Best Things to Do on Gozo, Malta

Gozo Malta is slow-paced; fewer tourists make it to Malta’s ‘Little Sister.’ Away from the ferry terminal, traffic is light. Day-to-day life is regulated by the sea, seasons, and crops. A church bell and rooster announce the day’s beginning. Shops close for a mid-day break. At the end of the day, folks gather at sidewalk cafes, eating, drinking, laughing, conversing in English, Maltese, Italian, and bits of Arabic.

Best Things to Do on Gozo

Gozo, Malta – One day it will be my forever home. Gozo is a small island in the Mediterranean archipelago of Malta. There are 37,000 residents on 26 square miles. The 9- by 4.5-mile island takes you back in time a couple of decades. It’s a quiet place where agriculture and fishing have been the…

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Beds in England

Whether in London or far-flung Shropshire, I slept around in England.

14 Grand Hotel Lobbies…

Grand hotel lobbies will transport you. They are portals to another world; another time. Enjoy photos of 14 from Mary Charlebois’ travels.

Red

Red is my favorite color. Celebrate with red this holiday season.

Balmy Alley Walls Have Art II

Robots made from apartment buildings, Latino film stars, angels, cowboys, farm laborers, immigrants, religious icons, and much, much more. The walls of Balmy Alley, in San Francisco’s Mission, have art.

A Walk on Marsaskala Harbor

A Walk on Marsaskala Harbor in Malta led me to fisherman with awfully long poles, salt pans, a raided palace, street art, the ghost of Muammar Gaddafi, and a Bulgarian stalker.

The fishing boats of Marsaxlokk…

It’s early morning. The sky is changing from deep indego to gold. The fishing boats of Marsaxlokk bob quietly in the harbor. Fisherman sit under a shelter drinking coffee and eating Maltese pastries. On a stripped bench, a deckhand catches a few winks. The conversations are mostly in Maltese, but I hear English, Italian, and a language I think might be an African dialect.

Avila Beach California…

Avila Beach is a small but lively beach community on California’s Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County.

Sofa Tour 4—St Augustine Beach…

White sand dunes, sea oats, sea turtle nest, gentle surf, and clouds swelling on the Atlantic horizon. The uncrowded beach is quiet as the sun rises. It’s standard on St Augustine Beach Florida.

Sofa Tour 2 – Santa Rosa…

Sofa Tour Two – Santa Rosa is a mélange of cultures, art, history, a vibrant foodie scene, classic and progressive wineries and breweries, one of the largest farmers markets in Northern California, and very friendly folks.

Wow, I Am a Winner!

The 2020 Captain Jetson Airline and Travel News Journalist Awards go to our top-10 professionals whose articles consistently caught our eyes delivering riveting content in 2019. Captain Les, Publisher, Captain Jetson Thank you Captain Jetson for honoring me with your 2020 Captain Jetson Airline and Travel News Journalist Award .I’m very proud to be included in this…

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30-Days in Malta, Days-1—4

The sun and salt-air gave my hair golden threads. My feet have tan lines from days of walking in my Teva sandals.

Love Letter for an Airline…

I was already a fan of Virgin, both domestic and international, but this experience placed the airline at the top of my list.

Tropics of Cornwall ~ re-do

I’m honored GoNOMAD choose this story for a newsletter video feature using my words and many of my photos.

They Say I’m a Travel Expert…

I’m pleased to be included in Travel Awaits’ Travel Experts Reveal Their Favorite U.S. National Parks article. In this parks roundup, I talk-up Yosemite, a place I’ve visited many times over the years, in fact, as recently as August 2019.

Libations anyone?

Yes, I have become one of those people, … … you know, the type that photographs everything they eat and drink; but I have a good excuse, “it’s my job.” Being a freelance travel journalist and photographer is the best gig ever. It may not pay so well, but the perks are delightful. Enjoy these “my…

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California Land Cruise

Grand American Adventures leads tours of authentic travel, shared experiences, and real adventure.

Wine Country – Napa Alternatives

Captain Jetson is the one-stop hub for aviation, travel, and flying news. The website and newsletter are expanding to include destination and general travel content.

30 Days in Malta: Chapter 5

Malta has no rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Water comes from the ocean, rain, or limited groundwater. Most potable water is desalinated sea water.

England Story #20 Published

It’s been almost a year since I went to England for 30-days in 2018. I’ve been lucky enough to have 20 articles published about my adventures.

30 Days in Malta: Chapter 4

Gozo is small, 26-square miles. I’m doing a 7-day walking tour this Mediterranean paradise in The Republic of Malta.

30-Days in Malta—Chapter 3

The Maltese are great cooks and renowned chefs. In the center of the Mediterranean, the best ingredients in the world are at Malta’s doorstep. Seafood from the Mediterranean Sea, fruit, veg and spices from Morocco, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, and the Middle East.

London Steam Train Expeditions

Steam train service will offer vintage train journeys from London’s Waterloo Station to Windsor. While aboard indulge in a champagne brunch in elegant Pullman Style Dining carriages.

30-Days in Malta – Chapter 2

The Maltese Islands are known for their celebrations. There are numerous festivals throughout the year. Feast days, harvest festivals fireworks festivals, music festivals, art festivals, village festas, regattas, and many more.

Road Trip ~ San Simeon

Along California’s Central Coast, in San Simeon you’ll find wildlife, waves, wilderness and wine. Soak up nature and Old California history.

30-Days in Malta

  It’s official. I’m going to Malta six months from now. The Republic of Malta is an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily. That alone would make it splendid to visit. For me, the significant attraction is location, location, location. Malta is 50-miles south of Italy, 176-miles east of Tunisia, and 207-miles north…

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Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Depart from the tiny yellow Garibaldi station. A ride behind a historic steam engine along Oregon’s Tillamook coast.

Returning to the String…

In March 2019, I will return as a regular contributor to the Fort Bragg-Mendocino Coast Packet and to the Independent Coast Observer. These Mendocino Coast newspapers, cover MendoNoma from Westport to Jenner.

Thank you, we made it!

“We published hundreds of stories….from all over…and your story rose to the top of the heap!”
–Max Hartshorne, Editor, GoNOMAD

Top-10 Stories of 2018

I’ve traveled like a mad woman. I spent 30-days in England and 17-days in Central Coastal California. I’ve made short getaways to San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Gualala, Point Arena, and Bodega.

Top-12 Photos of 2018

I took 7000 photos of England in August. Central Coastal California yielded 2000 in October. The rest of the year my hometown and region probably added another 2k.