Traveling with MJ

Hi there! I'm Mary Jo, but you can call me MJ. I enjoy traveling, and I'm also a published author, travel writer, podcaster, and publisher. When I'm not exploring new places, I'm usually busy planning or researching my next adventure. My approach to travel focuses on value luxury - I believe in knowing when it's worth it to splurge and when to save, whether I'm journeying nearby or traveling far and wide.

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California Wine Tasting: Discovering Sonoma County AVAs - Traveling with MJ

Jan 15, 2025 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo

If you’re a wine enthusiast looking for your next adventure, Sonoma County is probably on your to-visit list. With 19 distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) spread across a diverse landscape, this California wine region will give you an opportunity to learn more about what pleases your palate. The AVA designated zones range from foggy coastal regions to sunnier inland valleys, the cool Petaluma Gap, to the warmer Moon Mountain District with its volcanic soil.
Visit Washington State National Parks - Traveling with MJ

Jan 10, 2025 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo

The National Park System is a big draw for traveling in the United States, both for residents and for attracting visitors from abroad. When you visit Washington State’s National Parks, you’ll find everything from beautiful views, a variety of landscapes, magnificent wildlife, and interesting historical sites.
2025 Travel Reading Challenge (8th Annual) - Traveling with MJ

Jan 1, 2025 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo

Happy 2025!And wow, I can’t believe that we’ve been doing this travel reading challenge for 8 years! It started as a simple project with friends, grew into a larger project with friends and friends of friends, and now we have a small community of of book and travel lovers. I continued my reading streak in 2024 and, according to my Kindle app, have read on 759 consecutive days and for 338 weeks.
2024: A Year of Travel in Review (and a peek at 2025) - Traveling with MJ

Dec 28, 2024 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo

This annual post is one of my favorites to write. It’s a chance to look back at the travel memories for the year. A chance to dream about what’s coming up in 2025. And, when I publish it, it means I’m done with writing work for the year. This is my post about trying to live my best life every single day. My travels in 2024 included three continents, four new countries, one new state, and a few new experiences.
Smooth Sailing: Luxury in Asia on Ama Waterways Mekong Cruise - Traveling with MJ

Dec 17, 2024 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo
Hit the Slopes: 20 Slopes for Skiing in Washington State - Traveling with MJ

Dec 9, 2024 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo Manzanares

Washington State offers winter enthusiasts a snowy paradise with its diverse and picturesque ski destinations. From the towering peaks of the Cascade Range to the serene beauty of the Olympic Mountains, both sides of Washington offer a wealth of ski resorts that cater to both seasoned adventurers and those seeking a more casual winter wonderland escape.
2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers: 50 Fantastic Finds - Traveling with MJ

Nov 26, 2024 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo Manzanares

I’m a big fan of the “you don’t need more stuff” philosophy. I have everything I need, and a good portion of the things I want. I no longer feel that “things” define who I am, my values, or my worth. Over the last year or so, we’ve been trying to take more things out of the house than bring into it. We haven’t always been successful, but we’ve definitely cut down our conspicuous over-consumption. So why, you might be asking yourself, is a Holiday Gift Guide appearing on Traveling with MJ?
50 Diverse Books Set in Istanbul: Get Lost in the Pages - Traveling with MJ

Nov 7, 2024 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo

Istanbul, a city where history whispers in every cobblestone street and culture dances in every bazaar, has been on my to-visit travel bucket list since high school (when an aunt and uncle were living there). For a variety of reasons, I wasn’t able to make the trip then, but this week, I’m packing to head to Istanbul for the annual SATW Convention. I’ll finally get there, and I’m pretty excited about it. As I prepare for my first visit, I’ve been looking for books and movies set in this major city.
Romanian Wine: A Rich & Resplendent World - Traveling with MJ

Oct 22, 2024 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo

Romania, with its rich viticulture history, diverse microclimates, and array of both indigenous and international grape varieties, presents an intriguing and exciting landscape for wine lovers. Each wine region, from the sun-soaked vineyards of Wallachia to the cool-climate slopes of Transylvania, contributes to the country’s vibrant and diverse wine culture. As one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, Romania’s viticulture roots run deep, tracing back more than 6,000 years.
Great Lakes Cruise on Viking Octantis (Review) - Traveling with MJ

Oct 14, 2024 | travelingwithmj.com | Mary Jo

The Great Lakes of North America are five connected bodies of water in the eastern and midwestern part of North America. All of these lakes, except for one, lie along the Canada-U.S. border. Collectively, the Great Lakes form the largest body of water in terms of surface area. As a Pacific Northwest resident all of my life, I have little familiarity with vacationing on the Great Lakes, a childhood experience that many friends look back on fondly.