Photo Of The Day: Seeing Mona Lisa

Nearly every visitor to Paris‘ Louvre Museum will tell you that, once they fight through the crowds to see her, it is surprising how small the famous “Mona Lisa” painting is in person. Today’s Photo of the Day shows both the crowds of tourists eager to photograph her, and the relative scale of da Vinci’s lady (30 x 21 inches, if you are wanted to know) to other paintings in the museum. It reminds me of an exhibition by German artist Thomas Struth, who documented museum visitors all over the world, making them the subjects rather than the artwork. We get a sense of perspective about museums, art and travel, and it makes you think maybe you should just get a postcard of the popular portrait rather than take the same crowded photo as millions before you.

Share your favorite travel photos in the Gadling Flickr pool, or on Instagram by tagging @gadlingtravel and using hashtag #gadling. You might see one of your shots as a future Photo of the Day.

[Photo credit: Flickr user Kumakulanui]

Photo Of The Day: Parc Güell In Barcelona

Parc Güell is one of artist Antoni Gaudí‘s masterpieces: a 17-hectare garden complex with whimsical architectural elements overlooking the city of Barcelona. One of the park’s many highlights is the preponderance of Gaudí’s famous tiled mosaics, one of which is captured in all of its multicolored glory in today’s Photo of the Day from Flickr user Gus NYC.Do you have any great travel photos? You now have two options to enter your snapshots into the running for Gadling’s Photo of the Day. Upload your shots to the Gadling Flickr Pool, or mention @GadlingTravel and use hashtag #gadling in the caption or comments for your post on Instagram. Don’t forget to give us a follow too!

[Photo Credit: Flickr user Gus NYC]

Photo Of The Day: Japanese Mall Food

When you are in a new place, sometimes it’s the most common things that are the most striking. Think about going to the food court at the mall. At home, that’s a mundane task, certainly not on the list of anyone with a passion for food or experiencing new cultures. But on the search for mall food in another country? Now that’s an adventure.

Instagram user atiriarte shows us Japanese mall food in this Instagram photo. Mall food at home might not have much going for it, but the tray in this photo certainly isn’t another meal at Orange Julius. Much more appetizing, for sure, and a look into the world of Japanese food.

Want your own photo featured on Photo of the Day? Submit it via the Gadling Flickr Pool or on Instagram by mentioning @gadlingtravel and tagging #gadling.

[Photo credit: atiriarte]

Photo Of The Day: Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge

This Photo of the Day, titled “Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge,” comes from Gadling Flickr pool member Bernard-SD, captured with a Cannon EOS 5D Mark II.

Not exactly friendly, it is one of the few ways to enter or leave North Korea. The Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge carries automobile and rail traffic but not people, as pedestrians are not allowed to cross it. Of the image, Bernard-SD says:

“The Sino-Korean Friendship bridge connecting Dandong, China to Sinùiju, North Korea. Despite having a population of over 350,000 people, Sinùiju was shrouded in the dark. “

Want to be featured? Upload your best shots to the Gadling Group Pool on Flickr. Several times a week we choose our favorite images from the pool as a Photo of the Day.

Tips for being featured: add a caption describing the image and (better yet) your personal experience when capturing it, details of the photography gear used and any tips you might have for others wanting to emulate your work.

Now, you can also submit photos through Instagram; just mention @GadlingTravel and use the hashtag #gadling when posting your images.

[Photo Credits Flickr user Bernard-SD]

Photo Of The Day: Meeting A Local


I am partial to a good donkey photo. Something about their sweet eyes makes them instantly loveable, and their inherent goofiness is charming. Today’s Photo of the Day caught my eye partially because of the subject, as well as the gorgeous landscape in Croatia behind him, but also because of the caption: “Staying Home.” Flickr user mmusnjak explains the donkey was uninterested in joining a mountain hike, and more into any food the photographer could provide. Staying home looks pretty good with surroundings like that, especially if guests bring gifts!

Meet any friendly animals on your travels? Share them with us in the Gadling Flickr pool, or on Instagram using hashtag #gadling and tagging @gadlingtravel for a future Photo of the Day.

[Photo credit: Marko Musnjak]