Mary Montalbano

A lifetime of small ship experience, a degree in journalism and global studies, a passion for the outdoors, and cultural curiosity has led Mary around the world. She brings a traveler’s eye and a publisher’s precision to the AdventureSmith website—both growing your bucket list and helping you drill down to the details.

Hi, I’m Mary

I help you discover where adventure can take you.

Since 2017, Mary has managed website listings for AdventureSmith’s growing body of trips, ships and lodges. She also contributes to the website’s travel guides, visibility, design and functionality.

Mary’s content work builds on her career in web publishing that began in 2007.

Her AdventureSmith journals recount jetting to Antarctica, drifting among orcas, swimming with sea lions, walking on pancakes of pack ice and more. Mary distills her AdventureSmith experiences into listings and guides that are unbiased and accurate, with tips and tools to help you decide which trip is best for you. Highlights of Mary’s work include:

• Adventure listings: Maintaining over 350 trips, 150 ships & 150 lodges
• Search engine optimization: Ensuring likeminded travelers find our website
• Comparison tools: Employing deep product knowledge to help clients weigh options
• Firsthand travel: Harnessing intel from 6 continents, 24 countries & counting

Content, Editorial & Travel Experience

• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Global Studies, Saint Michael’s College: Print & online publications, photojournalism & radio.
• Managing Editor, PLoS Pathogens: A decade working with editors-in-chief, in-house staff and outside contractors to meet regular deadlines and communicate scholarly scientific research with accuracy. Furthered a unique brand of open-access publishing.
• Travel blogger, Saint Michael’s College: A semester of regular dispatches and photos highlighting everyday life and travel as a study abroad student.
• Author, “Welcome Home” A Look into the Rainbow Family of Living Light
• DJ, Program Director & Station Manager, WWPV 92.5FM: Live on-air presence, managed rotating staff of DJs & handled all summer operations—from programming to promotions.
• DJ, KALX 90.7FM & KTKE 101.5FM: Live on-air presence.

Personal Roots & Hobbies

Mary’s passion for travel began with a childhood subscription to National Geographic magazine (Mary has since traveled aboard a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions ship). Mary grew up as a part-time deckhand on her family’s motor yacht, cruising the eastern seaboard and dreaming of travel farther afield.

Mary briefly lived in Perugia, Italy, and traveled throughout Europe in between studies. She also grew up on the border of French-influenced Quebec, Canada. Now based in California, Mary speaks a mix of French, Italian and Spanish, in a nod to languages of her past and present.

Mary has a passion for live music and radio, with various past projects including a radio show featuring relocated Sudanese residents, and a local live music program anchored by interviews with internationally touring artists.

Travel Expertise Straight From the Field

Mary’s work at AdventureSmith is enriched with every trip she takes. No amount of artificial intelligence can replace Mary’s firsthand experience, or the staff training, client resources and travel guides that result. Live the experience here, and get excited for your next adventure.

• Learn how to choose the best mediterranean cruise.
• Learn the best time to visit alaska and the benefits of travel each month.
• An honest review of nat geo-lindblad in alaska to determine if this cruise line is right for you.
• Discover things to do in antarctica and make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime destination.
• Stay updated on what’s new in alaska small ship cruising year to year.
• My curated list compares ways to experience the panama canal.