My Name Is Mary Charleson.

For over 20 years I’ve proudly travelled with just one bag. A Carry-On.

Mary Charleson is a freelance travel writer and blogger based in North Vancouver, Canada.

A marketing speaker, author and consultant by trade, but an adventure traveler and writer by passion, she pursues her love of story and travel tips in publications such as the Globe and Mail, Huffington Post, the Vancouver Sun, Province, Zoomer Magazine, and Porter Airlines inflight magazine RE:PORTER, in addition to her travel blog CarryOnQueen.com In 2025 the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC) awarded the site second place for Best Self-Published Travel Website.

She has published numerous lifestyle pieces in national publications including Cottage Life, Outside Magazine and Pacific Yachting.

Mary is the author of two books, Word of Mouth Mouse & Mobile and Five-Minute Marketing, each featuring tips for the time-starved business leader. As a writer and marketer, she has been blogging weekly since 2008 at fiveminutemarketing.com. She brings the same passion and experience in building an online community to her travel blog CarryOnQueen.com, a destination for readers, writers and travel companies united in adventure travel.

Mary is also a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the Global Speakers Federation and is one of fewer than 12% of speakers globally who hold the designation of CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), the international measure of excellence for professional competence and proven experience. A contributor to Business in Vancouver since 2002 and a monthly marketing columnist for the Huffington Post, her work has also been published in the Globe & Mail, the Toronto Star, the Vancouver Sun, the Province, Marketing Magazine, Strategy and the Daily Hive. Mary has been a repeat guest on CBC TV news and CBC radio The 180 with Jim Brown, offering her opinions on marketing, social media and business trends. Link here for portfolio on Muck Rack. 

Check out a couple of her recent travel pieces here:

Travel writing:

Marketing business:

travel Podcast interviews

  • Brand USA Talks Travel podcast (May 6, 2025) Storytelling, Strategy & the Future of Marketing Listen here
  • Destination on the Left (episode 384) Why Knowing Your Audience Makes Your Marketing Simpler Listen here
  • Travefy podcast (episode 80) Maximize Your Marketing Impact with the “Rule of 3” with Mary Charleson Listen here
  • Retire & Aspire podcast (June 16, 2026) Adventure Travel After 50: Why Your Biggest Adventure is Still Ahead Listen here
  • Retire & Aspire podcast (Sept 15, 2026) Adventure Travel in Canada: Discover What’s in Your Own Backyard Listen here
  • Retire & Aspire (Sept 22, 2026) Adventure Travel After 50: Europe & Central America Beyond the Tourists Trail Listen here
  • Retire & Aspire (Sept 27, 2026) The Road Less Traveled (episode 3 of 4 in Adventure Travel After 50 Series List here