Instagram is the app that has been taking the world by storm and once you try it you will soon see why. The app is a mixture of a social network and a photo app all rolled into one and it is so popular that in 2011 it was voted as the App of the Year. Instagram allows you to take photos with your phone’s camera, but it adds an interesting twist – instead of the usual rectangular shaped photos, it makes them square, like an old Instamatic or Polaroid camera would adding a touch of charm to them. It is then possible to add your own effects to the photos to make them even more appealing. Once you have done this the photos can be uploaded straight to the users Instagram grid, where they can be seen by others.

This Apple created app is easy to use and can provide hours of fun, but it can also be a useful tool for avoiding going on a holiday from Hell – but how can you do that?

As most people will turn to the internet when they are checking out and researching potential new holiday destinations many are now using Instagram to see a resort or destination through the eyes of another holidaymaker. Doing this gives them a fast insight into what a hotel, resort or destination is like without having to go to somewhere that could be unsuitable.

While visiting sites like TripAdvisor can be useful for reading reviews and seeing some photos, Instagram can help you to see images that have not come from a biased viewpoint. Most people who use Instagram do it because they love to take photos and share them and not to back up a poor review of a hotel or resort. As some reviews on TripAdvisor are false it can be hard to make up your mind based on words and no evidence. With Instagram the photos of dirty dining rooms, dangerous facilities and poor cleanliness in rooms can’t be faked, which tells you all you need to know about a holiday destination.

So when you are looking for information on a certain area that you are interested in visiting it’s a good idea to check out Instagram and find people uploading photos of that area. With these you can get an idea of what to expect and avoid booking a holiday to somewhere that could lead to a holiday from Hell.

Knowing your holiday rights can be extremely useful when it comes to liasing with your tour operator about a disappointing holiday when wanting to make a complaint.