Ordinary Traveler is an award-winning adventure travel and lifestyle blog, written by Christy Woodrow and Scott Calafiore. In 2009, we created Ordinary Traveler to chronicle our travels and share our love of photography. Over the past 10 years, Ordinary Traveler has grown tremendously and it’s now one of the top travel blogs, offering useful travel advice and tips on balancing a home life with extreme wanderlust.
Why did we name our site Ordinary Traveler?
When we started our blog in 2009, many of the popular travel blogs were written by permanent, or soon-to-be permanent, nomads. They got a lot of press, which gave the impression that this was the preferred way to travel.
Not everyone wants to quit their job and sell all their possessions to travel. People who want a family, a home, and an adventurous life are the “ordinary” people we strive to connect with and inspire. That’s the idea behind the name Ordinary Traveler.
Christy is now a full-time travel photographer and professional blogger and Scott works for a small software company in San Diego. Christy and Scott both practice meditation and breathwork and help lead others with this healing work while they are home in San Diego.
During an extended stay in Southeast Asia, we realized we love our home base in coastal San Diego too much to be permanent nomads, so we are learning how to juggle living a “normal” life at home and exploring the world. (Please see our Work With Us page if you are looking for partnership opportunities.)
How can this site help you?
Ordinary Traveler’s focus is to provide trip ideas for people with limited vacation time and to introduce off-the-beaten-path destinations that you may not find on other travel blogs.
On the internet, every day, we are flooded with the truly extraordinary. We are conditioned to believe that “exceptional” is the new normal, which can leave people feeling pretty insecure.
The truth is, you don’t need to be born with extreme talent to do what you love. Don’t let the fear that you are not talented enough stop you from fulfilling your dreams. The trick to living the life of your dreams is dedication and hard work.
Our Travels
We love immersing ourselves in nature, so most of our trips are highly active — including hiking, kayaking, surfing, and any other adventurous activity we can find. We’re not fearless, but we like to live by the motto: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Rather than letting our fears hold us back, we try to force ourselves to do the things that scare us the most — like skydiving, scuba diving, and living an unconventional life.
Best of the Blog
Travel Advice
My 25 Best Travel Tips After 10 Years of Traveling the World
How to Take Great Travel Photos as a Solo Traveler
Tips for Keeping Your Valuables Safe While Traveling
10 Tips on How to Save for Travel
A Travel Photographer’s Camera Kit
How to Build a Successful Travel Blog
10 Genius Camping Hacks & Tips Every Camper Should Know
How to Survive a Long-Haul Flight
Road Trip Essentials: What to Pack on a Road Trip
Escape the Crowds: 10 Places to Visit in Europe in Summer
8 Travel Apps That Will Save You a Fortune
Most Inspiring Posts
The Secret to Living the Life of Your Dreams
5 Reasons NOT to Quit Your Job to Travel
How I Travel the World for a Living
Molokai: It’s All About the Love
Solo Female Travel
Travel Tips for the Solo Female Adventurer
10 Safe Destinations for Solo Female Travelers
7 Things I’ve Learned from Traveling Solo
Being in a Relationship Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Travel Solo
Keeping in Touch With Your Significant Other While Traveling
Why Wales is a Perfect Destination for Solo Travelers
Great Stories
My Day with Puffins in Elliston, Newfoundland
A Day With Wild Grizzly Bears in Glendale Cove, British Columbia
Orcas Versus Gray Whales: Our Once in a Lifetime Whale Watching Experience
See a Glacier – Limited Time Only!
Is it Worth Visiting Israel if You’re Not Religious?
Surrounded by Whales in Stephens Passage, Alaska
Boat Ride from Hell – Chitwan, Nepal
St. Cirq Lapopie: The Most Beautiful Village in France?
An Afternoon in Marcilhac sur Cele, France
In Search of the “Blue Lagoon” – Vang Vieng, Laos
Packing Tips
Packing Tips for World Travelers
How to Stay Stylish While Traveling
California Channel Islands Packing Tips
What to Pack for a Winter Trip to Canada
Travel Guides & Destination Tips
Insider’s Guide to Travel in the Cook Islands
How to Travel in Norway on a Budget
9 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Venice, Italy
Essential Travel Tips for North Vancouver Island
How to Plan a Trip to Scotland’s Hebrides
The Ultimate Guide to Portland in a Weekend
Prep, Pack & Plan: Your Guide to Cabo, Mexico
Top 10 Things To Do in Trinidad & Tobago
Must-Visit Beer Pubs in Brussels
Koh Phangan: It’s More Than Just a Party Island
Yellowstone National Park Camping Tips
Island Hopping Guide to West Sweden
10 Things to See & Do on California’s Central Coast
Your Guide to the Florida Keys
Tips for Taking a Road Trip in the USA
Central California Coast Travel Guide
A California Hwy 1 Itinerary for Wine & Beer Enthusiasts
The Ultimate Guide to Maui on a Budget
How to Take a Road Trip in Australia
5 Restaurants to Try in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Follow Our Journey
If you want to join us on our journey, make sure to sign up for weekly email updates to get our blog posts in your inbox!
-Christy & Scott