My 2013 Favorite Instagram Travel Photos

This year I decided to do something different. I decided to share my 2013 travel year through my Instagram photos. These are my favorite photos as seen on Instagram. The majority of the photos I take do not make it to Instagram as I take on average 500 photos per city, depending on how long I’m there. One city in particular, I really didn’t care for any of the photos I took. The photos were decent, but I didn’t get that “Yea, I like this” feeling. Therefore, some cities are presented more than others, and a couple are presented by only one photo, or aren’t presented at all.

By the way, if you’re not following me on Instagram, please do :): http://instagram.com/blackchickontour

This year has been full of surprises. I went to a few cities that I never really thought about traveling to, a few that I’ve been wanting to go to since forever, and I’ve rediscovered some old favorites. And, along the way, I’ve picked up some new favorites.

So…where did I go? Check it out: Seattle > San Diego > Toronto > Kansas City, MO > St. Louis > Long Beach > Savannah > Manama > Stockholm > Berlin > Prague > Vienna > Paris > Amsterdam.

I enjoyed all of the cities that I visited, and each has its own unique vibe. Some I love more than others simply because it’s my chosen hometown (Seattle, WA), or my actual hometown (San Diego, CA). However, out of the new places that I visited there are a few standouts worth mentioning:

My new favorite US city: Kansas City, MO.
Honorable Mention: Savannah, GA

My new favorite European City: Prague, Czech Republic

The city gave a second chance, and now love: Paris, France.

The city I wish I had more time in: Berlin, Germany

Best in Nature: Niagara Falls, Canada

Best New Beach Discovery: Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park Washington State

Here are the best of my Instagram photos from all of the cities I toured this year. I hope you enjoy, and that you’re inspired to hit the road, rails, or air in 2014.
Nothing like San Diego in January. This is my favorite location in South Mission Beach. I often go here to relax, and read.

Nothing like San Diego in January. This is my favorite location in South Mission Beach. I often go here to relax, and read.

Alaska Air in the Air

I had this view a lot this year. A regular route for me is R/T SEA to SAN

Rainy days in San Diego.

Rainy days in San Diego. Yes, it does rain in Southern California.

The Washington State Capitol Legislative Building in Olympia.

The Washington State Capitol Legislative Building in Olympia.

Snoqualmie Ridge.

Snoqualmie Ridge. Unfortunately, this is the only snow I saw this year.

Sun setting over South Mission Beach in San Diego

Sun setting over South Mission Beach in San Diego.

Olympic Sculpture Park, Polished stainless steel tree

Olympic Sculpture Park, Polished stainless steel tree.

Olympic Sculpture Park, Father and Son,

Olympic Sculpture Park, Father and Son, 2005
Stainless steel, aluminum, water and bronze bell.

The Space Needle from Hamilton Viewpoint Park.

The Space Needle from Hamilton Viewpoint Park.

Skagit Valley Daffodils

Daffodils, daffodils, everywhere during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

Skagit Valley, WA during the Tulip Festival

Skagit Valley, WA during the Tulip Festival

Muscari Grape Hyacinth

Skagit Valley, WA. Muscari Grape Hyacinth

Chihuly Sun with Glasshouse

Chihuly Sun with Glasshouse at The Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition in Seattle

The Space Needle on Chihuly Glass Balls

The Space Needle on Chihuly Glass Balls at the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition in Seattle

Chihuly Persian Ceiling

Chihuly Persian Ceiling

The gorgeous Seattle skyline.

The gorgeous Seattle skyline.

black girls do travel.

Yes, black girls do travel. Taken during TBEX, an expo for travel writers.

Toronto's skyline as seen from Toronto Island.

Toronto’s skyline as seen from Toronto Island.

Flower lined sidewalks in  the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake

Flower lined sidewalks in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara Falls in the mist.

Niagara Falls in the mist.

Niagara Falls fro the air

The helicopter tour I took over Niagara Falls was totally worth the extra time.

Community art at the Fremont Solstice Festival

Community art at the Fremont Solstice Festival

Decorated cartoon car at the Fremont Solstice Festival

Decorated cartoon car at the Fremont Solstice Festival

Approaching Toronto Island from the ferry.

Approaching Toronto Island from the ferry.

cottages on Toronto Island.

One of the few cottages on Toronto Island.

On Pier 70 in Seattle. I've never seen a starfish with so many legs.

On Pier 70 in Seattle. I’ve never seen a starfish with so many legs.

graffiti in Toronto

The graffiti in Toronto is amazing.

Graffiti in Toronto

Graffiti in Toronto

Graffiti in Toronto

Graffiti in Toronto

Reflections on Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park Washington

Reflections on Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park Washington

Hoh River, Olympic National Park

Hoh River, Olympic National Park

Crescent Lake, WA.

Jaw dropping beautiful Crescent Lake, WA.

Potlatch State Park

Potlatch State Park, WA

Sun setting over Port Angeles, WA

Sun setting over Port Angeles, WA

Oglethorpe Square in Savannah, GA

Oglethorpe Square in Savannah, GA

Old Savannah Tours

I walked up on this lady in costume, and had to get a photo. She happily obliged. She’s with Old Savannah Tours.

Orleans Square

Orleans Square is my favorite square in Savannah.

Savannah Historic District

Savannah Historic District

First African Baptist Church

First African Baptist Church had been a place of leadership and worship since 1733. Savannah, GA

Kansas City, MO is a must for jazz lovers. Earnest is a teenage wonder on the saxophone.

Kansas City, MO is a must for jazz lovers. Earnest is a teenage wonder on the saxophone.

Downtown Kansas City, MO

Downtown Kansas City, MO.

18th & Vine District

From the Jazz Museum, to the Negro League Baseball Museum, Kansas City’s 18th & Vine district is packed with black history.

US Flags at the World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

US Flags at the World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.

Sunflowers at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.

Sunflowers at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.

The Gateway Arch, St. Louis

The Gateway Arch, St. Louis

Södermalm, Stockholm Sweden

Södermalm, Stockholm Sweden. My neighborhood during my stay in Stockholm.

Mosebacke Hill in Södermalm, Stockholm Sweden

Mosebacke Hill in Södermalm, Stockholm Sweden

Chandelier at the Kursalon in Vienna, Austria.

Chandelier at the Kursalon in Vienna, Austria.

Shopping on Kurfürstendamm

Shopping on Kurfürstendamm in Berlin.

Architecture on Kurfürstendamm in Berlin.

Architecture on Kurfürstendamm in Berlin.

The Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin.

The Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin. One of Germany’s many Christmas Markets is held at this magnificent square every year.

Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin.

Sacre Coeur

Sacre Coeur, Paris.

Sunset over Paris

Sunset over Paris.

Moët & Chandon in Epernay

Moët & Chandon in Epernay

The cobblestoned streets of Kutná Hora, Czech Republic.

The cobblestoned streets of Kutná Hora, Czech Republic.

A cross made of bones at The Kostnice Ossuary aka The Bone Church, in Kutná Hora.

A cross made of bones at The Kostnice Ossuary aka The Bone Church, in Kutná Hora.

The Bone Church.

More bones at The Bone Church.

St Wenceslas Vineyard at The Prague Castle.

St Wenceslas Vineyard at The Prague Castle.

The view from the top of the Astronomical Clock Tower in Prague

The view from the top of the Astronomical Clock Tower in Prague.

Tyn Church in the Old Town Square in Prague

Tyn Church in the Old Town Square in Prague

Powder Gate, Prague.

Powder Gate, Prague.

St Charles Bridge Gate

St Charles Bridge Gate is the entrance to St. Charles bridge from the Old Town Center.

The Diamond Museum, in Amsterdam.

The Diamond Museum, in Amsterdam.

 

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About Terri Lundberg

Terri Lundberg is an American expat currently residing with her husband in Saudi Arabia, but she calls Seattle and San Diego home. She’s a travel writer, an avid photographer and is a resource and cross cultural trainer to expats relocating to Saudi Arabia. She's been to 100 destinations, 30 countries, and counting.

Comments

  1. Breath taking photography. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year 🙂

  2. Beautiful!

  3. Goregous photos!

  4. Loved every photo. Thank you for sharing.