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…
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 :-)
Thanks so much Rachel! (:
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.
It’s definitely my favourite of the lot! :) x
Your images are stunning! I love the lack of negativity on insta too! Such a refreshing change from FB!
Thanks Lucy! Yes, and I can’t stand Twitter at the moment for that reason too! x
Love this and love you share them
On insta heading over to check
Out all your gems now
Thanks Katrina! (:
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!
Thanks so much! (: x
Ah, those are amazing photos. I also love Instagram. Picture indeed paints a thousand words.
Thanks Lauretta! (:
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.
Thanks Yaya! (:
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!
Me too. Always helps with somewhere I don’t know too much about! Thanks Leigh
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!
Thank you Laura!
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
3 years already? I remember saying you would love it! Xx
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
Thank you! I always use it for restaurants too!
What beautiful photos! I always knew Cambridge & Stockholm were gorgeous places!
Stockholm is especially beautiful! Thank you.
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!
I definitely love finding new corners of a city I might not have expected otherwise! Thank you! :)
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.
That’s so true. I had a few people get in touch when I lived in Munich, and that was really nice! :)
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.
Jersey is definitely on my list, and I know whose account to trawl through now! Thanks Emma!
I’m going travelling next year and I’ve been using Instagram to look up all the most pretty places in Europe. Thank you :)
It’s definitely great for that! Thanks Anna! (:
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
I do love finding a bit of street art off the beaten track! Thanks Charli!
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
Thank you Mich. I want to do a free review/mention for the book company as they are so quick and easy to create!
Wow. Your photos are absolutely stunning ! I’m so jealous lol
Thanks Kira! (:
I’ve just come back from Las Vegas and I definitely think it is very instagrammable especially with all the lights
I can really imagine, would love to go one day! Thanks Hannah!
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!
Thanks Isabel. There’s definitely something on there for everyone! :)
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.
That is very good advice! Thank you! (:
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! :)
I can well imagine that. Odd times indeed!
What gorgeous images! My most favourite instagramable place in Europe has to be my own remote north sea island here in Shetland :)
It looks like you live in a beautiful part of the world Elizabeth! I would love to visit one day!
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. :)
Thanks for letting me know Lorelle, some api problem by the looks of things in the most recent WP update. So annoying!!
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 :)
Definitely! Thanks so much Mari xx