Our Year in Instagram: SmarterTravel’s Best Instagram Photos from 2014

January 29, 2014

In January, we were pining for the palm trees and warm breezes of Kauai's Allerton Garden, captured here by Associate Editor Dara Continenza. Read about her trip here.

February 4, 2014

In February, we threw it back to this gorgeous Key West sunset that Copy Editor Julianne Lowell saw from the dock at Mallory Square. Read more about Key West here.

March 26, 2014

Senior Editor Christine Sarkis' colorful shot of Monet's garden in Giverny, northern France, provides inspiration for an easy day trip from Paris. Pro tip: It gets incredibly crowded, so get there right at opening or close to closing.

April 17, 2014

In April, Features Editor Caroline Morse had just returned from Australia. While there, she visited Sydney's beautiful Olympic pool at Bondi Baths, where swimmers do laps next to the Tasman Sea. Read more about Sydney here.

April 18, 2014

Sunrise at Kata Tjuta National Park in Australia's Northern Territory. Photo by Features Editor Caroline Morse. Read about her trip here.

May 10, 2014

In May, Features Editor Caroline Costello traveled to Istanbul, where she photographed the dazzling ceiling at the city's famous Blue Mosque. Read about her Istanbul experience here.

May 26, 2014

Later that month, Managing Editor Josh Roberts took a once-in-a-lifetime six-day trek along the Great Wall of China. From this steep section, he had quite the view. Read about his trip here.

May 30, 2014

Meanwhile, Features Editor Patricia Magana was holding onto the light in Honduras' Bay Islands. Read more about Honduras here.

June 10, 2014

Features Editor Patricia Magana took a summery beer-and-seafood-focused day trip up the North Shore of Massachusetts. Along the way, she stopped at the Lobster Pool restaurant in Rockport as well as Ipswich's Clown Shoes Beer and the Cape Ann Brewing Company. Read about her day trip here.

June 20, 2014

While exploring Jamaica, Copy Editor Julianne Lowell had some time to relax on Negril's white-sand Seven-Mile Beach. Read about her trip here.

July 2, 2014

In July (at the height of World Cup pandemonium), Managing Editor Josh Roberts was in Germany, taking in this view of Schloss Johannisburg during its 400th year jubilee (after watching a match at a local bar).

July 24, 2014

When Senior Editor Christine Sarkis learned the art of stand-up rowing from a gondolier, she realized that Venice is truly meant to be seen from the water. Read about her experience here.

July 31, 2014

We had to throw it back to this epic sunset Copy Editor Julianne Lowell watched from the dock of Kona Kai Resort in Key Largo in December 2013. What a stunner!

August 13, 2014

In August, Associate Editor Dara Continenza explored Sweden's fika tradition by eating her way through Stockholm. This cinnamon bun was a highlight. Read about her trip here.

September 28, 2014

The view from a coffee plantation in Fredonia, Colombia, captured by Features Editor Patricia Magana.

October 3, 2014

From the top of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Copy Editor Julianne Lowell could see Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

October 13, 2014

On a crisp autumn day, Associate Editor Dara Continenza took in the pretty fall colors in Montreal.

October 23, 2014

Lucky Features Editor Caroline Morse stayed at a chateau rental in Monflanquin in southwest France—and this was the view from her front door. Aside from this epic Bordeaux vista, the sprawling grounds also included a swimming pool and a full outdoor kitchen and dining area for meals under the stars! Read more about it here.

October 29, 2014

In October, a reminder that the end of the day is always golden (in Bermuda). Photo by Associate Editor Dara Continenza. Read more about Bermuda here.

November 7, 2014

Executive Editor Anne Banas cozied up to this colorful lorikeet at the botanical garden in Deshaies, Guadeloupe.

November 10, 2014

Features Editor Caroline Costello took so many stunning shots in Iceland that it's hard to pick just one. Here, hikers take on the vast active geothermal area of Hveragerdi.

November 12, 2014

On Sao Miguel, the main island of the Azores, Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) sits within an extinct volcano. The 8-mile hike to the crater lake rewards with incredible views and tons of local wildlife. Photo by Executive Editor Anne Banas. Read more about the Azores here.

November 14, 2014

Conch fritters are the specialty at Nassau's local lunchtime favorite Bahamian Kitchen. Photo by Associate Editor Dara Continenza.

November 21, 2014

In November, Senior Editor Christine Sarkis caught a beautiful sunrise in Tokyo. And since sunrise was a little after 6 a.m., she didn't even have to wake up impossibly early to see it!

December 1, 2014

It's hard to believe it's already December! This winter wonderland scene, captured by Executive Editor Anne Banas at Mount Pilatus in Lucerne, Switzerland, is getting us ready for the season.

Keep following @smartertravel on Instagram for daily photos and tips from our travels in the new year!

You Might Also Like:

• 15 Awesome Travel Photographers You Should Be Following on Instagram
• Seven Ways Social Media Can Make Your Trip Amazing
• Seven Special Perks for Social-Savvy Travelers