Mary's travel stories, photos, videos, and tips.
NADUR, GOZO, MALTA – Travel Journalists, photographers, and hotel scouts, Mary Charlebois and Kevin Scanlon are making Malta their new home.
Have you been to South Lake Tahoe recently? Kevin and I visited The Big Blue in late September — We loved it.
Back home in CA after 60-days in the EU, photos and stories are in the works. Here’s the first one to go live on TravelAwaits.
With fingers crossed and attitudes positive, we are taking an extended stay in Ireland and Malta for a total of 40-days.
Grand hotel lobbies will transport you. They are portals to another world; another time. Enjoy photos of 14 from Mary Charlebois’ travels.
Balloons performed a’ balloon glow’ for the stage backdrop during Grooves @ The Westin. The jazz concert premiered the outdoor concert venue – The Backyard.
Old Smith Ranch Preserve – If you are lucky enough to live in Mendocino, County, CA, you know about the Mendocino Land Trust. If not, come on over and get to know us.
The most common of fixtures captures the attention of a small boy in fluorescent orange shorts, a stylish hipster couple holding hands, a baby boomer pair with cameras. They bend over to listen. They stomp their feet. They pass over or stand on one of the most common objects on any city sidewalk – the grate.
— 35 DOORS IN MALTA — Doors. One of the most common things you’ll see anywhere you travel. Malta and Gozo are no different. I photographed hundreds of doors during my time there; some were centuries old, others were modern in design. As I wandered the streets in villages large and small, I was intrigued…
Why are there so many balconies in Malta? What does their Maltese name, il-gallarija Maltija, mean? Here are 12 styles to ponder.
Little River Inn in northern California, is spectacular, but that’s not the best reason to stay there. Yes, it’s a stunning and historic property on the edge of Northern California’s wild Pacific in the town of Little River. The backside of the grounds are embraced by Redwood Forest. There is an Audubon-Certified golf course. Yes,…
The sun and salt-air gave my hair golden threads. My feet have tan lines from days of walking in my Teva sandals.
Group tours have been something I avoid when traveling. Huge, hot busses, packed with complaining passengers; standing in long lines for everything, including bio-breaks, were my past tour experiences. No thanks.
South of Daytona Beach, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse has kept a vigil since 1835. Climb 203 steps for an incredible view of Daytona Beach and the Atlantic.
Whether in London or far-flung Shropshire, I slept around in England.
Red is my favorite color. Celebrate with red this holiday season.
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.
Take a quick sofa tour of colorful
Sonoma County vineyards.
Like millions of Americans, in 2020, I’ve been working from home. When the opportunity came for a workcation of my own, I jumped at the chance to spend some time in Half Moon Bay Coastside’s Pillar Point Harbor and the surrounding area.
I’ll be Traveling Kindly in Sonoma County while ‘Fall Glamping in Wine Country’
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.
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 is a small but lively beach community on California’s Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County.
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.
I explored several tropical microclimates – Project Eden, Trebah Gardens, and Tregothnan Estate.
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.
Sofa Tour One – Mendocino Coast.
Escape to wildlife, waves, wilderness, and wine.
POSTPONED TILL 2021
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…
Watching the sunrise from my back terrace, I thought, “Gozo, you are my forever home.”
My 5th day in Malta would be spent on the water. I’d cruise around the island aboard a sailing yacht.
Things to do in Tri-Valley – Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, and Danville California.
48-hours in Fort Bragg California on the wild and fragile Mendocino Coast.
The wildfires are contained. Santa Rosa and Sonoma County are open for business and ready to receive visitors.
I was already a fan of Virgin, both domestic and international, but this experience placed the airline at the top of my list.
I’m honored GoNOMAD choose this story for a newsletter video feature using my words and many of my photos.
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.
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…
Republished with corrections. Originally published in 2019 prior to my trip –MaryGo
San Francisco Presidio, Best Basecamp for Weekend Getaway
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Malta has no rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Water comes from the ocean, rain, or limited groundwater. Most potable water is desalinated sea water.
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.
The most challenging photo subjects for me are animals, birds, and insects.
July 19, 2019, Living Light International, will host and prepare a plant-based pop-up dinner in their event center and newly installed hot-kitchen.
On the Mendocino Coast, bathe among redwoods in Little River California A no-drive weekend.
Gozo is small, 26-square miles. I’m doing a 7-day walking tour this Mediterranean paradise in The Republic of Malta.
Paso Robles has the most extensive variety of distilled spirits in the state. Add wine, cider, and beer, and you have one of California’s most diverse libation producing regions.
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.
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.