I know the year isn’t officially over yet, but with all this relaxing down time at home, I’ve enjoyed reminiscing about all the wild adventures this year has afforded me on all corners of the globe.
And since I’ve started taking Instagram more seriously in the past year, I now have a beautiful photo diary documenting my journey, in addition to my writings on this blog. Even if no one was following my account, I’d still post for that very reason–to be able to look back and relive all of the amazing, sometimes funny, sometimes heartwarming, sometimes painful moments from my travels.
I shoot primarily with my Canon Rebel SL1, but every so often I snatch an iPhone photo to post to Instagram in real time, and those are often the ones that are most popular. So, not every photo in this collection is necessarily a reflection of my best photography, but simply the moments I cherished most this year or the ones my community loved.
I hope you enjoy this little trip down memory lane, starting from early 2015, and thanks for following along!
My year began in Medellin, Colombia which I’d decided to test out after I passed through the year prior while backpacking. I loved everything about my time there, including learning about the city’s tumultuous, tragic history and the incredible progress it’s made since its darkest days in the early 1990s. This photo was taken downtown in the middle of Parque de las Luces during one of the best free walking tours I’ve ever been on.
The streets of Guatape, Colombia. Brilliant blocks of color at every turn. #Colombia #doorporn #travel A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
Before leaving Colombia, I did my best to explore and rediscover some places in greater depth, including the mountain village of Guatape on the outskirts of Medellin, which is famous for its brilliantly colored buildings and intricate wainscots–not to mention its beautiful scenery.
#Tbt to my carefree (and classy) final day in Medellin. #Colombia #champagne #fancyasfuck A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
My final day in Medellin, complete with warm champagne and paper cups. Just keeping it classy, as per usual.
The extent of my sightseeing in New York. I was actually on my way to One WTC and detoured here instead. Pretty happy with that decision ? #NewYork #travel #BrooklynBridge A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
A couple days spent in New York City en route to Europe allowed me to revisit some of my favorite places, not least of which being the ever-impressive Brooklyn Bridge. What’s better than a sunny spring day in NYC? Nothing. The answer is nothing.
My very first sight upon arrival in Barcelona, Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Battlló. It happened to be just down the street from my hostel, meaning I passed by its whimsical facade on a near-daily basis.
I see these viaducts and I can’t help but think America’s Next Top Model…anyone?? #ParkGuell #Barcelona #Spain #Gaudi A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
A day spent wandering solo through another of Gaudi’s creations, Park Guell. Entering the park in the evening meant the crowds had mostly dissipated and I got to watch the sunset in relative peace. It was one of my favorite moments of the whole year.
Good morning Lloret! So excited to be here for my first #travelblogging conference, #TBEXCostaBrava! The day is off to an amazing start, how could you not be happy here!? #travel #Spain #CostaBrava A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
Exploring the sunny shores of Lloret de Mar during my first ever TBEX conference, the reason I’d come to Costa Brava, Spain. This conference undoubtedly influenced the course of my blogging career and led me to create some of my most cherished friendships.
Today was a good day. Kayaking to Les Medes islands…and by that I mean chilling hard. #catalunyaexperience #incostabrava #TBEX #lesmedes #kayaking A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
Ahh, my birthday! Spent drifting (and sometimes paddling) through the Mediterranean with an amazing group of bloggers, eating to my heart’s content, and very much looking forward to my year as a 28-year-old.
Overlooking the white city of Athens, Greece from the Acropolis at the start of a several-month trip through the Balkans and Eastern Europe. It was just the first of many European cities I’d fall in love with over the summer.
Happy #sunsetsunday from Ios, Greece! #travel #view #Greece A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
Island sunsets in Greece never failed to take my breath away. This photo was taken from the top of the hill in Chora, the main village on the island of Ios. You can climb to the Panagia Gremiotissa, or the church of the Virgin Mary, for 360-degree views including this one.
Santorini is as magical as they say. ? #Greece #Santorini #view #Oia A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
Exploring the village of Oia, Santorini. I’m determined to revisit this stunning island someday–two days wasn’t nearly enough time to explore all it has to offer.
Surveying my kingdom. #Meteora, Greece. #dametraveler A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
A final moment to take it all in after a sunset tour of Meteora, one of mainland Greece’s most impressive natural wonders.
I still have a hard time understanding how this GoPro selfie from Lake Ohrid, Macedonia became so darn popular, but it did! Is it the scenery? The fact that I’ve somehow swindled these two dudes into rowing for me as I casually sip my beer and take a million photos? My illustrious beauty? I guess I’ll never know.
Stari Grad #Ulcinj (Old Town) and Little Beach in the background. Lovely night. #Montenegro A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
Perched above another city that changed the trajectory of my travels, Ulcinj, Montenegro. I never even intended to come here, but I’m so very glad I did. If you’ve never heard of it, take a look at the post I wrote and add it to your summer travel itinerary! It’s a special little place.
Before I get too carried away with Hungary, here’s one from my final stop in #Serbia. Seen on the streets of Vršac. #doorporn A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
A little door porn from another unexpected destination, Vrsac, Serbia. A post about this adventure is in the works, to be published…eventually.
It’s been awhile since I’ve shown my face around here, so hi from Budapest! ? #Hungary #ParliamentBuilding #traveling A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
Solo sightseeing in Budapest, Hungary. I spent four days here throwing caution to the wind and loving every minute of it.
Another GoPro shot from the Szechenyi Thermal Bath. This might be my most popular Instagram ever.
These European cities are really pulling out all the stops now…how gorgeous is this place?? #Wroclaw, #Poland, everybody. #sunset A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
Perhaps my second most popular, the main square of Wroclaw, Poland. I visited this city as almost an afterthought and fell in love with its old world charm. Then again, I fell in love with every city in Poland.
If only this were my ride. #Warsaw #Poland #NowySwiat A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
A colorful little car on the streets of Warsaw, my final stop in Poland. I made some great friends in this city and some amazing memories.
Adjö #Sweden, it’s been short but very, very sweet. Until next time ?? #Stockholm A photo posted by Leah Davis (@leahlamochilera) on
My final destination in Europe before flying to Thailand and the city I’m heading back to in a few short days, Stockholm, Sweden. I loved it in the late summer, and I’m sure it will be just as gorgeous in the winter.
Just one of many impressive sunsets I witnessed on Koh Tao, Thailand. Seems like you guys agree, this is a winner.
Feeling existential on Koh Phangan following the Travel Bloggers Retreat. I love the pops of color in this photo, taken by my girl @glographics.
As you might have guessed, this is one of MY personal favorites of the year. Taken during a goofy and fun portrait session with Lightworks360 Photography, you may recognize this as my new headshot here on the blog. If you’re traveling to Chiang Mai anytime soon and want beautiful travel photos of your own, these guys offer packages at very reasonable rates. Oh, didn’t you hear? Selfie sticks are out, hiring a professional photographer is totally in.
Another day, another technicolor sunset, this time on the southern shores of Maui during a trip with my family.
Maybe not my most popular, but a personal favorite–snorkeling in the midst of sea turtles on a tour with Maui Kayak Adventures.
I love having all my best travel shots in one place. Do you use Instagram as a personal photo diary?
