Inside the Traveler's Mind: Jessica Stewart of RomePhotoBlog

Jessica Stewart must have thrown a coin in the Trevi on her first visit to Rome. As legend has it, those who toss a coin into the famous fountain, will undoubtedly return. She lives and breathes Rome, sharing her photos of La Città Eterna on RomePhotoBlog, and works with Context Travel to share a different view of Rome to those who visit. Check out our interview below to see this Italophile's take on the art of travel.

Name: Jessica Stewart
Hometown: Hopkinton, Massachusetts
Current Location: Rome, Italy

Where have you been?
Rome, Venice, Padova and too many Italian cities to list, Paris, London, Barcelona, Valencia, Munich, Vienna, Lisbon

What's your favorite travel memory?
I've had a lot of fun traveling but probably my most "life changing" moment came when I was studying abroad in Padova in 2001. I vividly remember taking a trip to Rome my last weekend in town and suddenly realizing during the course of my 4 months in Italy, I'd become comfortable in the country. My Italian wasn't great when I first arrived, so I was always worried that people would approach me and I wouldn't know what they were saying. Walking that weekend through the Villa Borghese, I all of a sudden realized that I was no longer feeling that anxiety and I don't know when the change happened, but it was one of the most triumphant feelings I've ever had. It made me realize I could really do anything...and live anywhere!

Do you have a favorite airport?
I'm always taking different airlines and flights either home to the US or within Europe. My most recent favorite was Schipol Airport in Amsterdam. I found the selection of eateries really great and it was a pleasant atmosphere at just the right size.

What's on your essential packing list?
I always have my iPod, which makes train rides and airport waiting go quickly. I also have a great plug converter that transforms for pretty much any country you could want. I always take one of those inflatable neck pillows on the plane as well, as I find it impossible to sleep with the ones they provide. For long trips or living abroad experiences, I learned quickly that a few pictures from home and one or two small (ie quite portable) mementos from home are key. They are the things that transform just any room into your new home. I also bring a hairdryer if I can, as I find the hotel ones generally awful. Clothes wise, I try to bring mostly casual things that can also be turned into something more dressy, with maybe one nice top if I decide to go out somewhere nicer.

What have you learned to leave at home and what can't you live without?
I've learned to not bother bringing full size toiletries. They weigh a ton and you never need that much. I put them in little plastic bottles or just count on buying stuff cheap where I'm going if I know I can find it. I tend of want to bring all my shoes, but have learned to pare it down to one pair for the day and one for evening. You never need more. What I always make space for is my camera, which travels with me wherever I go! My technique for not packing too many outfits is to lay out everything I want to bring and then to take away two or three items to pare it down.

If you got stuck somewhere and were never able to leave, where would it be?
Oh wow, it used to be Italy, but now I'm living here, so I can't say that! To be honest, I'm not sure, I like to keep moving, so the option of not being able to leave sounds a little scary. I'm the type who would get pretty bored on a desert island.

Who's your travel hero?
No one specifically, but I admire anyone I see or hear of who has thrown themselves into a new experience and culture.

What's the biggest travel myth that you can debunk?
That you have a spend a lot to have a good experience. A little research goes a long way and with the internet, it's easier and easier to find good resources for having a great travel experience. And the other thing I would say is, travel without fear. I get asked a lot by other Americans if we're looked down upon by the rest of the world and I think that creates fear in travel. My experience has been exactly the opposite, that no matter what people believe politically, they've always been willing to engage in an interesting debate and are genuinely interested to hear my perspective. Having these types of discussions across cultures can only help bring everyone closer together.

What's the first thing you do when you get off the plane or leave the airport?
Usually visit the restroom and try to freshen up, brush my teeth, etc! After leaving the airport, I normally try to take a walk around the neighborhood I'm staying in to figure out the lay of the land — where the stores, supermarkets, transport, etc. is all located.

What do you plan before you leave home and what do you leave to chance?
I always plan where I'm going to stay as the first thing. Once I know where I'll be located within a given place, I'll generally scope out how to get to the sites I want to see and also research good eateries. Other than that I try to leave the day to day itinerary for when I'm there, as you never know what you'll feel like once you arrive. Plus I find it gives more spontaneity to the vacation.

You find yourself in an unfamiliar situation while on the road. What do you do? How do you approach a problem? What advice would you give to a timid traveler?
The most important thing is not to panic and remain calm. I'd most likely try to enlist the help of a local if possible, as they are the ones who would probably have the best way to help you. If you don't want to approach a stranger, find your nearest police office or pop into a hotel, the receptionist or concierge is bound to speak some English and their job is to help people.

Your most memorable meal....
Oh wow, I don't think I can narrow it down to one! I'm pretty spoiled living in Rome, but I'll pick something from one of my trips in Europe, which might have to be this amazing paella at a nearby seaside town in Valencia. My friend and I had been waiting for the perfect paella and we found it in a little local bar near the beach.

If you could only give one piece of travel advice, what would it be?
To spend a longer period of time visiting fewer cities in order to get a real sense of them. And stay in an apartment! It's often cheaper and you'll live like a local.

What's your take on souvenirs? What do you bring home with you?
I like to buy things that I would actually use in the real world when I return. So besides photographs, which I think are souvenirs in and of themselves, I bring back postcards of my favorite museum pieces and sometimes museum guides that I buy on site. For myself I like to buy a piece of jewelry that is unique, something I would wear back home and would always remind me of where I bought it.

Do you have a travel experience that's changed how you look at the world or changed your life?
Definitely! The first was as a high school student with my history teacher. We visited Rome, Florence, and Venice and it made me realize the world was so much bigger than my small town. That trip is what ultimately led me to study art history and set me down a course that led me to live in Italy. I think if I hadn't gone on that trip, I wouldn't be where I am now, and for that, I'm forever grateful to my teacher.

What's your next trip?
There's a few things in the works. Living abroad has given me the chance to make friends with people all over Europe. A weekend in Stockholm and also in Berlin are in the works to visit friends. After that, possibly Istanbul, which is somewhere I've wanted to go for quite some time.

We want to thank Jessica for giving us an opportunity to share her travel philosophy and website. Don't forget to check out RomePhotoBlog for great photos of Rome!