You might have noticed my slight addiction to Instagram… It’s definitely my favourite form of social media for a good few reasons: – a) there’s not a massive amount of negativity (unless you start delving for it!); b) it can be a glimpse into the lives of others wherever they might be (great if you are curious about life around the world – aka nosey in my case!), c) it can be a treat for the eyes, and d) there’s a really good sense of community that I find can often be lacking on many other social media platforms…
People might argue that not all of the images are “real”. There are of course accounts that stretch the truth in terms of images and followers, and that can take a little bit of the fun out of it, but staged or not, you can’t deny that some of the images on these accounts can be uplifting in an often depressing world… Scrolling through on the odd occasion I get the chance(!), it’s easy to get stuck in an endless stream of people and places, interiors, food and babies – a bit like daydreaming with technology really, but I promise I use it for something slightly more constructive too…
Like Pinterest, I tend to use Instagram as a bit of a search engine when I am researching destinations, pictures can often give a sense of feeling for a place (and in turn I hope some of the travel stuff in my account has helped inspire others too!), plus of course it helps that living in Europe we are spoilt for choice when it comes to the places that you absolutely need to snap…
But how do you decide on that all important Instagrammable location? Are the best places inspired by the instantly recognisable icons you have seen posted countless times (with a case of wanting to also record yourself there for posterity perhaps)? With the giant AMSTERDAM letters outside the Rijksmuseum? London’s Big Ben (when it’s not covered in Scaffolding) or The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen (they really need to emphasise the little in that title!) for example? Or is it a side of location not seen that often? A relatively undiscovered part of a city that will have people wondering where on earth you are (until they read the tags!), or a “secret” definitely off the beaten track?
A scene you imagine when you think of Cambridge?
A recognisable Stockholm setting…
And one not quite so recognisable.
A Munich icon on a summer’s evening…
A quiet lesser known Courtyard in Munich’s Residenz – also home to its crown jewels…
To be honest, I love a bit of both (and have usually only found the “secrets” because I am lost more often than not!). I like to post what grips me at the time (popular or not), and what will perhaps mean the most for us to look back on somewhere down the line (at the end of the year remind me to show you the great little year books I get published – the Small People LOVE them!) whether they are super popular or not, and wherever they might be! It’s nice to have Instagram to discover those “best places” for yourself.
What got me thinking about all this? Netflights recently sent me their blog post on Instagram Icons across the US (featuring some stunning locations that are now very firmly on my list) and asked me to talk about a few of my own… I might have to come back to them on this one, not that I haven’t travelled much in the US, I just haven’t for a while thanks the baby, country moves and work mostly. It’s been far too long since we last visited. which we obviously need to rectify, but should you be planning on it*?…
Thank you to those of you who messaged me to say they couldn’t see the images, there’s definitely a problem embedding IG images into this version of WordPress at the moment!
Where are your most Instagrammable places, are they icons or secrets (and are you going to let me in on them)?
*This post has been written in collaboration with Netflights, any and all opinions are my own as per usual…
Rachel says
I have to agree, Instagram is definitely my favourite social media platform, too. And I do exactly the same thing – that is looking up places to visit or looking up places that I’ve already visited that I’d like to return to. I’m going to head over and follow you, your pictures in this post are stunning :-)
Emma says
Thanks so much Rachel! (:
Trish @ Mum's Gone To says
I must admit, I am starting to really enjoy Instagram now. I’m not the best photographer but I feel very proud when I share one of my better shots and the instant feedback is lovely.
Emma says
It’s definitely my favourite of the lot! :) x
Lucy | Real Mum Reviews says
Your images are stunning! I love the lack of negativity on insta too! Such a refreshing change from FB!
Emma says
Thanks Lucy! Yes, and I can’t stand Twitter at the moment for that reason too! x
Katrina says
Love this and love you share them
On insta heading over to check
Out all your gems now
Emma says
Thanks Katrina! (:
five little doves says
I love Instagram, it’s my favourite social media channel! Europe really is so instagrammable, these photos are gorgeous and make me want to travel more!
Emma says
Thanks so much! (: x
Lauretta at Home and Horizon says
Ah, those are amazing photos. I also love Instagram. Picture indeed paints a thousand words.
Emma says
Thanks Lauretta! (:
Yaya says
Instagram has always been my favourite, but lately I’ve lost the love for it. I’ll definitely get back into it as it is a wonderful glimpse into the world of others.
Emma says
Thanks Yaya! (:
Leigh Travers says
I travel as frequently as possible and I actually use Instagram as a basis of research for places to visit whilst I’m abroad. I actually use the ‘saved’ section for certain destinations!
Emma says
Me too. Always helps with somewhere I don’t know too much about! Thanks Leigh
Laura - Dear Bear and Beany says
I love using Instagram to find the hidden gems in places. To see a place through someone else eyes and not just the normal tourist places. I need to get better at seeking them out myself when we go!
Emma says
Thank you Laura!
Grace says
My Instagram ‘diary’ will be 3 years in November – a picture nearly every day. But yes I look to Instagram when I am planning a trip. Love it. x
Emma says
3 years already? I remember saying you would love it! Xx
Mudpie Fridays says
Instagram is also my favourite social media channel! I have not used it to search for places to visit but then if I started a list I am scared by just how long it would be! There are so many places I would like to visit. But I would like to get off the beaten track. To explore x
Emma says
Thank you! I always use it for restaurants too!
Sarah says
What beautiful photos! I always knew Cambridge & Stockholm were gorgeous places!
Emma says
Stockholm is especially beautiful! Thank you.
Nicola | Mummy to Dex says
We went to the US in 2015 just before we conceived Dex and loved the time we spent in Washington DC. We can’t wait for Dex to get a little older so we can take him back. I love looking through Instagram to find travel inspo too!
Emma says
I definitely love finding new corners of a city I might not have expected otherwise! Thank you! :)
danasia fantastic says
Instagram is my favorite tool to use when I’m planning my travels- it’s a great way to connect with people who live there.
Emma says
That’s so true. I had a few people get in touch when I lived in Munich, and that was really nice! :)
Emma says
I love Instagram and it really gives me wanderlust. I often use it to research places to go and visit. We are lucky because where we live in Jersey, we have lots of stunning places to phtotograph.
Emma says
Jersey is definitely on my list, and I know whose account to trawl through now! Thanks Emma!
Anna nuttall says
I’m going travelling next year and I’ve been using Instagram to look up all the most pretty places in Europe. Thank you :)
Emma says
It’s definitely great for that! Thanks Anna! (:
Charli says
I think I love sharing both – and as someone who continually gets lost, I definitely share the secrets as much as the icons. In fact, in NY I think I missed most of the icons but shared lots of street art.
C x
Emma says
I do love finding a bit of street art off the beaten track! Thanks Charli!
Michelle Twin Mum says
I love the idea of using Instagram to research possible places to visit. That is such a good way to get a feel for a place and I’ll be doing that too. I also like the idea of getting a book published each year to capture your families travels that year. Mich x
Emma says
Thank you Mich. I want to do a free review/mention for the book company as they are so quick and easy to create!
Kira says
Wow. Your photos are absolutely stunning ! I’m so jealous lol
Emma says
Thanks Kira! (:
hannah says
I’ve just come back from Las Vegas and I definitely think it is very instagrammable especially with all the lights
Emma says
I can really imagine, would love to go one day! Thanks Hannah!
Isabel says
I have to admit mostly I instagram my blog stuff (so beauty products) and my cat! I really want to be able to travel so I can take lovely photos like this!
Emma says
Thanks Isabel. There’s definitely something on there for everyone! :)
Bread // Queer Little Family says
I think if you’re always aware that you need to take – well pretty much everything on the internet – with a pinch of salt then there isn’t anything to worry about. Some great choices here.
Emma says
That is very good advice! Thank you! (:
Rebecca | AAUBlog says
great post. I read recently that nine out of ten millennials choose their vacation destination on how Instagrammable it is – such a funny time that we live in! :)
Emma says
I can well imagine that. Odd times indeed!
Elizabeth says
What gorgeous images! My most favourite instagramable place in Europe has to be my own remote north sea island here in Shetland :)
Emma says
It looks like you live in a beautiful part of the world Elizabeth! I would love to visit one day!
Lorelle says
Emma, just to let you know I could only see your first pic. Not sure why, but when I clicked on the space it took me to the Instagram pic in another window. :)
Emma says
Thanks for letting me know Lorelle, some api problem by the looks of things in the most recent WP update. So annoying!!
Mari says
I adore your Instagram feed and often come to be inspired! I must admit that my personal IG account has taken a backburner the past year or so whilst I have been focusing on work, so I’m very much looking forward to picking it back up again. I’d love to join the community and the conversation on there. I shall definitely be bumping into you I’m sure :)
Emma says
Definitely! Thanks so much Mari xx