My Travel Year in Instagram Photos for 2014

It’s the end of the year, which means a time of reflection. I’ve always believed that travel isn’t just about the places I go, but the people I meet along the way. And throughout these past twelve months, I’ve encountered and befriended many inspiring and wonderful people, who have helped make this exceptional travel year even more special. Truly, I have much in which to be grateful.

In 2014, very little time was spent in my beloved Texas. I visited seven states, eleven countries, and four continents. I had several repeat destinations, including six trips to Paris and two trips each to Bordeaux, Switzerland, Brazil, Colorado, and San Francisco. By the middle of March, I’d already accumulated 42,196 air miles, so I figure I am close to 100,000 miles for the year. I just can’t be bothered to add all that up. However, here are a few more of my 2014 travel-related stats:

23 different airports

46 flight legs

11 trains

2 buses

6 ski resorts

4 apartments

55 hotels

 

Given all the miles I’ve covered in 2014, I’m glad to have an ample amount of photos to help jog my memory. A creature of habit, my photographic eye tends to gravitate toward the same themes. It’s the same song, different verse, if you will.{See 2013’s recap} Thus, here are some of my favorite travel photos from my 2014 Instagram stream.

 Agua

“Water is the driving force of all nature.” –Leonardo da Vinci

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The English Channel as seen from Mont Saint-Michel in France

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A river runs through Megeve, France

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Private pool and the Pacific at Imanta Resort in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

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End of the day on Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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A look at Lake Geneva from Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues

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A water highway in Venice, Italy

Food

“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside.”–Mark Twain

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Apple strudel in Innsbruck, Austria

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 Empanadas in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Fruit salesman in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Sweet bread in Salzburg, Austria

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Apple tree in Normandy, France

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Black truffles in St. Moritz, Switzerland

Forest for the Trees

“Trees are earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.”–Rabindranath Tagore

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Cook pine tree in Lana’i, Hawaii

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Shoe tree in Nevada, USA

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A Sunday afternoon in Tuileries Garden in Paris, France

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Behind the Palace of Versailles in France

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Trees surround Lake Austin at Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas

Rise and Fall

“Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever.”–Horace Mann

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Sunset in Florence, Italy

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Texas Hill Country Sunset

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Sunrise on the Hawaiian Island of Lānaʻi near Four Seaons Mānele Bay

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Mexican sunset at Four Seasons Punta Mita

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Sunrise at Hotel Vernet in Paris, France

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Sunset in Rome, Italy

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Sunset in Salzberg, Austria

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Sunset in St. Moritz, Switzerland

Monumental

“Monuments are for the living, not the dead.” –Frank Wedekind

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The famous La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Mont Saint-Michel in France

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Night falls on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France

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Arches and angles at the Louvre in Paris, France

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Basking in the glow on the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy

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The iconic Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy

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Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris, France

Elevation

“This mountain, the arched back of the earth risen before us, it made me feel humble, like a beggar, just lucky to be here at all, even briefly.” –Bridget Asher

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Aspen, Colorado

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Davos, Switzerland

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Million Dollar Highway in Colorado

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Summer in Chamonix, France

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Zermatt, Switzerland

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Langkawi, Malaysia

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St. Anton, Austria

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Zermatt, Switzerland

The Iron Lady

“I ought to be jealous of the tower. She is more famous than I am.” ― Gustave Eiffel

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 Animals

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ― Anatole France

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Lipizzan horse in Vienna, Austria

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Macaw in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Horseback riding in Lānaʻi, Hawaii

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One of the many cats of La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Goat in the Tuileries Garden in Paris, France

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Spider spinning a web in Normandy, France

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One of the many dogs of Lagoa in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Lizard in Tuscany, Italy

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Grazing horse in Santa Fe, Texas

 Raise a Glass

“Here’s to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.”–F.Scott Fitzgerald

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Cucumber margarita at Imanta Resort in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

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Pure class in a glass at Four Seasons George V in Paris, France

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Caipirinha in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Champagne at Hotel Vernet in Paris, France

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 Big Wave brew with a view at Four Seaons Mānele Bay on Lānaʻi, Hawaii

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Tropics meets the mountains in Megeve, France

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 Mojito magic at Four Seasons Langkawi in Malaysia

Now it’s time to look forward to 2015. I’ve got big things brewing on the travel front. Plus, I never know what’s going to pop up. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for my real-time travel updates. And please leave your Instagram name and let me know what your 2015 travel plans are in the comments.

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24 Comments
  • Sand In My Suitcase
    December 28, 2014

    Lots of lovely photos! We’ve just started with Instagram, and think it will take a while to learn to snap and edit good-looking Instagram pics. We see with fondness you stayed this year at two hotels we’ve also loved – the Four Seasons Punta Mita. Imanta and Four Seasons Manele Bay on Lanai. All the best for a happy 2015!

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      It’s tough not to love either of those Four Seasons properties.

  • Normand Boulanger
    December 28, 2014

    Awesome post. Incredible pictures, I love everyone of them.

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Thank you so much!

  • Lawrence Koenig
    December 28, 2014

    You must need a helper, right?

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Actually, I need lots of helpers.

  • Doreen Pendgracs
    December 28, 2014

    Wonderful post and collection of pics. I love how you’ve grouped them!

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      You’re too kind. Thank you!

  • Henry | @fotoeins
    December 29, 2014

    If one requires a way to look at a love of travel through the ideas pertaining to “thousands and thousands of words”, I hope they come here, at the very least to this post.

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Such a compliment. Thank you, Henry.

  • christina thomas
    December 30, 2014

    Your pictures are breathtaking! Your year of travel so inspiring. Thank you for sharing! Wishing you a 2015 full of great destinations, experiences and great food with friends. Cheers!

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Thank you! I love looking back on all the cool things I’ve gotten to do over the last 12 months. I’m truly blessed.

  • Jenna
    January 1, 2015

    What a fun round-up of photos from 2014! I look forward to seeing your travels in 2015. I have no idea where this year will take me…definitely more of California since there are almost endless possibilities here, plus (I think) Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii, and I am still hoping for Europe in June.

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Sometimes not having a plan is a great one. I’m sure wherever the 2015 road takes you then it will be full of adventure.

  • Lance | Trips By Lance
    January 2, 2015

    As usual, amazing photography. I can’t imagine spending the time it must have taken to look through all the photos you must have taken in 2014. My favorites were the water shots, that is until I got to the alcohol photos. Happy travels in 2015.

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Actually, narrowing them down was the difficult part. I try to only post photos that I really like on Instagram. Hope our paths cross in 2015.

  • Heather
    January 5, 2015

    Beautiful! I love following your travels on IG, but it was fun to see these grouped together like this. We have some fun trips planned to Portugal, Sicily, France and continue to explore as much of Italy as possible while living here. (I am @cafecarlson on Instagram.) Happy New Year!

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Thanks so much for following! Portugal and Sicily are two countries I’ve really had my eye on lately. Enjoy your trips.

  • Traveling Ted
    January 5, 2015

    What a clever way to reflect on 2014. Enjoyed following your travels. Happy New Year!

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Goal for 2015’s recap is a new fanny pack photo with Traveling Ted.

  • Nancy
    January 7, 2015

    Lusting over your pictures and dreaming about snowy mountains and beach holidays! I’m looking forward to my first trip to the US (Chicago and not sure where else). Have heard about all sorts of great things and it’ll hopefully live up to expectations. Happy travels!

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      Chicago is truly a great city. The architecture is awe-inspiring, even for this American. Safe travels!

  • Fabiana
    January 30, 2015

    This post just made me spend almost an hour looking at these photos. I love them!

    • Leah Walker
      February 14, 2015

      I’m so happy to read that. Thank you!

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