We love sharing our travel stories with you! But we don’t always have a chance to do so in real time, as we keep on moving around different countries. That’s why we’re on Instagram, so that we can share little happy moments in real time, in the form of photographs.
Sharing photos with you wouldn’t mean much without your feedback. That’s why we always appreciate comments and the possibility of interacting with you, way more than just likes.
These were our best photos on Instagram during 2014, according to your feedback. Next time you see something on our feed that catches your eye, please take a minute to leave us a comment. We love hearing back from you too!
14. Arrifana Beach, Algarve
On one given day, while sharing this photo, we suggested to you to go-offline, and go get lost in the real world.
This is something we use ourselves as a reminder, because as enjoyable as it is to see beautiful things online, nothing beats the “here and now” that the physical world out there can offer.
Ashray in Arrifana Beach, South Portugal
13. Traditional Lisbon House
The traditional neighborhoods in Lisbon are as picturesque as it gets! They are not appealing in the same way many other areas in European capital cities are. They are smallish, more village like, sometimes even a little crumbling. Their cobblestone streets and alleys are a pleasure to get lost in.
You’ll see neighbors chit-chatting, lazy cats napping by the front doors, curious dogs peeking out the window and A LOT of clothes drying in the wind. Sometimes, the clothes and regular elements of daily life look so pretty and in place, that you’d almost feel someone put them there just to make the place look charming.
Traditional house inside Castelo de Sao Jorge, Lisbon
12. Stand Up Paddle Class in Maui
This was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Hawai’i last November. Right after sunrise, just both of us, the guys of Makena Paddle Tours and the vast ocean.
What a privilege to have been in Hawai’i, and still feel like we had our own little corner of the island of Maui all for ourselves!
Stand up paddle in Maui, Hawaii
11. Beautiful Sunny Day in San Francisco
Walking up and down the hills of San Francisco, we clicked this photo of the bay on a charming sunny day.
Do you see Alcatraz Prison in the background? I think that if you let yourself go downhill, you can almost roll all the way there!
San Francisco: Alcatraz Prison in the background
10. Colorful Barrio Brasil, Santiago de Chile
How we miss Santiago de Chile! This city is vibrant, happening and oh-so-colorful!
Traditional neighborhoods like Barrio Brasil display the most colorful facades, often covered with top-notch graffiti. See more of this type of amazing Chilean street art here.
Colors abound in Barrio Brasil, Santiago de Chile
09. It’s raining in Galicia… no surprise!
Galicia is the region of Spain adjacent to where I come from in Portugal. In fact, my Mom is Galician. Rain is a constant in the Galician winter. But I can’t say it’s bothersome if you’re only visiting.
I think the stony streets of A Coruña have a certain charm when wet. And I feel our Instagram followers got that too!
A Coruna and the typical rainy weather of Galiza
08. A Natural Sunset in Colombia
No edits, no filters, no adjustments to make the warm colors warmer. This is how naturally beautiful a sunset can be.
Taken in Playa Blanca, Colombia, when the guys of Taroa Adventures took us on a tour to enjoy the nature around Cartagena de Indias.
#nofilter sunset in Playa Blanca, Colombia
07. A view of Lisbon towards the South Bank
Not only Lisbon is one of our favorite cities in the whole wide world, it is an incredible place where to let your photographer dreams run wild! The blue skies, the river and colorful rooftops make the city look good almost from any angle.
This one was taken from Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara, a view point that allows incredible views over 25 de Abril bridge.
View from Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Lisbon
06. Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
It’s funny that, by the power of likes, the photo above and this one ended up here together. San Francisco and Lisbon have a lot of things in common. One of the most obvious are the bridges. 25 de Abril Bridge pictured above is often compared to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. See the resemblance?
Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, California
05. Fuerza Tricolor in Salento, Colombia
Colombians are CRAZY about football! We were in the town of Salento when Colombia won a match during the World Cup. No, it was not the final or anything of the sort, but judging by the celebrations, it sure felt like it was!!
Fuerza Tricolor celebrations in Salento, Colombia
04. Alcantara Neighborhood, Lisbon
This is the view of Lisbon from my sister’s living room. Proof that, sometimes, you do not need to travel far to see something beautiful!
Alcantara neighborhood in Lisbon
03. Typical Trams in Downtown Lisbon
If there is something that gives Lisbon a postcard perfect look, that is the old trams. Although very much enjoyed by tourists, they are still one of the regular modes of transportation in the Portuguese capital.
If you visit Lisbon, hop on for a ride! Specially aboard Tram 28, you’ll get to see the most important landmarks, for just a couple of euros.
Typical tram in Downtown Lisbon
02. Behold the mighty North Indian Thali!
This meal probably has more calories than your average daily requirement. But, who cares?! No one orders a thali to be healthy! In case you were wondering: this Indian platter is indeed an individual serving. Freakin’ delicious!
Delicious North Indian thali meal in New Delhi
01. Porto
We though the weather was not on our side, but no rain was going to stop us from enjoying Porto. Just a couple of hours from my hometown, in the North of Portugal, Porto is the country’s 2nd largest city. Still, it was one that I hadn’t explored much until this year.
Under grey clouds and strong winds, we roamed around the Zona Ribeirinha (the riverside area), got lost in corners and alleys I do not know the name of, and explored the local cuisine with Taste Porto Food Tours.
I must admit it: I am a little proud that the most liked photo on our Instagram this year is from the North of Portugal. There is a lot of awesome sauce to be enjoyed around there!
The picturesque city of Porto, in Northern Portugal
This is just a snippet of our travels during 2014. To see all of our photos go straight to Backpack ME’s Instagram feed. And please don’t forget to follow us and leave comments!
All photos posted on Backpack ME’s Instagram are taken with an iPhone 4S.
Come see more… and be inspired for your next trip!
You guys got around! Coru is one of my favorite cities in Spain, and that thali…. YUM
La Coruna is a really nice city indeed.. oh, and that thali… even nicer!! ;)
Such great photos,as beautiful as postcards!!!!:-)
Thanks Ruby! :)
I do really love your Instagram account! Great idea for a countdown here – maybe I should think of doing something like that next year.
Many thanks, Tim! :)
Looking forward to see your own countdown sometime too!