About Marybeth, National Geographic Author, Writer

Curious Explorer. Award-winning author.

Gutsy Traveler: A woman, like travel expert Marybeth Bond, stands among purple flowers, raising her arms and smiling in front of a wooden building in bright sunlight.
Polar bear tracking and snorkeling with beluga whales in the northern Canadian Arctic.

Marybeth knows travel. She has hiked, biked, dived, danced and trekked across all seven continents – from the depths of the Flores Sea near Komodo Island to the summit of Kilimanjaro.

More recently, she tracked polar bears and snorkeled with beluga whales in the Canadian Arctic, then kayaked among icebergs in Antarctica.

Somewhere in between, four years of studying in Paris earned her two degrees – and a taste for good wine and strong cheeses.

Twelve books (three with National Geographic), countless travel articles, and numerous TV and radio appearances have built her devoted fanbase. She won the esteemed Lowell Thomas, Gold Award for the Best Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation.

Woman on cliff in front of a monastery in Bhutan
Yesterday’s Video below. A decade or more later. Is Marybeth still GUTSY? Here in Bhutan.
Marybeth in Antarctica with penguins, snowy mountains, and water—just the kind of moment travel expert Marybeth Bond would capture in a travel video.
Kayaking and camping near penguins in Antarctica.

Yesterday….

Stockholm's rose-colored buildings and honey-colored blondes will catch your eye.
Stockholm’s friendly residents will offer great travel tips. The rose-colored buildings and honey-colored blondes add to the magic of the city.

We wished we had more travel tips about Stockholm when we visited last summer. We quickly discovered that 50% of the city’s area is water and it’s easy to explore the city by boat, bike or on foot.

Rent a bike

Stockholm is sprinkled over 14 islands, and with its flat bike lanes and constantly changing viewpoints, it is perfect for two-wheeled discovery. Buy a pass at the Stockholm Tourist Center or on the web and borrow a bike from 110 sites around the city from April to October.

Maritime history for the whole family

Park you bike for long enough to visit “The Vasa”, the only preserved seventeenth-century ship in the world, and a unique treasure. More than 95 percent of the ship is original, and it is decorated with hundreds of carved sculptures.

Consider a guided tour

If you are only staying for a few nights,  local knowledge is invaluable. Make the most of your visit or weekend in Stockholm by signing up for city break tours that are specifically designed to maximize your stay in this beautiful city. The tour guides are usually Stockholm locals who offer an insider perspective on the very best places to eat or shop, giving a personal touch.

Enjoy Unique Fine Dining

Showcasing some of the finest restaurants found anywhere in Scandinavia, you’ll find beautifully prepared dishes using fresh local ingredients. As you would expect from a city which is built on interconnected islands, fish is a well-known local delicacy and forms the basis for many classic Swedish dishes. In addition, the multicultural population of Stockholm has had an intriguing influence on modern dining in the City.

A Cosmopolitan Eco-City

In comparison with many large urban areas, Stockholm has managed to retain a large amount of green open space within it. The Royal National City Park stretches throughout Stockholm, cutting a swath of green through modern development. Everything from hotels to transport is designed to minimize carbon footprints and maximize sustainable ways of living. This ethos makes the City a great place to explore on foot as well as a clean and relaxing place to stay.

From museums to marinas, there are a multitude of different things to explore in Stockholm. Many visitors find hidden gems as they bike or wonder through Stockholm.

Marybeth Bond