Top Instagram Travel Photography of 2017

Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand: The delights of Southeast Asia have captured your hearts — and your eyes as well.

Don’t get us wrong. Europe is filled with architectural marvels and rich history. We’re totally smitten with the winding labyrinths of Moroccan medinas. And India is a thrilling and sometimes intense travel experience like no other.

But nothing makes our hearts pitter-patter like Southeast Asia, with its delicious food, Buddhist temples, ancient ruins, lush scenery and kind locals.

As we looked back at last year’s top posts on Instagram, we detected a theme: It seems we’re not the only ones in love with Southeast Asia. All but two of our most-favorited photos are of Cambodia, Thailand or Vietnam.

Enjoy! –Wally

Magic Mushrooms. The unconventional and modern marvel of Metropol Parasol, known as Las Setas (The Mushrooms) by locals, took root in Seville’s Plaza de la Encarnación in 2011. Designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer, the structur
Last summer Wally and I had the pleasure of visiting the garden of chef and philanthropist @rick_bayless. Bayless opened Frontera Grill in 1987 forever changing the face of Mexican food in Chicago. The production garden supplies his three downtown re
No Straight Jacket Required. When Wally and I revisited my former stomping grounds in Buffalo, we couldn’t resist the chance to tour the empty patient wards of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. I had only been able to admire them from a
The Library is Open! It’s fun to be a tourist in your own city. I can’t believe it took us this long to visit the incredible Newberry Library. Its collections span an Aston six centuries, making it a treasure trove of knowledge. And that
The Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán is a masterclass in Mexican Baroque. A literal visual feast for the eyes, the church’s highly decorated interior includes use of more than 60,000 sheets of gold leaf. Its façade is decorated w
I was initially reluctant about visiting Hierve el Agua, the calcified waterfalls and spring-fed mineral water pools outside of the city of Oaxaca de Juárez. The popular geologic wonder is located in the town of San Isidro Roaguía, in t
San Miguel de Allende is a town with art in its DNA. There are galleries galore and shops full of colorful folk art. But we knew that one of the places we had to add to our itinerary was the Fábrica La Aurora. It just sounded so interesting: I
If you’re planning a trip to San Miguel de Allende and are looking for something fun and unusual to do, be sure to set some time aside for a visit to the Chapel of Jimmy Ray. The mosaic wonderland filled with art and assemblages by the late art
I’ll admit it, I’m a fan of @andresgandresg. When the time came for us to find the perfect place to stay in San Miguel de Allende, and I saw that @casahoyos was another one of his projects, the decision for me was easy. The boutique hote
The colorful #fantastical #woodcarving creatures known as #alebrijes were inspired by an artist’s fever dream. Learn more about our favorite #mexican #folkart #artepopular #handicraft. Link in bio. #travel #travelblogger #mexico🇲🇽 #oaxaca #
Sweat to Reset. The herb-infused indigenous steam ritual #temazcal opens your mind as well as your pores. Plus, you won’t believe how they cleanse you of negative energy. Learn more about this Mesoamerican tradition and why we highly recommend
There’s No Place Like Home. Located on a quiet stretch of Calle Miguel Hidalgo in the Centro of Oaxaca City, @casaantonieta was more than just a hotel for Wally and I. It was our home away from home. Plus it included the hip @muss_cafe with gre
Folk Yes! Linda Hanna’s home contains an incredible collection of handmade #folkart pieces from the surrounding villages around #Oaxaca. If you have a passion for folk art as Wally and I do, Oaxaca should be on your Mexico itinerary. And there&
@palaciooficial is more than just a pretty building. Head inside for strange #murals by famous #artists, including #diegorivera and #orozco. They’re also infamous, whether it’s because they’re #communist propaganda or feature a hide
Walking around #PuertoVallarta is a bit like being in an outdoor art gallery. #Murals #streetart and #graffiti can be found all over. #Mexico has a long history of this public art form. Click our link for more photos — and learn how some of the
Viva La Revolución. Masala y Maíz checked every box for us: a delicious blend of Mexican, African and Indian cuisine, great service, a pleasing atmosphere and a business philosophy we can get behind. Learn why this restaurant stands out
Shop ‘Til You Drop. If you’re looking to purchase folk art, handicrafts and arte popular from all over Mexico such as brightly painted alebrije wood carvings from Oaxaca and hand-embroidered Otomi textiles, head to the @mercadodeartesania