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….

From Cape Cod to Lake Tahoe, luxury properties at ski resorts and beaches offer deep discounts in their off season –  springtime.   Here are some springtime getaway ideas for travelers with wanderlust.

Ritz Carlton (Lake Tahoe, California): Beginning May 6th, starting rates drop 40%, starting at $199 per night.  Special romance, golf or Spring Spa Getaway packages dip to $399 a night and include two spa treatments or two rounds of golf at a Jack Nicklaus-designed course. Sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains can be enjoyed outdoors, whether lounging by one of the resort’s two stunning pools, or while sipping local brews and chowing down succulent ribs at the Backyard barbeque. Play bocce ball, lawn games, or volleyball. In the late-spring and summer the whole mountain turns into a downhill mountain biking park. Take the chair lift up, enjoy the Lake Tahoe views and cruise down on the well-marked ski trails. After July 4th try your hand at free casting lessons and test your balance at free paddle board lessons.  After sunset watch for the glow of put-put golf games on the lawn or soak in the Jacuzzis in the moonlight.  Don’t leave your best friend at home. You and your dog can take advantage of the trails through the wood and the Sunday “Yappy Hour” around the fire pit.

Ritz Lake Tahoe

Harbor View Hotel (Martha’s Vineyard): In April, guests can enjoy pocket-friendly rates starting at $160, a 63% savings off peak rates.  Although the Vineyard is known as a vacationer’s haven during the summer, the off-season offers a tranquil springtime escape, and Harbor View’s easy access to many of the island’s best beaches, shops and galleries–along with  the hotel’s restaurants, Henry’s Hotel Bar and Water Street–provide guests with an array of ways to enjoy the iconic island.

Harbor View Hotel

Chatham Bars Inn (Chatham, Mass.): With May rates starting at just $249, guests can enjoy a 56% savings before rates jump up for the start of the summer. Celebrating its 100th anniversary on June 9, Chatham Bars Inn is one of Cape Cod’s most beloved and storied destinations for family vacations, romantic getaways and corporate retreats. Just a short stroll from the heart of Chatham, guests can take advantage of a private beach, endless recreational options, an exclusive spa, and an eight-acre farm that supplies produce for its exceptional restaurants.

Chatham Cape Code

Grand Lucayan, Bahamas (Grand Bahama Island): Starting May 1 through Sept. 1 rates at this authentic Bahamian resort destination drop up to 20% from $259 to $209 per night. Visitors can plan to soak up the sun in 80 degree weather, avoid large crowds, and keep their trip budget friendly with a value-packed Caribbean getaway. Grand Lucayan’s 7.5-acre white sand beach is the ultimate escape for families and couples alike. Combined with a host of activities on-island including swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling, yoga and kayaking, any trip to Grand Lucayan is sure to be a memorable one.

Grand Lucayan Bahamas