It looks so steep from this angle! Love the vantage point and the blur as people flurry up and down the stairs. And nice light, for an enchanting night. Oh! And I almost forgot. Happy New Year's Eve, by the way. Wish I were celebrating tonight, in Venice.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - blzmrcc - 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 blzmrcc

What a futuristic view, eh? Can you believe that this is Venice? A new Venice, of sorts. This is Calatrava's Ponte della Constituzione, the newest and only the fourth bridge to span the Grand Canal. I have been looking at many images of this new bridge on Flickr, and can't wait to see it for myself this spring. Over the next few days, I will post for you some of the most moving photos of this modern Venetian treasure. Complimenti to this photographer and all subsequent for being among the first to capture such a moving image of this awe-inspiring and futuristic bridge. Bravo!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - flaviogallinaro - 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 flaviogallinaro

This photo wonderfully captures the truth about Venice - no matter the weather, it's a wonderful and wondrous place to be. Rain or shine.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - breakawayguy - 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 breakawayguy

Happy Holidays! It's been a blur, and as a consequence I've gotten dreadfully behind in my daily photo hunting and musing. I hope you can forgive me. Normally I would go back and select images for the days I've missed, but I'm still sapped for energy. So let's just see if I can't get back on track for today, and moving forward. In the meantime, cheers and best wishes for the close of 2008 and the start of 2009. Cheers and happy travels! Whether out there, or right here.

There are few places in the dark of night more charming and cozy (and safe) than Venice. Wandering its streets after hours in the shuttered silence is, in a word, fantastico.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Adönis - 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 Adönis

What a great gondola shot. Those two together are particularly beautiful.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - plantlife2008 - 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 plantlife2008