A lot happened for Instagram this year including the introduction of Instagram stories, increased hype around Boomerang, and most recently, the company announced new features like live video and disappearing photos. The app also hit an all-time high of 500 million active users, which isn’t too shabby for a company that started only six years ago.
One of the greatest things about Instagram is that it gives the average blogger (or even just Instagram user) the ability to share high quality photos with the world. However, one of the hardest parts is deciding which account to follow when there are thousands in the category of travel alone.
Here are the best of 2016—but be warned, this roundup will make you want to pack up the car and never look back.
Sarah Bennett is a freelance journalist with a small budget and a big appetite for the world. Follow her own travels here.
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Passion Passport
@passionpassport
In addition to featuring photos from a wide variety of locations (Istanbul, Marrakesh, and waterfalls in Namibia, just to name a few) Passion Passport hosts weekly events that anyone can participate in, including Twitter chats about topics like travel videography.
Photo by @thebusandus viaPassion Passport
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Brianna Madia
@briannamadia
Brianna Madia's dreamy photos are the definition of adventure. Her bright orange vintage van, husband Keith, and two dogs Bucket and Dagwood accompany Madia on her rock climbing, backpacking, and kayaking trips throughout the American West.
Photo by Brianna Madia
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Michael Christopher Brown
@michaelchristopherbrown
Michael Christopher Brown's extremely raw feed takes on an introspective look at travel. Not only was he the focus of the HBO documentary, "Witness: Libya", his portraits have also been published in National Geographic, TIME, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker. His book "Libyan Sugar", published in June, is a 412 page compilation of personal journal entries, photographs, and letters written to his family about his firsthand experience of the 2011 Libyan Revolution.
Photo by Michael Christopher Brown
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Airbnb/@airbnb
While it might seem obvious, Airbnb is a serious contender that can be easily forgotten. The company posts some of their best rentals and giveaways, like a night in Dracula's castle.
Photo by @bradwillettsvia Airbnb
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Alpine Babes
@alpinebabes
Alpine Babes is a go-to girl power photo stream of ladies exploring mountains in places like Yosemite, Italy, and Norway. The account has frequent giveaways, always tags the photo location, and rarely posts more than once a day, so your feed won't be bombarded.
Photo by @natewyeth via Alpine Babes
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Yogascapes
@yogascapes
What better way to relax than with a little yoga and a beautiful backdrop? Yogascapes inspires followers to combine yoga and travel, and even offers yoga retreats around the world.
Photo by @allliiibaba via Yogascapes
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Minimal People
@minimal_people
Minimal People is the fresh breath of air to your daily feed. This account is highly recommended for lovers of modern architecture and clean design.
Photo by @spathumpa via Minimal People
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Elise aka
@roundtheworldgirl
Between her travels to Belize, Chile, and Jordan, it's hard not to be envious of Elise's constant travels. Luckily, you can live vicariously through her amazing snaps and extensive descriptions, which also regularly include her mom and best friend @missholldoll who is definitely worth a follow.
Photo by Round the World Girl
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Matt Gee/@mattbg
Matt Gee describes himself as a "recovering perfectionist" and it's easy to see why. Luckily, it makes for one hell of a beautifully orchestrated Insta-feed. While his photos may be simple, Gee captures some of the most eloquent moments nature has to offer.
Photo by Matt Gee
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Foster Huntington
@fosterhunting
Foster Huntington is living the true American dream. After leaving his job behind in New York, Huntington bought a VW Vanagon and created #vanlife. Soon after, he published "Home Is Where You Park It", a photography collection full of vans, campers, and other travel-worthy vehicles. Since then, he's released a design book on some of the killer tree houses he builds and regularly includes his unique videography on his feed.
Photo by Foster Huntington