My 2016 Instagram Best 9 (and the stories behind them!) #2016bestnine
2016 was a pretty unforgettable year for me. I visited 10 countries while living and working as a student travel guide in Florence, Italy, spent a month living on a gorgeous island in Greece, and later set off on a 2 month journey through Spain, Portugal, and Morocco! But that’s a story for another blog post. Seriously, if you want to learn all about my top 16 epic adventures of 2016, click here.
While the adventures I listed in that post were certainly my personal favorite this year, the people of Instagram have spoken, and today I’m here to talk to you all about my #2016bestnine, and the stories and memories behind them!
Without further ado, check out my top 9 photos of 2016!
#2016bestnine
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOsC3XCgHtb/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
I’m sensing a bit of a color theme here, are you?
1. Acropolis, Athens, Greece
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJqPHowgev6/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
Visiting the Acropolis in Athens was definitely an awesome highlight of my time in Greece. As someone who studied art history, it was pretty incredible for to see a structure I’ve studied so much in books in person. I definitely enjoyed crossing this off my bucket list! If visiting the Acropolis is on your bucket list, you’ll want to read this helpful post!
2. Duomo, Florence, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGUxSG7Ely7/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
It’s very fitting that this photo made it into my #2016bestnine, after all, I called Florence my home for most of the year! This shot was taken while climbing up Giotto’s bell tower in search for the best view in town. Apparently, I could have skipped the 400+ stairs and just settled for this shot. 😉 The Duomo is one of my favorite buildings in Florence, and certainly makes it on my list of Top 5 Views in Florence. For tips on visiting this historic Cathedral, click here!
3. Florence, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGXYfWdkl8N/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
Kudos to my friend and fellow blogger Ashley of History in High Heels for taking this shot of me! This street is certainly one of the cutest in Florence, and Ashley has a way of finding the best photo spots in the city. The photo is very #florence and reminds me of happy times in this beautiful city (also, notice my Florentine leather backpack in the shot!).
4. Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois
https://www.instagram.com/p/BALQdk5klwf/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
I only spent the Christmas holidays back in my hometown in Illinois, but clearly I made them count. This shot was taken on the glass balcony of the Sears Tower (now it is called the Willis Tower, but any Chicagoan will quickly correct you if you call it that). My best friend was visiting from California, so naturally I had to take her to one of the best views of the city!
5. Positano, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJAZY8yg-EP/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
I am a total beach lover, and Positano is one of my favorite in the world. I was lucky enough to go over 6 times (for work!), and when my parents visited Italy this year, I knew it was a must for them! Sure enough, Positano was a highlight of their Italy vacation, and my mom took this picture of me. #igotitfrommymomma. For tips on visiting Positano, check out this post! Also, if you are planning a trip to Italy this year, you’ll want to see my Ultimate 2 Week Italy Itinerary, loosely modeled after the trip I planned for my family.
6. Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGKgvfMkl9b/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
My Florence photos sure were popular this year-maybe I should move back??? This photo was taken on the Ponte Santa Trinita, the best spot in florence for capturing a great shot of the historic Ponte Vecchio, or old bridge. If you are visiting Florence, you are guaranteed to leave with a photo of this iconic bridge. Read 20 Instagrams You Are Guaranteed to Post in Florence to see which other photos you won’t want to miss out on!
7. Casa Battlo, Barcelona, Spain
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDl1UjeElz2/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
This year I was lucky to visit Barcelona not once, but twice! The first time I visited for just two days with work and became obsessed with the city. The second time I went on my own and had more time to experience all barcelona has to offer. This photo from my first visit is of Gaudi’s famous Casa Battlo, which I was able to visit the second time around. To plan your own perfect Barcelona visit, you’ll want to read 3 Perfect Days in Barcelona: The Ultimate Itinerary.
8. Monastiraki Square, Athens, Greece
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ3Z3fXAOqg/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
This square is one of the most famous in Athens, you can even see the Acropolis in the distance! I’m glad this photo made in into my #2016bestnine because it was taken at the begining of my journeys through Greece this August, and reminds me how happy and excited I was to begin my Workaway adventure, where I spent 1 month living in Greece (almost) for free! Also, just around the corner I had the absolute best Souvlaki ever. I’m honestly getting hungry just thinking about it. Check out this list of the Top 10 Things To Do In Athens for more tips, and learn where to find the best rooftop bar in town!
9. Duomo, Florence, Italy
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGPxj64klzR/?taken-by=missadventuresabroad
How fitting that my last photo in my #2016bestnine would be an image of my beloved Firenze. I hold this city so close to my heart. When I first spent one month studying abroad here in 2014, I never could have guessed that I would move back 1 year later to live and work. So many adventures began (and ended) in this beautiful city I was lucky enough to call my home. Florence, I love you.
To see what adventures I have in store for 2017, be sure to follow along on Instagram @missadventuresabroad!
What was your favorite photo you took from 2016? Comment below!
You may also enjoy these posts:
- 16 Epic Adventures I Had In 2016
- How I Spent 1 Month In Greece (Almost) For Free!
- 10 Florence Instagram Accounts You Need To Follow
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