Member Reviews

What a gorgeous book! The pictures are beyond stunning. There are tons of bucket list places! The destinations run the gamut from the expected places like Paris & Rome to the “reach” destinations like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro or an African safari! Each destination features a 2 page spread comprised of gorgeous photos, a few basic but important tips, where to go/nearby places, what to bring and photo tips! A true feast for the eyes and my new wanderlust bible! Great for any travel lover or just armchair travelers.

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I really enjoy armchair traveling but this book was mostly about Aggie and photographs with very little actual travel information. I did not care for the layout of the book. Each section begins with a photograph of her followed by text so you know the emphasis is on her not the place. Only the guest contributors have the text first, since they are not as important. At the beginning of the book she says do what I say not what I do and nowhere is that more apparent than her suggestions for what to wear. She often says covering up is necessary but her photographs show her shoulders bare and in short shorts. I was appalled when reading one of the animal chapters about visiting the kangaroos and she also mentions visiting a grocery store to buy kangaroo meat. Yech. Follow her on instagram if you want to see her travel pictures but skip the book if you looking for travel information.

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InstaTravel is a beautiful collection of travel photographs of some of the most gorgeous sites around the world. I loved how each page included both beautiful photographs and tidbits of information and tips for travelling to those locations, including some of the best spots to stop. I added quite a few of her suggestions to my "travel bucket list" and hope to visit them soon! (Though I'm not sure my photographs would turn out anywhere near as beautiful.)

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This is such a cool book! I loved the advice it gives on taking photo's and I will be using them on my next trip. Anyone looking for advice and examples should buy this book! Great Book!

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Stunning book! Aggie gives us a personal tour of the world through her photographs and stories. The book is divided into sections, so it is possible to read about animal adventures or beaches at your choosing. I know that I have many "beach" days and I would dream to be in the pictures of this book. Aggie has had a unique experience in her ability to travel: to see metropolises and, also, to see such remote areas of the world. I highly recommend this book.

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I had never heard of the author before, but I love to travel and the cover of the book looked enticing. The book is divided into chapters for beach and water experiences, adventures, cultural experiences, animal encounters, city experiences, and festivals. OH MY, the photos are breathtaking! The author has been all over the world - Iceland, Bali, Thailand, Hawaii, Dubai, Amalfi Coast, Finland, and so much more. For each location she provides notes on what to bring, photo tips for IG-worthy photos, which parts of the city to explore, top attractions, best time of year to visit, etc. This book was very thoughtfully put together and would be a great gift for any woman in your life who loves to travel (or pretend to travel through gorgeous picture books). This would be a stunning book to display on your coffee table too.

*Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. However, all opinions are my own.*

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some really good information and tips about the place and to take photos. Here own travel examples of some places around the world.

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Beautiful places but thin on content for me. I expected more details. I’m not sure who the audience for this book would be. It seems the social media driven are already finding this content on Instagram.

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InstaTraveler by Aggie Lal is an adventure for new and seasoned travelers filled with wanderlust. The beginning starts off with a bit of her background accompanied by tips for new travelers.

First, I like how she breaks the categories up by the trip you want to take such as adventure, beach, cities, festivals, etc. instead of by country, which seems to be the typical way. The same country can be enjoyed by an array of different travelers. Many books are frustrating because if, for example, you want a cultural experience, you have to read through a whole book trying to find exactly where in that country is right for you.

Second, each place has what to bring, photography tips, where to go, placed nearby, and of course stunning photography. I like that her information is clean, beautiful, consistent, and easy to follow. For the places I have been or lived her information is pretty straight on. For places I am going soon, I learned a few new things to add to my adventure list, and pretty much everywhere I have not been as ended up on my continually growing bucket list. I appreciated the maps to show exactly where in the world she was referring to if I was unfamiliar with the location.

Lastly, I love that she included other Instagrammers/Bloggers to add their own adventures throughout this book. It gives yet another point of view.

I think this book would be best enjoyed in a physical format, due to all the lovely colours and photographs. If you are going to read an electronic copy do yourself a huge favour and at least read it on a device with a coloured screen.

I received an electronic advanced reader copy from DK through Net Galley. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I had not heard of "@aggie" before this book, but the cover caught my eye and I also like to travel and I am always looking for new adventures. I will definitely be buying the hard copy of this book when it comes out. The photos are just stunning and I love the stories accompanying them.

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Thank you, NetGalley and DK, for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, what a fantastic travel guide!!! At first, I thought this book would be the brag story of a spoiled brat who has lost touch with reality. But you should NEVER judge a book by its cover (or its title). Aggie Lal shares her story with us, yes, but she doesn’t just share some highlights and all the fantastic milestones in her (travel) life. No! She lets us peak into the hardest times of her life and what made her who she is right now.
She continues with some wonderful tips regarding:

- Safety and security: „…trust your instincts and take the necessary precautions that will make you feel most at ease.” Aggie includes links to the US Department of State and information from the British government;

- Health and well-being: “Don’t forget to get all the necessary documentation proving you’ve been vaccinated.” Aggie also provides a list of over-the-counter medicine and first aid items you should pack; and

- Responsible and sustainable tourism: What I love is that she includes a lot of information on how to make traveling a positive experience both for the person traveling and the local wildlife and people. She includes useful tips such as “Look for reef-safe varieties [of sunscreen] to ensure the product you’re wearing won’t harm local waterways…” or “If your chosen destination is home to something that you’re passionate about--whether it’s your favorite animal or a charity that’s building schools for local children—consider using some of your time to volunteer or bringing requested donations in your suitcase.”

The books shows:
- Water & beach destinations such as Indonesia, the French Riviera, or Iceland;
- Adventure destinations such as a Tatra Mountain Trip (Poland), climbing the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, exploring the Rainforest in Brazil, hiking an active volcano in Guatemala, or exploring Australia in a camper;
- Cultural experiences such as staying at an original Maasai Lodge in Tanzania, exploring Jordan, traveling to Japan when the cherries are blossoming, or stay in a Zulu village in South Africa;
- Animal encounters such as dining with the giraffes in Kenya, track Mountain Gorillas in Uganda, meet reindeer in Finland, or swim with Whale Sharks in the Philippines;
- City experiences such as exploring Paris solo, drinking a cocktail at Lebua’s Sky Bar in Bangkok, or dancing the Flamenco in Seville/Spain; and
- Festivals such as showing off your dirndl at the Oktoberfest in Germany, immersing yourself in music in Indio, California, seeing the lights at Chiang Mai’s Lantern Festivals in Thailand, or celebrating spring at the Hindu Festival of Holi in India or Nepal.

There is something for everyone! Each destination section is broken down into a map of where the location is, a “where to go,” a “nearby places,” and a “what to bring” section. Aggie also includes stunning photos and adds photo tips for memorable photos.

This is a fantastic book I can absolutely recommend for those who would like to start a bucket list and work towards it!

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InstaTravel by Aggie Lal is a veritable and visual feast, certainly, but it is so much more. As a longtime follower of the travel influencer, I was thrilled to devour this book that truly captured my fancy from the very first page. Assuming the role of virtual tour guide, Aggie leads the reader on a journey that seduces the imagination, and will have you viewing the world through fresh eyes and rose-tinted spectacles. The book is organized into sections such as Beaches, Animal Encounters, City Escapes etc., and offers specific tips on photography, best times to visit, and local customs, all that will prove invaluable to the aspiring traveller.

Join Aggie for an unforgettable trip around the globe without ever leaving the comfort of your home. I know that I will be purchasing this gorgeous book as not only a reference for future travels, but as an indulgence in escapism on those days when the only flight you can indulge is one of fancy. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley, DK, and Aggie Lal for this wonderful ARC.

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I had never heard of Aggie Lal before requesting a galley of this book on NetGalley, which I chose thinking I would look at some pretty pictures. I got so much more than that from this book! Now, not only do I feel like I know her a little bit, but I truly respect her. Lal shares a little bit of her history, lots of tips on travel in general including travel documents and vaccines, and responsible tourism. She shares photos and stories from specific destinations as well as travel tips for those specific places. The photo tips are much better than I expected to find also! The index at the end is a great bonus.

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