Well hello, fellow adventurer! My name is Stephanie and I’m a blogger, passport stamp collector, gold medalist in running late, obsessive photog, and lover of all carbs.
I started The Scenic Suitcase® to share my passion for travel and photography with the world I live to explore. From Cuba to Iceland to Africa, there’s no shortage of places to experience! But I know it can seem a bit daunting. How can you get where you want to go? What should you see when you visit? How can you beautifully capture each destination? Is it safe? These questions can be paralyzing and keep you from taking that trip of your dreams.
That’s where I come in! No one plans more methodically than me (you’re talking to the OCD queen over here!) I’m going to help take the guesswork away so you can feel confident in your next adventure and start checking things off your bucket list. And while designing a trip can be almost as much fun as taking it, many of the best adventures are those that catch you off guard. The ones where you just close your eyes, jump in, and trust that some of the most amazing memories can’t be planned.
Starting a travel blog was much like that for me. Diving straight into the deep end and hoping for the best. Did I know the first thing about blogging? Nope. Was I great with technology? Dear lord, not even close. But did I have something I wanted to share with the world? A passion I just can’t seem to get enough of? You betcha! And that passion is travel. The first morning in a new place, experiencing different cultures, trying new foods (sheep’s head and sour rams’ testicles?!? Makes me glad I only eat fish!) When discomfort gives way to familiarity and you realize the world is so much bigger than you imagined. It’s wanderfully addicting!
And as much as I’m here to help with your own travel adventures (from helping you realize you really can take that trip, to giving you the tools to plan every detail), I want you to help me too! What are some of your favorite destinations? Best things to do when you get there? The list of places to go only gets bigger by the day, and I’d love to hear your “must sees.”
So pack your swim trunks, and let’s dive in together!
Let the Journey Begin!
I hope this site serves as a resource and inspiration for your own travels. And like any adventure, the hardest part is often taking that first step. Let me help…
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Q & A
Where am I from?
Born in Montana, I bounced around quite a bit for my dad’s job growing up. It took my family to sunny California, Pennsylvania Dutch country, the woods of Tennessee, and colorful Colorado (where I’ve lived three times, and currently reside).
My favorite? Colorado. Hands down.
I just can’t get enough of the fresh mountain air, year-round sunshine, and jaw-dropping scenery.
Chicken or fish?
I’m a pescatarian (which is just a pretentious-sounding way to say the only meat I eat is fish.) Other than that, I mostly survive on sweets, fried foods, cheese, and Goldfish crackers.
My friends have described my diet as that of an unsupervised 8-year-old at a birthday party.
Yup. Guilty as charged.
Worst Fear?
Ants. Not by themselves (when alone, they’re kinda cute and super interesting!) But in large numbers? No, thank you.
Favorite subject in school?
I know what you’re thinking. Geography, right? But no. My sentiment when I was younger was “maps are hard”.
Instead, I used to geek out over science (ok, let’s be honest, I still do.) I find learning about the world around me completely fascinating (especially when it comes to bugs and animals!) And since I have a love for animals and always seem to be saving them, friends have designated me as the spider/wasp/snake/mouse/etc catcher.
First solo flight?
When I was in 2nd grade flying cross country to visit friends in California. But back in those days, parents could chaperone their kids to the gate themselves. And we had to walk uphill to school… both ways.
Where was my first international trip?
Switzerland to visit my dad, who was living in Geneva at the time for work. I started in Rome, where the trip got off to a rocky start when I was pickpocketed in my first 2 minutes outside the train station.
Not surprising, since I’m a bit of a walking disaster (both in terms of being a klutz and creating deeply awkward situations).
Lesson learned.
Where’s one place I’m dying to go back to?
There are so many I’d love to see again, but at the top of my list is Cinque Terre, Italy. Everything about it was pure magic! The colorful buildings precariously perched along the cliffs, the stunning hiking trails through lush vineyards and the rocky shoreline, the delectable food and friendly locals. No wonder it’s become such a popular destination in recent years!
Most memorable travel experience?
There are so many I treasure, but the ones that leave the greatest impression on me are always the people I meet along the way.
The group of strangers who joined together for an impromptu rendition of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” at the base of the Spanish Steps in the wee hours of the morning. The young Swiss gentlemen my friends and I laughed the night away with on a rooftop overlooking the Empire State Building. The Uber driver in Paris who commiserated with me over troubling politics. And the elderly shop owner in Bali who enveloped me in a tearful embrace.
It’s really the people you meet in your travels that stay with you forever.
What’s my #1 travel tip?
To always carry-on your luggage. Always.
Even on longer trips, it’s totally possible to never check a bag again when you use the right suitcase, compression bags, and a few tricks. Doing so will save you money on baggage fees, the headache of lost or damaged belongings, and time on the other end waiting in baggage claim. It makes travel so much easier and more enjoyable!
What’s one random thing about me that may surprise you?
I used to have a pet rattlesnake. You can imagine how thrilled my 1st grade teacher was when I brought it to school for show-and-tell (the tape line on the carpet that students weren’t allowed to cross was at least six feet away from the cage).
My mom was equally unimpressed, so my dad and I let it go after just a week.
Personal hero(es)?
I’m a total daddy’s girl, so naturally he’s always been my hero. His charisma, intelligence, fearlessness, curiosity, and dedication are something to be admired, and he inspires me to strive for it in my own life.
Another person who motivates me with her tenacity, intellect, and adventurous spirit is Kiersten Rich (aka The Blonde Abroad). Having looked up to her for her many accomplishments, I jumped at the chance to attend her blogging retreat in Bali and her photography tour in South Africa. I’m not only impressed by her talent, but also by her honesty and capacity for kindness. Plus, she’s super fun to be around so… there’s that.
