Marina Martinelli

Freelance Travel Writer, Travel Lemming

Marina Martinelli is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast. Born and raised in Florida, Marina moved to Raleigh, NC after finishing her 2023 thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. After previously writing about Tampa for Travel Lemming, Marina now writes about Raleigh and hiking. You can learn more about Marina on her website, The Caffeinated Keyboard.

🏠 Local to: Tampa and Florida

📍 Currently: Raleigh, NC

🌟 Favorite Destinations: Tampa, FL

🎓 Education: Arizona State University (Organizational Leadership and Project Management, 2021)

✔️ Fun Facts: Marina has swam in the Bermuda Triangle, stood inside the eye of a hurricane, and had a bear try to steal her food bag on a camping trip.

Meet Marina

Marina Martinelli during a hike at the Mount Katahdin — Mount Katahdin in Maine

Marina Martinelli smiling for a photo in Franklin, North Carolina — Franklin, North Carolina

Marina Martinelli with her dog on a beach in Tampa, Florida — Tampa, Florida

Marina Martinelli during a hiking trip in New Hampshire — Hiking in New Hampshire

📚 What was Your Favorite Travel Experience or Story?

I flew down to Buenos Aires, Argentina to visit my sister. Together we traveled to the small town of Puerto Pirámides to whale watch. Puerto Pirámides is significant because it sits on the Valdes Peninsula which is the breeding ground for southern right whales.

I spent the next three days observing the majesty of my favorite animal up close and personal on various boat tours. I even took a submarine tour where I was able to whale watch from underwater!

The simplicity of the small town and the natural beauty of the water and the whales made me feel such deep levels of wonder and awe.

People travel for many different reasons. Standing there on the Argentinian coast, feeling the salty ocean breeze in my hair, I realized that I travel and explore for the profound emotions I feel during new and exciting experiences.

🗺️ What’s Your #1 Expert Travel Tip?

Know your ‘why’ when traveling!

Are you traveling to visit a friend you haven’t seen in 5 years? Plan activities that will be conducive to catching up with them and creating new memories together! You don’t want to be sitting on your plane ride home feeling like you learned so much from the guided tours you went on but didn’t have enough quality time to talk with your bestie.

Are you driving out of the city on a 3-day weekend? Create an itinerary that will be exciting, fun, and rejuvenating. I used to pack short trips full of as many activities as I could and it would leave me headed into my work week exhausted.

Wherever your travels take you, remember why you are taking this trip and what you want to get from it.