Over the next few months, we’re going to be interviewing and speaking to some of the best and most experienced travel bloggers on the internet who have visited Slovenia. With each having their own unique experiences of Slovenia, we’re going to be speaking to and getting first hand tips and advice from people that have gone out and experienced the best that Slovenia has to offer.
Today we’re talking to Hamish Broughton at My Travel Fix, asking him about his time exploring and travelling around the world and about his experience visiting Slovenia.
Travel Interview: Hamish Broughton from My Travel Fix
1. For our readers who don’t know you, please tell us a bit about yourself and how you started to travel?
I would be delighted to. Nice to meet you all. My name is Hamish Broughton and I’m a travel blogger and photographer from the UK. While I’m relatively new to travel blogging I’m no stranger to travel. I’ve been lucky enough to travel from a very young age. When I was growing up my father was working in rainforest and biodiversity conservation and was understandably very well travelled. We used to go on amazing adventures as a family to places like Kenya, Ecuador, India and the Galapagos Islands. It’s certainly where I got my passion for travelling and what inspires me to explore as much of our little planet as possible before I kick the bucket.
2. Please tell us about your travel blog My Travel Fix? When did you begin writing it? What makes it different from other travel blogs?
I started My Travel Fix in early 2018. I’ve always had a passion for writing and for me it was a great way to combine some of my greatest passions and allow me to create something. I’ve always been a creative person but since I work full-time in the city of London I needed an outlet that allowed me to express it more freely. Travel for me is like a drug, I crave it. My Travel Fix is a way of feeding this addiction and sharing my experiences and knowledge with the world. What makes me different? There are so many travel blogs nowadays that it’s difficult to stand out. As a photographer, I try to weave as many of my images into my writing as possible. I try to appeal to those people that love photography and travel which helps My Travel Fix to connect with its readers.
3. Where are you currently in the world?
While I spend most of my time in London, I am in fact writing this from a hotel room in Rome. I’m staying here for a couple of days reviewing the hotel and taking in the sites. This afternoon I’ll be heading to the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum which I’m very much looking forward to.
4. How and when did you decide to explore Slovenia?
I visited beautiful Slovenia in April 2018. I’m not really sure exactly why, but it had been on my bucket list for a long time. My girlfriend at the time, Sophie, and I fell in love with the stunning pictures of Lake Bled on Instagram and we just decided that we needed to see it for ourselves. As a photographer, I was also really excited to get some photos for myself.
5. Do you have a favourite destination in Slovenia and why?
It might be a bit of a cliche nowadays but Lake Bled was a dream. We were very fortunate with the weather too which hit close to 28 degrees celsius almost the entire time we were there. Taking a row-boat out to the island church and enjoying some delicious Slovenian icecream was definitely a highlight. If I couldn’t choose Lake Bled, then it would have to go with the Soca River around Bovec. It was staggeringly beautiful and at times I felt more like I was the Canadian Rockies that Europe.
6. Any interesting experiences during your travels in Slovenia?
Sophie and I spent a couple of days in Bovec, which is a little drive west through Triglav National Park. There, we went white water kayaking along the Soca river which was intense but magical. The Soca River is a true gem. The surrounding scenery too was utterly beautiful. The best part was we seemed to be the only people on the river. It was a really special experience for us.
7. What did you find in Slovenia that you didn’t expect?
Honestly, I was really surprised by the food. I don’t know what I was expecting but there exotic blends of Slovenian, Italian, Austrian, Croatian and German foods was enthralling. Not to mention the wine.
8. Is there anywhere you visited in Slovenia that did not live up to your expectations?
In a word. No. My one disappointment is that I didn’t spend enough time in the capital city, Ljubljana. The city looked beautiful and unfortunately, I only spent a couple of hours there before the flight home.
9. Did you learn any Slovenian words while you were in Slovenia?
I’ve never been much of a linguist, but every country I visit I always learn how to raise a glass and say cheers. Na zdravje!
10. Have you tried any traditional Slovenian dishes or desserts such as the Carniolan sausage, Zlikrofi or Potica?
Of course! I practically lived on Carniolan Sausage when I was over there. You just don’t get anything like that in the UK. The Potica (nut roll) was also a personal favourite.
11. What is your advice to others who want to visit and explore Slovenia?
Where do I start? Firstly, anyone that is considering it, I would strongly suggest you do go. It’s a wonderful country with immense natural beauty, delicious food and friendly locals – all for a very reasonable price too. If I had to choose one piece of advice it would be to rent a car, rather than relying on public transport. You can pick up a car for next to nothing from the airport and it will give you so much more freedom to visit the many stunning locations around Slovenia more easily. It’s a small county, so you won’t have to do too much driving.
12. How would you describe Slovenia in one word?
Enchanting.
13. How would you describe your travel style and what can readers expect when they visit your blog and social media?
I’ve very much every day, ordinary traveller. I don’t claim to be anything else. I’m not a “full-time travel blogger” or anything like that. Like most people, I work for a living. I use the money I make from work to fund my travels, just like most of my readers do too. That may change in the future, but who knows. Right now I want to focus on good, helpful and honest content that people can trust and relate to. I’m certainly not the first person with a travel blog to visit Slovenia. However, I want to write content that goes above and beyond what others are doing to create the best articles on the topics available. For social media, I want to do the same. I want to focus on high-quality content, but I want it to remain open and honest – there are too many ‘fake’ travel influencers out there. If you come to follow more on @hamishbroughton you can expect high-quality travel content as well as stories, tips and tricks and travel advice too.
14. How do you fund your travelling?
I work full time in the city of London as a cybersecurity professional. Yes, I’m not a full-time travel blogger. But, I’m not sure I want to me either. At least, not yet. I’m happy building a career here in the UK and I fund all my trips myself with money I have earned through my own blood, sweat and tears – just like everybody else! Recently, I’ve been asked to review some hotels in Europe for which I have been given free accommodation and travel – I’m hoping to do more of this in future.
15. Can you imagine life without travel?
Absolutely not. It’s taught me so much and given me my very best experiences. I’ll be travelling until the day I die.
16. What is your favourite place in the world to travel to and why?
I’ve got a deep love of India. I’ve been three times so far and it just keeps getting better and better. Rajasthan, in particular, is mind-blowing. India as a whole is an attack on the senses which you just can’t get anywhere else in the world. The curry isn’t bad either!
17. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I’ve thought about this a lot I’ve decided it would have to be a country that I haven’t even visited. Canada. I’m in love with Canada. It’s my kind of country. Wide-open spaces, pristine mountain wilderness, forests – the whole package. Fortunately, I’ll be heading there for the first time in June so I’m very much looking forward to seeing this amazing place for the first time.
18. Have you visited a place that turned out to be completely different to how you imagined? If so, how?
Good question. I think I’d have to pick China. I visited the country for the first time last year and it was a real eye-opener. To be honest, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from China. I think in essence it was equal parts shocking and amazing. In my opinion its a country that has a number of deep-rooted issues; pollution being one. But it also contains some of the most pristine and beautiful landscapes I’ve ever witnessed.
19. Do you have a Bucket List? If so where are the 5 top places on it?
I certainly do. In no particular order: Canada, Patagonia, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Norway.
20. Please share a unique or funny travel experience.
As I mentioned above I struggle with languages. There was a rather confusing and amazing incident when I was last travelling through India when I asked for a ‘Creme Brule’ as a desert. Perhaps I said it too quickly or my accent was off. What came was a big, steaming plate of scrambled eggs – no bread, toast or anything! I didn’t have the heart to tell them so I ate it all anyway. It was a rather odd pudding but still delicious!
21. Have you had any bad experiences whilst travelling?
Yes, many. Travelling is fraught with dangers and frustrations. I’ve been charged by bull elephants, almost abandoned ship into shark-infested waters and been mugged a couple of times in dark alleyways. I just accept it as part of the adventure but I have no regrets. I’m still going for now at least!
22. You capture some beautiful photos of the destinations you visit. What favourite photos would you like to share with us from your trip to Slovenia?
That’s very kind of you to say. I’m blushing! Really I found it very easy to take amazing pictures of Slovenia as it is so naturally pretty. Here are my favourite shots from my trip there last spring:
All photos © Hamish Broughton.
Thank you, Hamish Broughton, for taking the time to answer our questions and for sharing your outstanding photos that beautifully convey the amazingness of Lake Bled! Safe Travels!
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Published on March 5th, 2019 |
Published on May 18th, 2018 |
Published on April 28th, 2018 |
Connect with Hamish Broughton
Website: mytravelfix.com
Facebook: facebook.com/hamishbroughton
Twitter: twitter.com/mytravelfix
Instagram: instagram.com/hamishbroughton
Pinterest: pinterest.com/mytravelfix
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