Here's a selection of some of our favorite images from CNNers and iReporters posted to the <a href="http://instagram.com/cnntravel" target="_blank" target="_blank">CNN Travel instagram</a> account in 2014.<br /><br />First up, this giant pop art "Pumpkin" is one of many unusual artworks on Naoshima, a hidden Japanese island known for its surreal art and strange underground architecture. The pumpkin is the work of pop art precursor Yayoi Kusama, who's often credited with influencing Andy Warhol. It's become a symbol of the island and there's numerous smaller imitations dotted around its landscape.
CNN Travel Instagram —
Here's a selection of some of our favorite images from CNNers and iReporters posted to the CNN Travel instagram account in 2014.

First up, this giant pop art "Pumpkin" is one of many unusual artworks on Naoshima, a hidden Japanese island known for its surreal art and strange underground architecture. The pumpkin is the work of pop art precursor Yayoi Kusama, who's often credited with influencing Andy Warhol. It's become a symbol of the island and there's numerous smaller imitations dotted around its landscape.
CNN
Svinafellsjokull, a glacier in Iceland's Vatnajokull National Park, is one of the locations used in the filming of the movie "Interstellar." It doesn't have a lengthy role in the movie but it's featured strongly in posters and trailer scenes showing star Matthew McConaughey walking across a hostile, wintry terrain.
16 of our favorite CNN Travel Instagrams of 2014 —
Svinafellsjokull, a glacier in Iceland's Vatnajokull National Park, is one of the locations used in the filming of the movie "Interstellar." It doesn't have a lengthy role in the movie but it's featured strongly in posters and trailer scenes showing star Matthew McConaughey walking across a hostile, wintry terrain.
BARRY NEILD/CNN
Ancient tower-houses peek out from the village of Ushguli in the Upper Svaneti region of the Caucasus in Georgia. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. "I consider myself to be well traveled, but this was easily one of the most breathtaking scenes that I have ever seen," said iReporter George Rishan.
CNN Travel Instagram —
Ancient tower-houses peek out from the village of Ushguli in the Upper Svaneti region of the Caucasus in Georgia. The area was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. "I consider myself to be well traveled, but this was easily one of the most breathtaking scenes that I have ever seen," said iReporter George Rishan.
courtesy George Rishan
The Pacific Ocean is hidden by autumnal morning fog in Hakone, Japan.
CNN Travel Instagram —
The Pacific Ocean is hidden by autumnal morning fog in Hakone, Japan.
will ripley/cnn
You don't need friends at Japan's Moomin Cafe, which opened in Hong Kong late in the year. Here, stuffed characters from the Finnish stories are your somewhat adorable meal companions.
CNN Travel Instagram —
You don't need friends at Japan's Moomin Cafe, which opened in Hong Kong late in the year. Here, stuffed characters from the Finnish stories are your somewhat adorable meal companions.
jason kwok/cnn
Canada's British Columbia Parliament Buildings, located in the provincial capital of Victoria, were completed in 1897 -- just in time for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. At night, more than 3,300 light bulbs cast a magical glow over the city's gorgeous Inner Harbour. Free guided tours are available year-round.
CNN Travel Instagram —
Canada's British Columbia Parliament Buildings, located in the provincial capital of Victoria, were completed in 1897 -- just in time for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. At night, more than 3,300 light bulbs cast a magical glow over the city's gorgeous Inner Harbour. Free guided tours are available year-round.
karla cripps/cnn
Located in Boracay, Philippines, the 2.5-kilometer Bulabog Beach welcomes a blustery monsoonal wind from November to April and is an ideal place for kite boarding and windsurfing.
Located in Boracay, Philippines, the 2.5-kilometer Bulabog Beach welcomes a blustery monsoonal wind from November to April and is an ideal place for kite boarding and windsurfing.
courtesy dave tacon
The impressive bar/lounges in an infinity pool at the W Retreat Koh Samui. Neighboring island Koh Phangan is seen in the background at dusk.
The impressive bar/lounges in an infinity pool at the W Retreat Koh Samui. Neighboring island Koh Phangan is seen in the background at dusk.
andrew demaria/cnn
When iReporter Namita Azad and her husband hiked to Machu Picchu during the winter, the famed Peru site was enshrouded with mist and clouds. "But as the minutes went by, the mist slowly rose and the sun started seeping through, giving it a magical feel," she said.
When iReporter Namita Azad and her husband hiked to Machu Picchu during the winter, the famed Peru site was enshrouded with mist and clouds. "But as the minutes went by, the mist slowly rose and the sun started seeping through, giving it a magical feel," she said.
courtesy Namita Azad
You'll often see locals taking a dip in the waters at Bali's Tirta Empul temple, which are believed to have purification powers. According to legend, the temple was created by Indra, the god of thunder and rain, to help rid him of poisoned forces.
You'll often see locals taking a dip in the waters at Bali's Tirta Empul temple, which are believed to have purification powers. According to legend, the temple was created by Indra, the god of thunder and rain, to help rid him of poisoned forces.
Alisha Haridasani/cnn
Anybody who watches CNN's programming from Abu Dhabi will be familiar with Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the number one landmark in the UAE capital. Completed in 2007 and among the top 10 biggest mosques in the world, the building welcomes visitors of all cultures and faiths. Its appearance also changes subtly as the day progresses, making it a great subject for photography.
Anybody who watches CNN's programming from Abu Dhabi will be familiar with Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the number one landmark in the UAE capital. Completed in 2007 and among the top 10 biggest mosques in the world, the building welcomes visitors of all cultures and faiths. Its appearance also changes subtly as the day progresses, making it a great subject for photography.
Nicol Nicolso/cnn
French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, famed for his depictions of Parisian cabaret clubs and performers -- was born 150 years ago this week. The top place to see his work is the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, pictured here. It's located in the gorgeous UNESCO-listed town of Albi, in Southern France.
French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, famed for his depictions of Parisian cabaret clubs and performers -- was born 150 years ago this week. The top place to see his work is the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec, pictured here. It's located in the gorgeous UNESCO-listed town of Albi, in Southern France.
Karla cripps/cnn
This stunning Milky Way shot was taken from the Ancient Bristlecone Forest near Big Pine, California. iReporter Bob Fawcett said, "It was incredible to see the Milky Way arc from one side of the sky to the other like a rainbow. The whole scene really spurred my imagination." The tree in the photo is a Great Basin bristlecone pine tree. The oldest known tree of this type is more than 5,000 years old.
This stunning Milky Way shot was taken from the Ancient Bristlecone Forest near Big Pine, California. iReporter Bob Fawcett said, "It was incredible to see the Milky Way arc from one side of the sky to the other like a rainbow. The whole scene really spurred my imagination." The tree in the photo is a Great Basin bristlecone pine tree. The oldest known tree of this type is more than 5,000 years old.
courtesy Bob Fawcett
The Oude Kerk stands just beyond an icy bridge in Amsterdam. The 800-year-old building was constructed in the early 14th century as a Roman Catholic church but also has Protestant influences in its architecture.
The Oude Kerk stands just beyond an icy bridge in Amsterdam. The 800-year-old building was constructed in the early 14th century as a Roman Catholic church but also has Protestant influences in its architecture.
courtesy Jill Thornton
Hạ Long Bay is hardly a secret on the travel circuit, as the scores of coaches making the journey from the Vietnamese capital Hanoi each day will attest. But that doesn't mean that solitude can't be found among the 2,000 or so limestone karsts and larger islands that rise dramatically out of the Gulf of Tonkin if you take the time to explore the quieter outer reaches of the bay.
Hạ Long Bay is hardly a secret on the travel circuit, as the scores of coaches making the journey from the Vietnamese capital Hanoi each day will attest. But that doesn't mean that solitude can't be found among the 2,000 or so limestone karsts and larger islands that rise dramatically out of the Gulf of Tonkin if you take the time to explore the quieter outer reaches of the bay.
Nicol Nicolson/cnn
The 120-kilometer beach highway on Australia's Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, is also its airport runway. The speed limit is 80km/hr and two policemen stationed on the island make sure it's enforced with the help of speed guns.
The 120-kilometer beach highway on Australia's Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, is also its airport runway. The speed limit is 80km/hr and two policemen stationed on the island make sure it's enforced with the help of speed guns.
hiufu wong/cnn