Mary Charlebois

PUBLISHED 05/10/22 BY TravelAwaits
It’s a chilly and rainy night in Galway, so we duck into a pub for a drink by the fire while scouting a traditional pub to call our “local” while in the city for a few days.
A few minutes later, we sit with a pint of ale and a glass of prosecco. Then, warming our wet boots on the fireplace rail, we relax, listening to the music and conversation around us.
The barman kept up a lively banter with locals sitting and standing at the small bar. A fiddler played “The Fields of Athenry” in a corner ...

Westin Rancho Mirage: A Coachella Valley Oasis - Published 04/28/2022
The luxurious Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa underwent an $18 million, 2-year reimagining, with a grand re-opening in late 2021. Covering 365-acres of the Coachella Valley floor, The Westin's renovation touched every aspect of the property, focusing on the resort's pillars of ‘Sleep Well, Move Well, Eat Well, Play Well, and Work Well.

PUBLISHED 04/12/22 BY WANDER WITH WONDER
Cornwall's east coast was an extraordinary solo-travel adventure. I found outstanding people, places, and lots of unexpected.
When you hear Cornwall, England the name might bring images of wild seas crashing against towering cliffs. Vast brooding heaths where highwaymen wait for unsuspecting travelers. Cornish pasties, cream tea, and Cornish Yarg hold court at the table. The highwaymen and pirates are long gone, but the wild Cornish Coast endures. Exploring Cornwall's east coast was one of my...

PUBLISHED BY TravelAwaits 02/25/22
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head north. You’re in Mendocino County, America’s Greenest Wine Region, 90 minutes later.
A tour of Mendocino County’s green and organic wineries and vineyards is an unplug, unwind trip...

PUBLISHED 02/21/22 BY TravelAwaits
Approaching San Francisco by water is unforgettable. The city climbs seven hills onshore, rising sharply from San Francisco Bay. Twenty-first century and Victorian architecture stand side-by-side. Green parks dot the landscape.
In the bay, sailboats and kayaks dodge passenger and cargo vessels. Passenger ferries crisscross the bay carrying commuters and tourists. Tour boats stop at Alcatraz. Cruise ships wait in the exquisite cruise ship terminal. Passengers, luggage, and supplies are loaded ...

PUBLISHED 02/24/22 BY TravelAwaits
Life slows down in Anderson Valley. The vineyards, farms, ranches, and micro-towns are organic food and beverage meccas in America’s Greenest Wine Region, Mendocino County.

PUBLISHED 02/22/22 BY WANDER WITH WONDER
Explore the other Fort Bragg on California's wild and fragile Mendocino Coast. It is filled with wildlife, waves, wilderness, and wine.

PUBLISHED 02/21/22 BY MaryGo
In 15-Days, I’ll be on Aer Lingus headed for an extended trip to Ireland and Malta.
It’s tough being a travel writer that can’t travel. With fingers crossed and attitudes positive, my best friend, Kevin, and I have decided to take the plunge and go to Ireland and Malta for a total of 40-days. We leave on...

PUBLISHED 04/17/21 BY International Living
Read about #9, Malta. It's one of the top 10 places to retire in the world.

PUBLISHED 02/04/22 BY TravelAwaits
When someone says, “Let’s go camping,” do you A) air out the sleeping bags; B) check the RV tire pressure; or C) develop a sudden cold?
Camping is evolving to include everyone from dedicated wilderness backpackers to those that need a comfy bed, hot shower, and flush facilities....

PUBLISHED 01/31-22 BY TravelAwaits
English market towns come in many shapes and sizes. Each has a personality shaped by the goods and services produced and traded for centuries. Towns and villages near a harbor have...

PUBLISHED 01/24/22 BY WANDER WITH WONDER

The tires rumble across the cattle guard and roll onto the crunchy gravel drive. An ancient cypress tree dominates the skyline with its grey twisting trunk and branches. To the north, cattle graze in the headlands pasture. To the west, the Pacific Ocean crashes against the rocky, wild Mendocino Coast. The peaked roofs and chimneys of this luxurious Fort Bragg inn stand silhouetted against a bright blue sky. The Inn at Newport Ranch, indeed, looks like a ranch.

PUBLISHED 01/22/22 BY TravelAwaits
Rambling for 100 miles along the wild and rugged Pacific Ocean, the Mendocino Coast is a showoff. Flaunting her wildlife, waves, wilderness, and wine...

PUBLISHED 01/22/22 BY FOODIE FLASHPACKER

Downtown Santa Rosa is a lively spot. Courthouse Square is surrounded by thriving businesses and neighborhoods. New urban lodging and numerous eateries have popped up in the last two years. A large Farmer’s Market fills...

PUBLISHED 01/17/22 BY TRAVELAWAITS
Scouting a new or reimagined hotel is one of my favorite “travel writer” things to do. Exploring a new accommodation is a treasure hunt. What new amenities and comforts are waiting to take guests away from their everyday lives?