Mary Jo Manzanares, aka MJ, is a traveler, travel blogger, travel writer, author, and publisher. When she’s not on a trip, she’s planning or researching the next one and has a bag always packed, ready for the next great adventure. Her travel ethos is Value Luxury – that sweet spot where experience and price intersect to create WOW.
She has been a speaker a numerous tourism industry events on three continents. She is the President of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers), and the the former Conference Director for TBEX, the world’s largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, and new media content creators.
In addition to traveling, Mary Jo is a big fan of food and wine, movies, reading, spa pampering, shopping, and discovering new places and things. She lives in Seattle, where she likes lingering over a cup of coffee, wandering in a museum, sipping wine at a cafe, and sharing it all with friends and readers.
Traveling with MJ includes contributions from Anthony Manzanares (2000-present), including opinions, insight, writing, and photography.
Awards:
- 2026 NATJA Awards Competition Bronze Award, Independent Travel Blog – Traveling with MJ
- 2026 NATJA Award Competition Honorable Mention, Cruises – Smooth Sailing: Luxury in Asia on Ama Waterways Mekong Cruise
- 2024 Lowell Thomas Bronze Award for Cruise Travel – Review: Emerald Cruises Enchantment of Eastern Europe Itinerary.
- 2024 SATW Western Chapter Writing Award, Tips/Advice – 29 Best Things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Feel free to email Mary Jo with questions or information