Welcome to Beyond Ordinary Guides, where we curate gorgeous imagery, locally cherished spots, and accessible stories. We hope you enjoy!
All by Beyond Ordinary Guides
Tucked along a narrow street in easy walking distance to a number of yummy restaurants and picturesque vistas, The Lisboans is the ultimate self-catering apartment. Each room is decorated in warm modern design and features a small kitchen, living room, and separate bed and bath. We loved peeking out our little balcony onto the quiet street below.
A photo journal of our visit to the charming hilltop town of Monsaraz in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
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.
A fresh design haven located within the ancient city walls of Lagos, Portugal, Casa Mãe is the ultimate boutique hotel. Earthy, bright, well appointed rooms; an organic sourced restaurant; and a curated gift shop full of chic Portuguese goods all make Casa Mãe a worthy place to rest your head.
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 reasonably priced Frank Lloyd Wright rental brought us to the small town of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, deep in the heat of July, to celebrate my mom’s 60th birthday. The clear, cool waters of nearby Lake Michigan provided respite from the muggy air, and a well run alpaca farm brought us unexpected cuteness and our (now) warmest pair of socks.
Tucked in the countryside between Lisbon and the Algarve, Herdade da Matinha is a 20 room oasis of calm, bringing simplicity back to the forefront of experience. Perfect for hikers or book lovers, Herdade da Matinha is located amongst miles of hiking trails and will entertain the most avid of trekkers, while their numerous communal living rooms and reading nooks (all with beautiful views) will have you curling up with a good book and truly unwinding on vacation.
Of our two weeks in Croatia, our time on Faros, our 43’ sailboat, was my favorite portion of the trip. Unlike a car journey, our sailing from place to place felt like an experience all its own, totally relaxing and yet, gave the sense of accomplishment because we had traveled from Dubrovnik to Split with many amazing stops along the way.
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.
Understated elegance on a 200 year old Alentejo estate, we give São Lourenço do Barrocal 5/5 stars on all fronts. This is a place where design, landscape, hospitality, and sunshine come together to create a blissful vacation haven. A pleasing experience in every way, a stay at São Lourenço do Barrocal will spoil all your future hotel stays and have you debating if you ever need to return to the life you took a vacation from.
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.
