Congratulations on your 2017 #travelfirsts

Talk about inspiration. Your submissions for #TravelFirsts have given IHG^® Rewards Club members moments to last a lifetime. You’ve shared images of beautiful togetherness, sunsets over new horizons, and tales of reaching new heights. We’ve seen selfies, reunions, portraits of places you love, and perfect photos of the friends who love you back. 

Here are a few smiles from your favorite moments captured in 2017. But don’t think your story ends here. #TravelFirsts is just beginning—and we can’t wait to see where the journey takes you in 2018.

Bubbles in Berlin #travelfirsts pic.twitter.com/fF0FIExxaO

— Spencer Rice (@spence317) September 17, 2017

Finally here! #visitdubai #intercontinentallife #travelfirsts @icdubaimarina #wanderlust #travelstoke #dubai @follaingregui

A post shared by Milda Ratkelyte (@milda_ratkelyte) on Apr 29, 2017 at 5:36am PDT

Had the most amazing and relaxing few days at @interconmuscat @ihgrewardsclub #oman #muscat #beach #sunset #travelfirsts

A post shared by Rachael (@travelbaking) on Apr 21, 2017 at 8:04am PDT

https://www.instagram.com/p/BS1gdxFhW_9/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUt5RwQDC_7

My first "on-a-whim" trip #TravelFirsts pic.twitter.com/o5slIuQYcq

— dyeni_u (@dyeni_u) September 15, 2017

#travelfirsts

A post shared by Deborah Findlay (@d.findlay) on Jun 7, 2017 at 5:52pm PDT

Thank you Mahalski for this wonderful experience of the Harbor Boat Festival in Hamburg. 🇩🇪🛥🚤🛳⛴🚢⚓️#hafengerburtstag2017#harbour#ship#yachts#passionpassport#festival#hamburg#germany#europe#travelfirsts#mahaliday6

A post shared by Sven ♥ Jcil (@themahalidays) on May 7, 2017 at 12:51pm PDT

at madrid's lungs #retiro #retiropark #madrid #palaciodecristal #architecture – little known fact- this famous landmark was built in 1887 to exhibit the flora and fauna from the #Philippines- spain's then colony #filipinas #colonial #travel #instamadrid #holiday #españa

A post shared by Oleri Galope (@oleri31) on Apr 2, 2017 at 8:13am PDT

Sunrise over Looking Glass Rock ☀️⛰ Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville, NC . . . . . #asheville #ashevilletrails #visitasheville #blueridgeparkway #blueridgemountains #lookingglassrock #sunrise #sun #clouds #goldenhour #outdoors #nature #travel #travelgram #igtravel #findyourpark #rei1440project #optoutside #getoutside #goodmorning #weekend #roadtrip #travelfirsts #northcarolina #usa #horizon #mountains #scenic

A post shared by Lee Rankin (@leefromep) on Mar 6, 2017 at 5:41am PST

#travelfirst First time with snow , scared – excited – happy ..all at once #dalhousie #india #travelblogger pic.twitter.com/LMkg2F6n87

— Family on the wheels (@TalesofFOTW) September 17, 2017

"The best view comes after the hardest climb."👫🖤#preikestolen#pulpitrock#lysefjord#rock#mountain#nature#hiking#outdoor#raining#theview#travelpartner#couplegoals#relationshipgoals#travelfirsts#worldtraveler#welovetotravel#wanderlust#bucketlist#regionstavanger#landscapesofnorway#iamnordic#visitscandinavia#mahaliday6

A post shared by Sven ♥ Jcil (@themahalidays) on Jun 27, 2017 at 2:03am PDT

Taking in the beauty of Mother Nature. Someone is very lucky. Pretty stunning views I must admit. #queenstown #travellife #newzealand #travelfirsts

A post shared by Consumed By Wanderlust (@4_e_w_a) on May 15, 2017 at 3:10am PDT

Soooo gorg! 😍 #latergram #travel #travelgram #travelfirsts

A post shared by Pam Gutierrez (@glam_vanity) on Apr 14, 2017 at 5:14pm PDT

Sentosa 🌴 #singapore #visitsingapore #sentosa #drones #dronephotography #travelstoke #travelfirsts #wanderlust #fromabove

A post shared by Milda Ratkelyte (@milda_ratkelyte) on Apr 14, 2017 at 3:39am PDT

My favorite #TravelFirsts was sunrise and set here with the family pic.twitter.com/C2FhNotH23

— martyn u'ren (@martynuren) May 14, 2017

#manuelantonio #beach #jetski #adventures #lastnightinquepos #offtosanchowedding #sunburned #sunset #costarica #solotravel #wanderlust #newcountries #nofilter #hightide #travelfirsts

A post shared by Tommy (@kent0068) on Mar 15, 2017 at 5:29pm PDT

My first trip to the motherland. Walking on the soil of my ancestors… visiting the house my uncles, aunts and dad was born in. A trip of a lifetime! #priceless #travelfirsts #contest @ihgrewardsclub

A post shared by Kat (@ophelank) on Nov 15, 2017 at 1:46am PST

my first trip to Barcelona was truly #priceless!! I hope to go back again!! #travelfirsts #contest @ihgrewardsclub

A post shared by Vanessa (@vanessaannewilkins) on Nov 3, 2017 at 11:27am PDT

Oliver BC, the only place where every direction is the right direction. #BC #Canada #wine #travelfirsts #canada150

A post shared by Tyson Stewart (@trstewart99) on Apr 14, 2017 at 10:00am PDT

The most awe inspiring dinner location at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand #travelfirsts pic.twitter.com/QJBxztOrD0

— Ruth Finnis (@Streuth13) May 11, 2017

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbpjRAxFXKY/

First time in Caribbean sea!#travelfirsts#cuba #caribbean#bryantaytravels

A post shared by Bryan Tay (@sillymonkeyo) on Apr 11, 2017 at 1:23pm PDT

I left my ❤️ in Tuscany

A post shared by CEYLANbyTokmakci 🐟 (@ceylanbytokmakci) on May 8, 2017 at 6:16pm PDT

first time landing in the Middle East #travelfirsts

A post shared by Tibor Pados (@tbrpds) on May 12, 2017 at 4:20am PDT

#travelfirsts my first solo holiday to Washington, DC. ✈🇺🇸😃 pic.twitter.com/C4783gnRGD

— Joanne (@NYCBabe) May 20, 2017

Biking over the Ravenel bridge. #biking #charleston #travelfirsts

A post shared by Kevin McCloskey (@_kmichael) on Apr 30, 2017 at 7:27am PDT

Thanks God for the Nice Sky and be able to see the Mt. Fuji . . . . #chureitopagoda #lakekawaguchiko #travelgram #japan #mtfuji🗻 #instatraveling #yolo #bucketlist #fallfoliage🍁 #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #nicesky #traveling #TravelFirsts #Contest #Priceless #ihgrewardsclub #konansou #wanderer #inspiration #vsco📷

A post shared by Steven Steven (@stev.jang) on Nov 14, 2017 at 1:59pm PST

The Needles, Isle of Wight #travelstoke #travelfirsts #visitbritain #isleofwight #uk #sea #cliffs #beautifuldestinations #familytrip

A post shared by Milda Ratkelyte (@milda_ratkelyte) on May 11, 2017 at 11:59pm PDT

love this square – #colours #vilnius #cathedralsquare #balticstates #lithuania #travelfirsts #holiday #sunny #instavilnius

A post shared by Oleri Galope (@oleri31) on May 13, 2017 at 2:14am PDT

Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco #TravelFirsts pic.twitter.com/n8CURwThwN

— James Mitchell (@jmitchel) May 13, 2017

Au revoir Paris! 🇫🇷 another beautiful trip to Europe has come to an end! 😢thank you to everyone who made this trip so incredible and until next summer!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ #travelfirsts #travelstoke #paris #france #visitfrance #wanderlust #loveit #explorer #bonjour #aurevoirparis #holidayinn #notredame #eiffeltower

A post shared by Milda Ratkelyte (@milda_ratkelyte) on May 21, 2017 at 8:01am PDT

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVqaAIWgW2D/

A view of Loch Ness from the ruins of Urquhart Castle, Scotland May 27, 2017 #travelfirsts #somuchhistoryhere #nonessie

A post shared by Deborah Findlay (@d.findlay) on Jun 18, 2017 at 7:20pm PDT

Came across a slice of paradise whilst touring around Efate island. Vanuatu #travelfirsts

A post shared by Consumed By Wanderlust (@4_e_w_a) on Jun 17, 2017 at 5:24am PDT

First time at stunning #NinhBinh #Vietnam before heading to @ICHanoiWestlake #TravelFirst @InterConHotels pic.twitter.com/i2huYuYtlN

— Vegan Food Quest (@VeganFoodQuest) September 18, 2017

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVaNYxcAKB2/

#ForbiddenCity #Beijing #ancient ⛩🏯 #veryNiceBeautiful #stunning #LifeAtIHG #travelFirsts @ihgrewardsclub

A post shared by Lukas Kucera (@lukaskucera) on Jun 14, 2017 at 6:53am PDT

love this square – #colours #vilnius #cathedralsquare #balticstates #lithuania #travelfirsts #holiday #sunny #instavilnius

A post shared by Oleri Galope (@oleri31) on May 13, 2017 at 2:14am PDT

That time when I laid my eyes on the beauty that is Grand Canyon for the first time. #TravelFirsts

A post shared by Leilanee O. (@cestlavieannie) on Jun 13, 2017 at 9:06am PDT

#TravelFirsts my first trip to #Maldives 🍻 pic.twitter.com/VkuLld9O0u

— Dr. Vineet Aggarwal (@drumbeatsofeden) September 16, 2017

Weekend getaway before going back to work. #travelfirsts #iwork4ihg #lifeatihg 🇮🇩

A post shared by J A I S A N T I A G O (@jai_santiago) on May 27, 2017 at 6:01am PDT

This was my first ever time hiking. My husband and I decided to do an unguided hike down a mountainside in Hawaii. The serene beauty of this hike had me forever hooked! I now hike whenever I get a chance! #travelfirsts #priceless #contest #vacationfirsts @ihgrewardsclub ihgrewardsclub

A post shared by Kat (@ophelank) on Nov 6, 2017 at 6:59pm PST

#Throw🔙 first trip to Rome in March 🇮🇹#blackmentravel #Stayongo #travelfirsts #travelnoire #mcm

A post shared by J. Ellis (@mr_major_league_1) on Jun 29, 2017 at 10:54am PDT

. . . . #fushimiinaritaisha #kyoto #travelgram #temple #inari #vsco📷 #yolo #vacation #beautifuldestinations #wanderlust #priceless #Contest #TravelFirsts #ihgrewardsclub #wanderer #japan #cntraveler

A post shared by Steven Steven (@stev.jang) on Nov 15, 2017 at 4:41am PST

https://twitter.com/Dermawanc2/status/861681241778667520

Monday splash 💦 . . _____#TravelFirsts #lifeatIHG #Holidayinnexpress

A post shared by Dery Ardi (@_deryardi) on Oct 15, 2017 at 6:41pm PDT

Visit Port Douglas, and visit the Wildlife Habitat to feed these little beauties and more! 🌏 Another first and bucket list item ticked off! ✔️ #travel #australia #portdouglas #wildlifehabitat #kangaroo #babyroo #feedingkangaroos #beauty #animalsoftheworld #travelfirsts #bucketlist #wildlife#sgalbraithphotography #sianstraveldiary #travelcontinuously #traveltheworld

A post shared by Sian galbraith (@sianstraveldiary) on Jun 11, 2017 at 11:55pm PDT

My #TravelFirsts with my two best buddy
At Tinuy-an Falls Surigao Del Sur Philippines pic.twitter.com/6p80ZgvaJm

— MAYWARD✈ PANGASINAN (@mwpangasinanofc) September 20, 2017

Sunrise canal vibes… #Amsterdam . . . #weekly_feature #shotzdelight #beautifuldestinations #way2ill #got__greatshots #earthimagined #theimaged #moodygrams #splendid_earth #igbest_shotz #tlpicks #travelfirsts #priceless #contest #bestvacations #europe_vacations #wonderful_places #thenetherlands #canal #reflection #boat

A post shared by Joey Losson (@joeylosson) on Nov 3, 2017 at 6:38am PDT

#Vietnam #TravelFirsts #Priceless #Contest

A post shared by Samuel Torres (@st1136) on Sep 23, 2017 at 6:56am PDT

Celebrating our country by enjoying its beauty! #nofilterneeded #4thofjuly #travelfirsts #GrandTetonNationalPark pic.twitter.com/1q1P2A5cb6

— Liz Crisafi (@LizCrisafi) July 4, 2017