For so long Instagram has allowed us to travel vicariously. Now more than ever it’s a tool to help make the most of your trip.

Despite being known as a traveler (prêt à voyager translates to “ready to travel,” after all) I do surprisingly little to prepare for a trip. I spend more energy packing than planning my trip, but even that doesn’t get much attention. Over the past year I’ve figured out how to unlock Instagram as my best travel friend that allows me to go a bit deeper in the city, uncover some unlikely sites, and, most importantly, help me travel the way I want to travel (aka avoid the tourists). It’s also the perfect visual archive to share highlights of my travels, especially when I don’t have time to blog––like that time I went to Japan…

Read my latest article on Medium, where I share my five favorite tips for making the most of Instagram to plan your next trip!

Follow me @pretavoyager on Instagram + Twitter + Medium! I teach MAPS, Travel Posters, InDesign, and Redesign Your Résumé on Skillshare, and give Paris tours through Vayable! Don’t miss my new Paris Posters Tumblr!