Anyone else craving a vacation? I’m talking turquoise waters, swimming with pigs and rum-heavy drinks with little umbrellas, people. Though winter hasn’t shown us its worst just yet, there’s an easy way to escape the cold, dreary days that doesn’t require using up vacation time or dipping into your savings account: Instagram. Follow these four Chicago-based accounts for travel photos that will inspire your next trip or just help you forget about what’s going on outside.
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Nina Johnson | @ninagraceless
Age: 27
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Favorite destination: Anywhere near the ocean. “I love capturing photos of water and waves,” Johnson said.
As a designer for Steller, a visual storytelling app, Johnson has a natural eye for aesthetics and travel tales. Stark, moody and with tons of familiar Chicago shots tossed in, her posts add something different to your feed. From colorful buildings in New Orleans to ocean views in San Francisco, there’s a little something to keep every wanderer entertained.
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Grant Legan | @grantlegan More Top Picks Rheem Tankless Water Heater
Age: 28
Neighborhood: Though he’s based out of Los Angeles these days, Legan used to call Wicker Park home and was raised in Geneva, Ill.
Favorite destination: The Amalfi Coast; Marrakech, Morocco; and Santorini, Greece
With more than 130,000 followers and counting, Legan is making Chicago proud from afar with color-rich, thought-provoking shots that make you want to hop on a plane tomorrow. Pristine pools, camel rides and effortless fashion are all part of the fun.
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Alina Tsvor | @alinatsvor
Age: 25
Neighborhood: Bucktown
Favorite destination: Hong Kong, China
When she’s in town, Tsvor captures Chicago’s essence in gorgeous, light-centric photos that make us swoon even harder for our city. On the road—in places like Hong Kong, San Francisco and Aspen, Colo.—she brings that same intensity to her travel shots. Tsvor’s account is a must-follow for diehard Chicagoans who fantasize about the occasional vacation.
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Dan Kelleghan | @dkelleghan
Age: 28
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Favorite destination: Tokyo and Barcelona, Spain. “I love Barcelona because of its vibrancy, energy, nightlife, architecture and seaside. But I also love Tokyo for its cleanliness, design and Buddhist culture,” Kelleghan said.
Follow along as Kelleghan explores a new country every month and simultaneously cures your winter blues with posts from Thailand, Iceland and beyond. Sprinkle in occasional food and drink shots from Chicago, and you’ve got a very likable account.
@morgancolsen | [email protected]
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