For the past few week’s we’ve been conducting interviews with some of the most exciting and experienced travel bloggers on the planet. In this very special interview, we’re talking to Scarlett Miers from Petite Suitcase. Read about some of her adventures in Slovenia and elsewhere around the world below!
Scarlett and her dog, Alfie, at Lake Bled.
Travel Interview: Scarlett Miers of Petite Suitcase
1. For our readers who don’t know you, please tell us a bit about yourself and how you started to travel?
Hi, I’m Scarlett – travel blogger, photographer, dog mom and pizza lover. My mom taught me the importance of travel when I was a kid. From weekend trips to subscribing to every travel magazine available in the ‘90s, travel was always something we were either doing or planning. Studying abroad in Rome gave me a whole different perspective, but I really fell in love with Europe when I later moved to England for about a year after grad school. A while after that, my husband and I moved to Italy for about two and a half years. We traveled frequently during that time, usually bringing along our dog Alfie.
2. Please tell us about your travel blog Petite Suitcase? When did you begin writing it? What makes it different from other travel blogs?
I started my blog when we first moved to Italy over 3 years ago. I was inspired by the few professional travel bloggers at the time. I still love reading other blogs and the industry has really exploded with so many talented content creators. For destinations in Italy, I’d like to think I have more of a local’s perspective. I like to provide practical information and obviously share my love of photography, but I also focus on details and particular moments that readers can experience on their trip too.
3. How many countries in the world have you visited?
Somewhere in the mid 30s.
4. Where are you currently in the world?
We recently moved to San Diego.
5. How and when did you decide to explore Slovenia?
I first went to Ljubljana on a trip after grad school in 2010. I only stayed for one night in route to Austria from Croatia. I always wanted to go back and do it right. So eventually, my husband and I took a road trip to see more of the country. We drove from Italy with our dog.
6. Do you have a favourite destination in Slovenia and why?
I really loved Lake Bled and Piran. How has Slovenia managed to keep Piran a secret? I see Lake Bled all over Instagram and Pinterest, but I think Piran is still under the radar for most American tourists. We only stayed for one night in the fall, but I’d love to go back when the weather is warmer.
7. Any interesting experiences during your travels in Slovenia?
The Bled Castle and the Ljubljana Castle were both interesting. Not only did they offer amazing views, but we also enjoyed learning about the history of the castles and the cities.
8. What did you find in Slovenia that you didn’t expect?
Amazing wine!
9. Is there anywhere you visited in Slovenia that did not live up to your expectations?
Nope!
10. Did you learn any Slovenian words while you were in Slovenia?
Bled Cream Cake… does that count?
11. Have you tried any traditional Slovenian dishes or desserts such as the Carniolan sausage, Zlikrofi or Potica?
I don’t eat meat, but my husband enjoyed all of the meat dishes he could find. The dinner and breakfast we had at Penzion Berc in Bled was really fresh and delicious. We loved all the meals we had during our stay in Slovenia.
12. What is your advice to others who want to visit and explore Slovenia?
We were really glad we had a car. It allowed us to make the most our trip and see different areas. Just don’t forget to get that vignette sticker.
13. How would you describe Slovenia in one word.
Beautiful (not a very creative word, but it’s true).
14. How would you describe your travel style and what can readers expect when they visit your blog and social media?
When I go to write a blog post, I think of it as a really really long, link and photo filled email I’m sending to a friend. She wants to stay in a cool hotel or airbnb, but she’s practical and doesn’t really want to pay $1000 a night. So, I write to them with tips on nice places to stay, interesting things to do, and of course, where to get a decent spritz.
15. How do you fund your travelling?
My husband and I both worked full time while we lived in Italy. Travel within Europe is very affordable thanks to budget airlines. If we didn’t feel like flying somewhere or taking the train to Rome, we would just drive an hour to the Amalfi Coast. We really made the most of each weekend, even if we just stayed in our area (which was incredible to call the Amalfi Coast “our area”).
16. Can you imagine life without travel?
I can imagine it, but it wouldn’t be for me.
17. What is your favourite place in the world to travel to and why?
Anywhere in Europe, but Italy, France and England in particular. I just love old world charm, art history, the food and the culture.
18. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Assuming this question doesn’t have visa or financial constraints, Paris or Rome.
19. Have you visited a place that turned out to be completely different to how you imagined? If so, how?
The little island of Procida off the coast of Naples is portrayed to have an insanely colorful marina area. The colors are actually quite muted and sun bleached. I wasn’t disappointed. It just wasn’t what I expected. I still think Procida is incredibly charming, but it’s not exactly a Caribbean island with bright, highly saturated buildings. That experience just speaks to the power of photo editing.
20. Do you have a Bucket List? If so where are the 5 top places on it?
Scotland, the Cotswolds, New York City, Buenos Aires, Bali, Panarea, Tulum, Mexico City, Bordeaux, Porto, Montenegro… who can keep it to 5?
21. Please share a unique or funny travel experience.
On a flight from Italy to California, the plane made an emergency stop in Iceland to drop off a woman who had one too many free cocktails. She might have picked the wrong time to try sleeping pills for the first time and had a bad reaction. I’m not 100% sure what happened. As you can imagine, people who missed their connections were not amused.
22. Have you had any bad experiences whilst travelling?
Unfortunately, the occasional pitfall is also part of frequent travel. Only a few occasions come to mind though. I’ve had stuff stolen out of my luggage in Rome, my car broken into in Italy and two attempted pickpocket in Paris.
23. You capture some beautiful photos of the destinations you visit. What favourite photos would you like to share with us from your trip in Slovenia?
We went in October and were equally lucky in the weather and fall foliage department. Here’s 10 of my favorites from our 5-day road trip.
A bird’s eye view of fall in Piran, from the Town Walls.
Tartini Square in the centre of picturesque Piran as seen from the clock tower of St. George’s Church.
The Presernovo Nabrezje promenade in Piran
A bird’s eye view of fall in Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana, from Ljubljana Castle.
The streets of Ljubljana are excellent for strolling.
Because car traffic is restricted in Ljubljana, the cobblestone streets are left open only to pedestrians and cyclists.
Predjama Castle, one of the most picturesque Renaissance castles from 16th century.
The pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary on an island in the middle of Lake Bled.
Traditional Pletna boats in the fall sunshine at Lake Bled.
Scarlett and her dog, Alfie, at Lake Bled.
All photos © Scarlett Miers.
Thank you, Scarlett, for taking the time to answer our questions and for sharing your favourite photos from your trip to Slovenia! Safe Travels!
| |
|---|
 Published on November 16th, 2017 |
 Published on November 8th, 2017 |
 Published on November 1st, 2017 |
Connect with Scarlett Miers
Website: petitesuitcase.com
Facebook: facebook.com/petitesuitcase
Instagram: instagram.com/petitesuitcase
Pinterest: pinterest.com/petitesuitcase
| |
|---|
 For the past few week’s we’ve been conducting interviews with some of the most exciting and experienced travel bloggers on the planet. In this very special interview, we spoke to Scarlett Miers from Petite Suitcase about some of her adventures in Slovenia and elsewhere around the world. |
 Over the past few weeks we’ve been interviewing some of the most respected and interesting travel bloggers on the internet. It goes without saying that this installment is no different, and this time we spoke to duo Mikkel Paige And Dan Woodruff from Sometimes Home, to discuss their travels around the world and what they discovered in Slovenia. |
 Take a look at our latest travel interview with Danielle Hyman and Adam Aronson from travelhelix. Having traveled basically the entire world, they were kind enough to answer all our questions about their travels around the globe and their experiences in Slovenia. |
 We are excited to bring you another article in our popular travel interview series this week — this time with Ida Ploug Pahus of Live Life Fully Alive. So far Ida has been living on 4 different continents – North America, South America, Asia and Europe and has boarded planes more than 114 times. She visited Slovenia on a road trip last summer. |
 In this interview we spoke to British travel blogger James Smith of Only By Land to discuss his adventures travelling around the world and his experiences in Slovenia. By now, James has visited over 120 countries. In 2017 he was traveling from Lisbon to Tehran by land and passed through Slovenia. |
 In part of our interview series, talking to some of the most prominent and interesting travel bloggers who have visited Slovenia, we spoke to Aurelia Teslaru of Daily Travel Pill to discuss her adventures travelling around the world and her experiences in Slovenia. At the end of the interview you can also check out Aurelia's favourite photos from her trip to Slovenia, that she kindly shared with us. |
 An interview with Hamish Broughton. a travel blogger and photographer from the UK, together with his 10 favourite landscape photos from his last trip to Slovenia last spring. Hamish got his passion for travelling from accompanying his father on frequent trips to places like Kenya, Ecuador, India and the Galapagos Islands. Travel for Hamish is like a drug, He craves it. His travel blog 'My Travel Fix' is a way of feeding this addiction and sharing his experiences and knowledge with the world. |
Such amazing pictures! Slovenia is truly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Thanks for this article.
Those views are amazing!
Oh my gosh I really hope to visit Slovenia one day! It has been on my bucket list for years, and I just want to see all of it!
I loved driving in Slovenia! Although the scenery is so beautiful that it’s often distracting!
Lovely photos and fantastic interview! Slovenia was already at the top of my travel wishlist, but this article was very inspiring!
I’d love to go to Slovenia one day, and I think the best time for me to visit would be summer. I’d love to visit at any time though!!
Slovenia, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s such a special place.