Follow These 9 Inspiring Instagram Accounts to Fuel Your Wanderlust

August 17, 2016

Whether you’ve got lifelong wanderlust or just two weeks of vacation to burn, the options for planning a trip can be endless. Do you go into the wild or the cosmopolitan? Live it up or take everything down a notch? You could throw a dart at a map, play travel roulette, or let discount travel sites dictate your direction. But shouldn’t there be a more inspiring way to spark your adventure?

Why not turn to some folks who have really made an art out of seeing some of the world’s most mesmerizing places? All you need is a little curiosity and your smartphone. Pop open Instagram for some feeds that are sure to squash the idea that “other people’s vacation photos” are yawners…

FOLLOW A HAPPY CAMPER @greg.mills

From hanging ten or just hanging out in nature or in urban oases, Greg Mills can take you on a virtual tour of surf spots and cityscapes alike. See how it's done through the retro cool comfort of a vintage '82 Volkswagon Westy. (Or van, for short.) #vanlife

GO SOLO AND LOVE IT @worldwanderlust

Can't find a travel buddy? Aussie Brooke Saward can show you how to leave your selfie cares behind. (If you can bear to.) As a single female who turned her travel passion into a job, she roams solo 90% of the time. Check out her escapades in the Tuscan towns of Italy and far-flung Bosnia and Norway.

LET LOVE LEAD THE WAY @muradosmann

It started as an innocent snapshot of a 15-year-old girl pulling the hand of her then-just-friend photographer in a Spanish town. Now 4.4 million followers embrace Russian couple Murad Osmann's and his wife Nataly's iconic shots of her luring him into picturesque scenes (in equally alluring outfits) all over the world—from the Maldives to Morocco.

RUN YOURSELF RUGGED @jordanherschel

Get inspired by the rugged nature of America's pacific northwest through the lens of landscape and adventure photographer Jordan Herschel. From soaring peaks to Milky Way skies, you'll see just how great the outdoors can be. Fresh air, anyone?

BOOK TICKETS FOR 2 @theplanetd

Dave and Deb of The Planet D are a power couple with over 100 countries on 7 continents captured on IG. They've watched lions in the South African wild; kayaked the world's highest tides in Nova Scotia; and strolled the breathtaking sands of Brazil to name a few. Even couch potatoes will get energized from watching their YouTube channel.

HOP ACROSS THE POND @kirstenalana

From the City that Never Sleeps to the City of Lights, Kirsten Alana reveals a quieter side of Manhattan and glimpses of Paris from unique points of view. She traipses all over Europe, but has a soft spot for France. French lovers will ooh-la-la over her other IG handle @thefrancophiles.

ZOOM IN AND SAY AHH @afarmedia

When you really want to get into the nitty gritty, look here for some delightful detail that brings cultural experiences to life. Peer into pots of paella. Get lost in the patterns on Italian pottery. And see a sample of sombreros from a Madrid market. Afar gets you up close to the things that make a place memorable.

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MINIMALIST @cerealmag

Wherever you go, it's still possible to find slices of the simple life. With Cereal City Guides, you'll spy clean open spaces and clutter-free interiors made to soothe the soul. When you want to get away, Cereal is the breakfast of travel champions.

KEEP YOUR FRIENDS' EYES OUT @spot

Enlist the help of friends and expert guides with this carefully curated list of all lists. Spot compiles not only the best IGs from locals and avid travelers, but also reviews from trusted sources like Thrillist and Zagat. From Fremont's hottest fried chicken diner to Bali's best beach, you can crowdsource your itinerary in a snap.

FOLLOW A HAPPY CAMPER @greg.mills

From hanging ten or just hanging out in nature or in urban oases, Greg Mills can take you on a virtual tour of surf spots and cityscapes alike. See how it's done through the retro cool comfort of a vintage '82 Volkswagon Westy. (Or van, for short.) #vanlife

GO SOLO AND LOVE IT @worldwanderlust

Can't find a travel buddy? Aussie Brooke Saward can show you how to leave your selfie cares behind. (If you can bear to.) As a single female who turned her travel passion into a job, she roams solo 90% of the time. Check out her escapades in the Tuscan towns of Italy and far-flung Bosnia and Norway.

LET LOVE LEAD THE WAY @muradosmann

It started as an innocent snapshot of a 15-year-old girl pulling the hand of her then-just-friend photographer in a Spanish town. Now 4.4 million followers embrace Russian couple Murad Osmann's and his wife Nataly's iconic shots of her luring him into picturesque scenes (in equally alluring outfits) all over the world—from the Maldives to Morocco.

RUN YOURSELF RUGGED @jordanherschel

Get inspired by the rugged nature of America's pacific northwest through the lens of landscape and adventure photographer Jordan Herschel. From soaring peaks to Milky Way skies, you'll see just how great the outdoors can be. Fresh air, anyone?

BOOK TICKETS FOR 2 @theplanetd

Dave and Deb of The Planet D are a power couple with over 100 countries on 7 continents captured on IG. They've watched lions in the South African wild; kayaked the world's highest tides in Nova Scotia; and strolled the breathtaking sands of Brazil to name a few. Even couch potatoes will get energized from watching their YouTube channel.

HOP ACROSS THE POND @kirstenalana

From the City that Never Sleeps to the City of Lights, Kirsten Alana reveals a quieter side of Manhattan and glimpses of Paris from unique points of view. She traipses all over Europe, but has a soft spot for France. French lovers will ooh-la-la over her other IG handle @thefrancophiles.

ZOOM IN AND SAY AHH @afarmedia

When you really want to get into the nitty gritty, look here for some delightful detail that brings cultural experiences to life. Peer into pots of paella. Get lost in the patterns on Italian pottery. And see a sample of sombreros from a Madrid market. Afar gets you up close to the things that make a place memorable.

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MINIMALIST @cerealmag

Wherever you go, it's still possible to find slices of the simple life. With Cereal City Guides, you'll spy clean open spaces and clutter-free interiors made to soothe the soul. When you want to get away, Cereal is the breakfast of travel champions.

KEEP YOUR FRIENDS' EYES OUT @spot

Enlist the help of friends and expert guides with this carefully curated list of all lists. Spot compiles not only the best IGs from locals and avid travelers, but also reviews from trusted sources like Thrillist and Zagat. From Fremont's hottest fried chicken diner to Bali's best beach, you can crowdsource your itinerary in a snap.