14 Instagram Spots That Look Even Better in Person
Instagram is like a glossy travel magazine you scroll through. Sometimes we dream about taking that next flight after seeing those vibrant shots of beaches, mountains peaks, and urban jungles. Yet, you may wonder if the pictures of these places really look as good as their pictures. Well, some spots exceed expectations.
Imagine colors that are more vivid than any filter can reproduce or air that is so fresh. In reality some destinations have a beauty you can only experience with your eyes. These spots are best experienced firsthand, whether it’s the way the sunlight hits a certain landmark, or the feel of the place itself.
Venice’s Hidden Canals
St. Mark’s Square is of course iconic, but the magic of Venice is in its quieter canals. Gondoliers glide past lovely stone bridges, and the sound of water sloshing against the walls drowns out everything but the rhythm no camera can reproduce. Some say that Venice whispers its history to you, and you feel as if you’ve been transported to another era.
The Grand Canyon’s South Rim
The Grand Canyon is so big that no photo can do it justice. You’ll stand on the edge of the South Rim and feel like a little dot in a huge canvas of reds and oranges. Visitors are often too busy staring in awe to snap the picture, as some memories are best stored in your head, not on your memory card.
Times Square at Night in New York City
Photos capture the lights in Times Square, but they don’t capture the buzzing energy of the place, the hum of chatter, the street performers, or the occasional honk of a yellow cab. People visiting for the first time describe their experience in Times Square as sensory overload, but in the best way.
Iceland’s Northern Lights
Photos of the aurora borealis are beautiful, but experiencing the green and purple waves of the aurora borealis ripple across the Icelandic sky is enchanting. Many travelers say it’s like watching Earth put on a private show.
The Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
The cherry blossoms in Kyoto look beautiful in photos, but in person it’s almost cinematic like stepping into a dream, feeling your feet walk under pink and white canopies. Cherry blossom season is a big deal in Japan, the season boosts travel as people want to see the fleeting wonder in full bloom.
The Turquoise Lakes of Banff National Park
In photos, the vibrant blues of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in Banff are stunning, but they’re even more breathtaking when you’re standing by the water. The glacial fed lakes shimmer differently with the sunlight, and the air is crisp and feels like pure therapy.
Santorini’s Caldera Views
In photos, Santorini’s whitewashed buildings and blue domed churches are stunning, but in person it’s like walking into a postcard. The caldera has a panoramic view that you can’t fit in any lens. The sunlight dances over the Aegean Sea in a way that makes you stop mid scroll and mid thought.
Machu Picchu’s Morning Mist
Peru’s ancient city is a masterpiece that photos can’t do justice to. In the morning, mist appears like the ruins are floating above the clouds. Some people believe Machu Picchu has a spirituality which links people to the Incan legacy.
The Beaches of Bora Bora
The Insta-famous overwater bungalows of Bora Bora are one thing, but you have to be there to understand the spectrum of blues in the water. It’s like an artist spilled his palette across the ocean. The soft sand and the warm breeze is another overwhelming sensation.
Dubai’s Burj Khalifa View
The Burj Khalifa appears to be a needle piercing the sky from a distance. Head up to the observation deck, though, and you’ll be treated to a view so big it’s almost humbling. You’ll feel like you’re floating above the city, and the lights below twinkle like stars.
Provence Lavender Fields
It smells as good as it looks in Provence in full bloom. As you walk through the rows of purple flowers, you’ll smell the fresh, calming fragrance of lavender, which is no wonder why it’s a go to for relaxation.
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
Photos of Christ the Redeemer are majestic but seeing it up close is a different story. From those bases, in particular, the view is astonishing—a sweeping panorama of Rio; Sugarloaf Mountain, the endless beaches, and on and on. The scale of the statue is awe inspiring.
Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are wind swept and dramatic and just as poetic as they look in photos. However, the crashing waves below and the noises of the seagulls overhead detail things no picture could ever relate. The Cliffs are among the country’s most visited natural attractions, according to a survey by Failte Ireland, with visitors saying the feeling of being on the edge of the world is what draws them.
Norway’s Fjords
Norway’s fjords are a frequent feature on travel bucket lists for good reason. At the edge of a fjord you’ll stand, dwarfed by towering cliffs or the glimmering water. The fjords are best seen on a quiet boat ride, according to local guides, when the only sounds are the occasional call of a bird.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
