Meet Mary from Life Full of Light!
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In the latest interview, meet Mary from Life Full of Light.
My name is Mary Marino, and my blog is Life Full of Light. I’m a travel and photography blogger from the USA. I love to learn about new places and capture them with my camera so that I can share them with you!
You can keep up with Mary’s adventures on Life Full of Light by following along on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
How Long have you been blogging for? Why’d you decide to start a travel blog?
I started my blog in May 2019 covering a few different niches, but travel has always been the main focal point.
I’ve always wanted to travel, so creating a blog about it seemed like a great idea once I started traveling seriously. I wanted to start a blog where I could share my adventures and help others have the best experience possible when traveling.
I also love to write about photography and help my readers improve their skills so that when they travel, they can take great photos to remember their experiences.
Do you have any tips for new travel bloggers/Aspiring travel bloggers?
You don’t have to quit your regular job, drop everything, and travel all year long to be a successful travel blogger. Some people do that, and that’s great! I still work full time at a hospital while writing for my blog on the side.
I travel whenever I get a chance, but traveling 365 days a year isn’t something I’m able to do right now. If you’re in a similar situation, don’t let that stop you from chasing your dream!
What’s one thing you wish you knew before you started traveling?
Things don’t always go according to plan. Be flexible because plans change.
The weather might not be what you expect, your flight might get delayed, or the restaurant you really wanted to visit might be closed when you get there.
Just because everything isn’t picture perfect doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. You just have to roll with it!
Why do you love to travel?
I love pretty much everything about travel from the excitement of choosing a destination and planning a trip to finally arriving at a place I’ve always wanted to visit.
Just being in a new place, seeing and experiencing new things, and trying new and delicious foods, are what I really love to spend my time doing.
There’s something so fun about going somewhere new and making memories. It feels like another world!
What’s your best and worst travel experience?
My best travel experience would have to be the day I spent in Waterton, Alberta.
Honestly, that whole trip to Canada was amazing, but probably my favorite part was the boat tour on Waterton Lake. We crossed the border into Montana to see Glacier National Park, and we also saw a Moose and her baby!
The whole tour was just magical with the perfect weather and beautiful mountains all around, all viewed from the bow of this little boat.
If you want to know more about Waterton and things to do there, you can check out my blog post here: Things to do in Waterton Lakes National Park.
My worst experience? Actually, nothing comes to mind. I guess I haven’t had to experience the horror stories other travelers have had (at least not yet) and I’m grateful for that!
Do you prefer solo travel or traveling with other people? Why?
I never travel solo. To me, traveling is better with friends and family. Experiences are always better when you have someone to share them with!
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been to? Why?
Again, I would probably have to say Canada. I visited Alberta for a few days in the summertime, and it was so gorgeous! The mountains were so magnificent, the weather was beautiful, and the people we met were so kind! I can’t wait to go back.
What’s your biggest travel tip?
My best travel tip is to take photos and take them often. I would rather have photos and not need them than wish I had photos and not have them.
If you have a camera, take it with you even if you don’t think you’ll use it. Every time I don’t bring my camera with me, I wish I had. You can see what’s in my camera bag here: My Photography Gear.
Is there one specific thing you like to do, see, or buy in every place that you visit?
I usually buy a t-shirt from each city that I visit. Not a cheesy one, but something cute that I would be willing to wear anywhere.
That’s not a rule for me, but it’s something I usually end up buying. Also, I almost always find a popular local ice cream or dessert place when I travel. I have a sweet tooth, and you can’t go wrong with ice cream!
Is there one particular food that you’ve tried while traveling that you loved? What food was it and why do you love it so much?
The one food that comes to mind is the 100-layer donut from Five Daughter’s Bakery in Nashville, Tennessee.
Yes, you can get donuts anywhere, but not like these.
Every time I visit Nashville, I make a point to stop by and get a donut of a different flavor.
These croissant donut hybrids are rolled in sugar, filled with cream, and then frosted with fun and flavorful icings. What more could you want?
Quick questions
Plane or train? I love flying! I’ve never ridden a train, but I’d like to someday!
Hotel or hostel? Hotel. I’d rather pay a higher price for higher luxury and more privacy.
City or nature? I’m not really an outdoorsy type, but I love traveling to places with beautiful natural landscapes.
Popular site or off the beaten path? Destinations that are off the beaten path are usually less crowded, and I love feeling like I’ve discovered something that most people don’t know about.
Suitcase or backpack? Backpacks are preferable, but I’m an over-packer, so suitcases are nice.
Fast travel or slow travel? Fast travel I suppose. I’m always looking for the next activity. It’s hard for me to rest on vacation when there’s so much to do!
Professional camera or phone photography? iPhone cameras are great, but I prefer my professional camera. I feel like I have more control and can more accurately capture what I’m seeing with a high-quality camera.
Warm or cold weather? Cold weather. I don’t like to get sweaty, and I love to bundle up with some cute scarves and boots!
All photos used throughout this post are taken by Mary from Life Full of Light.
