Visual Storytelling

Observations on place, culture and community — and the authentic experiences that make destinations feel real.

Much of this work reflects how I approach social-first content creation — balancing polish and authenticity to capture places as they’re actually experienced. This perspective informs how I lead social media strategy and content development for destinations.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Croatia is the kind of place whose beauty is rivaled only by the kindness of its people. Of all the European countries I've visited, I have never felt such a warm, welcoming sense of community as I did arriving in Dubrovnik for my second-ever solo vacation. The stunning views of the Adriatic Sea are framed by carefully preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, with Gothic and Baroque influences woven throughout. The city is surrounded by the Elaphiti Islands of Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan, which feel as though they've been frozen in time. Artisan wines, olive oils, and sea salts are sold in abundance alongside carefully designed filigree jewelry, ceramics and traditional Croatian lacework, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

For those who travel seeking carefully preserved cultural sites, safe and welcoming communities, decadent food experiences and slow exploration, Dubrovnik will feel right at home.

Mallorca, Spain

History and daily life exist side by side in Mallorca, Spain — never competing for attention, just quietly coexisting. Venturing through Palma, Mallorca, felt deeply grounding. Centuries of influence appear as visible textures woven into everyday rhythm.

Palma’s streets unfold in layers, from the quiet stone lanes of the old city to the open sweep of the waterfront, where the light shifts constantly against honey‑colored façades. Gothic architecture anchors the skyline in the form of La Seu, while Moorish and medieval influences linger in courtyards, archways and shaded passages. Just beyond the city, centuries‑old olive groves and dry‑stone terraces — part of the UNESCO‑recognized cultural landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana — continue to shape both the land and the traditions that flow into the capital.

For travelers drawn to cities where modern influences have been thoughtfully layered into historic presence, Palma is a natural fit.

Naples, Italy

Ah, Napoli — Italy's misunderstood darling.

In my lifetime, I’ve walked many ancient streets and sites where world history unfolded. It’s an indescribable experience, and in Naples, Italy, I found myself constantly in awe. Considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, Napoli was founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BCE and has been continuously inhabited ever since.

With its more abrasive reputation in modern history, my decision to make this coastal Italian city the home base for my first-ever international solo trip raised a few brows among my friends and family. However, I did extensive research, and I was firm in my decision to approach this deeply historic place with an open mind. It was the single best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

My days were spent roaming the basalto lavico streets, visiting stunning palaces and museums, exploring artisan shops and taking boat charters along the Amalfi Coast. I learned how to make pasta, sampled some of the city’s most famous fare on a food walking tour and descended deep into Naples’ underground — a hidden city beneath the historic center. There were so many rich experiences to choose from that I found myself wishing for another week to explore Naples and the surrounding region.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Virginia may be for lovers, but the Virgin Islands is for travelers who seek to experience the unapologetically vibrant culture of a Caribbean territory rooted in resilience and community pride.Each of the three main islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands — St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas — appeal to visitors in their own distinct ways.

St. Croix, the largest of the three islands, is deeply shaped by histories of resistance and liberation that influenced the wider Caribbean during the era of enslavement. The island also has a rich agricultural community that helps create the incredible culinary experiences found throughout the territory.

On nearby St. John, 60% of the landscape is protected as part of Virgin Islands National Park, resulting in some of the most stunning, lush tropical landscapes you’ll ever set eyes on. Hiking trails weave throughout the island, with historical sites like the Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins offering moments of reflection and learning. Just a quick ferry ride away sits St. Thomas, the more urban hub of the USVI. Bustling streets are dotted with Caribbean colonial architecture with Danish influence, and the opportunity for new experiences is endless.

Paris, France

Paris is a city I only brushed against — just enough to understand how much more there is to know. My time there was brief, offering only a glimpse into the layers of history, art and daily life that have shaped the city over centuries. Still, the impression lingered: grand yet intimate streets, weighty architecture and an elegance that feels embedded rather than performed.
Paris asks for time and intention, both of which I plan to give it on a future return. Even in passing, the romance holds true — not as a cliché, but as something felt quietly, carried through light, stone and movement.