12 Incredible Travel Experiences I Found Through Instagram

written by local expert Hayden Myers

My name is Hayden Myers, travel enthusiast and aspiring writer. I’m a born South African with the dream and goal to travel the world and share my adventures. The travel bug began at the age of 10 when I went on my first overseas trip with my family, these trips continued over the years until I took the jump and began travelling alone. Always diarising my travels, it has grown into a passion to give advice to fellow travellers in need of tips, ideas, and inspiration. Now as a mother I can give my child the same travel adventures that my parents gave me.

We all know Instagram is the favored place for people to post what they had for breakfast, post their #sundayselfie, their #ootd and pretty much anything they think will get the Insta-universe liking and following their posts.

However, there are less cringeworthy types of posts – believe it or not – and they come in the form of travel experiences. This is probably the only part of Instagram people like – but, of course, won’t admit very easily! Just follow the travel bloggers and scroll through their gorgeous posts, and you will feel all the feels. Through their photos, you’ll instantly feel nostalgic for places you haven’t even been, and you’ll come down with a serious case of wanderlust.

The number of places and experiences I never knew existed in the world, until I stumbled upon them through Instagram, is incredible. So much so, that I thought it’d be a good idea to share my awesome findings. Here’s a collection of a few of my favorite unique, off-the-beaten-track experiences.

The Miracle Garden, Dubai

Almost every blogger on Instagram, whether fashion or travel – have been to the magical gardens in Dubai, better known as the Miracle Garden. It’s a wonderland of perfectly sculpted flower arrangements, which will leave one speechless.

It’s remarkable insight, but even more so because the arrangements are so unusual. The entrance is a perfectly sculpted heart made of the prettiest, most colorful flowers. It really is heaven on earth, especially for the flower lovers, and pretty much any girl who gets excited over bursts of pink!

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Breakfast with Giraffes at Giraffe Manor, Kenya

At the Giraffe Manor in Kenya, visitors are surprised and delighted by the very special guests that join them for breakfast. The guests are none other than the giraffes, which call the manor home. Bloggers flock to by the manor house, to get a snap of these gorgeous creatures, who photobomb breakfast selfies as they peer through their bedroom windows and meander around the house as if they were one of the guests.

Hot Tip: You can check out Instagram hashtags like #giraffemanor to see lots of other people’s visits.

It’s an incredibly heartwarming experience – if their Instagram captions are anything to go by! Best way to travel and explore Kenya is with Safari.com.

Spend an Afternoon with the Swimming Pigs, Caribbean Islands

As far as pretty travel photos go, the Caribbean tops everyone’s bucket list for stunning white sandy beaches and turquoise clear waters. If you’re looking for an unusual experience, try heading to one of their islands where you can encounter some unusual beachgoers.

I honestly didn’t know swimming pigs could be so cute and friendly, until I stumbled upon the gorgeous pictures of ‘piggy beach’, on Instagram. On some of the Caribbean Islands, one being Staniel Cay – visitors are thrilled by the pigs who call the beach home.

They swim and trot about on the shores with the eager visitors, who are quick to snap a few shots of their unusual company. If you’re booking a vacation in the Caribbean, consider adding this to your bucket list!

 

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Hot Air Ballooning, Marrakech

Marrakech, an eclectic, culture-filled city nestled in the Moroccan desert, is the perfect place to take a hot air balloon flight. Flying over the town and the desert terrain offers one an experience of a lifetime and sights that are unrivaled.

If it weren’t for Instagram, I wouldn’t have known how colorful, rich and inspiring the city of Marrakech, is, however, I was pleasantly surprised at the activities, sights, and architecture that are hidden in this fascinating corner of the globe.

Watching the Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey

If you’re an Instagram enthusiast you would have come across the pictures of the hot air balloon extravaganza that takes place in Cappadocia, Turkey. This is the favored place for bloggers to pose and picnic, with a perfect backdrop of hot air balloons floating in the sky.

Whether you feast your eyes on the sight from a rooftop or take a trip on one of the hot air balloons, I can imagine this to be an extraordinary experience.

Swim in the Crystal Clear Waterfalls of Cebu, Philippines

The Philippines has, without a doubt, become a hotspot for travelers who enjoy basking in the sun, and thrive on activities in nature. In Cebu, visitors can find the perfect hideout for an afternoon swim – the breathtaking crystal clear waterfalls in Kawasan.

It’s a little piece of paradise in the Philippine jungle – a paradise none of us would’ve known about if it weren’t for Instagram!

Dinner in the Sky, Dubai

Dinner in Dubai is already a fantastic idea – the energy is electric and the sights are mesmerizing. Now, just imagine having dinner – in the sky! Yes, nothing is too OTT for Dubai! This unusual dinner activity whisks patrons 50 meters into the air, where they wine and dine while the chefs whip up five-star dishes in front of them. It’s safe to say the experience is unlike any other – on earth!

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#throwback #sunnydays

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Swim in the Highest and Largest Infinity Pool, Singapore

The highest and longest infinity pool in the world can be found in Singapore at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. The pool stretches across two buildings, making it 150m in length, and is 57 stories above the ground. The views are best described as ‘phenomenal’, and the experience is one of pure luxury!

Dive with the Whale Sharks in Tanzania

Just off the coast of Tanzania visitors can find some of the most exotic fish in the world. Divers, snorkelers, and beach-goers in general are amazed by the healthy marine life which makes the world beneath the waves one that’s filled with a kaleidoscope of color.

In Tanzania, one can dive with the Whale Sharks, which are incredible in size and length – yet are harmless. These sea creatures are absolutely beautiful, and the travel bloggers certainly portray this in their pics. Who would’ve thought these water beasts would be friendly enough, to swim with!

Sleep in an Igloo under the Northern Lights, Finland

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, which brings with it swirls of color over the skies of Finland and Iceland. In Finland, one can marvel at the sights from the comfort of their bed – which is in the perfect place for an authentic Icelandic adventure – an igloo! Instagram is abuzz with pictures of the Northern Lights, and if you want to take it up a notch – book yourself a stay in an igloo!

Swim in the Thermal Pools, Turkey

Turkey is filled with remarkable hidden gems – one of which is the thermal pools of Pamukkale. The pools, which are situated on a hillside, are made of mineral-rich thermal waters which give it a magical turquoise hue. Bloggers swarm to this idyllic location for a unique set of Instagram-worthy snaps – and when you stumble across them, you’ll feel rather envious of this unusual experience.

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Happy Happy Happy New Year! It’s my birthday ? and I couldn’t be more grateful to start the New Year with friends and family. . If you do travel to Turkey in 2018, be sure to go to ? Pamukkale National Park. . 2017 Highlights * Moving back to Los Angeles, sorry New York! * ADVENTURE GOALS – hot air ballooning, paragliding, two helicopter rides, microlighting, & the best Safari experiences including the wildebeest migration * TRAVEL GOALS – Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia & Pamukkale, New York, Montreal, Nova Scotia, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, Serengeti, Zanzibar and alllll over California from the Super Bloom in spring to Napa Valley in the fall. * PROFESSIONAL GOALS – starting and ending the year with a few national television segments talking travel & entrepreneurship; Speaking at the World Tourism Forum; Making Advisory Board Member to the State of California’s Tourism department; Building another website and designing an app; Speaking at my first LATINA event, the “We All Grow Latina Summit;” and tackling the controversial discussion of ethical Animal Encounters * PERSONAL GOALS – This year my life fully changed. There was a block of time when I didn’t work or travel due to a family illness. I believe I’ve matured greatly and am stronger than ever. In 2017, I really prioritized making time for family and friends. The world will always be there, but the people we love won’t. My relationships are 10x stronger and I learned which of the people in my life will truly be there for me when I need them. It was a very different year with less travel, less social media — and more spending my time on “purpose.” We’re building something bigger than myself and I can’t wait to share it with you. * Thank you for being a part of my journey ♥️

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Hiking to the Balancing Rock, Norway

Although this may be a pretty daunting experience, it sure will be an adventure that would be right up every adrenaline junkies’ alley! The balancing rock has become a landmark spot for the city of Lysefjord, in Norway. The rock is wedged between a crevasse on the Kjerag mountain and adrenaline junkies – who are brave enough – snap a pic, while balancing on the balancing rock. Something tells me you need exceptional balance – no pun intended.

Hopefully, these photos have inspired you to explore exotic destinations and experiences, regardless if you’ve heard of them before or not! What are you waiting for?

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