Welcome to Beyond Ordinary Guides, where we curate gorgeous imagery, locally cherished spots, and accessible stories. We hope you enjoy!
All in Guide
It’s always good to have a running list of breakfast spots. Here’s our for Phoenix + Tempe. We’re drooling just thinking about it.
While many San Franciscans know of the Presidio and have enjoyed its beauty, they may not know that the most visited U.S. National Park lies in their city limits. Thanks to its location in America’s 13th largest city, the Presidio sees more visitors than any other National Park in the country and offers a plethora of sights and activities that keeps visitors coming back for more. Below are some of our favorite Presidio experiences.
An undeveloped gem in the Pacific known for its dazzling lagoon, Aitutaki is both a beach and cultural destination. A full loop around the seven square mile island (which takes a leisurely hour) provides an enlightening glimpse into the lives of South Pacific islanders.
Joshua Tree has long been a haven for those seeking to recalibrate, find their muse, cure writer’s block, or for Angelenos like myself in search of a quick getaway to disconnect from city life. With an area larger than Rhode Island, encompassing the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, the landscapes are as diverse as the visitors who come to tune in and drop out. From the thrill-seeking rock climber to the casual hiker, the art collector and the meditator, there are activities to suit each personality.
Encinitas, which means “Little Oaks” in Spanish, sits in a sweet spot along Historic Highway 101 95 miles south of Los Angeles and 25 miles north of San Diego. A laid-back bohemian enclave that parallels the Pacific Ocean, Enci’ is famed for beautiful beaches, great surf, and good vibes.
I don't know if we quite knew what we were getting into heading into Bosnia & Herzegovina. We had booked a day trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik through our Airbnb host, enchanted by the pictures we had seen of Mostar's famous bridge and teal river running underneath. It looked like a fairytale, and as a photographer, I wanted to capture its beauty through my lens. What I naively underestimated were the very real world scars etched into the landscape of this picturesque country, and what a profound impact the kindness and resilience of the people who lived through horrors would have on our time there.
Our driver pulled into what looked like a private drive save for a blue and white sign with an oyster image on it and told us that no self-respecting Croatian from Dubrovnik would order oysters at a restaurant in Dubrovnik. No, they all head to Ston, a settlement along the Pelješac peninsula dating back to 167 BC uniquely situated between the flows of salt and fresh water perfect for the cultivation of bivalve shellfish.
A small town by most standards (around 43,000 at the last census in 2011), Dubrovnik's charm lies in its approachability - walk the city walls in the morning, kayak in the cerulean blue waters in the afternoon, relax for a late afternoon lunch of local grilled fish, explore the shops along the steep and narrow streets that emanate from the Stradun before dinner, and wind down before turning in by watching the sunset from a cliffside bar.
The Best “Norway in a Nutshell” Route (for people who like to get off the beaten path, stretch their legs, and who do not like feeling like cattle).
A weekend spent indulging in Asian specialties from Korean BBQ to sheet masks.
Lisbon is having a moment. New boutique hotels are popping up and restaurant openings have put the city on the culinary map. Smaller in size and therefore more accessible than other major European cities, Lisbon welcomes you with open arms and makes you feel right at home.
While definitely a tourist destination for Canadians, Russians, and the French, Varadero seems mostly undiscovered by Americans.
