Now more than ever, it’s easy to feel frozen. As we continue to quarantine during the pandemic, our houses are coming to feel less peaceful and more stifling. It gets hard to see the same few rooms and streets every day, so I’m sharing a few awesome travel accounts on Instagram that are bringing me inspiration and excitement until it’s safe to explore the country and the world again.
1. @theprettycities
It takes a very sharp eye to hunt down pockets of breathtaking scenery in major cities, and that’s exactly what Founder and Editor Siobhan Ferguson does. Browsing through this account will remind you that there are enclaves of calm and beauty in even the busiest environments. Isn’t this photo from Cartagena, Colombia fantastic?
Also, Siobhan has authored a couple of books that feature amazing city photos. Check them out in the account bio!
2. @hiddenscotland
Perhaps not everyone is obsessed with cloudy weather and medieval castles like I am, but this account with photos of the quaint towns, animals, and remote terrain in Scotland might capture your heart nonetheless. I was able to visit Scotland for a few days last year and have been dying to go back ever since! This account features well-known areas such as the Isle of Skye and Edinburgh, but it also showcases hidden gems that anyone can incorporate into their vacation plans, like the location above. Plus, they feature Scottish photographers and the adorable Highland cows!
3. @voyaged
This account was recommended to be by an awesome classmate of mine, Aarti, and I’m obsessed with everything about it. Seriously, I would like to just crawl into this photo from Vancouver Island, set up a tent, and never talk to anyone again. Unfortunately, I have to go back to school…
…anyway, the vibrant photos and diverse locations are sure to make your day livelier. Another great thing about @voyaged is that they feature travel photos from the Instagram community at large! Might as well submit a photo, right?
4. @australia
The account name is nice and simple, and the photos provide powerful documentation of the wacky wildlife and mind-boggling natural beauty in this faraway continent. Why fly 13+ hours when you can have koalas, kangaroos, and every type of landscape imaginable delivered right to your Instagram newsfeed? Still, if you’re ever thinking of traveling here someday, the account provides plenty of details about each of the featured locations and the best times to visit them.
5. @nowchina
Here’s another country on my travel bucket list and an account that captures it wonderfully. The lush greenery in this scene is incredibly calming. Definitely don’t miss out if you want to see more photos like this one! China is full of history and stunning landmarks, so even if you’ve been already, it’s certainly worth learning more from this account.
6. @earthpix
If you like to explore new parts of the world not just through photos, but also through videos, this account is for you. You can feel just like you’re wandering through the Bavarian Alps of Germany or gazing at the sunset in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Still, there are plenty of photos to enjoy as well – I love this one of the Hagia Sophia!
7. @nordic.iceland
If you like images that capture boundless wilderness, photographer Matt Berthou’s jaw-dropping shots of Iceland will grab your attention right away. All of these photos make me want to take a hiking trip in a remote area immediately. Matt has a few other accounts that showcase his photography from Scotland, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, so be sure to take a look at those by clicking on the links in his personal account: @mattberthou.
8. @adamsenatori
What do pilots see from the sky? Here’s your chance to find out! As a photographer and former pilot, Adam puts a creative spin on travel photos. He may be retired from piloting, but he sure knows how to use the view from a plane to his advantage! I am not sure what routes he flies, but I would certainly like to take a flight with him. Adam doesn’t post quite as often as other travel instagrammers do, but when he does, you’ll get a birds-eye view of a place in the US that you can’t find anywhere else.
As much as I would like to include every single travel account I follow in this post, I fear that it would be too overwhelming. There are so many more amazing accounts to follow for daily doses of travel inspiration! I suggest starting with these ones and then seeing what particular travel shots inspire you most. Have fun setting up a virtual vacation! (And of course, please share more travel accounts you like with me!)
