REPOST: 5 Simple Tips For Taking Killer Instagram Travel Photos

This Huffington Post article shares pointers from Foto Ruta on how to capture beautiful travel photos for Instagram.

When you're visiting a beautiful new place, it's perfectly natural to want to capture the moment with a camera to take it home with you -- or Instagram it, so you can share it with your friends immediately.

Well, creative tourism startup Foto Ruta (that's Spanish for "photo route") is here to help optimize this combination of exploration and photography. The company provides informational tours that come with tips about how to capture each destination on camera. Currently, they run tours in Buenos Aires, Barcelona, London and Santiago, as well as pop up events in New York City.

Sound like fun? We thought so. But, if you can't get to one of these destination spots, don't fret -- Foto Ruta gave The Huffington Post a few tips for taking photos on smartphones, no matter where you are. And the photos below -- all taken with iPhones on Foto Ruta tours -- are stunning examples.

Image Source: huffingtonpost.com

Create a mood. Smartphone photography is as much about creating an image as capturing it. Think about what mood you want to convey in your picture, and then select an app or filter that enhances it.

 

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Move your body and think about viewpoint. Using creative angles to frame your shot will take an ordinary photo to new heights. Think of using a bird's-eye perspective, or get down to street level.

 

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Get close. Really close. The iPhone and most Androids have increasingly improved technology for capturing detail and focusing up close. Test the limits of your camera, and try some macro shots. You’ll be impressed with what you can create.

 

Image Source: huffingtonpost.com

Crop instead of zooming. Using your smartphone’s digital zoom can result in a loss of quality. If you’re far from your subject, take the shot and crop later.

Image Source: huffingtonpost.com

Look for the light. The lower the light, the more grainy the photo will be. So if you want a crisp picture, look for where the light is -- and play around with it.

Image Source: huffingtonpost.com

All the things you need to know about having the best vacation ever are featured on this Lagniappe Destinations blog.

Family vacations need not be expensive

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Admit it: you and your family would most definitely want to pack your bags and travel if it weren’t for what would normally be prohibitive costs. But with good planning and decision-making, you won’t need to break the bank to get that dream vacation.

Plan itineraries and book your flights and accommodations early. No one wants to be hassled over last minute changes. Hotels and airline companies release promos about six to ten months out. Make sure to check deals with your local travel agent. Consider as well how your family will go around the area, so be sure to book a car rental service or research on public transportation lines way ahead. Estimate as well if bringing the family car would be more economical.

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Apart from transportation and accommodation expenses, food is the priority budgeting concern. Instead of relying on your hotel or buying fast food, check the local market or deli for quick meals you can prepare yourself. You can be sure that it’s more budget-friendly and you’ll have a wider choice for food and snacks.

Lastly, family activities need not be entirely about paid tours and entrances. Find out if the area has a public park or a beach that doesn’t charge for tags. Visiting small historical sites has the same effect of appreciating the place’s culture and history. Balance this with the paid tours and everyone wins. After all, no one wants bored family members in what is supposed to be a fun vacation.

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Plan and book vacations early

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It’s one of the worst kept secrets. The best travel deals can be availed when you plan and book your vacations early. Even travel agents encourage their patrons to do this.

It’s easy to understand why. First of all, booking early means discounts. Depending on the money that can be saved, one can upgrade to better amenities for flights and hotels. Early bookers can easily avail of special deals since airline and hotel companies frequently give out promos to ensure they meet their quota, especially during non-peak periods.

Booking early also means that there are a lot more options to choose from. Whether booking for a flight or accommodation, the chances of getting choice seats or suites are high. In fact, early bookings sometimes get the benefit of free upgrades and additional amenities.

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So, when is the right time to book? When is early the right kind of early? Travel agents usually announce promos from September through October. This is so because summer trips would have been concluded right before this time. Like buying décor immediately after the holidays, expect to get bigger discounts during this period. Check in frequently with the local travel agency and decide seven to six months out. Otherwise, prices would start reverting back to regular rates.

By booking early, one not only gets discounts and other privileges. It’s also for peace of mind. After all, vacations are a time to relax and recharge without having to worry about anything.

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Get more tips on how to enjoy your vacations best from this Lagniappe Destinations page.

Visiting New Orleans: Five unusual tourist attractions

New Orleans is a melting pot of cultural influences: European, Caribbean, African, and more. The largest city in Louisiana, New Orleans has plenty to offer tourists looking for adventure, relaxation, music, wine, and great food. But a big part of what makes New Orleans unique from many other Louisiana cities are the many strange attractions that can be found all over the city. Listed below are five unusual destinations in The Big Easy.

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1. St Louis Cemetery No. 1 is New Orleans' oldest cemetery and arguably the most famous. All of the graves in this cemetery are colorful above-ground tombs.

Many famous New Orleans residents were buried here, among them, Marie Laveau, New Orleans' Voodoo queen. Her tomb is littered with offerings and covered with X marks drawn by admirers who believe that if they do so, Marie Laveau will grant them a wish from beyond the grave. The actor Nicolas Cage also purchased a plot here, and had a large pyramid-shaped tomb erected on it.

Image Source: neworleansonline.com

2. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park's centerpiece is an antique, 19th century carousel, one of 100 left in the United States and the only one left in the state of Louisiana. The carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Children of all ages will enjoy riding one of its 54 carved animals or any of the park's 17 rides.

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3. Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World is where more than 80 percent of Mardi Gras floats are made. Visitors can tour the facilities and view works in progress, try on outrageous Mardi Gras costumes, and learn about the traditions surrounding the famous annual parade.

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4. The Pepper Palace in the French Quarter is a store that sells all things spicy: hot sauce, salsa, pickles, and even habanero-flavored pralines.

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5. The Steamboat Nanchez is the only authentic steamboat left on the Mississippi River. Guests can go on a cruise and enjoy listening to live jazz music while dining on Creole food and local beverages.  

Lagniappe Destinations is a vacation community with properties in Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee. For more travel articles, subscribe to this blog.

Three must-visit eco-adventure destinations in Colorado

"Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints," or so the saying goes. Ecotourism is defined as travel to a pristine, natural area for the purposes of:

• Education

• Support for the area's conservation efforts

• Providing sustainable benefits to the community

• Appreciation for and sensitivity towards biodiversity and local culture.

Being an eco-tourist is no more difficult than being a regular tourist, and can be more meaningful and memorable.

Colorado, with its acres of lush forests, hundreds of miles of nature trails, and 42 state parks, is frequented by eco-tourists all over the world. Listed below are three of Colorado's eco-adventure destinations.

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1. The Colorado Trail runs for 438 miles, traversing the Colorado Mountains and passing through seven national forests, five rivers, and several elevation changes. The Western part of the trail is the most pristine, and trekkers are treated to beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and forests and wildflowers. The Colorado Trail Foundation's team of volunteers offer supported treks for hikers wishing to hike the trail in segments.

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2. Rocky Mountain National Park offers breathtaking views of mountains, more than a hundred lakes, montane forests, and grasslands. The park is surrounded by three national forests and has four distinct ecosystems. Wildlife viewing is a popular activity. Some of the animals that call the park home are elk, mule deer, mountain lions, otters, and large yellow-bellied marmot squirrels. The park offers a "Rocky's Junior Training Program" for budding eco-adventurers.

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 3. The Hallam Lake Nature Preserve in Aspen is a 25-acre nature preserve and environmental center. The preserve, which features a nature trail through wetlands, aspen forests, and wildflower meadows, offers eco-friendly activities like bird-watching (the area is home to golden eagles and the great horned owl,) nature crafts, and classes on organic gardening and herb cultivation.

All three destinations accept volunteers to help with conservation, allowing eco-tourists give back to the environment and the community in return for the chance to experience the wonders of nature in one of the country's most beautiful states.  

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Summer is here: Ready, set, travel

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The seasons offer different travel experiences. Spring provides a wonderful escape. Autumn inspires a romantic getaway, while winter presents a cozy retreat. As for summer, it is all about fun-filled adventures. Thus, it comes as no surprise that airlines are expecting a jump in travel this summer. After all, 10 of the 15 busiest travel days of the year take place in the summer.

The bright outlook in summer travel also bids well for travel booking companies. Travel firms, especially companies like Lagniappe Destinations that offer vacationers a unique collection of destinations at reasonable packages, will reap not only good business but loyal customers, too.

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But perhaps, the fun of summer vacation is best experienced by those who are ready for all kinds of adventures. Whether cooling off in these bargain destinations or relaxing in popular vacation spots, summer is best enjoyed by those who are willing to travel anywhere their hearts desire.

This may be the surfing community of Mission Beach in San Diego, California, or the multiple theme parks in Orlando, Florida. It may also be South Carolina’s Myrtle Beach, which is one of the top summer destinations of 2014. And though Aspen is popular during the ski season, there is something to behold in this famed Colorado destination.

As this Huffington Post article reiterates, summer leaves little excuse for not traveling. Indeed, “It's the ideal season to get up, get out, and explore the planet.”  

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Let travel expert Lagniappe Destinations design your most memorable summer vacation. Learn more about the company’s lineup of premier resort destinations at LagniappeDestinations.com.