Welcome to Beyond Ordinary Guides, where we curate gorgeous imagery, locally cherished spots, and accessible stories. We hope you enjoy!
All in Stories
Why are we putting so much time and effort into trying to trick our plants and ourselves into blooming where the soil, humidity, sunshine, and precipitation doesn’t match how our cells were programmed? Why not plant ourselves in a climate that naturally fosters our being, effortlessly opening us up to inspiration and contentment?
The Lost Coast Trail is not for the faint of heart. This 25 mile trail mostly follows the rugged California coastline four hours north of San Francisco, named for its inaccessibility and lack of roads, towns, or civilization. You spend most of your time hiking on wet sand or shifting pebbles, and have to time your hiking according to the tides in order to not get swept into the freezing Pacific. But the ruggedness is also the reward. Stunning coastline, black sand beaches, and wildlife barely accustomed to seeing humans makes you feel like you are truly passing through untamed and untouched territory.
This forested thirty seven square mile island northwest of Dubrovnik is home to two salted lakes, one of which charmingly contains a 12th century Benedictine Monastery. Easily accessed by a two hour ferry from Dubrovnik, the larger island, which is home to Mljet National Park, makes for a beautiful day trip or as a stop along an Adriatic sailing adventure.
A quick 30 minute drive from Lisbon, and yet completely removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, the coastal town of Sintra offers a refreshing and popular half or full day trip destination from Portugal’s capital.
Portugal’s capital city of Lisbon is having a moment, so you’re likely already inspired to visit this tile covered town, but we hope these photos give you the extra push to go from inspired to purchasing a plane ticket.
Justine Grajski takes us on a photographic journey through the Roman, impressionist, white horse harboring town of Arles in the south of France. Markets ripe with summer fruits, vines loaded with green grapes, and streets humming with that laid back warmth that only French summers can conjure, we invite you along on a beautiful visual wandering of the charming town of Arles.
As founder Kristin O’Connell transitions from one life stage to the next, she reflects on pregnancy, sense of self, and enjoying one last trip to French Polynesia before baby arrives.
Just off shore from Split, Paklinski Otoci is part of a chain of islands that is popular with the boating community. With only a small market and a handful of high end restaurants, it’s an ideal stop for sea farers looking for a quiet place to moor, or spend an afternoon getting drinks on the beach. Once our sailboat was docked, we set off on foot to find a private cove to ourselves to enjoy the golden hour.
It was the last full day of our 5 night sailing charter from Dubrovnik to Split and the normal itinerary would have taken us to the luxurious, party island of Hvar, but instead of spending our day on land, we wanted to take full advantage of having a boat at our disposal and go somewhere off the beaten path. We asked our skipper, Bartool, if we could go somewhere private and he brought us here, to Otok Šćedro, and for nearly 4 hours, we had this whole cove to ourselves.
Saguaro National Park is an impressive and worthy park to visit, but if you want an experience that is a little less crowded, with a canyon and seasonal creek, head to Sabino Canyon in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, where the wildlife is abundant and the trails are seemingly never ending. We recommend visiting in May when the Saguaro cacti are in bloom.
Simply here for visual nourishment. Two of the most scenic places in Carmel and Big Sur, both captured at the golden hour, with a group of inspiring women. Best enjoyed listening to your favorite indie jams. Enjoy.
A visit to the Croatian wine region of Istria means waking up to a rooster's crow and the occasional truffle hunting dog’s bark among the gentle hum of insects. Relatively undiscovered and still defining itself as a tourist destination, Istria is a place to slow down, take a deep breath, and savor your surroundings.
