We feature some of the brightest Instagram storytellers in the Passion Passport community through our Instagram Spotlight series. This week, Heather Shevlin (@thehmstravels) tells us about her travels across the globe and shares some of the details that caught her eye along the way.

NEW YORK CITY, USA

Like many New York City residents, over the years I’ve come to fiercely love the hustle and bustle. The city has transformed me and has been an incredible place to call home. That said, the quieter scenes downtown are what I love to capture most — cyclists, passersby, or ghostly skyscrapers far off in the distance. The architecture resonates with me on a nostalgic level, and some days I still can’t help but feel like a tourist who’s stepped onto a movie set.
 

LONDON, ENGLAND

London is a second home to me — I just love the sprawling magic of the city. Its narrow, winding streets offer a perspective that shows great depth, which I love to capture in photographs. The city’s architecture is also very grand; it’s almost like there’s an unspoken competition to see who can have the prettiest house or garden. Temperate weather in the colder months allows for sturdy palms and lush plants to thrive year round, bringing color and life to what can be long, dreary days. While I feel most at home in East London, it’s also a treat to head to the central and western parts of the city. No matter where I wander, I always stumble upon scenes that feel straight out of history.
 

LOMBARDY REGION, ITALY

Italy has always had such an allure for me, and Milan and Bellagio did not disappoint. There, I felt transported to another time. Brimming with crooked cobblestone streets, stunning main squares, and mountains that overlook Lake Como, this region is not only a feast for the eyes, but for the stomach as well. In both locations, I found a running theme of pink in the architecture and interior design, which gave my experience a fanciful feel despite traveling on a budget.