A year and a half of restricted movement and foiled travel plans has meant that many of us have had to make do with daydreaming of far-flung destinations. Luckily, taking a virtual vacation has never been easier: we've been satisfying our wanderlust by scrolling through social media, drooling over images of pristine beaches, whitewashed houses, bustling markets and vast mountain ranges. Instagram offers travel inspiration aplenty, via the accounts of globetrotting influencers and photographers. So whether you're planning a big trip or simply want to lust over dreamy destinations, here's who to follow.
@lucylaucht
Photographer Lucy Laught's sun-drenched images of everywhere from Cornwall to Ischia will leave you itching to escape your everyday in pursuit of long, languid days by the beach. Her photography seems to effortlessly capture the soul of each destination and the people who inhabit it.
@bonweekender
Founded by creative multi-hyphenate and avid traveller Olivia Lopez (read our interview with Olivia here), Bon Weekender is a digital destination that explores travel through the lens of sustainability, art, and design. Follow its Instagram account for an insider's guide to where to stay, eat and shop in various cities around the world.
@richardgaston
Richard Gaston's understated yet emotive images of wild and rugged landscapes will make you want to get as far away from phone signal as possible. There are snowcapped mountains, wild horses and quaint cabins aplenty.
@piariverola
Barcelona-born photographer Pia Riverola's Instagram feed offers no shortage of travel inspiration. Her captivating and colourful images manage to capture the essence of wherever she is in the world at that point of time – be it Mexico City, Los Angeles, Peru or Greece.
@somewhereiwouldliketogo
From the creators of the hugely popular Instagram account Somewhere I Would Like to Live comes Somewhere I Would Like to Go, a curated compilation of the world's dreamiest destinations – from stunning natural wonders to ultra-luxe hotels.
@kateloughtravel
London-based writer and editor Kate Lough's Instagram feed is a dreamy moodboard of photos from her extensive adventures both overseas and closer to home. You'll no doubt be jotting down names of the hidden coves, Greek tavernas and boutique hotels that feature.
@jamesneedham
Australian photographer James Needham draws upon William Eggleston's iconic scenes of suburban life to capture hyper-realistic images of urban landscapes. Characterised by summery pastel hues and clean, crisp lines, James' photos will seriously satisfy your inner aesthete.
@hotelilpellicano
Planning a trip to Tuscany? We can guarantee you won't be able to resist a visit to the iconic Hotel Il Pellicano after a scroll through its Instagram feed. Expect heavenly images of crystal clear waters, plates of pasta and glorious Tuscan sunsets.
@kennedymagazine
As the photographer and editor of 'biannual journal of curiosities' Kennedy Magazine, Chris Kontos has his finger on the pulse when it comes to places worth visiting. His Instagram feed serves as a compendium of great restaurants, wine bars, museums and more – both in his native Greece and further afield.
@fredericlagrange
Frederic Lagrange's compelling photographs of Mongolia capture the raw beauty of the country and the people who live there. A quick scroll will inevitably transport you far from the humdrum of daily life to a wild and rugged world.
Want more Instagram inspiration? These are the accounts to follow for all things interiors.
