Traveler Tuesday – Marissa of Little Things Travel

I first met Marissa of Little Things Travel in Boston when I attended my first WITs (Women in Travel Summit). My lovely friend Katie introduced me to her and I was smitten. She is very smart, incredibly sympah (nice) and love to talk about the food scene in her hometown. The following year when I was a speaker at the conference I got to spend more time with Marissa and worked with her on some Wanderful projects. She has a good head on her shoulders and I am thrilled you get to know a little more about her!

Let’s meet travel blogger Marissa!

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
It all began when I studied abroad in college. It was a summer term program to the British Isles, and I was overcome with every little detail of the new places, people, and cultures I was experiencing. I had the privilege of taking many family vacations growing up, but most of them revolved around beaches and relaxation. While I still enjoy those types of vacations and they are much needed at times, my study abroad trip was the first time I traveled without my family and it was what truly sparked my love for travel and exploring.

[2] What kind of traveler do you define yourself as?
I'd say a light, part-time traveler. I like to do a lot of weekend trips and typically only get in 1-2 longer international trips per year. I also like to travel light and rarely check a bag.

[3] What do you love most about traveling?
Learning about new cultures, especially those that were unfamiliar to me before my visit. Trying different local foods and restaurants, in particular, is one of my favorite ways to do this!

[4] What do you dislike about traveling?
Getting there. I know they say it's all about the journey, not the destination, but as someone who gets motion sickness pretty easily, that's not usually the case for me. Plus it can be very time consuming especially when there are multiple flights involved with getting somewhere. I'm ready for teleportation!

[5] Why should people travel?
To build a relationship with the world. Each place you visit creates a bond with that city, country, etc. That place is no longer just a speck on a map. It is a meaningful place with people you know and experiences you've had. It gives you a whole new perspective on the world.

[6] What famous person would you like to travel with?
Hmm, I've never really thought about this. Maybe Jennifer Lawrence? She's one of my favorite actresses and she seems like she'd be a fun person to travel with!

[7] Travel essentials – 3 things you always travel with.
Packing cubes, Dramamine, and my Sony a6000.

[8] If you’re a foodie, what's your favorite food city? Do you have a restaurant recommendation?
I think I'd have to go with my hometown of Boulder, Colorado. It's hard to pick just one city because I love so many different types of foods, but Boulder has the variety I need! It is way too difficult to pick just one restaurant though. A few of my favorites: Sforno or Via Perla for Italian, The Mediterranean for Mediterranean, Sancho's for Mexican, Snooze for breakfast/brunch, The Sink for burgers, and Eureka for New American. Sadly my favorite Thai place closed and Boulder is lacking in any exceptional pizza places, though Beau Jo's isn't too bad.

[9] What's one location on your bucket list?
Ecuador has been on my list for a while now!

[10] Do you have a piece of advice for bloggers starting out?
Embrace change. My blog, writing, and focus has changed so much throughout the years, including a rebranding! It is perfectly fine and even expected that your blog will evolve with you and your audience throughout the years. Yes, there may be a lot of work involved, but embrace the change! You never know what will come of it if you don't try.

Marissa's Lightning Round of Favorites

Airport: Denver
Mode of Transportation: Train
City or Country: Croatia
Travel Gear: Delsey Montmartre Carry-On Suitcase
Travel snack: Chex Mix
Book: I Am Malala
Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy
Song: This changes frequently. It pretty much depends what I'm in the mood for!

Thanks Marissa!

You can keep up with Marissa on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and of course on her blog. Wherever you catch her, I am sure you will enjoy her travel adventures!

How about you? What would you like to know about Marissa?

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