Looking to get your likes up? We’ve rounded up the travel snaps you need in your feed, along with tips from the pros for capturing the perfect shot.
ASIA | Taj Mahal, India
It was the setting for one of the most famous photographs ever taken: a lone Princess Diana sitting (without her prince) on a bench in front of the ultimate monument to love, the Taj Mahal. Forever known as “Princess Diana’s bench”, you’ll have to wait in line to sit on it and get your own version of the shot – but it will be worth it. Set your alarm and be in line just before the building opens at 6am, to beat the rush.
You can take advantage of precious extra time in bed when you’re staying at the spectacular Oberoi Amarvilas, which is so close to the Taj Mahal it can ferry its guests the 600metres to the site via golf buggy in minutes. No other hotel in Agra can boast such a convenient location, and, because of restrictions governing the land surrounding India’s most famous landmark, none ever will. The Oberoi has more than embraced its unrivalled position; making sure every one of its stunning rooms and suites faces the Taj and offers uninterrupted views of the iconic building.
If money is no object, the Oberoi’s presidential suite is truly special. Throw open the doors to the sweeping terrace and you can gaze upon the Taj Mahal from your vast living room, your master suite, or even your free-standing bath. At night, just a glimpse of its silhouette beyond the hotel’s stunning, symmetrical gardens is enough to send a shiver down your spine. And hey, if it’s good enough for Oprah…
Pro tip: Freelance photographer Josefine Wallstromer says: “The Taj Mahal is a surprisingly small building. The challenge here is to try and take a cool selfie without having lots of tourists in the background. Get a friend to hunch down with your phone or camera and angle it up as you jump – that way the building looks bigger, you appear to be jumping higher, and hopefully some of the tourists on the ground will be cut out.”
AFRICA | Victoria Falls, Zambia
Officially the world’s largest sheet of falling water, Zambia’s mighty Victoria Falls is certainly worthy of a post or two – and if you’re the adventurous type, a snap of you bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge is a sure-fire route to social media success.
Stay at Tongabezi, an achingly stylish lodge made up of individual houses dotted along the banks of the Zambezi. It’s just upstream of Victoria Falls, so you’ll be within easy reach of the sanctuary of your suite – not to mention a sundowner spot like no other.
Pro tip: “At this mighty waterfall it’s a good idea to surrender to the selfie stick. Get a Go Pro with a waterproof case and get as close as possible to the spray for a fun selfie of you and your travelling buddy.”
AUSTRALIA | Twelve Apostles, Victoria
No trip along the Great Ocean Road would be complete without taking in the majestic Twelve Apostles near Port Campbell – although thanks to erosion there are now only eight left. Which just makes a visit to Victoria for you and your camera all the more pressing. Snapping the sunrise at this spot will leave you floored by Australia’s natural beauty – and leave your followers green with envy. #Blessed.
For Great Ocean Road accommodation, look no further than Drift House, a spectacularly pretty guesthouse in the enchantingly named town of Port Fairy, the property is almost as Instagram-friendly as the coastline.
Pro tip: “This one is a challenge since it’s an extremely large area and you’ll want to capture as many of the rocks as possible. Try playing around with a panoramic setting to get it all in one shot – and time it to coincide with sunrise or sunset, to capture the light bouncing off the stone.”
ANTARCTICA | Penguins on Port Lockroy
Instagrammers can’t get enough of cute animal snaps, and conveniently Port Lockroy – once the location of a British military base – is now home to a museum, a post office, and a lot of penguins.
Antarctica is best explored as part of a cruise. Luxury tour operator Scott Dunn offers an 11-night trip on board the Sea Explorer, setting sail from Ushuaia, Argentina, towards the Antarctic Peninsula. As well as those Happy Feet style scenes, you can expect to spot seals, Orcas, and humpback whales along the way.
Pro tip: “If you’ve made it this far, you might as well invest in a zoom lens. Especially as, when it comes to animals, you’ll want to get a detailed shot. Bend down to capture the cute creatures up close and personal.”
NORTH AMERICA | Brooklyn Bridge
New York. It’s the city that never sleeps - and the city that has prime Instagram opportunities waiting around every corner. From Central Park to the Statue of Liberty, the Village to the High Line, every sight calls to mind a million movie scenes, and just begs to be captured for social media posterity.
A beauty shot of the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the world’s must iconic expanses of granite and steel, is a must. Some of the best views are from the Brooklyn side – head to the River Café on Water Street for a late lunch, and then linger over cocktails as the sun goes down. The 38-year-old waterfront restaurant is nestled right under the bridge, and the views of the city skyline across the water are spectacular.
Pro tip: “I was in New York a couple of months ago, and my top tip is to head to the Brooklyn side so you get the stunning Manhattan backdrop. Stand at the water’s edge with a wide-angle lens and try to get in the thick stone pillars of the bridge, the water, and the skyline.”
EUROPE | The Louvre, Paris
Forget the Eiffel Tower, the pyramid that stands at the entrance to the Musee du Louvre is the spot the most dedicated selfie-seekers head for when in the City of Light. The courtyard is dotted with platforms that are perfect for standing on and pretending you’re balancing the tip of your finger on the apex of the roof. It’s got to be done.
Pro tip: “Most people visit the Louvre in the day to see the Mona Lisa, but this place is great for a night shot! Get a small, bendable tripod and head down when it’s dark. Mount your camera or phone for a gorgeous photo of the glass pyramid illuminated in the darkness.”
Images: Getty Images
