It’s been a crazy busy two months of travel for me, and while it was an exciting bit of travel, it reinforces for me the preference to have a home base rather than to be nomadic. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to travel. But I LOVE coming home just as much. There will be stories, reviews, and more details to come out of these travels, of course, but for now here’s a look at it all through Instagram. And you are following me on Instagram, right?! Mid-September took me to Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando. You’ve missed it for this year, but if you’re a fan of the genre, put it on your calendar for next year. Time for a scary good time. A photo posted by Mary Jo Manzanares (@travelingwithmj) on Sep 18, 2015 […]

It’s been awhile since I shared some of my most appreicated Instagram photos. As I’m closing in on that 2,000 follower mark, I’m asking for you help in giving me the little push I need to get over the mark. Here’s what you can do: If you’re not following me on Instagram (travelingwithmj), please take a look at my photo galleries and if you like what you see, follow me. I mostly share photos from my travels around the world, great food and wine, and intersting architecture art, interspersed with photos of family, friends, and cat (because c’mon, kitties are charming). If you are already following me, I’d appreciate your taking a look at my gallery and “liking” a few of your favorites, or leaving a comment to let me know what strikes your eye as particularly travel worthy. What […]

It’s been a busy month of travel for me, hopping between time zones (and continents) like jet lag was a figment of my imagination. While most of the time it was, this month, for the first time that I can remember, jet lag laid me low and interfered with my ability to enjoy several of my traveling days. Is it because I’m getting older? A combination of back an;d forth over a short period of time? Maybe it was merely situational. Whatever it was, I’ve been missing in action here on the blog and I wanted you to know why. With all the travel though, I did manage to keep my Instagram account rolling. If you’re not following me there, I hope you will now. Here are my top Instagram photos from last month (February). This first photo was taken in […]

I’m trying to grow my Instagram following, so if you’re not following me, please head over here and do me that favor. I’m hoping by this time next month my followers will be up to 2,000. Can you help? And just to give you a sample of the kind of things I share on Instagram, here are my top Instagram photos from last month. This photo was taken two years ago while I was visiting Berlin for the very first time. I was there for a travel conference (ITB Berlin, the largest travel trade show in the world), and it was sunny for most of the time I was there. On the very last day, the snow came in. I’m heading back to Berlin in just a couple of days, and while there’s no snow in the forecast, who knows what […]

I’ve really fallen in love with Instagram (you are following me on Instagram, aren’t you?), and I’ve discovered lot of great photography. From the beautiful landscape photos to the perfect meal, from the urban cityscapes to fascinating profiles, from interesting architecture to relaxing beaches, I appreciate it all. These interesting IG accounts challenge me to be better every single day. Here are my top IG photos from last month (December 2014). I thank you for supporting my efforts to share my photos. The first photo was from a river cruise out of Belgium. It was my first trip to the country, and the sights and sounds – and food – delighted and enchanted me. Cathedral of our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium. A photo posted by Mary Jo Manzanares (@travelingwithmj) on Dec 13, 2014 at 9:30pm PST I am Croatian by […]

I’ve decided to start doing regular updates from my Instagram account, sharing the photos that were popular there. You follow me on Instgram, right? If not, click right HERE to go to my Instgram profile, then click on follow. I can’t wait to connect with you there. This photo of the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City was the most popular one that I shared last month. It must be its stately grandeur, even in the midst of construction, that make people fall in love with the place. A photo posted by Mary Jo Manzanares (@travelingwithmj) on Nov 11, 2014 at 3:32pm PST   The next two photos were taken in Lloret de Mar, in Costa Brava, Spain. The first photo was taken in the beautiful Santa Clotilde gardens, a wonderful place to wander on a warm afternoon.    The next photo […]

Let’s talk about Instagram. I love this photo sharing platform, and although I have no prowess as a photographer, I think my family, friends, and readers appreciate the moments I choose to share on Instagram. Some pics are hits, others misses, but my Instagram stream is a synopsis of my day-to-day life and experiences, interspersed with some highlights from the past. Here are a few of my most popular photos shared on Instagram last month (October). There’s no surprise that the first two are from Athens, Greece. And the third is from the efforts to get there. After a busy morning at the keyboard, there’s nothing like a walk and pastry stop. A photo posted by Mary Jo Manzanares (@travelingwithmj) on Oct 10, 2014 at 11:41am PDT On today’s agenda: Walking up the Acropolis to see the Parthenon. Great views […]