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16 Best Travel Photography Blogs to Follow in 2024

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Travel photogra p hy blogs and vlogs are great sources of inspiration. Both for traveling around the world and the photography that comes with it. They can provide useful tips and destination ideas as well. Check out our list of the best travel photography blogs. They will inspire you to take some great travel photography of your own.

The Best Travel Photography Blogs

1. landscape, nature and travel photography.

2.  TravelerFolio

3.  Farfelue

4. Hand Luggage Only

5.  Kirsten Alana

6.  Meandering Wild

7.  TravelFREAK

8. Nomadasaurus

9.  Carin Olsson

10.  The Planet D

11.  The Legendary Adventures Of Anna

12.  Ken Kaminesky

13.  Alex In Wanderland

14.  Stuck in Customs

15. Everything Everywhere

Getting inspired is a crucial part of creating spectacular travel photography. This is why we have collected the best travel photography blogs out there. The authors of these pages don’t only have beautiful portfolios , but they also provide tips and tricks to help you on your adventures. Check them out if you are looking for travel photography inspiration! Planning on bringing your camera on your next holiday? Make sure you also have our Quick Capture Cheat Sheets for those who love to learn while shooting.

The Best Travel Photography of 2023

By Hannah Towey

There's nothing quite like the power of a photograph to truly capture the heart of a place—and awaken the travel bug inside us all. But with social media inundated with images of far-flung destinations, the search for high-quality travel photography can often be a tougher pursuit. So, in place of scrolling, why not let an expert panel of judges filter out the best of the best for you?

This week, the international Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards announced their 2023 winners, selected from more than 20,000 images taken by amateur and professional photographers from over 150 countries. The judging of the competition takes place over three rounds; all 16 judges are leading photographers or experts in the field and are not made aware of the identity or nationality of any entrants.

Ranging from ethereal landscapes of the Italian countryside to striking portraits in Pakistan and Russia , the winning shots—including the celebrated work of Travel Photographer of the Year AndreJa Ravnak—reflect a “subtle elegance," says TPOTY founder Chris Coe.

"This comes through in both of AndreJa’s winning portfolios; one takes us into simple landscapes, with delicate colors and a textural beauty, the other into the hop fields, out of season and undressed ready for the next planting," Coe says. “Neither are obvious subjects, neither photographed at an optimal time of year, and yet they are both engaging and rather beautiful.”

Ravnak's winning submissions consists of eight shots photographed in the farmlands of Italy , the Czech Republic , and Slovenia .

“From my personal experience, I know it's not easy to judge photography. Images are not measurable, so being a judge is a complex task and responsibility,” says Ravnak, a professional architect from Slovenia. "Congratulations to all the winners; together, we are enthusiastically documenting this wonderful world, and perhaps this is a small contribution, a reminder to preserve its wonder for future generations.”

Below, see the 2023 winners of the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) awards, featuring Japan's Lake Shirakawa , volcanic eruptions in Iceland , Shamanic rituals in Siberia , wildebeest migration in Kenya —and more.

Near Pienza, Tuscany, Italy

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “Early in the spring, the first rains allow wheat to grow in the rolling fields. Due to the cold nights, the landscape is often shrouded in beautiful mists on clear mornings during this period. This agricultural landscape is sparsely populated, with land being used to its fullest potential. Farms are located on the top of individual hills.”

South Moravia, near Kyov, Czech Republic

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “In early spring, the soil is still too cold for growth. An interesting pattern occured while a new orchard was planted on the slope of the hill, making the scene very abstract.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “In search of suitable land for cultivating fertile soil for agricultural purposes, humans have sometimes covered entire hilly landscapes with fields. Hills without natural vegetation are very exposed to erosion, which creates unusual waves on the slopes. This agricultural landscape looks like a soft, undulating carpet, completely otherworldly, as if it had been created by AI. In addition to erosion, the problem with these intensively cultivated areas is also the increasing exhaustion of fertile soil.”

Savinjska valley, near Zalec, Slovenia

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “A tractor driver maneuveres a high trailer with a crew of workers on top, manually tying strings to steel cables for hop growing. In the spring, the fields must be prepared for a new season and new strings must be strung. The process is done by hand, but there is not enough interest in this type of work in Slovenia, so hop growers hire workers from abroad every year. Seasonal workers from Romania are regular visitors to the Savinja Valley.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “When the hop strings are hung on the top steel cables, an unusual curtain of threads is created in the fields. The threads dance in the wind and sparkle in the sunlight. They look like some kind of unusual art installation.”

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “The freely hanging strings need to be stretched and anchored in the ground. This is done by hand and is more often done by women. Here, Aurora, a woman from from Romania, is in a good mood, as the work team has a radio with them and they are playing Romanian music in the field.”

Savinjska valley, near Braslovce, Slovenia

Overall Winner—The Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 (AndreJa Ravnak, Slovenia) : “Once all the strings are manually stretched, the workers ensure that the small hop seedlings start climbing vertically. Once this is done, they leave the Savinja Valley for a few months and return in late summer, when the hops are ripe for harvesting.”

Chinle, Arizona, USA

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2023 ( Caden Shepard Choi, USA, age 14) : “The sheep are herded back to their pen at the entrance of the canyon. They walk through a dust cloud formed by the steady kick of their hooves. The sheep are initially reluctant to enter the mouth of the canyon, but when returning home, they show no resistance. After a long day steering sheep, the two herding dogs now playfully trail behind.”

Exton, Pennsylvania, USA

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year Age 15-18 (Lilly Zhang, USA, age 17) : “The mist suspended on Marsh Creek lake's surface, signature to its early fall mornings, the quiet morning light illuminating the fall leaves, and the fishermen amidst the mist. Captivated by the quiet beauty of the scenery, I took this photo.”

Litli-Hrutur volcano, Iceland

Winner, Young Travel Photographer of the Year Age 14 and Younger (Zayan Durrani, USA, age 14) : “My father and I took a trip to Iceland to visit an ongoing volcanic eruption. I took this image on the first day through the window of a small plane. I love how the setting sun cast shadows through the hills onto the volcano.”

The Icelandic highlands

Winner, Landscape and Environment Portfolio (Armand Sarlangue, France) : “A lush mountain range covered of moss in the Highlands, with a river snaking between the reliefs from the above glaciers. It will carry precious sediments along the lands before joining a bigger river system, up to the coasts of Iceland where it will connect with the great ocean.”

Lake Shirakawa, Japan

Winner, Best Single Image in a Landscape and Environment Portfolio (Kazuaki Koseki, Japan) : “For a period from the end of winter to early summer, Lake Shirakawa is filled with water from melting snow and a ‘submerged forest’ appears. The water in the lake changes colour between light blue and light green, and mist, combined with the reflections which look like a submeged forest create a fantastic landscape. In April, the season of sprouting had arrived in the submerged forest. In the soft light before sunrise, the submerged forest quietly welcomed the morning. I chose a bluish time before sunrise to erase the reality and emphasize the fantastic sight, and set the shutter speed to 30 seconds to flatten the water surface.”

La Ventana, Baja California, Mexico

Winner, Nature, Wildlife, and Conservation portfolio (Martin Broen, USA) : “A split shot of a Mobula ray fever cruising below the divers’ boat as part of their annual migration in the waters of Baja California.”

Anilao, Philippines

Winner, Best Single Image in a Wildlife and Conservation Portfolio (Martin Broen, USA) : “A yellow Gobby watches the ocean from the entrance of his crystal palace, a glass bottle at the bottom of the sea of the worst ocean polluter on the planet.”

Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia

Winner, People and Cultures Portfolio (Athanasios Maloukos, Greece) : “The Buryatian shaman Vitalli performs a ritual to connect with the spirits on frozen Lake Baikal, with the sacred Ogoi (Dragon) cape in the background. Siberia is considered the heartland of Shamanism, with Lake Baikal its most sacred place.”

Lagos, Nigeria

Winner, Best Single Image in a People and Cultures Portfolio (Jack Lawson, UK) : “Four members of The Special Eagles, Nigeria's national amputee football team, stand looking out into the ocean at a day on the beach.”

Kalash Valley, Chitral, Pakistan

Winner, Best Single Image in a Visual Stories Portfolio (F.Dilek Yurdakul, Turkey) : “In Pakistan, an Islamic Republic, there is no coeducation in public schools. Boys and girls receive Islamic education in separate classrooms and schools. The Kalash live within the borders of Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan, yet their schools are still co-educational. Gender diversity and unity are viewed as nothing to fear. Children are educated equally and together.”

La Puna, Argentina

Winner, A Quieter Life category (Ignacio Palacios, Australia/Spain) : “Walking on a white sand dune in La Puna, Argentina.”

Reutte, Austria

Winner, Above, Eye Level, Below category (Josien van Geffen, Netherlands) : “Under the Highline 179 suspension bridge, you get a completely different view when you look up. The bridge and the people on it now appear like a scene from an old video game.”

Petra, Jordan

Winner, Leisure and Adventure category (Andrea Peruzzi, Italy ): “As the last rays of the sun illuminate the iconic Treasury of Petra, a Bedouin enjoys jumping between the overhanging rocks. At sunset, it’s as if the once-lost city has two profoundly different souls, divided between day and night. When tourists leave this iconic destination, the Bedouins reawaken the ancient soul of Petra by repopulating the site, to eat around the bonfires and stay connected to the traditions handed down by their ancestors.”

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Winner, People's Choice Vote (Rohan Neel Shah, Kenya, age 16) : “A young wildebeest lost in the Great Wildebeest Migration madness. He stands there confused whilst other wildebeest rush to cross the river.”

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Travel Photography Blog

Welcome to our travel photography blog.

Photos have the incredible ability to transport you to a place, tell a story and provide inspiration, simply by capturing one moment in time.

Ever since the camera was invented in 1816, humans have been fascinated with the art of photography.

Fast forward to today, and almost every single person on this planet has access to a camera, whether that is a professional DSLR, a point-and-shoot, or just their smartphone in their pocket.

Storytelling through imagery is now part of our daily lives, whether that’s through photojournalism, entertainment, food, family, or in our case, travel.

Our own love of travel photography started more than a decade ago, when we first started exploring the world and turning to books and magazines for inspiration on where to go next.

As the years have passed by we shifted from being admirers of photography to becoming photographers ourselves.

These days we work as professional travel photographers and travel writers, exploring the world and creating stories, images and video as we go.

This is our full-time job, and we love every minute of it.

In 2020 we were invited to join #TeamSony, and at the end of the year Jarryd was officially named as a  Sony Digital Imaging Advocate for Australia and New Zealand .

We are lucky enough to be  Ted’s Masters , representing Australia’s best camera store chain.

We are also part of the GoPro Family, an exclusive collection of fantastic creators who focus on both video and stills.

In addition we have worked with large photography brands like Sony, Manfrotto and Vanguard.

Our images have been bought my publications like National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Tourism Australia and Destination Canada.

We have also been commissioned by brands like Volvo, Kathmandu, Rocky Mountaineer, Great Southern Rail, One Ocean Expeditions and Ecoventura to create photography to promote their companies.

Finally, the life of a travel photographer means we do get to travel the world on assignment to shoot content to be used to promote destinations.

Through that, we’ve worked with the tourism boards of New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Czech Republic, Japan, Cook Islands, Chile, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Every day brings a new experience and a chance to learn, and we love being able to bring our travels to life through images.

When we first started NOMADasaurus, it was intended to be a blog to document our travels.

Over time our passions grew to include capturing photos, and now we are immensely proud to have turned this site into one of the best travel photography blogs on the net.

We strive to create regular content to help you become better travel photographers as well.

On our travel photography website, we share articles about the gear we use and recommend, camera reviews, tips for taking better photos and photo essays from a variety of places around the world.

It’s our desire to not only inspire, but also to educate others on how to improve their skills.

We hope you enjoy our website, and find value in it when starting your own travel photography journey.

If you ever have any questions, or have an idea of a topic we should create, please feel free to reach out to us through our contact page.

See Our Photography Portfolio

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Epicure & Culture

Food, wine & culture for the ethical traveler

Visual Adventures: 10 Best Travel Photography Blogs

Whether you’re a regular traveler or not, unique and beautiful travel photography can excite, motivate and inspire.

Travel photography blogs can help you research your next trip, reminisce about your favorite holiday or inspire you to explore somewhere completely new.

Whatever your travel history or plans, these blogs are the perfect way to indulge in wanderlust.

Table of Contents

The following are ten of the best blogs for travel photography lovers.

And if you’re looking for advice for taking photos or videos of yourself, here is also some important advice on how to feel comfortable on camera .

Looking to become a freelance photographer yourself? The Broke Backpacker has some great advice!

Also head over to TravelFreak for his list of photography gear for travelers , and NOMADasuras to check out their pick for the best camera for travel .

1. Seattle’s Travels

Canadian wanderer Seattle has traveled across vast swathes the globe, and her blog Seattle’s Travels reflects that. Search by destination or adventure form to soak up her pictures. The site also includes plenty of advice for travelers, especially those seeing the world solo.

2. Alex In Wanderland

Four years ago, native New Yorker Alex left the US to travel the world, documenting her adventures through photography on her blog Alex in Wanderland . Her passion for travel is infectious and her travel map is astounding. A crisp, lovely site design also makes her blog a special one for travel photography.

3. Ken Kaminesky

Ken Kaminesky ’s eye for the remarkable is immediately apparent when looking at his photos. Ken takes luscious, hyper-detailed pictures of sights around the world, with subjects ranging from culture to nature to people at work. His cityscapes are wonderful, but his nature photography is particularly rich.

4. The Legendary Adventures Of Anna

Anna’s blog The Legendary Adventures of Anna is a playful reflection on the joys of travel.  She provides a range of useful travel and dining tips, especially for the Americas, and her images of Iceland are particularly special.

5. Paris In Four Months

There are a lot of Paris blogs out there, but Paris in Four Months reigns supreme. Swedish Carin moved to Paris in 2012, originally for just four months, but has lived in the City of Lights ever since. Her blog is an ode to the beauty of Paris, from streetscapes to pâtisseries to fashion.

6. TravelFREAK

Jeremy, a talented mixologist as well as the creator of TravelFREAK , wants you to quit your job, and he’ll stop at nothing to get you to do so, even tempting you with beautiful wanderlust-inducing photos. With a focus on transformative and adventure travel, you’ll immediately be booking your next plane ticket — most likely while perusing one of his photo essays.

7. Kirsten Alana

First things first, Kirsten Alana ’s site design is one of the prettiest out there. But beyond graphics, her photographs, which vary from quirky snapshots of culture to pure images of nature, are simply beautiful. Her shots of skies are particular highlights.

8. Stuck In Customs

Though the name conjures up one of the most horrendous aspects of travel, Stuck in Customs is filled with photos of the best travel has to offer. Trey Ratcliffe has a true talent for photography, and his images, from the Great Wall of China to the mountains of New Zealand, will make you want to pack your bags ASAP.

9. Farfelue

It’s hard to make Paris look bad, but Farfelue knows how to make Paris look perfect. While Faye’s blog is great for its Paris city guide and travel hints, the highlight is her photos, which capture the French capital at its glittering finest.

10. Beers And Beans

Beers and Beans is one of the most comprehensive travel photography sites out there. If you’re planning a trip, click through for plenty of advice on travel hints, destination details, volunteering and more. Their photographs are joyful, varied and inspiring too.

11. Jessie on a Journey

The personal blog of Epicure & Culture editor Jessica Festa, Jessie on a Journey focuses on solo, adventure and offbeat travel around the globe. Jessica is never without her Nikon D5100, and loves losing herself behind her lens in beautiful, inspiring places. She even sells her photography shop at the EpicureCulture Etsy Shop and on art design products through her Jessieonajourney RedBubble Portfolio .

What are your favorite travel photography blogs? Please share in the comments below.

Also check out:.

Behind The Lens: Shooting Long Exposure Photos In Low Light Using Bulb Mode

Dispatch From Tuscany: Debunking Common Misconceptions About Olive Oil [Informative Photo Essay]

Do You Want To Be A Professional Blogger?

Jessica Festa

Jessica Festa is the editor of Epicure & Culture as well as Jessie on a Journey . She enjoys getting lost in new cities and having experiences you don’t read about in guidebooks. Some of her favorite travel experiences have been teaching English in Thailand, trekking her way through South America, backpacking Europe solo, road tripping through Australia, agritouring through Tuscany, and volunteering in Ghana.

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10 comments.

It’s such an honour being included in your list – thank you so much for your kind words

@Faye: You’re welcome. Love your work! 🙂

Pas de prob, Faye- I’ve been a fan since we met at Lauren W’s Paris stationery party!

Thank you so much for mentioning me! What a sweet surprise.

@Kirsten: Of course! You’re one of my very favorite photographs, both because you’re talented and awesome in general! 🙂

Wow, what a list! I love all of these guys–such good photography. I’m honored to be included. Thank you!

Our pleasure, Jeremy!

Thanks for sharing .

Thanks for sharing with us !

Thanks for sharing

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19 Best Travel Photography Blogs

By Tata Rossi 16 days ago, Inspiration

Whatever your trips or plans, the best travel photography blogs will perfectly satisfy your travel craving. While it is impossible to travel across closed borders due to quarantine measures against COVID-19, viewing travel blog pictures is the only way to help explore a future trip, remember a favorite vacation, or inspire you to explore something completely new.

Top 19 Travel Photography Blogs

• TravelAndDestinations - Information center for travelers
• TravelFreak - Coverage of all practical aspects of travel
• Ken Kaminesky Blog - Professional travel photographer’s blog
• PhotoTraces - Simple and clear presentation style
• Camping Fun Zone - Active sports while traveling are in focus
• Farfelue - A well-organized blog dedicated to Paris and beyond
• AnnMarie John - Frequent posts
• Photodoto - Educational blog for photographers
• Stuck in Customs - HDR Photography, travel photography and camera reviews
• CampingHiking - Hiking trip photography tricks and suggestions
• Bookatrekking - Hiking destination guides
• Anywhere We Roam - Best travel blog of UK
• Owl Over The World - Complete destination guides
• Aperlust - Travel tips from a pro
• Alex In Wanderland - An award-winning travel blog documenting journeys since 2009
• The Legendary Adventures of Anna - For fans of travel, comments and social subtext
• Beers and Beans - Creators of Pin-Up Live, the innovative live chat on Pinterest
• Kirsten Alana - Creative socially conscious visual stories
• Paris in Four Months - Focuses on the glamorous side of Paris

Many travel photographers have switched to Instagram, but some researchers continue to share amazing images with stories that can excite, motivate and inspire. Whether you are a regular traveler or not, you will enjoy viewing the photo travel blog to learn more about new places, other people’s activities, as well as find tips, ideas and inspiration for your own work.

Now travel blogs look the same, with common standard templates due to automated tools that let you focus on writing articles, marketing and SEO, sacrificing user experience for profit. In this article, you will find a list of blogs with different identities that aren’t overloaded with unnecessary content.

1. TravelAndDestinations - Our Choice

• Illustrative guides
• Pro global authors
• Travel-optimized UI
• Photography tips
• Free trials, special offers
• Content of an advertising nature

Verdict: TravelAndDestinations is a fully illustrated information center and travel resource created by an avid traveler and itinerant photographer Mike Clegg to help travelers around the world. Travel shots here are supplemented with travel articles that contain ideas about places to visit and things to do upon arrival, as well as city guides, budget travel tips and everything related to travel destinations.

This versatile blog features articles about photos, interviews, travel tips and tricks to help and inspire travelers. It is the best travel photography blog to find vacation ideas and places to visit. A number of keen travel writers regularly share their experiences via this website, which is designed to provide visitors with a good experience and high-quality content, as well as photography tips , so that they can make more informed decisions about shooting on trips.

2. TravelFreak

• Practical experience to help you prevent mistakes
• Testing of equipment
• Travel tips from the team of pros
• Collaboration with well-known publications
• More attention is paid to equipment, not shooting

Verdict: Talented mixologist and TravelFREAK creator Jeremy Scott wants you to put your doubts aside, and he will stop at nothing to make you do it, enticing you with beautiful photos and a free photo tour that evokes a passion for travel. TravelFREAK has an excellent travel photography portfolio.

This professional adventurer has created an online community. Its goal is to help as many people as possible to discover the world of traveling. If you have a travel camera and wild spirit, Jeremy will do everything to take you outside, on the road and in nature. By focusing on transformative and adventurous rides, you will immediately book your next plane ticket - most likely by viewing one of his photo essays. Besides, I recommend to follow the Photographertouch blog that will help you become a better photographer on your next trip.

3. Ken Kaminesky Blog

• Professional shots of rare natural phenomena
• Articles with tips and hints
• Organizing exotic photo tours
• Collaboration with famous photography magazines
• Rare updates

Verdict: Ken’s home page shows a passion for travel and photography, encouraging us to read the catalog. His view of the amazing things immediately catches the eye when you examine his shots. Ken takes juicy, detailed pictures of landmarks around the world on a variety of topics, from culture and nature to people at work. Ken’s cityscapes are beautiful, and his nature shots are particularly rich.

His travel blog pictures are some of the most comprehensive, from the interior of the Hungarian Opera house to the wild river in Canada. Not only does Ken share his images, but he also gives you tips on how to take them.

4. PhotoTraces

• Cruises recommendations
• Regular posts
• Shares practical experience
• Equipment tests
• Lack of convenient article categorization

Verdict: PhotoTraces blog was created to make photographers’ life easier and explain complex things in simple terms. You may think that photography is expensive and too difficult because of tons of “extra” stuff around it. In fact, the reality is different from this opinion.

If you don't have to deal with these distractions, you can focus on key tasks and enjoy the process. Viktor Elizarov, the owner of PhotoTraces , is ready to share his experience. He talks about his entire journey in the industry: from the first steps to the business aspect of photography.

This community consists of more than 60,000 photographers and photo enthusiasts. They are ready to open their secrets and make learning easier and fun.

5. Camping Fun Zone

• Describes various outdoor activities
• Handy content categorization
• Bright traveling photos
• List of places and leisure activities
• Too little text info

Verdict: Camping Fun Zone is an eye-grabbing live travel photography blog where the author publishes a great variety of travel photos to inspire followers. Here you will find a myriad of images featuring various travel and outdoor sports activities including fishing, birdwatching, hiking, etc.

Conveniently, they are organized into categories like Camping, Adventure, Places, RVS, Equipment, Vehicles, and Nature to accelerate your search for the required content. In addition to multiple travel photos, the blogger also gives readers helpful tips on how to cope with certain difficulties or prepare for a certain type of activity.

6. Farfelue

• Clear organization into places and categories
• Articles describing the attractions
• Little advertising content
• Excellent shots, unique tips
• Interesting Instagram feed
• The main theme is dedicated to one place
• Not all tabs are filled with content

Verdict: Faye is an Englishwoman who moved to Paris and started a photoblog about the city in a unique way, not just with a few overexposed professional shots. It is hard to make Paris look bad, but Farfelue knows how to make Paris perfect. While Faye’s blog is great for its Paris travel guide and travel tips, it is mostly notable for her shots that capture the French capital in all its glory.

Farfelue should be your main reference point and one of the best travel photography blogs if you are planning a trip to the French capital. Focusing on Paris, she has been traveling around the world as well.

A quick visit to her blog shows a variety of places, 15 of them in Europe alone. Her travel photography blog goes beyond that, with beautiful photo guides to major but not so popular cities and countries like Rome, London, Reykjavik, Myanmar and many others.

7. AnnMarie John

• Helpful photography tips
• Accommodation reviews
• Convenient categorization
• Cruises tips
• Frequent posts

Verdict: AnnMarie John is an engaging travel and lifestyle blog, run by a retired army veteran and amateur photographer. Anna shares her images alongside great writing and tips on traveling across the globe, you won’t find anywhere else. She’s travelling around the world with her kids and posts helpful articles frequently.

The blog is conveniently categorized, and all the tips are divided by destinations: Africa, Asia, Americas, Middle East, Caribbean, Oceania, Disney, from where she brings back gorgeous and colourful images.

8. Photodoto

• Constant updates
• Contains categories for easy search
• A good choice of free learning tools
• Simple language
• The design could be more modern

Verdict: Photodoto is an informative photography blog that includes educational posts on a variety of genres. The authors of the blog believe that you need to be well-versed in the equipment, constantly hone your photo editing skills, and also take inspiration from various sources to become a successful photographer.

Here you will find articles that will be useful for both novice photographers and professionals with extensive experience. The blog contains a wide collection of ebooks, articles, email courses, and other learning materials for those who want to improve their skills. Readers regularly get access to new articles and guides that will be useful for their work.

9. Stuck in Customs

• Plenty of tutorials and guides
• Hardware and software reviews
• Shots from exclusive events and festivals
• The blog is simply overloaded with information
• Exclusive content and unlimited access have to be paid for

Verdict: Trey Ratcliffe has created and runs a blog dedicated to art and travel photography, with a free guide to HDR photography , photography tips, reviews of cameras and photo editing programs. The author is a sincere old-school gentleman researcher with really cool toys. Trey has one of the greatest personal travel blogs, and his shots reflect some of the amazing places that he writes a lot about.

Here you will find a lot of Asia, a bit of Antarctica with the addition of South America in moderation. His shots shine from different angles and perspectives. Trey has a real talent for photography, and his images, from the Great Wall of China to the mountains of New Zealand, will make you pack your bags as soon as possible.

10. CampingHiking

• Abundance of notes on camping sites, hiking trails, and recreational areas
• Convenient article search
• Tips for both beginners and professionals
• Outdated interface

Verdict: The CampingHiking blog was created in 2020 and its main goal is to help visitors come up with new hiking trip ideas. Here you’ll find articles on how to take unconventional travel photos and where you can organize an outdoor photoshoot. The website contains information about a long list of campgrounds, recreational areas, and hiking trails.

Other than that, the blog provides general tips on portrait and product photography as well as suggestions on how to take photos using a drone. The author also publishes articles on how to set up your photography studio properly and start making money with your work.

11. Bookatrekking

• Convenient website design
• In-depth hiking and trekking destination articles
• Articles appear regularly
• Inconvenient article search

Verdict: Bookatrekking believes that every step you take on a hiking trail is a step closer to discovering the beauty of our planet. Their travel blog is your gateway to a world of awe-inspiring landscapes, untamed wilderness, and incredible treks. They curate a diverse selection of hiking routes, catering to both novice explorers and seasoned trailblazers.

Their travel blog boasts a treasure trove of meticulously crafted articles that delve deep into the heart of hiking destinations. Each piece is a labor of love, thoughtfully composed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the terrain, culture, and challenges that await you on your adventure.

12. Anywhere We Roam

• Detailed routes broken down by day
• Useful links for booked trips
• Focus on wildlife and exotic locations
• Articles with reviews and ideas to be implemented

Verdict: This blog is an invitation to get a unique experience and unforgettable memories of unusual trips. Without paying much attention to major attractions or famous hotspots, Mark and Paul from Anywhere We Roam focus the lens on less-visited places where there is a lot untold.

Their adventure photography blog is a journey through inspiring moments and exciting experiences that engage the senses and recreate the emotions of being in a completely new place, encouraging a deeper look at different cultures through lifestyle photography . These are breathtaking landscapes on relatively unknown hiking trails, close encounters with some of the world’s most valuable animals, local characters and their collective stories, as well as the joy of simple travel.

13. Owl Over The World

• Describes various destinations in detail
• Doesn’t post many ads
• Professional shots, handy tips
• Female-oriented content

Verdict: Owl Over The World is the name of the blog created by a traveler Bilyana. During her travels across the globe, she is always trying to find something unexpected, meet locals and other travelers to learn more about their experiences, try new things, and explore her surroundings wherever the road takes her.

Bilyana is a huge fan of outdoor pursuits. As a true thrillseeker, she enjoys adrenaline activities and always tries to learn more about various countries that she visits during her travels in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Being a seasoned traveler, Bilyana often supplements her photos taken during the trips with unique tips based on her own experience. Her blog is easy to navigate thanks to the convenient system of categories. You can sort tips by different locations, such as Asia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, the Caucasus region. From every trip, she brings back stunning images of incredible locations.

14. Aperlust

• Helpful tips for photographers
• Posts appear regularly
• Fantastic images

Verdict: Aperlust is a blog run by a young guy named Vincent. He is an avid traveler, photographer, and WordPress enthusiast. He created his blog to share ideas on topics he likes. Vincent has a penchant for traveling and documenting his adventures along the way.

The blog abounds with useful tips on how to choose shooting equipment, what places to visit if you are fond of hiking, how to use Photoshop for image processing, how to earn money being a photographer, and more. Besides, there is a section with inspirational travel quotes, which you are bound to like.

15. Alex In Wanderland

• Plenty of organized archives
• Original site design and map
• Virtual portfolio of writing for well-known publications
• Promo codes and discounts

Verdict: Many years ago, NY-born Alex left the US to travel around the world, documenting her trips in the blog, and never looked back. Her adventures are reflected in her gorgeous shots.

Alex has a well-designed website, so it is a pleasure to browse. It breaks down tourist activities into categories that are easy to find. Her passion for travel is infectious, and the travel map is amazing. The site is clear, and the beautiful design makes it one of the best travel photography blogs.

16. The Legendary Adventures of Anna

• Interesting articles about travel and social phenomena
• Free consulting
• Stunning Instagram
• Site adaptation and design are minimal

Verdict: Anna’s blog is a humorous reflection on the joys of travel. A playful mood defines the idea and style of this travel blog. She gives a number of useful travel and restaurant tips, especially for Northern and Southern America. Her images of Iceland are particularly spectacular.

Anna shares her travel photography stories along with great emails and travel tips around the world. She currently has five travel guides to Japan, Italy, British Columbia, Ecuador and Iceland. Take a look at her Instagram to find the best shots. They convey her exuberant spirit and passion for travel.

17. Beers And Beans

• Good blog content
• Creative campaigns
• Feedback about the app, product, hotel
• Creators of Pin-Up Live, an innovative chat

Verdict: Here is one of the most extensive travel blog websites. If you are planning a trip, get plenty of travel tips and tricks, destination details, info on volunteering and more. Beth and Randy have interesting photo essays, writing and travel tips.

Their shots are joyful, diverse and inspiring. The Venice After Dark series is very atmospheric. Also, check out their Pinterest Board, one of the most well-known travel photography boards.

18. Kirsten Alana

• One of the most beautiful blog designs
• Collaboration with well-known brands
• Available for all social networks
• Professional content from a four Seasons staff photographer
• More attention is paid to brands in travel

Verdict: The blog of travel photographer Kirsten, a multimedia creative from New York, perfectly tells the brand’s stories through the lens of her camera. You can’t judge a book by its cover, but her photography is just as talented as her design ideas. But beyond the graphics, Kirsten’s travel blog pictures, which range from whimsical shots of culture to pure images of nature, are simply beautiful. Her shots of the sky are undoubtedly special. Also, you will find quick shots of culture and vivid images of landscapes.

19. Carin Olsson’s Paris In Four Months

• Shots from fashion and romantic capitals of the world
• Unique film photography
• Recipes for traditional dishes and desserts
• Reviews of clothes and fashion looks
• Content is more suitable for ladies
• The main theme is focused on one city

Verdict: Paris is one of those cities with a rich culture, cuisine and lifestyle. Don’t look for better female travel blogs about this City of Lights. Since 2012, Carin, who is originally from Sweden, has been absorbing all the charms of this wonderful city and presenting it well to us.

Her blog is an ode to the beauty of Paris, from streetscapes to pastry shops and fashion boutiques. There you will find architecture, fashion and urban photography in a variety of images traveling through the urban landscape.

• Collaboration or community
• Single author

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Through the Lens: Discovering the 16 Best Travel Photography Blogs

Discover the world through captivating imagery with the best travel photography blogs..

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In today’s digital age, travel photography has become an integral part of the travel experience. It allows us to capture the beauty of destinations, preserve memories, and share our adventures with others. Whether you’re an aspiring travel photographer seeking inspiration or a travel enthusiast looking to explore the world through captivating imagery, the world of travel photography blogs offers a treasure trove of creativity and wanderlust. In this blog post, we will delve into the realm of the best travel photography blogs that inspire, educate, and transport us to stunning locations around the globe.

In a world filled with stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking moments, travel photography has the power to captivate our senses and ignite our wanderlust. The best travel photography blogs serve as windows to the world, allowing us to embark on virtual journeys, learn photography techniques, and discover hidden gems. From awe-inspiring landscapes to intimate portraits, these blogs showcase the artistry and storytelling that lies behind each captured image.

So, whether you are a photography enthusiast, an avid traveler, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of our world, these travel photography blogs will ignite your imagination and inspire your next adventure.

Embrace the visual storytelling, learn from the masters, and let these photography blogs be your guide to the wonders that await. Let your travel dreams come to life through the lens of these remarkable photographers and their compelling narratives. Happy exploring!

#1 Susan Tregoning Photography: Landscapes and Nature

Susan Tregoning is a travel photographer who specializes in landscape, nature, transportation and architectural photography. Her gallery includes some amazing shots from around the United States including sunrises and sunsets, lighthouses, bridges and some amazing photos of wildlife, cityscapes and landscapes. You can purchase her photography online and also add it to a wide range of wall art and decor.

Unlike a lot of travel photography bloggers, Susan Tregoning likes to relocate to the area for a longer period of time which allows her to capture the true essence of each location.

#2 Albom Adventures: Inspiring Travel Through Photography

Albom Adventures inspires travel through photography, expert advice, and in-depth exploration of classic and off-the-beaten-path destinations. Owners Rhonda and Jeff Albom are based in New Zealand and have travelled to 63 countries on six continents.

#3 Kirsten Alana: Freelance Travel Photography

Kirsten Alana is a Los Angeles based photographer who focuses on stock photography for the travel and lifestyle industries. Kirsten has travelled to every continent (except Antarctica) and worked with high profile brands including Ted Baker, Four Seasons and Expedia. We love her incredible range of images which can be purchased online .  

#4 Finding the Universe: Travel photography and humor

Finding the Universe  is a travel and photography focused website which aims to help people plan their trips around the world, and take better photos on their travels. It's run by husband and wife team Laurence & Jessica Norah, who have been running their sites full time since 2010. They love to help people take awesome adventures, and as a professional photographer, Laurence enjoys helping people improve their photography skills. Laurence & Jessica also run the travel blog  Independent Travel Cats , as well as an  online travel photography course .

#5 Travel With Kat: Discover Cultures, Countries and Cuisines

Travel With Kat is the personal blog of travel writer, photographer and artist, Kathryn Burrington. She's been passionate about photography since childhood and craves the exciting photographic opportunities travelling to different cultures offers. Her blog is overflowing with stunning images of local people, food, landscapes, buildings and wildlife.

#6 Getting Stamped: Couple & Travel Photography

Anna and Adam a couple from Wisconsin left their settled lives to travel 6 years ago. They’ve been visiting all across the globe and putting it in their blogs along with beautiful and fun pictures from all the places they have visited. Getting Stamped gives you a glimpse of all the fun places you need to visit.

Popular couple travel & travel photography blog featuring travel tips, photography, and travel stories from around the world. Getting Stamped one country

#7 Art Wolfe: Nature & Cultural Photography

Art Wolfe has been taking amazing travel photos for over 50 years and has taken some incredible shots. His photography covers every corner of the globe and some extremely remote destinations. 

#8 Along Dusty Roads: Travel Guides and Photography

Along Dusty Roads is a unique travel blog by British couple Andrew & Emily that provides inspiration, crafted travel guides and stunning photography for travel all over the world. The site promotes sustainable and responsible travel for the curious modern day explorer.

Along Dusty Roads offers amazing travel resources and everything you need to plan the perfect trip across Europe, Asia and Africa. The blog also offers an in-depth coverage of Latin America where Andrew and Emily spent 2 years travelling.

#9 Chasing Lenscapes: Travel, Photography, Inspiration

Sari and Maya are two sisters who have always had a passion for travel, photography, culture and food (not necessarily in that order). They run together their online travel magazine, Chasing Lenscapes , and their boutique production company, Chasing Lenscapes Studio, which specializes in content creation with emphasis on promotional videos and photography services for business in the field of tourism, gastronomy and lifestyle.

Chasing Lenscapes provides helpful travel and photography guides with lots of useful tips that will help you plan your perfect vacation around the world. All of the travel guides are accompanied by stunning visuals and travel films for some additional inspiration. Sari and Maya love to focus on trendy neighborhood, explore the food and art scene, visit exotic locations and find hidden gems and plan and help their audience have the best experience on their travels

#10 Delve Into Europe: Travel Photography and Guide

David Angel has been a professional photographer, writer and art director for over 20 years. He's a veteran of medium format film, and had his work used to promote many European destinations worldwide, and had countless images published in all media around the globe.

He created Delve Into Europe along with his wife Faye to promote European destinations, and are passionate about encouraging people to venture off the beaten track. They enjoy travelling slowly with their young son, and are currently based in Prague. 

#11 Farfelue: Capturing Wanderlust

Farfelue is an awesome travel photography blog by Faye Bullock who has spent time exploring every corner of Europe, from the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia to the rugged coves and turquoise waters of Croatia.

#12 NOMADasaurus: Adventure Travel Photography

Run by highly acclaimed photographers and writers Jarryd Salem and Alesha Bradford, NOMADasaurus is the largest adventure travel blog in Australia.

They started the blog in 2013 to document their journey from Asia to Africa through land. Five years later, they have more than 200,000 followers on social media and a team of active writers which continue delivering impressive travelling guides, reviews, offers etc.

#13 Photo Journeys: Photos by Robin & Arlene Karpan

Robin and Arlene Karpan are travel writers, bloggers, photographers, book authors and publishers behind the Photo Journeys blog. Follow them as they explore many of the worlds most awe-inspiring and photogenic places, on every continent around the globe.

We love how they visit little-known treasures as well as famous iconic landscapes. Robin and Arlene specialise in outdoor photography including nature, wildlife, outdoor adventure, breathtaking landscapes.

Photo Journeys is a great place to provide inspiration to get out and explore the world around you. We love some of the amazing shots at Iguaza falls .

#14 Uncornered Market: Caring for Our Planet and Its People

Audrey Scott and Daniel Noll are the husband-and-wife storytelling team behind the adventure and sustainable travel blog, Uncornered Market . Stories feature awesome food experiences, hiking/trekking and stories of people they’ve met along the way. Their adventures cover over 14 years and over 100 countries.

#15 It’s All Trip To Me: Photography & Responsible Travel

Katerina and Maria are content creators and avid travellers currently based in Athens, Greece. Katerina is a passionate photographer and videographer specialising in travel content creation while Maria is a travel writer, copywriter and editor with strong grammar, vocabulary and SEO skills.

Together they created It’s All Trip To Me, a website that focuses on Travel Photography but also on the ways people can travel more responsibly.

Katerina and Maria publish highly informative travel guides, carefully planned-out itineraries and the best travel planning tips on their website, alongside inspiring videos on their recently launched YouTube channel.  

#16 California Through My Lens: Travel and Hiking

Aiming to fuse his passion of travelling and photography, Josh started California Through My Lens about 5 years ago. He travels across California photographing and reviewing beautiful places which people can easily visit.

With over 10 million views from over the world, this website continues to provide amazing locations hidden around California.

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Written by Richard Ascough

Tripcurated offers a hand selected collection of the best travel websites and resources from across the web. We find the best travel websites including flights and airfares, accommodation, travel planning, car rental, cruises, tours and tickets, travel finance and more.

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15 Breathtaking Travel Blogs That Give Us a Dose of Wanderlust

This page may contain links from our sponsors. Here’s how we make money .

Pack your bags and grab your passport. Today we’re taking you on a trip around the world with these sixteen incredible travel blogs that will give you a major dose of wanderlust. Readers beware–you may be rushing to the airport by the end of this post.

I selected these travel blogs for their beautiful photography, elegant website designs, and their unique visual assets (from time-lapse videos and gifs to text overlay images and hand-sketched field notes).

Related reading: Best Travel Websites

Browse through these blogs and get a taste for the globetrotting life. I guarantee you’ll be jealous (I know I am).

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Beautiful Travel Blogs

1.  double takes.

Double Takes is a destination and design blog featuring high-resolution images, videos, animations, and vector graphics to inspire the adventurous traveler in all of us.

Blogger Lauren Kilberg’s posts don’t have much text – instead she lets the visual content speak for itself.

2.  Stuck in Customs

Stuck in Customs is a bright and beautiful haven for travel window shoppers who will find themselves drooling over Trey Ratcliff’s breathtaking photos. I could spend hours just watching his homepage image slides!

3.  My Life’s a Trip

My Life’s a Trip is a multi-media travel diary by Jen Pollack Bianco, sharing food, drink, and scenery from her various travels.

Bianco doesn’t just stick with photos – she also creates gifs and time-lapse videos which give her blog an added visual boost.

4.  Pinch

Pinch is a beautiful digital magazine giving a glorious glimpse into style, food, art, and design from around the globe. If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling, pinch might give you the push to get going.

5.  Hither & Thither

Hither & Thither is a lovely design-oriented travel blog with blogger Ashley Muir Bruhn featuring photos and stories from her adventures at home and away. Bruhn provides visual travel guides, foodie features, odes to design, and tips for traveling with toddlers. (Bruhn often travels with her children!)

6.  A Restless Transplant

A Restless Transplant features the cross-country adventures of Foster Huntington who quit his NYC job in 2011 and has been traveling via camper with his friends ever since in an epic road trip.

Since beginning his adventure, Huntington has traveled over 100,000 miles across America surfing, hiking, and chasing sunrises. His largely photo-centric blog offers a beautiful portrait of America.

7.  Tiny Atlas Quarterly

Tiny Atlas Quarterly is a collection of photo-based travel narratives, told through portraiture, landscapes, and still (plus not so still) lifes.

These beautiful photo narratives inspire traveler daydreams and serious wanderlust, so viewers be warned!

8.  Lost in Cheeseland

Lost in Cheeseland is a delightful blog by Lindsey Tramuta, a Philadelphian expat now living in Paris.

In her blog, she documents her adventures living the Parisian life, from ordering espresso to indulging in macaroons. Tramuta discusses (and shares plentiful photos of) her favorite local patisseries, her top cafes, and the trials and joys of living abroad in the “city of light.”

9.  Notes From the Road

Notes From the Road is Erik Gauger’s travel photography blog featuring stunning photos from his trips around the world.

Gauger provides a unique perspective, photographing local birds and insects in addition to the expected travel shots. Gauger also shares his Moleskine journal sketches which are a true joy to flip through.

Gauger reminds us to take the time to notice the small as well as the grand on our next travel journeys.

10.  Warscapes

Warscapes provides a unique perspective on travel, bringing to light the trauma and ongoing healing that is occurring in war-torn countries around the world.

Warscapes publishes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, and photo-essays illustrating the devastation of war and its lasting affects.

Warscapes is a reminder that travel isn’t all sunny palm trees and quaint Italian cobble-stone streets – it’s also composed of troubled lands navigating past and present conflicts that will ultimately shape cultures for centuries to come.

11.  Prête à Voyager

In Prête à Voyager, designer Anne Ditmeyer blogs about her life in Paris with special attention given towards photos, design, and a heaping helping of glorious maps!

12. Petite Passport

Petite Passport is a clean, neat looking website with stories, guides, restaurant reviews, and brilliant photos from Pauline Egge’s journeys across the globe.

13.  Beers and Beans

Self-proclaimed “storytellers of travel tales near and far,” Beer and Beans writers Beth and Randy Kalp share travel tips, tales, and images of their adventures far and wide.

Advocates of slow travel, the pair likes to bring their dog on the road and often enjoy WWOOFing around the world. Their blog will get you itching with the travel bug.

14.  Museum Diary

Museum Diary is a very unique blog by Jenni Fuchs who showcases her extraordinary love of museums.

Fuchs shares her experiences and photographs of museums around the world, detailing everything from the hidden museum gems others might pass by to the unique museum cafes she encounters. Museum buffs rejoice – this is the blog for you!

15.  Just One Way Ticket

Just One Way Ticket is a bright, boisterous, and colorful site by Sabrina Iovino.

Sabrina quit her job several years ago after deciding the 9-5 grind was not for her. Now her home is where she rests her head at night. Some may call her homeless. But she’s turned her greatest passion (traveling) into a career, and it shows!

Check out Sabrina’s site, and you’ll be booking you trip to the Philippines in a matter of minutes.

Final Thoughts

So have you booked your flight yet? Maybe you’re already on the airplane at this very moment? I hope you enjoyed these beautiful travel blogs and that they’ve inspired your next travel adventure!

Which blog is your favorite on this list? Any travel blogs you love that I didn’t mention here? Let us know what you think!

Megan Marrs is a content marketing specialist with +6 years experience writing content related to digital marketing, app marketing, design, and social media while contributing to various startup blogs. When she's not catching up on the latest marketing strategies, you can find her lounging in a hammock with a good fantasy novel.

Inspiration 20 Travel Photographers You Should Know

“My life is shaped by the urgent need to wander and observe, and my camera is my passport.” – Steve McCurry

Intrepid and visionary, photographers have long ventured forth to document their journeys and capture the essence of the places they explore. In celebration of our 2023 Travel Photography Award , (open for entries until the end of August) we’ve curated a list of 20 photographers, past and present, whose inspiring images embody the unique allure of travel.

1. Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry , the esteemed judge of our current Travel Award , is a globally-renowned figure in the world of photography. His remarkable oeuvre encompasses some of the most iconic images of our time and showcases the awe-inspiring beauty and cultural diversity of our planet.

Born in Philadelphia in 1950, McCurry studied cinematography at Pennsylvania State University, after which he worked as a staff photographer for the local newspaper Today’s Post . However, driven by his passion for travel and photography, he embarked on a journey to India, a country that would become synonymous with his name due to the stunning images he captured throughout his career. It was this inaugural trip that sparked the epiphanic realization, “if you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view”, setting the foundation for a remarkable career and some truly captivating images encompassing every corner of the globe.

2. Inge Morath

One of the most influential photographers in the history of the medium, Inge Morath travelled extensively throughout her career, forming close relationships with the places she visited through her absolute immersion in the local culture. The remarkable images she captured, display her wonderful artistry and serve as fascinating mementos of their time, whilst demonstrating the profound potential of color photography long before it gained widespread acceptance.

3. Michael Yamashita

Few photographers convey the sheer joy of travel like Michael Yamashita . Over the past three decades, he has embarked on a journey around the world, capturing breathtaking images of its landscapes and people.

Though, throughout his career, Yamashita has photographed on six different continents, it is his work in Asia that has become particularly renowned. With an Asian Studies major from Wesleyan University and Japanese heritage, Yamashita has become an expert in the region and has photographed extensively in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and India, capturing images that articulately convey the cultural diversity and stunning beauty of this fascinating continent.

4. Denis Dailleux

Though he has photographed various locations, Denis Dailleux is inseparably linked to Egypt , a country with which he has had a long and complex love affair, that has engendered some truly stunning imagery. His images convey a deep understanding of the Egyptian people and their culture, capturing their humanity and resilience.

He first visited the country in 1992, to join his Egyptian lover whom he had met in Paris a year earlier, and immediately fell in love with the country, captivated by its beguiling beauty and the warmth and generosity of its people.

He spent the next three decades visiting the country (before eventually, living there for several years), capturing its unique essence with love, tenderness, profound respect, and a masterful eye for form, light, and color.

5. Martine Franck

One of the finest practitioners of her time, and, like her husband Henri Cartier-Bresson, a major proponent of the humanist style, Martine Franck spent much of her life traversing the globe, capturing utterly compelling depictions of everyday life with remarkable grace and artistry. Her subjects and locations were as diverse as Tibetan temples, and industrial Northern English towns, whilst she also photographed her homeland extensively, notably in 1976, when she and four female compatriots, were commissioned by La Fondation Nationale de la Photographie to document their countrymen and women on vacation, during which she captured her now iconic photograph ‘Swimming Pool Designed by Alain Capeilleres, La Brusc’.

6. Alex Webb

“Most of my projects seem to start as exploratory journeys with no visible end in sight.” — Alex Webb

Renowned photojournalist, and judge of our 2020 Street Photography Award (alongside his wife and fellow photographer Rebecca Norris-Webb) Alex Webb is a master of capturing the decisive moment, rendering images filled with energy and movement that communicate brilliantly the atmosphere of the scene.⁠ ⁠ While he has photographed extensively in his homeland, Webb is best known for his vibrant and dynamic work in Latin America and the Caribbean. His images capture the region’s unique atmosphere, rich colors, and intricate details, offering a captivating glimpse into this part of the world.⁠

7. Maggie Steber

One of the finest photographers of her generation, Maggie Steber has dedicated her life to documenting some of the most important stories of our time, a mission that has taken her to some 70 countries, and encompassed everything from the African slave trade to natural disasters. Forthright and rooted in compassion, her images, which have graced the pages of many of the world’s most important publications including, National Geographic, The New York Times Magazine, and The Guardian, cut to the heart of the human condition, leaving a lasting impact on viewers worldwide.

8. Frédéric Lagrange

Frédéric Lagrange is a French-born photographer whose breathtaking imagery showcases the dramatic beauty and cultural diversity of our world. Over the last decade and a half, he has traveled extensively, visiting approximately 100 countries across almost every continent, focusing particularly on secluded shores and remote areas, such as the wild and rugged Wakhan Corridor in northeastern Afghanistan. His stunning images, which have been published in The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, and The New Yorker (among others) evoke a sense of intrepidity and solidify his position as one of today’s most talented travel photographers.

9. Sebastião Salgado

One of the medium’s most masterful living practitioners, Brazilian photojournalist Sebastião Salgado is renowned for his powerful monochromatic images that tell the human stories behind some of the most important issues of our age.

During the course of his near-five decade-long career, he has traversed the globe, capturing extraordinary images, though it is perhaps his depictions of his homeland for which he is best known. In 1986, he travelled to the notorious Serra Pelada gold mine, to photograph some of the 50,000 workers who worked in terrible conditions. His most recent project, the landmark, Amazonia a series of stunning images of the landscapes and people of the world’s largest rainforest captured during a series of trips over the course of six years, is one of his most impressive, communicating the dramatic beauty, incredible biodiversity, and rich cultural heterogeneity of what the photographer calls “paradise on earth”, and thus highlighting the importance of its conservation at what is a crucial tipping point in the fight against climate change.

10. Pia Riverola

One of the best-known travel photographs of recent years, Pia Riverola , is renowned for her dreamy, pastel-hued renderings, which flawlessly capture the very essence of their subject matter.

Whether it’s vibrant flower markets in Mexico City, neon-lit and rain-drenched streets in Tokyo , or the lush landscapes of South American jungles, Riverola ‘s photographs exude a nostalgic and dream-like quality, displaying her masterful understanding of light and inducing a powerful sense of wanderlust.

11. Bruno Barbey

One of the finest photographers of our time, Moroccan-born, French photographer Bruno Barbey, has spent the last five decades travelling the world capturing powerful images that display his unique artistic voice and intrepidity. Over the years he has photographed in Brazil, China, India, his homeland France, and Morrocco, his birthplace, returning on numerous occasions to capture stunning, color-rich images that convey the unique essence of the country.

12. Jimmy Nelson

Judge of our recent Portrait Award , Jimmy Nelson, has dedicated the last ten years to documenting indigenous cultures around the world, which face increasing threats to their traditions and ways of life.

Nelson ‘s adventurous spirit was ignited during his childhood through his father’s work as an exploratory geologist. His first major project involved an epic journey on foot across Tibet in 1987, while seven years later, he documented the newly-opened People’s Republic of China in his acclaimed project “Literary Portraits of China,” which was exhibited in Tiananmen Square before touring globally.

However, it was his subsequent travels around the world to photograph remote cultures using a traditional 50-year-old plate camera, that laid the foundation for the project for which he is best known. “Before They Pass Away”, comprises stunning portraits of 35 different indigenous communities across the globe, capturing their unique traditions and practices in the face of globalization and industrialization.

13. Jim Richardson

Though born in the US, Richardson is immensely proud of his Celtic roots and has spent much of his career focusing on Ireland and Scotland. The latter has been a particularly prominent subject, his fascination with the wild landscapes of the Scottish highlands and the remote islands off its western coastline, engendering a wealth of captivating landscape images that articulate its unique, rugged beauty.

14. Matthieu Paley

French-born Matthieu Paley is one of the finest contemporary travel photographers, whose practice focuses on remote areas, and those communities that call them home.

Working on assignments for National Geographic and other leading publications, he has captured profoundly fascinating photo essays on hunter-gatherers in Tanzania, Greenland’s Inuit and Afghanistan’s Kyrgyz nomads (which he did over the course of a decade), leading to a number of notable awards, including a 2017 World Press Photo award for his portrayal of a Uighur woman in western China.

15. Brooke Holm

The 2nd Prize Winner of our 2018 Color Award for her breathtaking depiction of an Icelandic landscape, Australian-American artist Brooke Holm is one of the most exciting emerging proponents of travel photography. Inspired by satellite imagery and therefore, captured almost invariably from above, her depictions of some of the world’s most beautiful natural scenery are akin to paintings. Rich in color, texture and form, they offer a divergence from conventional viewpoints, showing the natural world at scale, in an attempt to subvert traditional anthropocentric narratives and advocate for coexistence with our environment and its inhabitants.

16. Galen Rowell

Equal parts adventurer and photographer, Galen Rowell spent the majority of his extraordinary life traversing some of the world’s most lofty areas, and capturing stunning landscape images that convey the beauty of the subject.

Throughout his career, Rowell undertook assignments for prestigious publications like LIFE and National Geographic, fearlessly venturing into remote and unforgiving locations, capturing them with unmatched artistry that still resonates today. His work not only showcased the natural wonders of these landscapes but also left a profound impact on the field of photography, inspiring generations of landscape photographers and ensuring his legacy lives on through his work.

17. Ami Vitale

Considered one of the most important conservation photographers of her generation, Ami Vitale has spent her career travelling the globe, traversing more than 100 countries and capturing stunning images that illuminates the often-overlooked heroes and communities whose efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world are truly inspiring. A Nikon Ambassador and regular contributor to National Geographic, Vitale has received numerous awards and commendations over the years, among them a Lucie Humanitarian Award and numerous World Press Photo prizes, which stand as a testament to her dedication and talent in her field. 

18. Jody MacDonald

Few can rival Jody MacDonald when it comes to intrepidity. The award-winning adventurer and photographer has visited over 100 countries and spent a decade travelling the globe on a 60-foot catamaran, on an expedition to uncover the most remote and untamed corners of the planet. Working on assignment for National Geographic and other leading publications, or commercial projects for the likes of Patagonia and Red Bull, MacDonald has photographed some of the harshest and most difficult-to-reach corners of the earth – from the Sahara to the Himalayas – capturing stunning images that communicate the wild beauty of our world.

19. Evelyn Hofer

Few, if any photographers in history captured the essence of cites in the manner of Evelyn Hofer , the enigmatic German-born photographer who, throughout her impressive career, travelled the world photographing its landscapes and people with rarely-matched grace and artistry.

Whether it was Dublin, Paris, Florence, or the cities of her adopted homeland, the United States, Hofer’s photographs capture the essence of the subject. Underpinned by a masterful understanding of form, light, and color, today they stand as timeless testaments to her artistic vision and her ability to reveal the profound beauty that exists within the tapestry of our world.

20. René Burri

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16 Travel Photography Portfolios From Around the World

These travel photographers streamline their adventures into stunning portfolio websites.

Creating a travel photography portfolio presents a unique challenge because travel photographers tend to have large portfolios with many photos from different locations. How can you make sure that your best images stand out, but still demonstrate your versatility and get a chance to share all the different places you’ve documented?

We rounded up 16 outstanding travel photography portfolios that hit a sweet spot between too many photo galleries and too few—they include just enough images to keep viewers wanting to see more. Simple menu navigation and basic layouts tend to be the preferred choice of travel photographers , who know that their eye-catching photo work is more than enough to give personality to their online portfolio .

Documenting landscapes, street scenes, and people everywhere from Iceland to Japan , these travel photographers all have photo galleries that will make you start searching for airfare deals. Some are established pros, while others are emerging photographers who prove you don’t have to be a professional to show off your travel photography—all you need are some vacation snaps.

1. Jack Moriarty

Based in California, photographer Jack Moriarty has an eye for shooting forest landscapes. His photography is full of natural light and lots of leaves. Moriarty keeps his portfolio simple by showcasing just one gallery of his best images. A classic serif font gives his website a polished look.

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3. Michael Novotny

Czech photographer Michael Novotny has spent the past few years living what he calls a “half-nomadic life,” visiting over 40 countries. Shooting only analog photos, Novotny captures evocative images of landscapes from Alaska to Hawaii.

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4. Viktoria Braun

Germany-based photographer Viktoria Braun excels at capturing lush, grainy landscapes, especially coastal scenes and mountain ranges. Whether she’s shooting in Iceland or Italy, her travel photography makes you feel like you’re right there admiring the scenery with her. Braun uses enigmatic titles (“Haze,” “North”) to add mood to her photo galleries.

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5. Tom Powell

English photographer Tom Powell has lived all over the world, and is currently based in New Zealand. Powell’s colorful film photographs will make you feel like you’re on the road with him, as he documents the small moments of travelling life: cooking, setting up tents, meeting new friends, biking along an open road. Powell’s images fill up the entire screen, giving his online portfolio an immersive feeling.

Format Theme: Horizon

6. Jason Charles Hill

Based on Australia’s East Coast, Jason Charles Hill has shot travel photography for a wide range of tourism campaigns (from Dubai to Vancouver to Kenya) as well as for airlines like Air Asia and Jetstar Australia. His lush landscape photos take over the screen with his minimal theme.

7. Ruairidh McGlynn

With high profile clients like Facebook, Instagram, and Apple, it’s safe to say that Ruairidh McGlynn knows his stuff when it comes to travel photography. The Scottish photographer excels especially at capturing empty, desolate landscapes, like deserts and mountain ranges. He includes very little text on his profile, letting the images speak for themselves.

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8. Thibault Charpentier

Based in Paris, travel photographer Thibault Charpentier uses a neat grid theme to arrange his different trips into galleries. Shots of historic sites, favorite restaurants, and photogenic desserts abound, from Japan to Italy to Brazil.

Format Theme: Sierra

9. John Cullen

Toronto-based photographer John Cullen specializes in traveling to document food and culture. Often shooting for Air Canada’s En Route magazine, Cullen has captured meals and scenery from Oaxaca to Taiwan. His simple side-scrolling photography website allows his images to take up the entire screen.

10. Greg Annandale

In addition to his day job as a software engineer at Raspberry Pi, Greg Annandale is a seasoned adventure and travel photographer. Bristol-based Annandale has traveled widely, from Egypt to the Arctic, shooting picturesque photos along the way. A crisp black background helps the photos on his travel portfolio pop.

11. Mahnoor Malik

Mahnoor Malik is an internationally-published photographer based between Washington, DC and Montreal. She’s been featured by VSCO and The Wall Street Journal . Malik’s travel photography is sharply focused and color saturated.

12. Brendan McElligott

Ottawa-based photographer Brendan McElligott specializes in wintry landscapes and aerial views. McElligott neatly balances his brand work and travel photography on his portfolio, while keeping his galleries on the shorter side to make sure that his best work shines. McElligott uses a distinctive custom logo to add personality to his website.

13. Tad Cooke

Based in Vermont, photographer Tad Cooke has a knack for capturing snowy scenes, usually shot on 35mm film. His photos of ski trips in Alaska are especially captivating. Cooke uses a vertically scrolling theme to organize his portfolio.

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16. John Zada

Toronto-based photographer and writer John Zada has travelled widely as a photojournalist, covering the refugee crisis on the Syrian border and exploring remote parts of Jordan and the Yukon. He has worked for CBC News as well as al-Jazeera English.

17. Virginia Mastrostefano

Originally from Rome, Italy, photographer Virginia Mastrostefano is now based in Brighton, UK. Grainy analog photography, most often of street scenes or peaceful landscapes, fills her online portfolio. Locations range from France to Italy to her home base on the British coast.

Format Theme: Grace

18. Amelia Johnston

Based in British Columbia, Canadian photographer Amelia Johnston organizes her richly colorful travel photography into galleries based on location, from South America to the the Caribbean, and then includes some more general food and lifestyle galleries to give a basic overview of her work. A grid theme lets viewers get a broad look at Johnston’s travel photography.

Format Theme: Order

20. Hemad Nazari

Iranian photographer Hemad Nazari is currently based in Vietnam. Nazari captures people and places in stunning color and black and white alike, with an ongoing series “Himalayan Life” documenting the mountainous region’s communities and landscapes.

Cover image by Michael Novotny. This article was originally published April 6, 2017, and has been updated.

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25 Spectacular Travel Photography Destinations (With Photos)

Written by BELLA FALK

As someone who is passionate about travel and photography, there is literally nothing in this world that makes me happier than when I’m taking photos in an incredible place.

Contents (click to view)

When I’m out and about with my camera in a dream location, and everywhere I look there are photo opportunities galore, the light is perfect, my heart is racing with the thrill… well it really doesn’t get any better than that!

So when I’m researching my next trip, I’m always looking for incredible places to travel for photography.

Where has the most stunning architecture, the most unique culture, the most colourful characters?

Where has abundant wildlife or incredible landscapes? Where is safe enough to wander with a camera; where has the friendliest people who’ll let me take their portrait?

Now, having travelled to over 70 countries and photographed in many of the world’s most celebrated travel photography destinations, I thought I’d make a list of the very best ones. Click the links within each section to take you to some of the images I shot there.

Of course, there are still plenty more I haven’t had the chance to visit yet. So just in case I’d missed a few gems off my travel photography bucket list, I reached out to some fellow travel experts and asked them to report back on what they think is the top place to travel for photographers.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and I’m sure there are loads of wonderfully photogenic places I’ve missed. But there are certainly some stunning travel photography destinations in here, and I hope that within this list, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your next travel photography trip!

1/ The icy landscapes of Antarctica

There’s a reason why Antarctica is right at the top of most travel photographers’ bucket lists. With its gorgeous icy landscapes, mirror-calm bays, majestic glaciers, icebergs the size of houses, and clear wintry light, it’s landscape photography heaven. In fact it’s virtually impossible to take a bad photo here!

And that’s before you even consider the wildlife – with six species of seals and eight types of penguins , not to mention whales and seabirds, Antarctica has everything to offer the passionate wildlife photographer too.

Read more: 60+ Awesome Antarctica Photography Tips

It’s not easy to get there, and it isn’t cheap either, so a trip to Antarctica is probably a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list pick for most travel photographers. Only problem is: once you’ve been there, you just want to go back!

Click here to search Antarctica tours

2/ Eye-catching street photography in Cuba

If street photography is more your thing, then look no further than Cuba. Neglected by the Castro regime and battered by the US embargo that prevented any modernisation, Cuba has been effectively locked in a time warp for decades. But while this has been terrible for the country and its people in many ways, there’s no denying that it has made Cuba a dream destination for travel photographers.

Wander the Cuban city streets in Havana and Trinidad and you’ll be spoilt for photography choice, with colourful historic buildings at every turn. Get lost down alleyways and side roads, delighting in the crumbling paintwork, the ornate wrought-iron decorations, and the brightly-painted shutters that cheerily hide the dilapidation within. Smile at the friendly Cuban people, who welcome visitors and don’t seem to mind having their photos taken.

And then of course there are the famous Cuban cars , which roll the streets like living antiques. If you’re anything like me you can easily while away many hours photographing them from every angle, even missing dinner! Which is no great loss, because the food in Cuba is pretty terrible – but it’s a small price to pay for all the stunning photos you’ll bring home.

Read more: Ethical Travel Photography: How To Capture With A Conscience

3/ Myanmar: the world’s friendliest people

Myanmar was on my travel photography bucket list for the longest time. And when I finally went there, I was not disappointed. Everywhere you go there are endless delights, from the golden glinting Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, to the ancient temples at Bagan , to the impossibly photogenic leg-rowing fishermen of Inle Lake , to the bustling markets .

But the thing I loved best about travel photography in Myanmar was the people. Not only do they look fabulous, from the colourful street vendors to the red-robed Buddhist monks , but they were among the most friendly people I’ve ever met. Because Myanmar was closed to tourism for so long, its people are still just really happy to have visitors, and it shows in their generous and warm welcome. I don’t think a single person said no to me taking their photo!

Sadly the political situation in Myanmar has deteriorated since I was there and some areas are not safe to visit. So you may need to think carefully about if and when to go, but if you do get the chance, I don’t think you’ll regret it!

Click here to search for Myanmar tours

4/ The colours of Guatemala

There aren’t all that many countries left in the world where the culture and way of life still seems very little changed by the unstoppable rush of modernity – but Guatemala is one of them.

Guatemala is bursting with colourful towns , dramatic landscapes, and ancient cultural treasures . Lush rainforests, towering volcanoes exploding into the sky , and shimmering turquoise lakes provide stunning backdrops for your shots.

Step back in time with captivating Mayan ruins like Tikal, where towering temples pierce the jungle canopy. Capture the energy of vibrant markets overflowing with handcrafted textiles and fresh produce. Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , offers charming cobblestone streets, pastel-painted colonial buildings, and majestic volcanoes as a backdrop.

Beyond the scenery, Guatemala’s heart lies in its people. Photograph the smiles of indigenous communities dressed in traditional clothing (though you’ll need to be respectful and ask permission first, as many local people don’t like having their picture taken).

While you may be worried about safety in Guatemala , as long as you take sensible precautions, you should be fine. I spent 3 months exploring this amazing country with my camera, and came back with some of the best photos of my life .

Click here to search for Guatemala tours

5/ Glaciers and Northern Lights in Iceland

For landscape photographers, there are few better places to travel than Iceland. Whether you go in summer or winter, or any time in between, there are endless opportunities for gorgeous photos of snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls , crashing waves, black sand beaches, calving glaciers and icy lagoons.

Drive the ring road along the south coast and a journey of two hours will end up taking four as you stop endlessly for photos. Don’t miss the chance to walk inside a glacier ice cave, hike on a glacier , photograph fearsome sneaker waves , or admire the adorable Icelandic horses .

And then of course there are the legendary Northern Lights . Take a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik and if you’re lucky with the timing and the weather, you can turn your already epic Iceland photos into something you’ll be showing off for the rest of your life.

Start planning your Iceland adventures here

6/ The souks and medinas of Morocco

Like many of the countries on this list, Morocco doesn’t have just one thing to offer the enthusiastic travel photographer. You’ll have heard of the famous blue city of Chefchaouen , for example, which is certainly photogenic (if a little overrun with Instagrammers). Or the dramatic beauty of the Atlas mountains, or the rolling dunes and clear starry skies of the Sahara Desert .

But for travel photography , the part I loved best were the twisty alleyways and colourful stalls of the medinas in Fes and Marrakech. These atmospheric mazes of streets and shops are easy to get lost in, but that’s part of the joy: no matter where you wander you’ll stumble across fascinating people and things to point your camera at.

You’ll need to be sensitive, as many of the shoppers and traders don’t like having their photos taken, but if you’re subtle and respectful, you’ll come home with striking and unique images. Don’t miss the striking Chouara Tannery inside Fes medina for a fascinating look at a tradition going back 1000 years.

Search for Morocco tours here

7/ Primates in Uganda

Uganda might not be a country that springs immediately to mind when you think of travel photography. It doesn’t have any of the instantly-recognisable, obviously-Instagrammable locations that might usually propel it onto lists like this one.

But the fact that Uganda is less Insta-famous makes it a perfect place to travel for photography. There are no crowds of influencers here, just dozens of wonderful things to see . Head to Kibale and Bwindi National Parks in the west of the country to spend time with chimpanzees and the legendary mountain gorillas , or visit Queen Elizabeth National Park for vibrant green landscapes and ancient volcanic crater lakes.

Read more: Using The Canon R5 For Wildlife Photography: A Full Review

And everywhere you go as you travel round Uganda , you’ll find friendly and welcoming people who are not yet so fed up of tourists papping them that they resent it – instead if you ask nicely, most people will be happy to let you take their picture.

Plan your Uganda photography adventure here

8/ The historic ruins of Turkey

Turkey has been described as ‘the world’s largest outdoor museum’, a title well-earned thanks to the country’s fantastic architectural and historic heritage.

Turkey sits on the border between Europe and Asia, and over the centuries has been invaded by everyone from the Greeks and Romans to the Persians and Mongols. All of whom left their mark on the country in different and fascinating ways – now a gift to you and me with our cameras.

There are dozens upon dozens of ancient ruins in Turkey , from the legendary city of Troy to the rock temples of Midas City and the extraordinary landscape of Hierapolis-Pamukkale – all of which are great places for photography.

Or you could head to the glorious city of Istanbul to photograph its stunning mosques and minarets as the sun goes down over the Bosphorus, and of course you cannot miss the world-famous ‘fairy chimneys’ of Cappadoccia.

So if you’re looking for a place to travel for photography that features ancient history and architecture, all set in dramatic landscapes under a glorious Mediterranean sun , Turkey is the destination for you!

Click here to search for Turkey adventures

9/ Italy for… well… everything!

Oh God, where do I start with Italy?! There’s so much choice for travel photographers, from the bewildering array of Roman ruins, to the sumptuous palaces and churches of cities like Florence and Verona, to the iconic canals and bridges of Venice, to the undulating landscapes of Tuscany, to the colourful painted towns of the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, you could spend a year exploring Italy with your camera and still not have seen enough!

Italy does have a reputation for being crowded – which is hardly surprising for country that is so accessible and has so much to offer – so if you want to avoid the crowds and take travel photos that are a bit less obvious, why not head to one of the slightly less touristy, but no less beautiful, parts of the country ?

One top pick would be Trento , in the north. A charming city nestled in the foothills of the Dolomites, Trento offers both colourful Italian city views and gorgeous mountain scenery. Or head to Naples for history and architecture but with an edgy side.

Or if pretty towns and villages are more your bag, avoid celebrity-famous Tuscany and go to Umbria instead, where places like Orvieto , Assisi and Todi offer plenty of opportunities to capture the real heart of Italy, away from the worst of the tourist madness.

Looking for an Italy tour? Click here!

10/ Colourful portraiture in Japan

Japan is one of the best countries for photography because it has it all: gorgeous landscapes from mountains to islands, traditional culture from temples to food, and a population that loves taking photos and are more than willing to pose for you anytime, anywhere.

It’s not difficult to find a great portrait to capture, whether you are interested in cosplay, robots, monks, and people dressed in kimono and yukata all over the country. The Japanese are more than happy to have you photograph them fishing, mending nets, hiking, doing sports like sumo or kendo, or even cooking in restaurants. This is pretty unusual when traveling around the world, so the one caution is not to get used to this openness if you travel to other countries.

Closed off to the world for many centuries, the Japanese have retained much of their traditional culture. From welcoming in the New Year to celebrating many festivals all year long with parades, fireworks, and music and dance, there are ample opportunities to capture a glimpse into Japan’s history.

The photo above was taken at  Kusatsu Onsen , a hot springs town, deep in the mountains where the water is so hot that women have been cooling it for centuries. If you are looking for a country to really allow your photographic skills to shine, book a trip to Japan!

By Corinne Vail of Reflections Enroute

Search for your dream Japan trip here

11/ The pristine Lofoten Islands, Norway

Dramatic. Pristine. Breathtaking. These words only begin to describe the beauty of the Lofoten Islands in Norway . This remote archipelago of islands is off the western coast of Norway just within the Arctic Circle, and is widely lauded as one of the best places for photography in the world. It’s a photographer’s dream destination year-round, but especially in winter.

During the day, drive between the islands capturing the iconic cabins, snow-covered beaches, arctic surfers, and dramatic rock formations jutting out of the fjords. And at night, this is an ideal location to photograph the magic of the Aurora Borealis. 

Hamnøy is a must on any photographer’s Lofoten Islands itinerary. Bright red cabins line the waterfront with breathtaking mountains along the horizon. The bridge is a great vantage point, especially during golden hour and after dark for nighttime photography. 

Other great photography spots include the view from Mt. Ryten, Rambergstranda Beach, Reine, and the fishing village of Nusfjord. You could easily spend several days exploring the islands and capturing the unique beauty of this place. 

If the Lofoten Islands are a bit too remote for you, don’t worry! Norway is one of the most photogenic places in the world. For the Northern Lights, consider alternatives such as Tromsø or Bodø. Or, closer to Oslo, get a taste of the fjords in either Bergen or Flåm. Or for something completely different, why not try visiting the Ice Music Festival !

By Susan Gleissner from This Big Wild World

Start planning your Norway adventure here

12/ Off the beaten track in Georgia

The Republic of Georgia is a dream destination for travel photographers of all stripes. From surreal mountain landscapes to picture-perfect street scenes, this tiny nation in the South Caucasus has it all.

Georgia has a dozen climatic zones and no shortage of  unique places to visit , from alpine villages to semi-desert landscapes, cave monasteries to verdant tea fields and the subtropical Black Sea coast.

The cities are an eclectic mix of medieval, Silk Road and Soviet styles. In Tbilisi, you’ll find everything from florid Art Nouveau mansions to Persian-style bathhouses and Brutalist commie buildings, all within a few city blocks. One of the best places for street photography is the local  bazari  – every town and city has its own vibrant marketplace where regional produce, spices and homemade cheese is sold.

One of Georgia’s greatest assets is its cultural and religious diversity, especially in the Greater Caucasus mountains. Svaneti, Racha, Khevsureti and remote Tusheti all offer awe-inspiring landscapes and traditional architecture, most famously the UNESCO-listed Svan tower houses around western Georgia’s Mestia and Ushguli.

Try to time your visit with one of Georgia’s cultural festivals. The Rtveli wine harvest in late autumn sees families around the country head out to their vineyards to pick and crush grapes. It’s an atmospheric, joyous time of year and a great chance to observe and photograph one of the nation’s most beloved traditions.

Georgia is renowned for its warm hospitality (tradition dictates that every guest is a gift from God), and you’ll find that most people are very curious towards tourists and eager to strike up a conversation once you pull out your camera. Be mindful when taking photos of people’s homes or when photographing rural and remote areas as some communities are more conservative.

By Emily from Wander-Lush

Don’t miss Georgia! Book your tour here

13/ History and countryside in Provence, France

There are few other places in France, or indeed Europe, that offer the diversity of landscapes that you’ll find in Provence. You could spend weeks snapping the quintessential hilltop villages, grand chateaux, sprawling vineyards, rustic olive groves, and plane tree-lined boulevards.

And that’s just the countryside. Provence is also where you’ll find the Calanques National Park, with its dramatic fjords and idyllic beaches; the Verdon Gorge, touted as being the deepest canyon in Europe; Mt Sainte-Victoire, the subject of over 60 of local artist Cézanne’s paintings; and the Colorado Provençal, so named for its ochre-toned resemblance of the US state.

Seasonally, the region shows off further, with floral displays to rival those found anywhere else in the world. Most famously, the  lavender fields of Provence  transform the plains of Valensole, Sault, and the Luberon into a fragrant wonderland. Visit in late June – mid July to catch them at their best, and aim for golden hour to catch the most beautiful hues. Less famous, but equally as enchanting, is the poppy season which transforms empty fields around the region into a splendour of red during the month of May. 

By Nadine Maffre from Le Long Weekend

Search for France tours here

14/ The variety and diversity of Chile

From mountains, to deserts, sandy beaches, and everything in between, Chile is one of the most diverse countries for travel photography.

In the North, the San Pedro de Atacama desert (considered the driest desert in the world) provides stunning rocky desert terrain for landscape photography. Near the centre of the country, the capital city of Santiago sits right below the towering, snow-capped Andes Mountain range, making for a surreal view on a clear day. Santiago is considered one of the safest cities in South America and is rich with history and inspiring architecture.

Towards the Pacific, the bohemian, sea-side town of Valparaíso has attracted artists for decades to its colourful streets and gorgeous coastline. Here you can be sure to lose yourself among the city’s famed muralled walls and imaginative street art.

As you venture way to the county’s south, you will reach the famous Patagonia region. World-renowned for its rugged and rough terrain, unique wildlife (who could forget the guanacos!), and incredible glaciers, Patagonia is an unmissable destination for photography in Chile. The Torres Del Paine National Park is home to awe-inspiring mountain views and excellent hiking trails. Nature lovers can camp under the stars, or those that prefer a little more comfort can stay in one of Torres del Paine’s range of hotels .

By Emma Schneck from All Over the Place

Tempted? Search for Chile photography adventures here

15/ Stunning architecture in Uzbekistan

Around every corner and down every alley in Uzbekistan awaits stunning architecture in contrasting styles that will keep you on your toes and challenge your photography skills.

The capital, Tashkent, has numerous communist-style buildings with hard concrete edges. However, the best clicks are underground in Tashkent’s famous subway. Each station is an architectural masterpiece that you have to see to believe. Since 2018 it has been legal to take photos in the subway.

As you head into the heart of Uzbekistan, the communist architecture fades, and a world teeming with breathtaking Islamic architecture appears. Bukhara’s central square features massive madrasas with blue domes and intricate, colorful tile work. In Samarkand, the mausoleum complex of Shah-i-Zinda and the Registan is dazzlingly beautiful.

Budget time to wander the side streets and enjoy the simple residential architecture for a completely different travel photography experience. The light is always the harshest at mid-day, so it is best to get up with the sunrise, take a mid-day break and revisit places as the sun sets. The changing light from morning to dusk will bring an entirely new feel to each image.  

Make sure you pack a wide-angle, a 35mm or 50mm, and a tripod. Uzbekistan is not ultra-conservative, but you should dress modestly and respect dress codes for entering certain areas such as the mausoleum.

By Susanna Kelly-Shankar from Curiosity Saves Travel

Don’t miss Uzbekistan. Start planning now!

16/ The dramatic Canadian Rockies

In the Canadian Rockies you’re spoiled for travel photography choice; pick from the gorgeous mountain drama of Lake Louise, or drive a bit further north to Jasper National Park , the largest of them all.

Lake Louise is located in Banff National Park and is one of the prettiest – and most photographed – natural attractions in Canada . Head here for the iconic views and dramatic landscapes that give Canada its well-deserved reputation as one of the best places to travel for photographers.

Or, if you prefer something slightly more original, try Jasper National Park, which is home to a variety of wild animals, from small mammals like beavers, weasels and porcupines to larger animals like moose, caribou and bears. It’s actually surprisingly easy to capture them on a snowy day, or when road tripping on the Icefield Parkway.

Jasper is also a stargazer’s paradise. So if you are into astrophotography, add Jasper to your itinerary . 

Accessing hiking and skiing trails in the Canadian Rockies is safe, at all times of the year, just prepare well, make sure you adhere to road closures and weather warnings, and keep a sensible distance from any wildlife you may encounter.

By Mayuri from Canada Crossroads

Click here to check out some great Canada tours

17/ The Emerald Isle: Ireland

Whether you have a few days or a few weeks to spend in Ireland, you will still feel you don’t have enough time to capture everything you’d like to. From breathtaking vistas and incredible geological formations, the coast alone will keep you busy.

Visit the famous Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway, but also make sure to stop off at to lesser-known places. You will be rewarded with colourful villages, dramatic cliffs, lighthouses, and old forts.

The inland rural areas shouldn’t be disregarded either. Ireland has the brightest green country you’ll ever find, and that green is scattered with castles and quiet pastures everywhere. Even the morning fog is a feature worth waking up early for.

If you prefer urban photography, head to Dublin. From the different Gothic styles of St Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral to the colourful Temple Bar area, it’s a wonderful city to travel for photographers.

Add to that the collection of Georgian doors, 24 bridges, and many historical buildings, and you should have your hands full for a while. Around Dublin , more castles and old Irish estates are open for visitors. Take your camera and explore those sunken gardens, old structures, and unique details.

By Anda Bartos from Travel for a While

Click here to find Ireland tours from leading companies

18/ China’s wild landscapes

With landscapes as diverse as the Gobi Desert, Himalayan Mountains, karst pillars, mighty rivers and lush jungle,  China  is a fantastic place to travel for photographers. 

This vast, and often untamed land, has endless possibilities when it comes to landscape photography. In addition to the obvious places like the Great Wall of China, the karst mountains on the Li River and the ancient Silk Road, China offers plenty of true “hidden gems”.  

If you really want to discover some of the magic of the Middle Kingdom, then head to Tibet. From yaks grazing beside emerald lakes beneath the highest peaks on earth to windswept plateaus where prayer flags flutter on the wind, Tibet is one of the best places in the world for photography.

Other places such as the Rainbow Mountains at Zhangye, Crescent Moon Lake and the Singing Sand Dunes at Dunhuang, beautiful Hangzhou and West Lake and the rainforests of Hainan Island all provide inspiration for photographers. 

No trip to China would be complete without discovering some of the country’s 5,000-year history and culture. To get the most of your photography trip to China consider staying at least three weeks and including Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu and Hangzhou on your itinerary.  

As with travelling anywhere, avoid photography of officials, police, soldiers and related buildings. The Chinese authorities can be overly sensitive sometimes, so if in doubt, always ask (officials are friendly and approachable). 

By Steve Rohan from The Trip Goes On

Get inspiration for your China photography trip here

19/ Namibia ‘s remote desert environments

If you’re a travel photographer who loves landscapes, you should definitely consider wild Namibia, in southern Africa. Its dramatic scenery has been forged over millennia by volcanic eruptions, desertification and erosion, resulting in stunning craters, mountains and vast canyons. 

However, most come for the Namib Desert, believed to be the oldest desert in the world.  There is a lot to see in the  Namib Desert , but the two best spots for desert photography are Sossusvlei and Sandwich Harbour.

Sossusvlei is an area of dried-up marshland deep in the heart of the Namib sand sea.  It is surrounded by huge curvy red dunes, and the floor is cracked white clay. In Deadvlei, the remains of blackened dead trees twist as if stuck in a macabre dance. In the early morning, you can catch the first rays lighting up the dunes and in the midday sun, the contrasting colours are vibrant and striking. 

Sandwich Harbour is where the desert meets the sea, towering golden dunes facing into the ferocious South Atlantic. You’ll need a 4×4 and knowledge of the tide to get there, as the route is along the narrow beach between the dunes and the sea – but the scenery is worth the nail-gripping ride!

And the good news is, the photography opportunities don’t end with the desert: the infamous Skeleton Coast of Namibia is dotted with shipwrecks, there are deserted diamond mining towns and there’s a huge amount of wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards and giraffes. There are also tribes that maintain their traditional way of living, including the fascinating Himba people. 

By Martha from May Cause Wanderlust

Search for the best Namibia trips here

20/ Architecture and nature in Vietnam

Vietnam is an incredible destination for travel photography – from cities to ancient temples and stunning natural beauty, this Southeast Asian country has something for everyone.

For wonderful cityscapes, head to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, where modern skyscrapers and colonial buildings are the perfect juxtaposition against the bustling markets and thousands of scooters zooming through the city streets.

If you’re looking for a smaller city with interesting street photography, the small city of Hoi An is worth a stop, with its famous yellow-walled Old Quarter, the nightly releasing of floating lanterns down its river, and the fascinating intersection of Chinese and French architecture.

Are you seeking more natural beauty? Consider Ha Long Bay, where dramatic limestone casts tower over the turquoise Gulf of Tonkin, or Sa Pa, a town to Vietnam’s northwest that’s comprised of impossibly green rice terraces as far as the eye can see.

If you’re looking for something slightly less touristy than Ha Long, check out Ninh Binh, which offers similar landscapes, with limestone monoliths topped with lush greenery – but this time, the mountains are land-bound and carved out with mysterious caves.

By Jessica Schmit from Uprooted Traveler

Check out inspirational Vietnam tour ideas here

21/ The wonder of Iran

Often portrayed negatively by the media, Iran is a welcoming country rich with culture, history, and the most breathtaking mosques. It is also incredibly safe to travel to and to wander around with your camera.

Start your Iran photography trip in Shiraz, home to the mesmerizing Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque. Get there early in the morning, right when it opens, to secure the best photo spot (it can get very crowded and competitive!). Then, as you watch the sun rise, the colors of the mosque’s stained glass windows begin reflecting on the carpet, creating a rainbow light show.

Another incredible place for architectural photography in Iran is the city of Isfahan, home to the magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square. This square is filled with history, and is framed by two incredibly gorgeous mosques: Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and Shah Mosque. The intricate mosaic tiles inside these mosques are simply unbelievable, and you can easily spend hours photographing them from different angles. 

To get the best architecture shots in Iran, shoot at sunrise or very early in the morning for the best lighting and the least amount of tourists. Keep in mind that the architecture in Iran is also very majestic, so having adequate gear, such as some solid wide-angle lenses for the Sony a7III , would really help capture the scale of the mosques. Be sure to also bring some wide-aperture lenses as some of the mosques are pretty dimly lit.

By Jiayi from The Diary of a Nomad

22/ Ancient and modern life in Jordan

There are quite a few places in Jordan that are perfect for travel photography, irrespective of the type of photography you like.

Areas like the world-famous Petra and the Dana Biosphere are fantastic for landscape photography. Meanwhile Wadi Rum should be included in your  Jordan itinerary  as it’s one of those rare places where you can see the Milky Way clearly, making it unmissable for night photography in Jordan.

If you like murals, food photography, portraits and street photography, head to Amman. Most of the locals are accommodating and let you click pictures if you ask politely. While there aren’t specific street photography tours conducted in Amman, the Downtown area is where you’ll find more of the historical and cultural aspects of the capital.

good places for photography

You can take pictures at places like the Dead Sea; however, make sure you don’t let a single drop of water touch the camera as it is super salty!

The best time to visit Jordan is in spring and autumn when it isn’t too hot or too cold as it does tend to get quite cold in winter. 

By Lavinia Dsouza from Continent Hop

Start your Jordan adventure by clicking here

23/ The grandeur of the USA’s National Parks

The USA’s famous National Parks are full of opportunities to photograph wildlife, natural wonders, and beautiful landscapes. Two of the most popular – and with good reason – are Yellowstone and Yosemite, both of which are fantastic destinations for travel photography.

There are endless  things to do in Yellowstone , but if you’re a photographer, probably the only thing you’re going to want to do is take pictures! But you’ll need to get up early – the morning light makes for beautiful images and if wildlife photography is your thing, you’ll also find that the animals tend to be most active early in the day. Lamar Valley is a popular place to see wildlife.

For iconic landscape photography spots, head to Grand Prismatic Overlook, Old Faithful, Artist Point, and Mammoth Hot Springs. 

If you’re heading to Yosemite National Park, the best time to go is in the spring. The waterfalls have a large volume because of snowmelt and the dogwoods are in bloom.

Head to the Tunnel View lookout around sunset for one of Yosemite’s most celebrated views, or try Glacier Point, Three Brothers, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls for more good places for photography.

By Candice from CS Ginger 

Search for USA National Parks tours here

24/ India’s Royal Palaces

Home to colourful streets, beautiful monuments, and incredible natural scenery, India is a diverse country with plenty under its belt. Whether you like photographing architecture, wildlife, or portraits of Indians , there is something to interest any visiting photographer here.

If you are planning to travel to India for the first time, then make sure to spend some days exploring the princely state of Rajasthan. Steeped in royal history, this region of India boasts numerous palaces, forts, and temples. You can fly into the Instagram-famous  pink city of Jaipur  and travel to Jodhpur and Udaipur before making your way to the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer. The Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur is also a must for tiger safaris during the winter season.

Read more: Taking The Sleeper Train In India: What’s It Really Like?

Just keep in mind that some religious places like temples and cenotaphs may not allow photography. It is best to ask a caretaker if unsure or wait for the prayers to finish. Another thing to note is that tripods are generally not allowed in most touristy places in India.

Alternatively, for greener landscapes, check out Kerala in the south. The hill station of Munnar is widely famous for its acres of tea plantations and is one of the best places to photograph in India.

You can spend a couple of days there and then head back down to experience the houseboats sailing on the backwaters of Kerala. If possible, opt to stay in one for a night or two and click away as you catch panoramas of palm trees and water lilies while onboard. It is particularly magical at sunrise and sunset.

By Charu Goyal from Travel with CG

Check out some fantastic India tour ideas here

25/ The faraway beauty of Alaska

A  road trip to Alaska  should be a bucket list place to travel for photographers. The last frontier State is huge, and its wild beauty so unique and mind-blowing, that it offers plenty to see and discover.

Alaska is a real playground for travel photographers, with history, breathtaking icy landscapes, abundant wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and some of the most scenic roads in the United States, even in the world! If you are into wildlife photography , Alaska also offers plenty of opportunities, with whales, bears, and hundreds of species of birds.  

Head to Seward, where you can take a boat tour and photograph icebergs and wildlife such as seals and whales. Or try Denali National Park, a world-class setting for wildlife photography enthusiasts.

But the most spectacular treat that Alaska offers to any travel photographer is the opportunity to capture the Northern Lights . Fairbanks is one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis in the world, because of its location and lack of light pollution. If you haven’t photographed the lights before, a Fairbanks northern lights tour is a great way to maximise your chances of seeing them, as the local guide will be able to plan the best time and location for epic Aurora images.

By Paula from Paula Pins the Planet

Get inspiration for Alaska landscape photo tours here

My favourite travel tools and brands

To help you organise your trip, here’s a short list of some of the brands and tools I use over and over again when I’m planning my travels. You can see more on my Travel Resources page.

• Booking.com : A huge range of hotels to choose from, often with free cancellation. If you book hotels regularly you can earn discounts. I’m on Genius Level 3 which gets me 20% off!
• Expedia : Another great place to find hotels and Expedia also sell flights , car hire, and loads more all in one place.
• Skyscanner : The only place I ever go to search for flights and compare prices.
• Flight Centre : Booking a more complicated route? Let Flight Centre organise it for you (and deal with the drama when something goes wrong).
• Priority Pass: I love having access to 1,400+ airport lounges when I fly, allowing me to enjoy my time at the airport. With my link you get 30% off a standard membership or 20% off standard plus .
• Airalo: Say goodbye to ridiculous mobile roaming charges. Did you know you can now buy an e-SIM , install it in your phone before you leave home, and then use data abroad at local prices? Game changer. Get US$3 credit with code BELLA5735 .
• TourRadar: If you prefer group travel and organised tours, TourRadar has a huge range of fantastic tours from respected operators. They’re very helpful and have 4.5 stars on TrustPilot.
• Viator: Part of the TripAdvisor brand, Viator is another great place to search for group adventures and day trips.
• GetYourGuide: A great place to find local tours and day trips in your destination.
• Wex Photo Video: The UK’s best camera gear store. Quote my name – Bella Falk – to get £20 off your first purchase.
• Ellis Brigham: Looking for good quality backpacks, travel clothes and other gear? Ellis Brigham is where I buy almost all of mine.
• Rentalcars.com: Part of the Booking.com family and the world’s largest online car rental service, with 24/7 customer service.
• World Nomads Travel Insurance: I never ever travel without travel insurance and nor should you!

Read about more travel photography destinations

• 25 Best Travel Photography Blogs
• 25 Brilliant Tips For Travel Photography
• 23 Best Places to Visit in Thailand
• Things to do in Pembrokeshire: Coast, Castles and More
• 13 Top Tips For Photographing Markets
• Travel photography on the road – my photo editing workflow tips
• Alphonse Island Seychelles: 20 Things To Know Before You Go

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33 Inspiring Websites of Landscape & Travel Photographers

Landscape and travel photography are closely intertwined with each other. Travel photography, as many sub-genres of art and photography are, is largely undefined and encompasses a wide range of people, locations, cultures and ideas, including landscape photography.

Such kinds of photos express the feeling of time and place, its mood and atmosphere without geographic limitations.

The borders between amateur and professional are much more blurred in these types of photography, allowing for a bigger breadth. Weather, light, forms and various natural phenomena are the major focus in both travel and landscape photography . Today, I’m going to showcase amazing websites of travel and landscape photographers to inspire you. They will show you the true beauty around us and help to discover new destinations. So don’t delay any further; scroll down and enjoy!

Also, take a look at our previous collection of 100 fantastic Instagram accounts for travellers to follow!

Randall Sanger Photography

Palani Mohan Photographer

Colby Brown Photography

Andy Mumford

Piotr Kulczycki Photography

Bret Edge Photography

Blake Gordon

Daniel Kordan

Zach Schnepf

Danny Seidman

Charlie Waite

Misha Gravenor

Yevgen Timashov

Jason Michael Lang

Dan Ballard

Steph Sawyer

Berthold Steinhilber

Ryan Wright

Piriya Photo

Jessica Sample

Justin Mott

Kilian Schoenberger

Nate Parker

Arctic Photo

Jake Stangel

Marie Takashi

Jesse Estes

Christopher Testani

Join the Discussion

Don’t hesitate to start a conversation in the comment field below. Which website is your favorite and why? Share the links to your own travel & landscape websites to show off to the entire Photodoto audience!

Check out our awesome collection of premium Lightroom presets that were made specifically with landscape photos in mind. It has exactly what you need to work with landscape & travel photography without clutter, making it simple to use.

By Nancy Young

Nancy is a passionate freelance writer and blogger. She writes inspirational articles on web design, photography, and technology. She enjoys traveling, reading and meeting new people. Nancy believes in a magic of written words to inspire and motivate. She is also working as a writer at OneDesBlog .

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A Movie, Videos , photos ,  creative / travel writing and more from ooa’s travels, including year-long continental journeys through Asia , South America , Europe , Africa , and a road-trip through the United States and North America. Watch the movie trailer for ooAmerica . The background project is a documentary film featuring interviews of people met on the road, asking all one same question , as well as a series of large photos, trying to portray the diversity and beauties of the countries and their cultures. The goal is to promote tolerance and peaceful thinking amongst people of all tides. Learn more about ooaworld .

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360° Panoramic Creations:

We create high-quality stabilized video having 8k and 4k resolution, 48 or 24 frames per second together with high-quality post-processing. Videos are supported by the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality headsets (including Samsung Gear VR), different electronic devices and YouTube channels.

We use different types of moving and fixed objects (tripods, monopods, cars, helicopters, building cranes, etc.) to record videos. For aerial shooting we usually use drones with fully gyro-stabilized unique suspension. Panoramic video covers up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

360° videos are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the videos are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate with the resolution up to 8k.

360° PHOTOGRAPHY

Our team creates high-quality 360° photo-panoramas with 35000x17500 pixels resolution (in the equidistant projection) and carries out professional post-processing and corrections of any complexity. We develop virtual tours which are suitable for all browsers, support both Flash and HTML5 technologies and are compatible with different mobile devices and virtual reality headsets (including Samsung Gear VR).

We use different types of moving and fixed objects (tripods, monopods, cars, helicopters, building cranes, etc.) to record videos. For aerial shooting we usually use drones with the fully gyro-stabilized unique suspension. Panoramic video covers up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

Ready 360° photo-panoramas cover up all the space around the camera 360x180 degrees without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle.

Info-points (description buttons that can be placed in the panorama), embedded pictures, video and audio can be added to the virtual tour.

360° GIGAPANORAMA

Our team creates high-quality 360° photo-panoramas with resolution from 1 to 3 gigapixel and carries out professional post-processing and corrections of any complexity. We develop virtual tours which are suitable for all browsers, support both Flash and HTML5 technologies and are compatible with different mobile devices and virtual reality glasses (including Samsung Gear VR).

Info-points (description buttons that can be placed in the panorama), embedded pictures, video and audio can be added to the ready virtual tour.

360° TIMELAPSE

We can make panoramic timelapses with the given viewing angle and resolution up to 12k with professional post-processing and without black spots at both nadir and zenith viewing angle. 360° timelapses are supported by the most advanced technologies, such as virtual reality glasses (including Samsung Gear VR), different electronic devices and YouTube channels.

360° timelapses are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the timelapses are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate with the resolution up to 12K.

Content sales:

VIRTUAL TOURS

On the basis of 360° panoramas we create virtual tours of any complexity, branded with logos and design elements of the company’s website together with embedding interactive elements, such as photos, slideshows, videos, descriptions, switch-points to other panoramas, audio descriptions, 3D sounds.

Our clients receive a fully functional virtual tour developed in HTML5 and supported by any computer or mobile device (iOS, Android, Windows Phone).

360° Photo    Price List

STOCK PHOTOS

For almost 10 years of travelling around the world our team has gathered an extensive stock of pictures, taken from both flying devices and the ground.

Any picture presented at our stock can be licensed for any kind of possible use. We can also offer the photos of ultra-high quality (the longer side up to 103,000 pixels).

You can also take a look at the spherical panoramas published on the website www.airpano.ru . Any of the 360° panoramas represented on the website can be converted into a printed image of very high quality.

Photogallery    Price List

STOCK 360° VIDEOS

By filming 360° video since 2011, our team has gathered an extensive stock of clips, taken from both flying devices and the ground.

Any video presented on our website can be licensed for any kind of possible use.

360° videos are available in any format you choose: .mp4, .avi, .mov, etc. All the videos are made and kept in frames, making it possible to encode them into any available format and bitrate.

360° Video    Price List

APPLICATIONS

We are one of the software developers of applications based on 360° photos and videos. Currently, there are 7 applications in our portfolio. One of them was top-rated in 84 countries and listed among the best applications of the year 2014 according to App Store.

These applications can also be used for demonstration of panoramic content with the help of virtual reality devices, such as Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard and analogues.

Exhibition installations:

EXHIBITION INSTALLATIONS

AirPano team has the experience of creating panoramic cinemas and video-walls, making it possible to demonstrate our panoramic content at different kinds of events, exhibitions and in museums. The size is only defined by the premises, the quality of projector and the dimensions of plasma screens. Such solutions usually make a deep impression on visitors.

The control is carried out by a tablet or Kinect devices.

TOUCH SCREENS

We are ready to create applications with panoramic content working on touch screens of any size. Both AirPano panoramas and the client’s material can be the basis for this kind of software.

We create virtual tours of any complexity, branded with logos and design elements of the company’s website together with embedding interactive elements, such as photos, slideshows, videos, descriptions, switch-points to other panoramas, audio descriptions, 3D sounds.

VR HEADSETS

Our virtual tours and 360° videos are supported by all the types of virtual reality headsets (VR): Google Cardboard, Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, Sony Morpheus and others.

We can also develop special software for operating on Samsung Gear VR, if required.

AirPano in cooperation with Polden Studio carries out the installation of the binocular usage of the client’s or our own content. With the help of binoculars, the client can present the panoramic content at different kinds of events, exhibitions and in museums. This kind of devices usually attract a lot of visitors and leave a deep impression on them.

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My name is Piotr and I'm a travel photographer. Up to date I've visited almost 150 countries. Here I document the travels and showcase my photos from past journeys - every month I publish a new gallery from a different country.

Argentina 01/07/2019

Uruguay 01/06/2019

Bahrain 01/05/2019

Zanzibar 01/03/2019

Ethiopia 01/02/2019

Norway 01/01/2019

Uganda 01/12/2018

Saudi Arabia 01/11/2018

Lesotho 01/10/2018

Swaziland 01/09/2018

Cape Town 01/08/2018

Reunion 01/07/2018

Seychelles 01/06/2018

Mauritius 01/05/2018

Peru 01/04/2018

Namibia 01/03/2018

Monaco 01/02/2018

Vatican City 01/01/2018

Patagonia 01/12/2017

Moldova 01/11/2017

Sarajevo 01/10/2017

Zambia 01/09/2017

Botswana 01/08/2017

Istanbul 15/07/2017

Zimbabwe 01/07/2017

Guangzhou 15/06/2017

Easter Island 01/06/2017

Vilnius 15/05/2017

Lebanon 01/05/2017

Berlin 15/04/2017

Kyrgyzstan 01/04/2017

Stockholm 15/03/2017

Kazakhstan 01/03/2017

Bratislava 15/02/2017

Samarkand 01/02/2017

Minsk 01/01/2017

Liechtenstein 01/12/2016

New York 01/11/2016

Canada 01/10/2016

Isfahan 01/09/2016

New South Wales 01/08/2016

Saint Lucia 01/07/2016

Sint Maarten 01/06/2016

Sydney 01/05/2016

Barbados 01/04/2016

Oman 01/03/2016

Cambodia 01/02/2016

U.S. Virgin Islands 01/01/2016

Cyprus 01/12/2015

Czech Republic 17/11/2015

Puerto Rico 01/11/2015

Myanmar 01/10/2015

Peru 01/09/2015

Azerbaijan 01/08/2015

Oman 01/07/2015

Bangladesh 01/06/2015

Kuwait 01/05/2015

Montenegro 01/04/2015

Albania 01/03/2015

Sri Lanka 01/02/2015

Pristina 01/01/2015

Lower Saxony 21/12/2014

Dublin 01/12/2014

Skopje 01/11/2014

Serbia 01/10/2014

Nepal 01/09/2014

Myanmar 01/08/2014

Brazil 01/07/2014

Cambodia 01/06/2014

Argentina 01/05/2014

Sri Lanka 01/04/2014

United Arab Emirates 01/03/2014

Armenia 01/02/2014

Nepal 01/01/2014

Iceland 01/12/2013

Rio de Janeiro 01/11/2013

Vietnam 01/10/2013

Cambodia 01/09/2013

Mallorca, Spain 20/08/2013

Macau 01/07/2013

Nepal 01/06/2013

Qatar 01/05/2013

Georgia 01/04/2013

Taiwan 01/03/2013

Hong Kong 01/02/2013

Iceland 01/01/2013

Germany 01/12/2012

Cairo 01/12/2012

Mexico City 02/10/2012

Iceland 01/09/2012

Cuba 01/08/2012

India 01/07/2012

Poland 12/06/2012

Central America

January 2024

See gallery.

December 2024

December 2023

El Salvador

February 2023

January 2023

Trinidad and tobago.

Antigua and Barbuda

Saint Kitts and Nevis

December 2022

St. vincent and the grenadines.

November 2022

October 2022

August 2022

Philippines

January 2022

United states.

December 2021

November 2021

Netherlands.

September 2021

Dominican republic.

January 2021

December 2020

September 2020

February 2020

January 2020

December 2019

November 2019

October 2019

August 2019

South Korea

January 2019

December 2018

November 2018

September 2018

August 2020

Saudi Arabia

January 2018

South Africa

December 2017

August 2017

Bosnia and Herzegovina

December 2016

October 2016

Liechtenstein

January 2016

December 2015

November 2015

Puerto Rico

Saint Lucia

January 2015

December 2014

November 2014

October 2014

Czech republic.

Republic of Macedonia

December 2013

United Arab Emirates

November 2013

October 2013

December 2012

November 2012

November 2011

August 2011

New zealand.

February 2011

September 2010

August 2010

Switzerland

February 2010

December 2009

September 2009

August 2008

October 2011

United Kingdom

Photo galleries, pictures taken, countries visited, years of traveling.

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20 Splendid Photography Websites (And How to Build Your Own)

If you’re wondering how to create a photography website that will capture your potential clients’ attention, you’re in the right place.

With over 93% of consumers  using the internet to find local businesses and service providers, it’s one of the best things you can do for your photography business.

But it’s not easy to stand out when there are millions of other photographers promoting their work already. You need the right design and approach.

In this article, we’ll cover over 20 award-winning photography website examples, distill those into a few core lessons, and show you exactly how to create your website step by step.

20 Cutting-Edge Photography Website Examples

Let’s take a closer look at 20 photography websites that exemplify how photographers should position themselves online.

1. Brandi Toole

Brandi Toole  is a wedding photographer from New York, and her website is the perfect example of letting the work speak for itself.

The pictures are front and center, with strictly essential navigation and a sleek, name-only header. The image choices immediately highlight Brandi’s specialty, which is crucial when reaching your target audience.

2. Alessandro Romagnoli

Alessandro Romagnoli  is an Italian fashion and lifestyle photographer. The site highlights his work, with a unique user experience for the portfolio. Hovering over a photo reveals the negative, and you drag pictures diagonally rather than just left or right.

Cole and Jakob, the wedding photography duo at Nordica , use a showreel to entice first-time visitors and potential customers.

Their story page is also inspirational, telling visitors a story of how they came to be.

4. Ruud Luijten

Ruud Luijten  specializes in nature and landscape photography from his home base in Antwerp. His site shows how powerful animations can be when establishing a first impression.

5. Clement Merouani

Clement Merouani  is a photographer and art director based in Paris. He perfectly highlights the type of work he does by showing each project as the cover of a magazine.

This site is another example of how animations can contribute to a unique experience (but only with a fast enough host that doesn’t make their site take forever to load).

6. Lieben Photography

Lieben Photography  is run by a Norwegian wedding photographer who specializes in scenic pre-wedding shoots.

The website’s simple design shows how the most crucial part of any photographer’s web presence is a compelling picture collection.

7. Mack Eveland

Mack Eveland is an editorial photographer based in Austin, Texas. Her site’s front page features an auto-playing full-screen gallery, with a carefully picked selection of shots.

She also highlights the type of photography she does (editorial) and the locations to appeal to potential clients.

8. David William Baum

David William Baum ’s website is an interactive gallery that utilizes lots of white space and an animated interface that can cover different photoshoots.

It’s an inspiring example for photographers who specialize in more than one area of expertise.

9. Dolly Ave

Dolly Ave ’s website is a good lesson in branding power. What a powerful first impression.

The chosen photo highlights the unique style of her shoots. With text, she highlights big brands from past projects.

10. Robert Clark

Robert Clark  is an editorial and advertising photographer based in New York. With the right photos, even a simple grid gallery can deliver a powerful impression.

There’s no better way to showcase your photography portfolio than right on your home page.

11. Ignacio Palacios

Ignacio Palacios is a unique example for travel photographers because he showcases a different branding and business strategy through his website.

Instead of catering to magazines and other potential clients, the website focuses on enticing and teaching beginner photographers, and promoting photography tours.

12. Clara Balzary

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when it’s a portrait or fashion shoot. Clara Balzary ’s website is a perfect example of this.

It has a contact page with client names, but apart from that, the whole site is a series of pictures.

13. Haris Nukem

Haris Nukem  is a photographer and visual artist based in London, UK, who has no problem conveying his unique style in a single photo.

While you should put your best foot forward on your website, you should never try to hide your style or who you are. Trying to blend in is the easiest way to fail to stand out.

14. Chris Burkard

Chris Burkard  is an explorer and travel photographer who does shoots and trips in very remote locations.

For adventure photography websites, showcasing that you can capture exciting moments is crucial. Chris does this flawlessly with his chosen photo.

15. Andreas Gursky

Andreas Gursky  is a German photographer and artist. Instead of one carefully picked photo, you’ll see a single random selection of his previous works every time you visit the site.

16. Levon Biss

Levon Biss  is a portrait photographer—for both people and bugs—and his website showcases his unique skill set with a varied portfolio.

17. Sarah E

Sarah E  is a Colorado-based wedding photographer with a unique, documentary-inspired style.

While she doesn’t shy away from a perfectly staged shot, like above, her gallery highlights her authenticity.

18. Kristen Mittlestedt

Kristen Mittlestedt  isn’t just another wedding or portrait photographer. Her cinematic style is highlighted everywhere on the website, from the simple scroll gallery to the highlighted pictures.

19. Alexey Titarenko

Alexey Titarenko  is one of the most successful photographers within the modern art scene. His website shows the value of white space.

Your gallery doesn’t need to use jQuery to force everything into a mixed grid. With the right proportions and chosen pictures, you can create an organized and compelling layout with less rigidity.

20. Tim Hawley

Tim Hawley  is a commercial photographer and visual artist. His website shows unique creativity in product photography, highlighting his products in intriguing ways.

By including the logos of the companies he’s worked with, he’s also adding powerful social proof for potential clients.

7 Essential Photography Website Design Principles

If you paid attention to the sites above, you might already have noticed a few of the following founding principles.

1. Let Your Work Speak for Itself

Your pictures should be front and center on your website.

Your image choices should also reflect what services you offer and the type of customer you want.

Bear in mind how Clement, a fashion photographer, highlighted his work with magazine covers or how wedding photographers show unmissable emotional moments from weddings.

2. KISS: Keep It Simple, Silly

Don’t try to create a complicated design to highlight your artistic prowess. As a photographer, the best thing you can do is keep the design sleek and simple.

Stick to a premade template or theme for best results.

3. Use Your “About” Page to Sell the Experience

Your “About” page shouldn’t primarily be about your dog (unless you’re a pet photographer) or your unusual hobbies.

Use it to explain why someone should choose you as their photographer. Show your experience or philosophy about your work, and illustrate what they can expect as clients.

Brandi Toole does a great job here. Her “About” page covers her philosophy and the experience of working with her. Aim to emulate this.

4. Clear Navigation

Keep your navigation menu clear and concise. If users can’t find the page they’re looking for, they will leave your website and never come back.

This example from Nordica highlights the basics: an expandable menu with click links to the “Portfolio,” “Contact,” and “About” pages.

5. Start With the Client

When picking pictures and creating the design for your website, always start with a potential client in mind.

It shouldn’t be about your ego or creative drive, but what resonates with your ideal client.

6. Don’t Try to Reinvent the Wheel

If you’re not a web designer or developer, you shouldn’t try to start from scratch. Instead, rely on existing tools like templates and plugins to help you build the site you need.

7. Make It Easy to Contact You

Consider why you’re creating a website in the first place. To build awareness and get in touch with potential clients, right?

That means that an easy and obvious way for interested users to contact you is essential for success.

You should have at least one of the following methods highlighted on your website:

• Contact form where visitors can reach you
• Phone number (for example, a VoIP redirect number, so you don’t share your private number)
• Booking or call scheduling plugin

Mark Delong ’s website has a good Contact page. It features a contact form, along with numbers to all of the local offices.

Of course, if you’re a one-person shop, you don’t need multiple phone numbers.

How To Create a Photography Website

There are many ways to create a photography website. You can build it with static HTML and CSS, use a free service, or get hosting and build the site using a CMS (Content Management System) .

What Is the Best Way to Build a Photography Website?

For our money, self-hosted WordPress is the best way for a photographer to build a website.

• Full content ownership and control: you maintain full rights to all your content ( unlike a website builder ).
• Usability and features: drag-and-drop content creation, and full customization of your website’s look and experience.
• Extensibility: thousands of plugins (including hundreds of photography-related ones) to help you deliver the experience you want.
• Professional setup for a penny: choose from hundreds of cheap and free professional templates and plugins.
• Better site management: Easy to backup, migrate, and move.

When WordPress powers 40%  of the internet, you know they’re doing something right.

Create Your Site With One Click

Kinsta makes it incredibly easy to create a new WordPress site. In our case, all it takes is a single click to get started.

No complicated manual setup process is required.

Choose from Thousands of Photography Site Templates (WordPress Themes)

There are over 370 free photography themes available in the official WordPress theme directory .

There are also thousands of themes available from third-party websites and developers.

For example, the Fiji II theme  is a great starting point for any photographer. You can change the atmosphere 180° with the pictures you choose to feature.

Start With an Attention-grabbing Homepage

Once you have a theme, it’s time to start creating the actual pages of your website. Begin with the first thing a visitor sees when landing on your site: the homepage .

The homepage should:

• Be eye-catching
• Highlight your primary photography specialization
• Showcase your very best work
• Speak directly to potential clients

To create your first page, click Pages in the menu to expand it, then the Add New link.

You then have to set your homepage in the customizer. Select Appearance > Customize in the menu and click through to homepage settings.

Choose the page you just created and Publish to save the changes.

In WordPress, with a photography theme, you can most likely edit the front page from within the customizer.

In this particular theme, you can edit the settings in the Parallax Template Options .

No matter the type of photography you do, choose your picture carefully, with the intent to grab a potential client’s attention. Be careful that the colors in your menu or headline don’t clash with the photo.

A few wrong moves can lead to the creation of a site that looks unprofessional.

Use a shot with a natural motif that attracts the attention of any visitor. Color the headline or logo to blend with the photo (or any of multiple pictures) you choose.

There’s a reason almost all the photography sites we covered utilize black or white text. The written content isn’t the leading actor in this setting.

3 Essential Pages for Any Photography Site

Next, you want to repeat the process. Create a new page (but skip the homepage settings) for at least three more sections.

• Contact page: This is where visitors (and potential clients) find out how to reach you.
• About page: This is where you highlight your experience and what clients can expect (not your favorite food or color).
• Portfolio or Gallery page: Your portfolio or gallery is where you showcase past work. You can also create multiple pages based on different categories. If your homepage is itself the portfolio, you can skip this.

For an “About Me” page, you can easily use WordPress’ drag-and-drop editor to create the layout you want.

To create a contact page, you’ll need a WordPress contact form plugin . After installing it, you can drop a contact form box in from the editor.

Creating a great-looking portfolio page is a little more complicated, but you can get it done in minutes with the right tools.

Use a Gallery Plugin to Create an Interactive Gallery or Portfolio

Next up, it’s time to complete your photography portfolio website with its most crucial element: the portfolio.

The first step is to carefully select and upload only your best images to include in the gallery or portfolio page.

Then you need to find the right WordPress photo gallery plugin  that meets your specific needs. They will allow you to create flexible, free-flowing grid galleries that showcase your photos in style.

Take Modula , for example. It uses JQuery to create a grid-style gallery that feels alive.

Depending on the plugin, it’ll generate its own page, or you’ll need to copy and paste a shortcode to a Portfolio page that you create.

Don’t Let a Slow Loading Speed Ruin Your First Impression

If you make your visitors wait before you can see the site, they’re more likely to leave instantly (bounce) . If it takes even just five seconds, they’re 90% more likely  to leave.

Photography websites inevitably have a lot of big, rich media files . Low-resolution images don’t deliver anywhere close to the same professional impression. It would be best if you took countermeasures to ensure fast loading speeds. These can include:

• Find a reliable hosting service that knows how to make WordPress run fast, even under heavy loads ( that’s Kinsta’s specialty ).
• Use WordPress Lazy Load  to load visible pictures and video first.
• Pick one of the fastest WordPress themes  available.
• Optimize your images for web and performance.
• Follow our step-by-step guide to speeding up your WordPress site .

The first step is the most important. With an unreliable shared hosting plan , nothing you do will make your website load as quickly as you want.

At Kinsta, speed is a priority. Our custom-made environment runs on lightning-fast Google Cloud VMS. We also use the latest in caching and other performance optimizations to ensure fast speeds.

Creating a photography website is a crucial step toward establishing yourself in your industry and local area.

By learning from the examples above, keeping it simple, and starting with a suitable theme, you can finish a great website and build your online presence in just a few hours.

Take these measures to differentiate yourself from competitors and start landing more clients quickly.

Salman Ravoof is a self-taught web developer, writer, creator, and a huge admirer of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Besides tech, he's excited by science, philosophy, photography, arts, cats, and food. Learn more about him on his website , and connect with Salman on Twitter .

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Level Up Your Travel Photos This Summer With These Pro Tips

These pro photography tips will help you score some amazing images on your summer travels.

• Shortlisted for British Photography Awards 2022, Commended in Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022

A sunbather takes in the glorious weather on the island of Sicily.

Your summer vacations are the perfect time to capture amazing photos you'll want to look at for years to come. And you don't have to be a professional photographer to preserve all the gorgeous sights and memorable experiences you'll encounter on your trip. Today's cameras make it easier than ever to take good-looking images. But simply pointing your camera at something and pressing the shutter button isn't necessarily going to score you the best results.

Taking photos that you'll want to print for your wall or put in a photo book takes more understanding, but with just a bit of effort you'll be able to turn your everyday vacation snaps into award-worthy pieces of travel photography. 

In the first part of my two-part travel photography guide , I took you through the kit you should consider taking with you, whether it's a great phone like the iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or a dedicated camera like the Canon EOS R5. 

Read more: Best Camera to Buy in 2024

Now I'm going to take you through the tips I keep in mind as a professional photographer while traveling the globe. 

By knowing how to quickly operate my camera I was able to capture the fleeting golden light of this sunset in Scotland.

Get to know your kit

Learning how to operate your camera will not only help you get better, more creative shots, but will help you snap those shots quicker, as you won't have to fiddle around with settings. Some of the most exciting travel shots can come and go in a split second, so whether you're capturing the running of the bulls in Pamplona or a snowboarder launching off a mogul in Switzerland, you'll need to learn to shoot quickly.

Learning how to use manual controls will allow you to get creative with slow shutter speeds.

Spend time with your camera in manual mode before you go away. Learn how to change shutter speed, aperture, ISO speeds and white balance and experiment with what happens to your images when you change these settings. A good camera will be able to capture some great shots in auto mode, but when you want to get more creative, you'll need to take control. 

Shooting in raw allows you to fine tune settings like white balance after you've taken the shot.

Shoot in raw

If your camera has it (and almost all cameras and even most phones do), shoot in raw format. Yes, it creates bigger files, but memory cards are so cheap now that it's worth carrying an extra couple of 64GB cards with you. Raw shooting allows you to change white balance after your shot and capture more details in the very bright and very dark areas, letting you tone down any blown-out skies or lighten some shadows in Photoshop.

Read more: Best Camera Phone of 2024

Although it's always best to get the shot right when you first take it, raw processing gives you much more flexibility to rescue a shot that's not quite right. 

Local events can provide a wealth of photography opportunities, such as this sea-swimming competition in the Italian town of Vernazza.

Do your research

Search for your location on Google and visit travel websites to find out more about where you're going. Not only will that help you make the most of your trip, you may find out about local events or particularly photogenic locations you may otherwise have missed.

You might also find out about photography restrictions that may land you in hot water -- as a general rule anywhere, avoid photographing government buildings, and if you're unsure, ask permission.

Search for your destination on Instagram or on photography websites such as Flickr and 500px for inspiration on what to see. It's handy to get an idea of the shots other people have taken -- either to replicate them yourself or to avoid taking the same generic shot the internet has seen hundreds of times before.

Composition is key

Good composition will make or break a photo, and unlike white balance or color tone, poor composition can't be fixed in post processing. The morning light bouncing off that rustic church won't count for much if you've accidentally chopped off the spire in your hurry to take the shot.

By finding a higher viewpoint, I was able to better capture the beautiful towers, spires -- and the castle -- on a stunning winter evening in Edinburgh.

A generic shot of a popular spot can be transformed into an unusual and creative artwork simply by changing your angle. Take a moment to look at the scene before you shoot and don't be afraid to move around to get the best angles. Struggling with a beach scene? Walk farther down the coast to find boats, nets or rocks that might add foreground interest. Shooting in the city? Get up a tall building for dramatic urban cityscapes. Even just kneeling down and shooting from below can make a difference.

These jeans being dried over a balcony really caught my eye and certainly say a lot about city life in Barcelona.

Find the details that matter

Capturing a beautiful, wide view of the stunning European city you're visiting is great for a nice print to hang on your wall, but it's those smaller details that really tell the story of your trip. Maybe it's the food market you visited, a weather-worn old door, a vintage scooter or a shop sign that hasn't been repainted in years. 

All of these small elements will not only help capture the essence of the location you're visiting but also help bring back more memories for you when you look at them as each image will tell such a strong story. It's up to you to decide what those small details might be to look out for, but my advice is to always have your camera ready to shoot so when you see something that speaks to you -- a stack of lobster pots in a harbor, perhaps -- you're ready to take your shot. 

Amazing things can happen in the dark.

Don't be afraid of the dark

Just because the sun has gone down, it doesn't mean your photography needs to stop. It's a great time to get creative with slow shutter shots. Long exposures blur motion, turning regular car headlights on a city street into creative, abstract light trails, streaking through the darkness. Use a narrow aperture -- around f/12 -- and a long exposure to turn points of light into gorgeous starbursts.

You'll need to secure your camera firmly in place -- with a tripod -- and if you're playing with exposures longer than a few seconds, you'll need to be careful about the breeze or people walking by adding any vibrations. If you want to do long exposures in the daytime, you'll need a dark neutral density filter, such as the Big Stopper by Lee Filters, to let you take minute-long exposures in the middle of the day.

If you're shooting on a modern camera -- especially with a larger, full frame sensor -- then you can also likely increase your ISO speed above 3,200 without seeing too much degradation from image noise. Coupled with a wider aperture of f/2.8 or more, you may have more luck shooting handheld scenes in low light. If this is a priority for you, cameras that also offer in-body image stabilization (like the Canon EOS R5) should be on your list; this stabilization lets you use slower shutter speeds without needing a tripod.

By visiting this busy Saturday morning market in the French town of La Rochelle, I was able to capture this street photo that packs in great elements including the flowers on the barrel, the man dipping his hat, the people having a conversation and a woman peering out from inside the building.

Be a people person

It's often the people you meet as much as the places you see that makes traveling and exploring so interesting. People make fantastic subjects to photograph, whether they're wandering the streets, relaxing or hard at work.

Naturally, not everybody will want to be photographed so, out of politeness if nothing else, it's a good idea to ask the person's permission beforehand if you're trying to take a portrait of someone. It'll help if you do your research and learn a few key phrases of the local language to not only ask permission, but be able to understand the response. If they say no, it's important to respect that.

Otherwise, heading to busy areas like local markets will allow you to take more street-style photographs with candid moments of people going about their day. Again, it's still important to respect peoples' space here and keep in mind that some countries may have laws against this type of photography.

I loved capturing this moment on a trip to the Scottish seaside, and I think it really helps tell the story of the sort of community you'd find there.

Set your alarm

The middle of the day may be the nicest time to wander around Tuscan streets, grab a hot chocolate on the mountainside or order a third cocktail on the beach, but the midday sun doesn't usually offer the best light for dramatic photographs.

It's the early morning light, casting its long, golden shadows that will really make a place look its most beautiful. Setting your alarm for sunrise on holiday may seem like the worst thing in the world, but it's worth trying -- even just once -- to see what sort of shots you get. Scout out locations beforehand to make sure you don't waste the precious early hours trying to find somewhere to shoot.

By coming back to this tower later in the day, I was able to catch the sunset in the background.

Revisit the scene

When you stumble upon a particularly picturesque scene, don't just visit it just the once. While a bay may look delightful in the daytime, it will look different again at night, with all the lights of nearby buildings stretching out across the water. If you know a great spot, do your best to come back to it to find out when it looks best.

Sometimes a punchy black and white edit can really add to the drama of a scene.

Play with processing

Although you should always try to get the best shot you can when you first take it, some well-placed post processing can turn a good photo into a great one. If you're shooting raw files, you'll need to process them anyway, so it's worth trying out a few of the sliders in Adobe Lightroom while you're at it.

With your raw files, the first thing you'll need to do is correct the white balance. Have a play with the color temperature slider and see what tone suits best. Summer evening shots will benefit from a warmer color tone, while chilly February city streets will look best with something a bit cooler.

Toning down the highlights can help keep a bright sky under control, while lifting the shadows will help make darker areas more visible, without affecting too much of the rest of the scene. It's important not to go overboard on this, as it can make your images look a little unnatural. From that point on, have a play with your editor of choice and see what you like. There's no one right way to edit your shots -- no matter what anybody says -- it's all about what you prefer. 

A high contrast black and white edit makes this image from a London tube station really stand out.

Do your own thing

Sure, rules such as "take the lens cap off before shooting" should always be followed, but never be afraid to try an unusual angle, play with your settings or experiment with new editing techniques in Lightroom.

If everybody always followed the exact same format, everybody's photography would look the same. Use these rules as guidelines and play with angles, settings and editing as much as you want to find what works for you.

I'm Blown Away by These Photos I Took on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra

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Travel Adventures – Part 4: Moscow

July 7, 2016 Travel

This beautiful woman lingered for a moment on the steps at one of the several churches in the Sergeiv Posad Monastery. I thought she was absolutely beautiful.

So far in this journey we have visited some wonderful cities … Helsinki, Finland, Tallinn, Estonia and St. Petersburg, Russia. We have traveled together along the waterways of Russia to such exotic sounding places as Mandrogy, Kitzy Island, Goritzy, Uglich, and Yaroslavl and seen the beauty of the countryside in between these towns. But our ship finally came to dock in Moscow, the capital of Russia and I really had no idea what to expect!

One advantage of travel tour is that you get a good general overview of an area. That’s the good news, of course. The bad news on most tours — and this tour certainly was no exception –was that you never did have a lot of time to explore on your own. The guides and the schedule kept you pretty busy all of the time. It was great for getting information and seeing a lot, but difficult for photographers who like to explore in more depth.

When we got to Moscow, we hopped on buses and were off to tour the city. Moscow is a huge city with so much traffic that I vowed never to complain about the traffic on Los Angeles freeways ever again. I couldn’t believe how tough you had to be to drive in this city. It played havoc with all schedules and timetables because what should have taken just 20 minutes to drive ended up taking an hour. One of the reasons is how they handle their traffic accidents. From what we understood and saw, cars involved in accidents were not allowed to move until both the police and the insurance adjuster came. So, a simple traffic accident could snarl things for hours. There is definitely a different viewpoint here than back home.

The traffic on every street no matter the hour seemed to be hectic.

The city of Moscow is upbeat with many shops, theaters, and restaurants and such. We saw shops with all of the latest and most expensive designers. All of the big brand names in clothing had shops. During this introductory tour, we were dropped off on a rather large street and told to walk through an arch into a huge open area. A large red brick/stone wall ran down one side and the most magnificent Russian Church we had seen so far was at the far end. The area was enormous and, of course, it was the famous Red Square. Behind the brick/stone wall was the Kremlin. I had to pause to take it all in, because never in my life would I have ever imagined myself standing there! The look on my sister and friend’s faces, told the same story that I was feeling … ABSOLUTE AWE!

We had some time to wander and walk by Lenin’s tomb before we had to return to the bus to continue the general tour of the city. 

From an overlook within the St. Basil Cathedral, you can get a fabulous overview of Red Square. The Kremlin wall is on the left side of the image; at the end of that wall is the Spasskaya Tower. The red building with two towers is the National Historical Museum, barely seen and tucked into the corner to the right of the Museum is Kazan Cathedral and along the right side is the turn of the century arcades of Gum’s department store.

Copyright © Stan Westfall

Along the wall that separates the Kremlin from Red Square is Lenin’s tomb. His body has been on public display there since the year he died in 1924.

A night tour took us past some of the brightly lit gambling casinos in Moscow. The bouncing bus, combined with the bright neon lighting, brought a few interesting photo opportunities. We attended a wonderful concert that featured many of the traditional musical instruments of Russia — another photo opportunity not normally available in a theater, but because the audience was from the various tours and ships that were in Moscow that particular evening, we could take photos — but of course, not with flash, which is always a disturbance to the performers. As we left the concert, the moon was just rising over one of the beautiful cathedral spires. My friend Anne caught the shot (3rd below/right). She is quick and steady and got a round of applause when she “nailed it!”

Driving through Moscow’s downtown area at night was fascinating. It was bright with colored lights. Many casinos and restaurants were lit up and looked very busy. It was a supercharged city that came alive at night.

Copyright © Anne Westfall

St. Basil’s in Red Square was beautiful during the day but at night it was a fairy tale. This is one of Russia’s most beautiful cathedrals.

Fabulously lit fountains switched colors to make an exciting night shot.

Square at night is spectacular with the Gums building in sparkling lights.

Leaving the theater one night we were just in time to see the moonrise near one of Moscow’s cathedrals. 

The next day we toured the park adjacent to the grounds of the beautiful Novodevichy Conventwhere many exiled or self-exiled royal wives, daughters and lovers “took the veil” (which means they chose to become a nun), to get out of their marriage, family or mistress arrangement, since divorce was not allowed. It is in this park where you will find the lovely bronze ducks, given as a gift by President George Walker Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush. We visited the Kremlin and I was surprised to find out that there were 5 or 6 churches within its walls. In the Armory, the stunningly beautiful royal clothes, jewels and carriages were housed. It was amazing to see that even the carriages were embedded with jewels.

The Novodevichy Convent where many exiled or self-exiled royal family members “took the Veil”. The park like setting was one of the most beautiful we had seen.

We had the opportunity to go into their frightfully expensive, but stunningly wonderful GUM (pronounced we discovered like “goom” not “gum” as in chewing gum). Just wandering up and down this multilevel shopping extravaganza was a treat.

Gums is a large collection of shops on one side of Red Square. The three level, indoor mall features eating establishments, large walkways and bridges from one side to another. It is frequently used as a setting for newly wed brides.

The next morning, my friend Stan Westfall and I decided to take the tour to the Sergiev Posad Monastery. My sister, Sunny, and our friend Anne Westfall opted to visit the Pushkin Museum in the morning and the Tretyakov Gallery in the afternoon. Since we were going to have separate adventures to share that evening, I reminded them to take lots and lots of photographs so we could enjoy their day as well.

In the center of the Sergeiv Posad Monastery there is a beautiful Holy Water fountain where people come to drink, to bless and to carry home a small jar of Holy Water. 

CONTINUE WITH THE STORY AND SEE MORE PHOTOS…………

Be sure to join us next month as we visit Moscow.

Read Travel Adventures – Part 1: Finland and Estonia

Read Travel Adventures – Part 2: St. Petersburg, Russia

Read Travel Adventures – Part 3: Cruising the Russian Waterways

by Noella Ballenger

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The 38 best photo spots in Moscow

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1 Red Square

2 The Moscow Kremlin

3 Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure

4 st. basil's cathedral, 5 bolshoi theatre, 6 white rabbit, 7 cathedral of christ the saviour, 8 museum of cosmonautics, 10 the state tretyakov gallery, 11 novodevichy convent, 12 arbat st, 13 moskva river, 14 krasnaya ploshchad', 15 public museum of the moscow metro, 16 cafe pushkin, 17 tsaritsyno museum-reserve, 18 kolomenskoye, 19 vorob'yevy gory, 20 the pushkin state museum of fine arts, 21 muzeon park of arts, 22 patriarch's ponds, 23 museum of soviet arcade games, 24 the carlton, moscow, 25 grand kremlin palace, 26 annunciation cathedral, 27 state historical museum, 28 russian state library, 29 winzavod, 30 museum of the history of vodka, 31 komsomolskaya, 32 moscow state university, 33 business district "moscow silk", 34 memorial eternal flame, 35 street adventure, 36 underground gallery, 37 old arbat hostel, 38 moscow school of painting, sculpture and architecture, top searches in moscow, popular road trips from moscow, what's the weather like in moscow.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Moscow for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Moscow in January
• Weather in Moscow in February
• Weather in Moscow in March
• Weather in Moscow in April
• Weather in Moscow in May
• Weather in Moscow in June
• Weather in Moscow in July
• Weather in Moscow in August
• Weather in Moscow in September
• Weather in Moscow in October
• Weather in Moscow in November
• Weather in Moscow in December

All road trips from Moscow

• Moscow to London drive
• Moscow to Paris drive
• Moscow to St. Petersburg drive
• Moscow to Berlin drive
• Moscow to Prague drive
• Moscow to Amsterdam drive
• Moscow to Budapest drive
• Moscow to Vienna drive
• Moscow to Istanbul drive
• Moscow to Florence drive
• Moscow to Venice drive
• Moscow to Stockholm drive
• Moscow to Milan drive
• Moscow to Krakow drive
• Moscow to Copenhagen drive
• Moscow to Warsaw drive
• Moscow to Helsinki drive
• Moscow to Munich drive
• Moscow to Brussels drive
• Moscow to Tallinn drive
• Moscow to Riga drive
• Moscow to Oslo drive
• Moscow to Turin drive
• Moscow to Hamburg drive
• Moscow to Vilnius drive
• Moscow to Yaroslavl drive
• Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod drive
• Moscow to Kyiv drive
• Moscow to Tula drive
• Moscow to Bruges drive

Explore nearby places

• Likino-Dulevo
• Ivanteyevka
• Orekhovo-Zuevo
• Semyonovskoye
• Ivanovskoye
• Rumyantsevo
• Dzerzhinsky
• Sovkhoz Imeni Lenina
• Dolgoprudny

All related maps of Moscow

• Map of Moscow
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• Map of Reutov
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• Map of Mytishchi
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• BEST OF THE WORLD

20 of the coolest travel adventures for 2024

From a horseback safari in Kenya to river rafting in West Virginia, here’s our ranked list of the top travel experiences right now.

This page is a portal.   No, really, it is: Our annual Best of the World feature is a gateway to the streets of Paris , the snowy Caucasus Mountains of Georgia , the ancient rock art of Algeria . To help us engage with places more deeply and meaningfully, we drew on National Geographic’s global community of experts to create the following ranked list of 20 great adventures for 2024. Read on and you’ll discover that this page is also a celebration—of travel’s power to transform us and our connections with one another.

#1: Go on horseback safari in Kenya

A safari in Africa usually conjures an image of mud-spattered 4x4 vehicles bouncing through the bush. But there’s another way to travel: on horseback .  

Although horse safaris originated in Kenya in the 1970s, they’re a perfect fit for today’s growing number of travelers looking for more engaging, sustainable wildlife encounters. At the 32,000-acre Borana Conservancy , two stables house thoroughbreds and ex-polo ponies for riders of all skill levels. Visitors can book half-day, full-day, or overnight rides. July through September is the prime time to go.

Since wildlife perceive equines as just another animal, exploring the landscape atop a horse makes for an intimate experience. “To journey on horseback is to break down the walls—meant to protect but also to separate—between oneself and the natural world,” says Nichole Sobecki , a photographer and equestrian who’s ridden in Borana. “Your horse is a translator, responding to the low growl of the lion, the soft scent of a herd of elephants.” A horse’s ears are an advance warning system, she says, helping knowledgeable guides navigate routes.

#2: Run an Olympic marathon in Paris

For the first time, members of the public will be able to run their own marathon during the 2024 Summer Olympics , in Paris, France , just one initiative aimed at creating a more inclusive Games.  

Slated to be held the evening of August 10, between the men’s and women’s official races, the Marathon for All will allow 20,024 qualifying lottery winners on the 26.2-mile route that links Paris and Versailles , a loop beginning at the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) and passing through nine arrondissements before finishing at Les Invalides on the banks of the Seine. Before or after the big event, learn the route to follow in their tracks.  

#3: Ski tour UNESCO sites in Georgia

Long a means of transportation, exploration, and hunting, skiing is still a way of life in the mountainous republic of Georgia. Now visitors can enjoy some of the nation’s best backcountry skiing in the Caucasus with the help of outfitters such as Svaneti Ski and Georgia Ski Touring . In Svaneti, excursions may lead skiers through panoramic Gvibari Pass or to medieval Ushguli villages, among the highest continuously inhabited in Europe. The best times to experience this are December to April.

#4: Bear watch in Katmai National Park

Alaska ’s Katmai National Park is home to one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world. Far from the crowded viewing platforms of the Brooks Camp Visitor Center, a guided trip along the Katmai coast with outfitters like AK Adventures reveals a different side of the park.

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Here, the bears feast on a diversity of foods: sedges, grasses, razor clams, salmon. “For me, seeing a single brown bear in the wild is meaningful because it is a sign that the landscape is healthy enough to support it,” says Alaska photographer Acacia Johnson , a frequent National Geographic contributor.

#5: Hear legendary live music in Kyoto

Guidebooks speak of Kyoto as frozen in time, with hushed temples and meditative gardens. But after hours, Japan ’s former imperial capital reveals a live music scene that can be loud and irreverent. At venues like Jittoku and Field , rock, swing, and even Irish music echo into the night. Whatever you’re into, from jazz to punk, there’s a community to share your jam. “This is what happens in Japan when the mask comes off,” says Kyoto guide Van Milton.

#6: Cruise an epic river in Colombia

About 80 percent of Colombia ’s population lives in the river basin of the Magdalena, which flows for nearly a thousand miles from the Andes to the Caribbean. AmaWaterways’ new cruises on the river—said to be the first by a major cruise operator—take seven-night trips from Cartagena via Mompós to Barranquilla. Stops at colonial towns, performances of vallenato   and cumbia music, and visits to a stilt-house village highlight the region’s culture along this mighty waterway.

#7:   Road trip Route 66 in New Mexico

For nearly a century, Route 66 has beckoned to travelers. A trip along the Mother Road through New Mexico hits timeless landmarks , such as quirky motels and curio shops in and around Tucumcari and symbolic etchings in Petroglyph National Monument . In Gallup—mentioned as one of the places to “get your kicks” in Nat King Cole’s 1946 hit song “Route 66”—you can take in performances featuring Zuni, Lakota, and Diné (Navajo) dancers.  

Some 18 miles of the highway traverse Albuquerque , the longest urban interlude of the route in the United States. And it’s getting a half-million-dollar glow-up with the ongoing restoration of vintage neon signs along Central Avenue.  

While cruising down the brightened strip, stop at the new West Central Route 66 Visitor Center , with its museum and outdoor amphitheater. The center will host events like lowrider car shows, drive-in movies, and artisan markets.

#8: Explore ancient art in Algeria

Algeria is home to Africa’s largest national park, which holds one of the world’s greatest concentrations of ancient rock art. Tassili n’Ajjer National Park is a geologic wonderland of sandstone towers, arches, and sculpted outcrops. But these rock forests are only half the story.  

Neolithic herders and hunter-gatherers carved 15,000 petroglyphs here, including images of elephants, giraffes, and rhinos. These animals are more commonly associated with sub-Saharan Africa—a hint that this arid wilderness was once a grassland crisscrossed by waterways. Five- to seven-day guided tours with Fancy Yellow take in the most spectacular works of Tassili’s art, like the “Crying Cows,” engraved at the base of a stone pinnacle 7,000 years ago.  

Travelers with more time might want to combine a trip to Tassili with a visit to the Algerian Sahara’s other great geologic marvel: the extraordinary mountain range of Ahaggar National Park .

#9: Dive with sharks in Western Australia

Stretching almost 700 miles along the Indian Ocean north of Perth, Western Australia’ s Coral Coast is studded with natural wonders. But Ningaloo Reef is the star. Here, you can dive with giants: Some 300 to 500 whale sharks ,   one of the largest congregations on Earth, gather along the reef each year between March and July. Ethical outfitters ensure divers give the sharks space and avoid feeding them or using flash photography.  

Even more megafauna abound from July to October, when about 40,000 humpback whales migrate along the Coral Coast. You can also commune with more than 10,000 dugongs in Shark Bay or swim with manta rays at Coral Bay.  

#10: Hike a volcano in Panama

A sustainability leader, Panama recently launched its “1,000 Kilometers of Trails” project , which seeks to bring outdoor recreation and green tourism to rural communities and protected areas.

First out of the gate is the Ruta de la Caldera , a system of five trails around the extinct Valle de Antón volcano . The treks take in waterfall-speckled landscapes, according to photographer Rose Marie Cromwell , who hiked sections of the Ruta de la Caldera over five days.

“There were some spectacular views on top of the volcanic crater—interesting land formations covered in so much green,” she says.

#11: Catch the eclipse at Niagara Falls

Directly in the path of totality, Niagara Falls will offer views of a total solar eclipse, which won’t occur again in the contiguous U.S. until 2044. For about three and a half minutes, beginning at approximately 3:18 p.m. on April 8, the sky will darken over the thunderous cataract as the moon crosses between Earth and the sun.  

On the U.S. side of the falls , Terrapin Point, Prospect Point, and the Observation Tower will be prime viewing areas (if clouds stay away). From the Canadian side, an excellent vantage point is Table Rock. A side bonus: The sunny-day rainbow that hovers above the falls will become pink.  

#12: Trek a glacier in Chile

In Chilean Patagonia‘s Laguna San Rafael National Park , visitors can trek to glaciers, taking in a panorama of pale blue ice massifs and glacial waterways. Some 17,300 glaciers still cover the whole of Patagonia’s ice fields, but rising temperatures are rapidly melting them. Climate scientists say sustainable tourism , such as hikes with Chilean outfitters like Turismo Valle Leones , supports local communities and inspires travelers to learn more about how to protect glaciers.

#13: Step back in time on Menorca

Spain ’s Balearic Islands are best known for the jet-set beach destinations of Ibiza and Mallorca . But quiet, less developed Menorca has a unique mother lode: The archipelago’s greatest repository of ancient architecture.

In an area of just 270 square miles, Menorca has a total of 1,574 inventoried archaeological sites , ranging from the foundation blocks of small dwellings to well-preserved village centers that existed long before the Roman Empire. Most striking are the navetas,   megalithic tombs dating back to 1600 B.C.; talayots, watchtowers built from mortarless blocks of limestone; and   taulas,   shrines exclusive to Menorca that evoke Stonehenge pillars. These remnants of the Talayotic Menorcan culture, the first civilization to inhabit the island, have now been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List .  

The open-air monuments are easy to visit; the island’s Me-1 road passes by some of the best-preserved sites, including the settlements of Talatí de Dalt, Naveta des Tudons, and Taula de Torretrencada.

Reenter the 21st century at the new Hauser & Wirth gallery in the picturesque town of Mahón. Housed in repurposed 18th-century hospital buildings, the cultural venue presents contemporary art exhibits and has an outdoor sculpture trail with works by Louise Bourgeois and Joan Miró.

#14: Ride classic rails in Scotland

Exploring Scotland ’s wild, scenic Highlands doesn’t have to mean roughing it. The Royal Scotsman train glides among the moody lochs and dramatic peaks in style. New suites debuting in May 2024 sport interiors that reflect the compelling landscapes through dark woods, wool tweeds , and richly patterned bespoke tartans crafted by Scottish brand Araminta Campbell . After a day spent hiking to waterfalls or playing rounds of golf (a sport inextricably tied to the nation), guests can wind down with a massage at the onboard spa.

Departing Edinburgh ’s Waverley Station, the two- to seven-night rail journeys cross the heart of the Highlands, from Perthshire to Inverness to the rugged west coast. During stops guests can tour castles, stargaze in Cairngorms National Park , sample whisky at revered distilleries, and even take a dip in a loch.

#15: Find authentic flavor in Thailand  

The Isaan region in northeastern Thailand is known for its distinctive cuisine that reflects influences from bordering Laos and Cambodia. “Isaan is a hidden gem of Thailand,” says Weerawat “Num” Triyasenawat, the chef at Samuay & Sons , a Michelin Guide -recommended restaurant in the Isaan city of Udon Thani.

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One key ingredient of the region’s delicious food is pla ra, a fermented-fish seasoning that boosts umami flavor. Local dishes include laab   (minced meat salad), traditionally served during celebrations.

#16: Wander tea trails in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is virtually synonymous with tea. The island nation is one of the world’s top producers of tea leaves. British colonists introduced the first bushes about 200 years ago. Now visitors can trace the footsteps of historic planters on the new, nearly 200-mile Pekoe Trail , the country’s first long-distance walking route.  

Starting just outside Kandy, the trail follows the 19th-century tracks upon which workers and horse-drawn carts transported freshly plucked leaves. Hikers pass through hill towns and tea estates and can stop to take a cooking class or savor a cup of aromatic Ceylon tea.

#17: Gallery hop in São Paulo

São Paulo, Brazil ’s largest city, is an art lover’s paradise, home to numerous galleries, exhibitions, and street murals. The crowning jewel is the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP), which is expanding to showcase more of its 11,000-plus artworks, from pre-Renaissance paintings to contemporary sculptures. Departing from the usual model of exhibiting works on walls, MASP hangs some pieces against clear panels, allowing visitors to view the art from all angles.

#18: Raft the rapids in West Virginia  

Despite its name, West Virginia ’s New River is actually one of the oldest on Earth, perhaps as old as 360 million years. The river falls 750 feet in only 50 miles between sandstone cliffs. It eventually merges with the Gauley River.   Outfitters such as ACE Adventure Resort can arrange whitewater rafting trips here on Class III to V rapids through the longest and deepest river gorge in the Appalachians.  

#19: Go antiquing in Hudson Valley

The bucolic Hudson Valley is booming, thanks to an influx of New York City residents during the pandemic. But it’s long been a mecca for creatives: Its landscapes inspired America’s first artistic fraternity, the Hudson River School. Antique collectors will be drawn to the hundreds of stores, boutiques, craft shops, and flea markets that sell everything from colonial furniture and rare books to mid-century modern decor. For vintage finds, head to the Antique Warehouse in Hudson, Sister Salvage in Catskill, and Opera House Co. in Athens.

“There’s a common denominator here—the charming historic villages,” says Sarah Gray Miller, owner of Coxsackie antique store UnQuiet . From Stuyvesant to Saugerties, these towns “share a strong commitment to preservation.”

#20: Sleep on the water in British Columbia

The newly reopened Tofino Wilderness Resort , owned by the Ahousaht First Nation, is an idyllic base from which to explore the western coast of British Columbia ’s Vancouver Island. In the heart of Clayoquot Sound, the luxury floating lodge was renovated with lumber cut from timber which fell on-site. Through guided whale-watching trips or visits to the Freedom Cove artists’ sanctuary, the Ahousaht share with guests their philosophy, hishuk ish tsawalk (“everything is one”), celebrating the interconnectedness of people and nature in a land they’ve occupied for thousands of years.

Editor's note

Related topics.

• HORSEBACK RIDING
• PETROGLYPHS
• WILDLIFE WATCHING
• WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
• CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
• SNOWMOBILING

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More From Forbes

The original wellness and fitness resort: one week to a healthier you.

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Rancho La Puerta has been a leading fitness destination for so long that it can claim to have helped ... [+] popularize yoga in the Western Hemisphere.

When it comes to “wellness travel,” today’s market is a clear case of caveat emptor—buyer beware.

Wellness vacations are not all equal—or even good. Make no mistake about it, if you are looking for a trip that will change your life for the better, you have to tread carefully. Wellness is red hot in the travel industry right now, and just like any marketing buzzword that sells, many places use it wrongly, and frankly a lot of “wellness” travel is bogus. I get press releases and pitches almost daily from long existing hotels and resorts across the globe that have rebranded themselves as wellness destinations—but without actually doing anything new or different.

Just about every decent resort has some sort of spa, some sort of hotel gym and maybe a pickleball or tennis court, but suddenly these amenities are being touted and repackaged into wellness escapes. The resort that has always offered one free yoga class a week is suddenly a wellness retreat. Hotels adding a mocktail menu are suddenly wellness retreats. Many offerings of these self-proclaimed wellness retreats are things that are probably already available within five minutes of wherever you live. It’s gotten so crazy that when a place tells me they are a wellness destination, I first assume it’s a scam.

But Rancho La Puerta is the real deal, and in many ways invented the category of the destination immersion wellness/fitness vacation.

With 40-plus miles of trails and multiple daily hikes of varied difficulty—plus great views—hiking ... [+] is a cornerstone of these wellness weeks.

This is the place that started it all back in the 1950s—and is still going strong as a standout leader in the industry. There are now several other immersion fitness resorts with weeklong programs, but just about every one of them is derived from the model at Rancho La Puerta. After more than 70 years of sending guests home happier, healthier, better informed and often a little bit lighter than when they arrived, Rancho La Puerta is still owned by its original founders, and widely considered the “original destination wellness spa” in the Western Hemisphere.

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I had heard many good things about it from past guests over the years, and recently got the chance to see what it’s all about. What it is all about is great—and it just keeps getting better.

Instead of being stuck in their rich past, they are continually upgrading, and were one of the first to popularize yoga in this part of the world, and much more recently were way ahead of the curve on the explosive popularity of pickleball. When they opened, they refused to serve coffee, and now have multiple espresso/cappuccino bars. For years they were alcohol free, and now have programs promoting the up-and-coming wines produced nearby and local craft beers. Customers wanted a juice and smoothie bar, so they added one. When interest in home cooking increased, they built a state-of-the-art demo kitchen and cooking school, and are constantly on the lookout for the next big thing their customers want.

Working out is not the same as suffering, and Rancho La Puerta does not skimp on creature comforts, ... [+] like the individual casitas guests stay in.

One very good sign of a high-quality experience in the luxury travel space is a high-repeat rate, as most people will not continue to spend good money on something they didn’t like. While many of my favorite travel companies have very diverse specialties, including active travel operators such as Butterfield & Robinson and Backroads , golf travel operators such as Perry Golf and Haversham & Baker or the gold standard in all things safaris, Micato Safaris , the one thing they all have in common is a very high repeat customer rate, and that kind of loyalty does not come easily. But I’ve never seen quite the kind of repeat business Rancho La Puerta commands, with many customers who come once or several times a year. When your dinner companion is on their 20 th , 50 th or 70 th visit, it’s hard not to be impressed.

At the first timer’s orientation upon arrival, I was joined by less than 20 other guests—out of the 190 Rancho La Puerta can accommodate, and it was full. The overwhelming majority were returnees who had chosen to come back, some so often they had lost count.

The multiple swimming pools throughout the gorgeous 4000-acre campus aren't bad either.

The positive experience began long before I even boarded the plane to San Diego, because Rancho La Puerta has one of the best and most detailed websites of any resort I have ever visited, and the logistics are outstanding. After seven-plus decades of running weeklong retreats South of the border in Mexico, they have got the system dialed in and down to a science. The website is so detailed, down to sample menus and daily activity schedules, that it would be hard to be surprised if you paid attention in advance. When you go to a place like this, there are often a lot of questions, such as what is the food like, what do I need to pack, what’s the weather, what will I do, how do I get there and so on, and after 30 years in the travel business I have not seen many places that address these issues so comprehensively. After much research and talking to repeat guests—including a friend who had gone just two weeks before me—I thought I was fully prepared, but I was still surprised, because it was even more impressive in person.

What you just can’t get from a website is the attention to detail and the friendly, dedicated and extremely helpful staff. Employees and service are so good you have to experience it in person. Many repeat guests remember the names of helpful staff members, and vice versa, and there’s an amazing family/community feel about the whole place. There are roughly 400 employees, including a large gardening and maintenance crew, and walking around the spacious property you pass more employees than guests. They are uniformly—as in every single one—ultra-friendly and bend over backwards to be helpful. I’ve not been to any resort outside of Southeast Asia with this kind of staff and service. A good sign of any employer is retention, and not only have many staffers been here for decades and their entire careers, there are many multi-generational family staffers.

Rancho La Puerta was way ahead of the curve on the current pickleball trend and added multiple ... [+] courts years ago, with daily lessons, free play and even theme weeks with guest instructors.

Rancho la Puerta is just 3-miles into Mexico, and bypasses Tijuana for a low-key border crossing much further east. Their programs run Saturday to Saturday, and every Saturday they have a fleet of scheduled buses to and from the San Diego airport, setting up a welcome table inside the terminal. You get off the plane anytime in the morning or early afternoon, go to the table, check in, and get on a bus. They even fill out the paperwork for you, and there’s nothing to do but get there—you don’t even have to show your passport or talk to anyone at the border. Or if you’ve learned to mistrust the airlines, you can do what I did and arrive a day or two early, enjoy San Diego and then just head back to the airport, which is about 10 minutes from downtown. The entire trip from San Diego to the Ranch, including changing vehicles at the border, is less than 90-minutes.

Once you arrive, there’s the orientation, and activities begin right away. The aerobic heart and soul of Rancho La Puerta is daily hikes, typically 3-4 options each morning of varying length and difficulty, with an additional afternoon option some days. The ranch is in a beautiful mountain wilderness preserve of 4000-acres, plus enjoys privileges with abutting landowners. Ther are 40-miles of trails, and hikes run as long as 7.7 miles. In addition to the hiking, there is an extremely extensive hourly calendar of exercise and educational classes, including all the usual suspects: yoga (several options), pilates (mat and reformer), several kinds of strength training, aqua fitness classes, indoor cycling, TRX, bootcamps, as well as a broad slate of lessons and free play for tennis and pickleball. Most classes like yoga are offered for all levels from first timer to advanced as well as classes for those with limitations, and there are also specialty movement classes like Feldenkrais, dance and more. There’s a roster of mindfulness practices including meditation, along with a silent meditation hike daily. The hardest thing you’ll do at the Ranch is not necessarily working out, but rather picking what to do from tempting competing choices. Longer hikes are early in the morning, and then starting at 9AM there are roughly 5-10 classes or experiences offered every hour until 4PM.

Feeling hardcore? Rancho La Puerta offers instruction in trail running.

Most first timers (like me) tend to overschedule, while many returning guests just do a class here and there and enjoy the pools, weather, spa and ultra-relaxed atmosphere. There’s no dressing up, and when in doubt, you can snag one of the many hammocks strung across the property, laze by the pool, sunbathe on your private veranda, or get a massage.

Personal training and private hikes are also available (extra fee), and the full spa (extra fee) is much larger than it looks, with tons of treatment rooms. The therapists are fantastic and represent the best of the long-term employees. They are especially skilled at working on people who are working out. I have had massages at top ranked spas all over the world, and this was one of the all-time best. If you have no budgetary constraints, you might want a massage every day. In addition to the main spa, with full locker facilities, there are separate men’s and women’s “health” buildings, each with sauna, steam hot tub and showers, all complimentary. Many spas and resorts only allow you to use these facilities when paying for treatments, but here I popped in between fitness classes every day for a sauna and steam.

Want to try something new? There are plenty of options, like aerial yoga.

There’s also a broad slate of guest expert lecturers each week, including music, education and cooking classes with a guest chef. The Ranch operates a large organic chef’s garden that is more accurately a farm, which supplies much of its produce, and there are tours offered, morning walks to breakfast in the garden, even gardening lessons. Several years ago, they built a dedicated cooking school facility, which is where the three-and-a-half hour hands on cooking demos/dinners are held a couple of times weekly. Other presenters cover topics ranging from personal relationships to nutrition to de-cluttering your home, and there is a full art studio with a range of art and craft classes.

The hardest thing to wrap your head around and one of the things that really makes the place special is the property itself. The Ranch is very big and entirely low rise, with almost no buildings higher than one story. It is heavily landscaped and interlaced with a vast network of walking paths, none of which seem to go straight, but instead wind through the ecosystem. It was purposefully designed to increase walking, and hike or no hike you are going to get your steps. You are also going to get your pool time, as there are pools and hot tubs all throughout the property. If you want one to yourself, you can probably find that. Just as they don’t need to have extra men’s and women’s spa buildings, they don’t need this many pools, and most resorts with this many rooms would have just one. But that is a big part of the charm. Everyone is on their own schedule, and some people go mainly for hiking, some to do classes and some to just recharge, pick and choose and relax.

It's set up sort of like a college campus in a giant garden, with at least ten different gyms and studios, and to give you an idea, there is one just for mat pilates and another studio for reformer. There’s a fully equipped strength gym with a wide range of weight and aerobic machines plus separate cycling and TRX studios. It’s all green and lush and escapist, with lodging in freestanding casitas scattered into clusters across the property. There’s a central dining room that serves all three meals, but also several ancillary outdoor breakfast spots, special different dinners, and a separate wine bar serving exclusively Mexican wines, craft beers and cheese plates, plus a smoothie bar and two different spots to get specialty coffee drinks.

One of the best surprises is the wine and craft beer bar!

The weekly fee covers all hikes, classes, lodging, meals (including two gala dinners with wine or sangria), entertainment and transfers, while spa, cooking classes, private training and the wine/beer bar are extra. High-Season (February 24-June 14 and September 21-November 15) rates start at $5,100 per person, double occupancy, with discounts for groups of 3 and 4 in larger casitas. Regular season (December 30- February 23 and June 15-September 20 and November 5- December 27) is $4,900. However, because summer is hot and off-season, weekly packages are discounted further and extras such as spa treatments are thrown in. With the exception of special Family Weeks, Rancho la Puerta is for ages 14 and up.

The food is largely plant based, but also includes eggs, dairy and seafood, so you definitely do not need to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy it, and every day there are homemade soups, homemade breads, entrée specials and extensive breakfast and lunch buffets. Dinner is a seated, plated four-course affair with choice of entrees, and they give the option of having both choices or double portions of one. Portions are restricted but meals are not. For me a highlight was the large salsa and hot sauce bar, and the fresh griddled tortillas, so I rolled my own breakfast tacos, ate a lot of eggs, and doused everything in fresh salsa.

I experienced a “normal” week, but in addition Rancho La Puerta offers a host of specialty weeks, including a popular annual Folk Music Festival, a Chamber Music week, a culinary celebration week of Baja foods, and the very popular Family week, where extra camp counsellors are brought in and a wide variety of special activities and classes for all ages are offered. There are summer short stays and 3–4-day retreats at various times of the year in addition to the regular 7-night program. Weekly Picke Ball Retreats with specialty instructors have become popular and are offered several times each year.

I’ve been to a few different immersion fitness resorts, and these typically run the gamut from low calorie, weight-loss focused to athletic performance bootcamps to more educational, expert driven places to learn ways to live better going forward. Rancho La Puerta is firmly in the middle of this spectrum. If you want to lose a few pounds quickly, you can, but if you want to eat large meals and drink a bottle of wine every night, you can do that too. It’s not aimed at competitive athletes, and this is not the place if you’re looking to improve your triathlon times, but then again, there are swimming stroke clinics and trail running programs. If you are a highly experienced yoga practitioner and that’s your main thing, you might be better off seeking out a more yoga-centric specialized retreat, but for most of us, there’s plenty of yoga. You can attend as many extra lectures as you want, and for most guests, it’s a mix of several hours a day of exercise with healthy eating, thoughtfulness and relaxation, and just about everyone goes home cleaner, healthier and most of all recharged, which is why so many people come back, because we all need to recharge.

For me personally, the highlight was to try new things and fine tune my existing fitness program. Because I have a fairly large home gym and don’t go to a facility to work out, I really wanted to try TRX, as it something easy to add to your home that I hadn’t done, so I took advantage and tried several different TRX classes, basic, core, advanced and so on to see if it was something I wanted to move forward on. I already do Pilates and yoga, so I took some higher-level classes to fine tune technique. But because I do a lot of cycling and have a Peloton bike, I largely skipped the indoor cycling classes because there wasn’t anything new or different for me there. With all the strength training options it was easy to find things that could be added to my home routine or ways to modify my existing program. The hiking was fantastic, and I did a long hike every day.

Everyone self-selects at Rancho la Puerta, but talking to my fellow guests, the biggest commonality seemed to be the desire to try new things and see if anything stuck in terms of life changes going forward, and that’s one of the reasons I loved the week so much. There’s no doubt that it was a healthier seven days, but it's equally important to have a takeaway that lasts, and here you get both. I highly recommend it, I understand why there are so many loyal fans, and I would absolutely go back.

For more takes on fitness and wellness vacations, I recently wrote here at Forbes about a unique approach that is more educational/nutritional/scientific and less boot camp through a 4-day program at the Four Seasons Westlake in Southern California.

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Ukraine war latest: Putin and Kim sign new defence deal - as UK says 'bizarre scenes' should be warning

Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have signed a new deal in Pyongyang, making a vow of mutual aid if either of their countries is attacked as both face escalating stand-offs with the West. Got a question on the Ukraine war? Submit it below for our specialists to answer.

Wednesday 19 June 2024 14:02, UK

• Putin is in North Korea - his first visit in 24 years
• Kim and Putin share 'pent up inmost thoughts'
• Russia and Nortk Korea sign new defence deal
• Analysis: China keeping close eye on cosy friendship
• A limousine, a dagger and artworks - the leaders swap gifts
• 'Bizarre scenes' should be warning, UK says
• Russia launches missiles from nuclear-powered submarines
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting by Mark Wyatt

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By Ivor Bennett , Moscow correspondent

There are two schools of thoughts regarding why Vladimir Putin is in North Korea. 

One is that Russia doesn't really have any other options right now. Its ongoing invasion of Ukraine has left it isolated from the West, and forced to pivot east. The visit to Pyongyang, and the world's most isolated state, is a reflection of Moscow's desperation, some say.

The opposing view is that Russia does have a lot of options right now. They're talking to Cuba, China, even the Taliban. So others believe this is a calculated move to show what's possible when the West, in Russia's eyes, oversteps the mark.

"Putin is angry," according to Chris Monday, an associate professor at Busan's Dongseo University, in reference to NATO allies, including the UK, giving Ukraine permission to use their weapons to strike inside Russia.

"He feels, from his perspective, that the West has crossed many red lines and he wants to put his foot down."

Either way, whether Russia's leader is going cap-in-hand or shaking his fist, the West will be alarmed at what these closer ties could mean.

There's an assumption in Washington that North Korea is already sending Russia ammunition to use in Ukraine, and there's a concern, articulated by US secretary of state Antony Blinken, that trade will increase.

Beyond that, there's also a fear about what North Korea will get in return - could Moscow pass on aid for Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programmes?

Both sides deny this, but one could argue the agreement they signed today sends the opposite signal.

The "comprehensive strategic partnership pact" includes a mutual defence clause, in case of "aggression", as Mr Putin put it, against either party. 

He also said Russia doesn't rule out the "development" of military-technical cooperation between the two. Ominous words for the West, and South Korea especially.

"People are very concerned here," said Mr Monday.

"There's more and more talk, for example, of developing a South Korean nuclear weapon.

"A year ago it seemed an impossibility, but now this is something people talk about."

This isn't how the visit is being talked about on Russian state media, of course. The main talking point has been Mr Putin's warm reception.

"Putin has never been met like this before," gushed one tabloid headline.

"For the sake of meeting Vladimir Vladimirovich, they gathered almost half of the capital," the article continued.

It certainly looked like that - crowds of apparently jubilant North Koreans, waving Russian flags in front of a giant portrait of their guest.

If the US president is seen as the leader of the free world, it feels like Vladimir Putin is being heralded here as the leader of the sanctioned world.

Watch: Mr Kim's ceremonial welcome for Mr Putin...

Ukrainian agriculture has lost $10bn (£7.8bn) in the two years since Russia's invasion, its acting agrarian minister has said.

Losses include the destruction of machinery, costing $5.8bn (£4.5bn), and damage to animal farms, costing more than $250m (£196m). 

"Global food prices grew approximately 35% in 2022," Taras Vysotsky, the minister, said.

"The situation did not stabilise until new export routes were created. So, the Ukrainian agrarian sector needs support to recover."

Mr Vysotsky said long-term projects supporting farming were needed, including financial support provided through the EU Ukraine Facility, a financial instrument dedicated to helping Ukraine.

Once his business in North Korea is wrapped up, Vladimir Putin will quickly be on the move to Vietnam, where he is scheduled to visit for the next two days.

The country is preparing to host the Russian leader, who is expected to arrive later tonight in Hanoi.

Pictures from the country show seamstresses making Russian flags that will line the streets and a motorcade during a security rehearsal near the Hotel Metropole, where Mr Putin is expected to stay.

Vladimir Putin has been photographed driving Kim Jong Un around in a luxury Russian-built Aurus limousine during his visit to Pyongyang today.

The Russian leader presented Mr Kim with a limousine, a tea set and an admiral's dirk, a type of dagger, according to Russia's state news agency TASS.

Mr Putin's visit, which comes as both nations face international isolation, is being watched closely by Seoul and Washington, which have expressed concern about their growing military ties.

Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have signed a new deal today that includes a vow of mutual aid if either country is attacked.

The agreement, which the leaders said covered areas including security, trade, investment and cultural and humanitarian ties, could mark the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

Both leaders described it as a major upgrade of their ties.

During their meeting today, Mr Kim said: "The relationship between our two countries is at the highest point and incomparable to relations between the DPRK and the Soviet Union."

You can watch what Mr Kim said about the Russian leader's visit below...

Kim Jong Un has described the new deal struck between North Korea and Russia as "peaceful and defensive".

Mr Kim has spent today hosting Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang where the two held lengthy talks.

The Russian president said world affairs and the global agenda dominated the pair's conversation.

Mr Kim described his Russian counterpart as "the dearest friend of the Korean people", saying that "at this moment, when the whole world is paying close attention to Pyongyang, where the friendship mission from Russia has arrived, I stand with Russian comrades - our most honest friends and comrades".

Earlier, North Korea rolled out the red carpet for Mr Putin upon his arrival, with a welcome ceremony in Pyongyang before the two leaders exchanged lavish gifts (see 9.41am post).

Mr Putin later laid a wreath at a monument to soldiers of the Soviet Union who died liberating the Korean Peninsula from Japanese occupation.

A former CIA analyst has branded Vladimir Putin's trip to North Korea as "pretty pathetic".

The Russian president has had the red carpet treatment in Pyongyang as he holds talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

One of the key outcomes of the trip is a new agreement signed between the two nations that vows to protect each other in the event of invasion.

For Sue Mi Terry, a former CIA analyst who is now a director at the Wilson Center thinktank, Mr Putin's visit to Pyongyang highlights how two "pariah states" are cementing their ties despite their isolation from the international community.

"I think it is pretty pathetic that Putin has to resort to relying on [the] 198th-ranked economy in the world to help his war effort," she told BBC News.

"It's all around bad news for the rest of the world."

By Nicole Johnston , Asia correspondent, in Beijing

Anytime Vladimir Putin leaves Russia it is significant because he rarely gets out. But this trip - visiting the secretive and closed off country of North Korea for the first time in 24 years - underscores just how important the relationship between these countries has become.

Russia and North Korea have signed a strategic partnership to upgrade their relationship. While it's light on detail this deal will be closely watched in Asia, especially here in China.

China shares a long border with North Korea - it's been the hermit kingdom's main supporter and is responsible for 90% of North Korea's trade.

Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, also has a strong relationship with Russia, buying its oil and gas and sending so-called "dual use" machinery and semi-conductors to Russia, which the West says Russia uses in its war in Ukraine.

China does not want to see Russia muscling in on its traditional area of influence in North Korea.  

Just yesterday senior officials from China and South Korea held talks in Seoul, where China said “maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula is in the common interest of all parties”.

Mr Xi does agree with Russia and North Korea on one point, however - that there should be a new world order, a "multipolar" world, rather than the US-dominated international system.

The problem is, China wants to be at the centre of this alternative order and seen as a responsible global leader. It risks reputational damage if the multipolar bloc appears to be largely comprised of countries the West regards as pariah states, such as Russia, North Korea and Iran.

South Korea is also anxious about Mr Putin's trip to Pyongyang.

It could embolden Mr Kim to have a strongman by his side at a time when tension on the Korean Peninsula is high. Both North and South Korea have stepped up their campaigns of cross border harassment in recent weeks.

The North has been sending balloons with rubbish across the border, and activists in the south have sent balloons with propaganda leaflets.

Mr Putin next heads to Vietnam, which has a different set of issues. Vietnam is emblematic of a Southeast Asian country trying to stay close to the US, Russia and China. It doesn't want to be forced to make a choice.

But in this fractured international environment, divided between the West and developing countries of the "Global South", Vietnam and its neighbour may find that eventually they will have to pick a side.

Watch: North Korea's rubbish balloons explained

Drone attacks by Russia have damaged energy infrastructure in central Ukraine and injured at least two people in the western region of Lviv, the authorities have said. 

Emergency services were sent to the sites of the attacks and repairs to damaged electrical equipment in Lviv are under way, Ukraine's energy ministry said on Telegram.

Russian forces launched five drones at Lviv, injuring two men, who were hit by debris, according to regional governor Maksym Kozytskyi. 

It was part of a wider drone attack launched by Russia last night (see 9.10am post).

The attack in the village of Malekhiv in the Lviv city district damaged a block of flats, as well as scores of windows in other residential buildings, mayor Andriy Sadovyi wrote on Telegram. 

The attack also damaged a veterinary drugs research institute, Mr Sadovyi said. 

Sky News could not independently verify the reports. 

Russia and North Korea have signed a new agreement, vowing to help each other in case of invasion as both face escalating stand-offs with the West.

"The comprehensive partnership agreement signed today provides, among other things, mutual assistance in the event of aggression against one of the parties to this agreement," Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying by state news agency TASS.

Mr Kim called Russia "the most honest friend and ally" and referred to Mr Putin "the dearest friend of the Korean people", according to a report by state agency RIA.

The agreement, which replaces previous treaties between the countries from 1961 and 2000-2001, includes a mutual defence clause under which each country agrees to help the other in case of attack.

Yuri Ushakov, a Russian presidential assistant, said the pact was needed because of "the deep evolution of the geopolitical situation in the world and the region".

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