How I approach travel planning is the same attitude that makes me picky about Instagram feeds. As a traveler who likes to get off-the-beaten-path from the usual guidebook fare, I rely on local bloggers and Instagrammers for the most current and inside tips. And for vicarious travel when I'm at home.
For me, the best IGers are those that are real-time local bloggers, and make you feel like you’re right there hanging out with them. These IG posts are not just generic beauty shots that you find in any travel magazine. They have personality and offer insight with a distinct local blogger point-of-view, and sometimes a little humor.
I’m starting with six of my favorite IGers who fit this local blogger criteria, showing off their cities in the best light with Birmingham, UK – Cork City, Ireland – Paris, France - Pittsburgh, PA – Portland, OR - San Francisco Bay Area, CA. But not surprisingly, these IGers like to travel and you’ll be rewarded with bonus travel posts.
Birmingham, England UK
@brummiesister
Helen Purcell
@brummiesister is an IG local blogger that makes me want to go to Birmingham. You can feel her love for her city. Helen doesn’t skimp on great architectural shots, bucolic scenery, and daily city street life.
Brummie is short-hand for those who live in Birmingham. Only about 125 miles out of London, you can get to Birmingham in under two hours by train. And as an added bonus, Helen’s work life provides opportunity for some terrific London beauty shots.
Following @brummiesister definitely put Birmingham on my travel radar for its urban development where modern meets historic, and for how the city seems to take advantage of its vintage buildings and canals. Birmingham is the UK’s second largest city, so it’s not really surprising that it would have lots of opportunity for interesting culture. Birmingham like other UK cities has a developing arts scene, including cool street art.
I’m already thinking about how I can work Birmingham into my next UK trip. If the interplay of this second city with its London big sister is intriguing, then @brummiesister is a local blogger you should follow.
Cork City, Ireland
@poetsoup
Sean Callahan
Sean Callahan is an American ex pat, now living in or around Cork City and posting under the IG handle @poetsoup. I’ve only been following @poetsoup for a short-time, but I immediately fell in love with his local blogger sensibility as he captures Cork City and its surrounding areas.
County Cork has become one of my favorite places to travel, and Sean brings me immediately back. From the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way to the amazing local food, Cork has my heart. Cork City’s tiny urban center is compact yet packed with great food and cool pubs with live music. This local blogger IG feed keeps me going till my next visit.
@poetsoup perfectly captures the city’s personality and has some compelling photography. The feed features Sean’s family adventures, but mostly its lots of great street shots, architecture, pubs, and street art with some country scenes thrown in that will give you a real feel for County Cork – and make you want to go there, too.
Paris, France
@60secondparis
An American ex pat living in the heart of Paris, it’s not surprising that @60secondparis has a journalism background (you will learn as you follow along). @60secondparis is a local blogger who not only shows you off-beat Paris, but you get the fascinating story behind it - and sometimes a video.
Typical posts include hidden backstreets and whimsical storefronts. This feed is not only fun and filled with humor – it has depth. @60secondparis’s keen eye captures the daily minutiae that offers great insight to a beloved culture.
This IG feed is great for Paris novices who want to get off the beaten path or for Paris regulars like me who want to dive deeper into Parisian culture through a local blogger – or if you just need a vicarious daily dose of Paris. If you can’t be an ex pat living in Paris, this feed can make you feel like one. While @60secondsparis will give you great Paris photos – this isn’t your run-of-the mill, seen it before Paris beauty shots. Instead, it will make you look at Paris differently on your next visit.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
@citylifeadventures
Carla Cardello
Because I used to live in Pittsburgh, @citylifeadventures is both nostalgia and a peek into how the city has evolved. When I lived in Pittsburgh in the 90s, it was well into its renaissance and past its steel mill days. It’s a serious college town and filled with cutting-edge hospitals. Pittsburgh has some great museums (think Carnegie and Andy Warhol), and once the warm weather hits there is an abundance of local festivals. These days its also feeling its oats as a craft beer town with an emerging food scene.
And local blogger @citylifeadventures presents this blend of old and new. Carla features the city’s distinctive neighborhoods, as well as the iconic brick row house and myriad vintage bridges that cross this small urban city that sits on three rivers. And with the warm weather approaching, @citylifeadventures is rekindling my longing for summer nights at Kennywood amusement park.
More than a local blogger, Carla is a talented photographer who extols Pittsburgh through its city streets and gorgeous skyline vistas. She also features cool local coffee shops, bars, and restaurants. If you’ve never considered Pittsburgh as a destination, @citylifeadventures will make you think twice.
Portland, Oregon
@fluna60pdx
Fred Luna
Fred is an ex-Californian now camping out in Portland, Oregon. Following @fluna60pdx is like him on his daily trek through his adopted hometown, about which he is clearly passionate.
The @fluna60pdx feed offers a local blogger’s insight to Portland and compelling shots of city streets, featuring gorgeous vintage architecture, and some terrific street art. @fluna60pdx’s striking photography is often accompanied by an insightful history lesson.
Cool restaurants and bars are also on the itinerary. You’ll get lots of opportunities to spy Mount Hood looming over the downtown area. There are also plenty of road trips in the mix. Look for two cute dogs who play key roles in this feed.
San Francisco Bay Area, California
@fotosynthesis3
Jessica
Full disclosure, Jessica is a friend – but that makes me no less picky about my limited IG time. Jessica straddles the worlds of the city of San Francisco and the East Bay – Oakland and Alameda. The best part about @fotosynthesis3’s feed is that it feels like you’re hanging out with Jessica. This feed will never fail to entertain. Follow Jessica’s dalliances with every dog she meets, hang out at cool bars, and breathe in truly gorgeous Bay cityscapes. Following @fotosynthesis3 is to embark on both an emotional love affair with the Bay Area, as well as as to put a daily smile on your face.
Beyond her local blogger perspective, getting to jet off with Jessica to such cool spots as Costa Rica, Mexico City, and L.A is a definite bonus.
Featured Post Photo at the top by @fotosynthesis3.
@planet.gusto
And, of course, you can follow me daily @planet.gusto as I eat and drink my way across Northern California, which is also featured on the Planet Gusto homepage. My street photography and mural shots are featured on @planetgusto. And there is always some journey in the offing. Slainte!
