Last month, I quietly celebrated 16 years since I became a full-time travel blogger, which feels a little surreal.

When I started back in 2010, blogging wasn’t a “thing.” Social media barely existed, influencer marketing wasn’t a concept, and most of us were still tearing pages out of guidebooks and stumbling our way through new destinations, a beautifully messy era of travel I still feel deeply nostalgic for.

The travel industry has changed in ways I never could have predicted — and I’ve had to change with it, pivoting more times than I can count.

Over the years, there’s one question I get asked more than any other: What is your favorite destination? Not just where I’ve been, but the destinations that stayed with me. The ones that shaped how I see the world, how I photograph it, and how I tell stories about it.

This question always catches me off guard, so I finally sat down to answer it for myself.

Below is a collection of the most photogenic places I’ve visited in 16 years as a professional travel blogger — destinations that left a lasting imprint on me both creatively and personally.

I want to be clear: this list isn’t about chasing picture-perfect highlights.

I’ve found myself increasingly frustrated with travel content that prioritizes chasing the “next undiscovered place” or going viral over truly experiencing a place. I’ve seen firsthand how that kind of attention has changed the places I once loved. My hope with this list isn’t to chase trends, but to encourage more intentional travel that honors the places we visit rather than consuming them.

If you’re looking for inspiration, dreaming up your next trip, or just curious about the places that shaped this journey, I hope this list gives you a glimpse into the destinations that have meant the most to me.

The Most Photogenic Places I’ve Ever Visited

These places aren’t here because they photographed well once. They’re here because they have consistently delivered. Some surprised me. Some challenged me. Some I’ve returned to more than once because they keep revealing new layers. If you’re planning your own trip, I’ve included links to read my in-depth posts on each destination.

1. South Lake Tahoe

Tahoe is one of those rare places that works year-round. Summer brings crystal-clear alpine water and stunning hikes, while winter turns the landscape into something quieter and more dramatic. Sunrise and sunset light here can be unreal, especially along the eastern shore.

Growing up an hour from South Lake Tahoe — and later calling it home — shaped my connection to this place. It’s a destination I hope to keep returning to throughout my lifetime.

Read more: South Lake Tahoe in Summer: Things to Do, Where to Stay & More

2. Big Sur, California

Big Sur rewards patience. Fog, shifting light, and winding roads are part of the experience. Some days you’ll barely see the coastline at all — and those often become the most atmospheric, when the cliffs emerge slowly and the landscape feels moody and cinematic.

While I typically prefer to camp when visiting Big Sur, there are some amazing hotels along this coastline — Ventana Big Sur being one of the best (and the most extravagant).

Tip: Give yourself time here, don’t overpack your itinerary, and be willing to pull over often.

Read more: The Best Places to Camp in Big Sur

3. British Virgin Islands

The BVIs are best experienced by boat. Island-hopping by sailboat or catamaran gives you access to quieter beaches, snorkeling spots, and anchorages you’ll never reach otherwise.

Tip: Avoid peak season if you can — shoulder months still offer great weather with fewer boats crowding popular moorings.

4. Lofoten Islands, Norway

Lofoten, Norway feels almost unreal — jagged peaks and tiny villages perched between sea and mountain. Summer brings the midnight sun; winter brings northern lights.

Tip: Renting a car is essential. Distances look short on a map, but weather and winding roads slow everything down.

Read more: Lofoten Islands Travel Guide: How to Plan Your Trip

5. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Lauterbrunnen sits in a glacial valley surrounded by sheer cliffs and dozens of waterfalls. It’s stunning in photos, yes — but it’s also an ideal base for exploring nearby alpine villages.

Tip: Stay overnight. Day-trippers miss the calm that settles in early morning and evening.

Read more: How to Plan a Trip to Switzerland on a Budget

6. Moorea, French Polynesia

I’ve visited Moorea multiple times, and even after finally making it to Bora Bora, it remains my favorite island in French Polynesia. Dramatic volcanic peaks rise straight from the lagoon, and the snorkeling is excellent even right off shore.

Tip: Rent a car or scooter to explore beyond your resort — this island rewards curiosity.

Read more: Moorea On A Budget: An In-Depth Travel Guide

7. Alberta, Canada

From Banff to Jasper, Alberta delivers scale. Glacial lakes like Moraine and Peyto change color depending on light and season, and wildlife sightings are common.

Tip: Go early in the day for popular stops and consider shoulder season to avoid tour bus congestion.

Read more: The 12 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Alberta, Canada

8. Bavaria, Germany

Bavaria balances alpine scenery with cultural depth. You’ll find castles, mountain towns, and hiking trails all within short distances.

Tip: Base yourself in a smaller town if you want easier access to nature and fewer crowds.

Read more: Lake Eibsee, Germany: How To Plan Your Trip

9. St. Lucia

St. Lucia’s landscape is dramatic — steep jungle, volcanic peaks, and deep blue water. It’s ideal for travelers who want a mix of adventure and relaxation.

Tip: Choose accommodations carefully; driving here can be slow due to narrow, winding roads.

Read more: This Caribbean Island Is About To Be The Next Big Thing

10. Cinque Terre, Italy

Cinque Terre is undeniably popular, but it earns its reputation. The key is timing. Early mornings and evenings are quieter, and hiking between villages offers a different perspective than trains alone.

Tip: Stay in one village rather than hopping around.

Read more: Cinque Terre Accommodation Guide: Top Hotels & Towns to Stay In

11. Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai feels more rugged and less polished than some other Hawaiian islands. From the Na Pali Coast to Waimea Canyon, it’s a place for hikers, swimmers, and early risers.

Tip: Plan activities around weather — rain showers are frequent but often brief.

Read more: Where To Stay in Kauai: Hotel & Location Guide

12. Iceland

Iceland’s landscapes are stark and powerful — waterfalls, lava fields, glaciers, and black sand beaches.

Tip: Don’t overpack your itinerary. Weather delays and long drives are common, and the best moments often come unexpectedly.

Read more: The Best Places to Visit in Iceland: What to Do & Where to Go

13. Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are calm in a way that’s increasingly rare. Life moves slower here, and that’s part of the appeal.

Tip: Plan fewer activities and lean into the rhythm — lagoon swims, local food, and quiet evenings.

Read more: Complete Cook Islands Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

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The post The Most Photogenic Places I’ve Ever Visited appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.

Melbourne didn’t become a food city by declaring itself one. It went the slow way – migrants cooking the food they missed, cafés opening because someone needed a job, restaurants evolving because regulars demanded better. Because of this, the city’s restaurant culture doesn’t just keep you well fed; it acts as a kind of guided tour to the southern hemisphere’s most marvellous metropolis.

So if you’re visiting for the first time, follow these restaurants and the geography reveals itself – suburb by suburb, mood by mood, appetite by appetite. By the time you leave, you’ll feel like you know where to go without needing to ask.

Studio Amaro, Collingwood – Day-to-Night Dining with Italian Flair

Set among the vintage, thrift and antique stores of Collingwood, Studio Amaro mirrors the neighbourhood’s split personality: industrious by day, hedonistic by night. Upstairs, the restaurant serves confident Italian sharing dishes; downstairs, the DJ booth hums Thursday to Saturday, and the room fills with people who look like they planned to stay for one drink and failed.

On weekends, it’s worth booking your day around their bottomless brunch Piatti menu — a set spread with endless focaccia and drinks. The whipped ricotta and preserved zucchini stand out among the plates, but the real pleasure is how naturally the meal slides from lunch into evening. Very Collingwood. studioamaro.au

Yum Sing House, CBD Laneways – Fine Food, Salubrious Sing-alongs

Some nights in Melbourne don’t need a plan. Yum Sing House is built for exactly that. Tucked down a CBD laneway on the edge of Chinatown, the ground-floor restaurant delivers refined Asian cooking with a sense of humour – prawn toast and Omni meat wontons that look like Instagram bait but taste far better than they need to, and a roast duck glazed with caramelised orange and soy that borders on dessert before you even get to the Ma Lai Gao with Hong Kong milk tea anglaise and boba.

The room downstairs is polished but never stiff – come on a Tuesday and you might roll the house’s lucky dice and have your bill wiped. Upstairs, things loosen considerably: an open-plan bar, DJs, and karaoke rooms named after Hong Kong neighbourhoods, available for private dining or unapologetic group singalongs.  yumsinghouse.com

Officina Gastronomica Italiana, Hawksburn Village, Prahan – Understated Local Luxuries

Hawksburn Village runs on routine: morning dog walks, afternoon coffees, dinners that start early and end politely. OGI is woven into that rhythm. It began life as an espresso bar before doubling in size, but the spirit never shifted.

The pasta arrives exactly as it should — confident, unshowy, made by someone who has done this thousands of times and doesn’t need applause. Sit under the pergola and watch locals greet each other mid-sentence while you work through the slow-braised wagyu beef ragù rigatoni, their undisputed champion dish. This is Melbourne’s Italian culture where it actually lives: suburban, daily, quietly excellent, and well worth the tram ride. ogi.com.au

New Quarter, Richmond – Vietnamese Variations Before a Big Night Out

Richmond is where old and new Melbourne constantly negotiate. New Quarter sits right at that intersection, along Swan Street’s hip strip, a few paces from the iconic Corner Hotel music venue and not far from the sports precinct and its old-world gravity.

This Neo-Vietnamese kitchen pulls off a rare trick: innovating a much-loved cuisine without losing what makes it so comforting. Slider-style snacks dominate — rockling scallop in brioche with mint and caviar, a banh mi finger with whipped chicken liver pâté, even a fried chicken sando that nods toward Japan. You may be full before mains arrive. It’s not trying to shock — it’s simply showing what Vietnamese food looks like when it grows up in Melbourne. newquarter.com.au

Pipis North, Fitzroy – Here for a Good Time, Not a Long Time

Fitzroy loves things that won’t last: pop-up bars, half-formed bands, doomed romances, and aesthetics that feel urgent precisely because everyone knows they’re temporary. Pipis North understands this and leans in – it closes at the end of February.

Enter via Victoria Street, grab a seat if you can, and order seafood that tastes like summer regardless of the weather. Oysters, small plates, and wines chosen because they work, not because they’re famous. People drop in “for one” and stay for three. When it disappears, you’ll tell people you were there – and if you miss it, there’s always the slightly more permanent older sibling, the much-loved Pipis Kiosk in Albert Park. pipiskiosk.com.au

The post Melbourne’s Top 5 Eats (and the 5 Districts That Explain Them) appeared first on The Travel Magazine.