Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

This is a Best of..... Have any questions? Please ask. The photo was taken by me on the grounds of one of the many museums of the Smithsonian.

  Episode title: SLO to San Diego by Train, GF Diets, and a Confidence Challenge Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, a world traveler who has traveled solo for over 50 years. I'm coming to you after a recent trip to Asia. I visited Taiwan and South Korea for 10 days. I'm here to share my best travel ideas and work on solo travel. I'm about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world solo again. The...

Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan FAQ Should I use public transportation abroad?   Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan    Lesson Learned: Don't schedule everything Day 1   Travel Tip: Trust your gut instincts, if unsure, pivot fast.   FAQ Response:  Should I use public transportation abroad?   Yes, you should try it at the least, but not in rush hour with all of your luggage. One way to test it out is to...

Seoul, Korea episode Listener Story Spotlight A friend and a listener named Lois recently went to Hawaii. She told me she spent much time getting travel insurance for herself and her partner. She had to pay more than she expected as her partner was having a birthday between the day she bought the service and the day of the trip. But she said it was well worth it for her peace of mind. The FAQ for...

 Ecuador: planning Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener named Pat who loves to take 40-minute walks. She does one every day. We have traveled together to Spain and have been ski buddies for over 10 years. She's a superb figure skater and loves cats. Maybe you even know my friend. Her last name is Brown, inspiring me to go to the Galapagos Islands this year. Thanks, Pat, for...

 Travel Planning: Part 1 Colombia In this episode:   Where an I heading series: Part 1   Today's Mistake- avoiding potholes and buying new tires Travel Advice:  Safety and security tip FAQ: How do you use SERVAS? I use Servas International to help me plan my trips. You sign up on the website, and a representative will contact you and interview you. They will make sure you are a real person and che...

Boulder, Colorado FAQ: Isn't it awkward to eat alone? Step 1 question   Destination episode: Boulder, CO.   Lesson Learned: Got on the wrong train line.   Travel Tip: Screenshot your map before leaving Wifi   FAQ Response to Isn't it awkward to eat alone? Yes, it is the first few times. No doubt. But it gets easier with every time you do it. Soon, you'll just walk in a restaurant and not even thin...

Special Episode Blue Zone Travel   https://www.bluezones.com/exploration/#section-1   The five "Blue Zones" in the world, which are regions identified as having a high concentration of people living to a very old age, are:    Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California, USA. Notably, four of these Blue Zones are located near oceans, mak...

  Are you traveling? Tell me why or why not. Need a confidence boost? Here are the 5 Steps to Solo travel, summarized and a link to the book on Amazon.   https://www.amazon.com/Five-Steps-Solo-Travel-Womans/dp/B0BC2FXLPY Step 1: Local Solo Travel. Close to home local travel. Step 2: Domestic solo trips, familiar with the territory. Maybe cross country. Step 3: National travel with more complexity,...

  Today's Special issue is on San Diego Zoo and Safari Parks Part 2 Today's Mistake-Bodysurfing when the waves are too strong.  Destination: Part 2 of 2 San Diego Zoo and Safari Park San Diego Zoo and Safari Parks is a conservation organization under the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and is a Step 1 or Step 2 destination. The Wildlife Alliance is trying to create A world where all life thrives....

This is a test episode that I hope you will enjoy as it is unedited and on the go. Tell me you heard it and what you think. If you don't like it, I will remove it and go back to the regular format. I hope you enjoy the test. I'm here for helping you travel. That's my goal. I want to bring world peace one step closer to reality through female travel. This episode is not scripted. There is no intro...

Special Episode: Border Crossings: USA/ Mexico:    FAQ: Can I fly to Mexico from the Tijuana airport?   Travel misstep-Parking at CBX was full   Lesson or tip of the day: More packing light tips A friend asked me if I could fly to Mexico from Tijuana airport.   https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/171391/when-flying-with-volaris-what-difference-does-it-make-between-flying-to-tij-or   https:/...

Special Episode Servas Travel Here is your FAQ: Have you done any couch surfing? My followers asked me this question.   Special Episode topic: Servas travel   Travel mistakes: Making the age limit in a restaurant   Travel Tips: Daily schedule for exercise    FAQ response:   Have you done any couch surfing? My followers asked me this question.   Answer: No, but I have been using SERVAS for three ye...

This Episode is for you and about Death Valley Part 2 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest's 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide, an empowering travel and life adventure with a personal approach to guiding women like you in your prime who might be a bit adventure-timid. My goal is for you to create memories with your travels. I want to expand the relationships you make in our groups into a supportive community...

This Episode is for you and about Death Valley Part 1 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest's 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide.   Today's story will share how to live on the road in your style. In this episode, the FAQ is: How to pack a personal item to travel for 90 days.   Today's Destination is Death Valley, Part 1, the planning and first stops   Today's Misstep- Blowing my hat off   Travel Advice: Bring...

FAQ: When it comes to solo travel in Mexico, how can I feel safer, more prepared, and excited, not hesitant or fearful? Special episode: Confidence Builders for Solo Travel in Mexico Lesson Learned: Sunglasses lost in the sea! Travel Tip: Focus on your superpower, terms, travel, and power. https://wikitravel.org/en/Taxco https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/414/   https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/cen...

  FAQ is: I'm going on a long trip, but I'm only allowed to bring one small carry-on. How can I manage? Today's Destination is Las Vegas. Part 2 outdoors. Today's Misstep- I forgot the tent. Travel Advice: Protect yourself. FAQ:  I'm going on a long trip but can only bring one small carry-on. The airline rules and my trip leaders limit the baggage. How can I manage?   Las Vegas. Part 2 outdoors  ...

FAQ: A good friend who doesn't want to be named asked me how not to try to do it all. The point of the question was to limit the fear of missing out. How do I reduce my FOMO and add more JOMO (the Joy of missing out) when I travel? Today's Destination is Las Vegas. Part 1 Indoor activities for travelers Today's Misstep- I Spilled the candle wax at my airbnb and made a mess. Travel Advice: Look for...

FAQ: Should I go out at night when on a solo trip?   Mistake in travel: Check the connection, battery and power bank   Today's Travel Advice- Travel in one direction, in a circle   https://www.cntraveler.com/story/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-la-fires   I see some bright spots, but it will be a while before LA returns as a major travel destination, so pay attention and use the Watch Duty App.  https://...

In this episode:  The FAQ is: What is your purpose for traveling? Today's Special episode:  San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Part 1 Today's Mistake- Time zone mayhem Travel Advice:  Prioritize Flexibility In this episode: FAQ What is your purpose for travel? Answer: My purpose for traveling and especially solo travel, is to reach into places that may not be the most populated and to connect with wo...

  In this episode: The FAQ is: A reader asks, I recently booked a trip, and the airfare included no carry-on bag. How can I manage to travel without a carry-on?   Today's Destination: NAPLES, FLA   Today's Mistake-  I lost my horse.   Travel Advice:  MAKE SOMEONE ELSE'S DAY   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSsyNhQ79M0   Answer:  Destination: Naples, FL     https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-g...

In this episode, the FAQ is: "What is air travel like these days, and what is different? Today's Destination is Acadia National Park Today's Mistake- My own car crash in parking garage   Travel Advice:  Travel pillows FOR SLEEPING on planes   FAQ: "What is air travel like these days, and what is different?   AARP is offering some airline travel tips that may answer this question. First, some facts...

Special Edition: London, England Airports   In this episode, the FAQ is: What are some of the biggest changes for travel in 2025?   Today's Destination is: London Airports   Today's Misstep- Wearing the wrong shoes   Travel Advice: When buying an airline ticket, pause.   FAQ: What are some of the biggest changes for travel in 2025? Expect more opportunities for local immersion, where you can exper...

Delhi, India Part 2 In this episode, your FAQ is: Safety in India for solo travelers Today's Destination is: Delhi, India. Part 2 Today's Misstep- Cellphone issues that were my fault and more Travel Advice: Safety tips for travel in Delhi. FAQ: Let's talk about safety in India. My friend Kathryn is going to Delhi and is worried about being a solo woman. Can I talk to her about what she can expect?...

Delhi, India Part 1   In this episode, the FAQ is: My listeners ask: How do I check for the weather where I'm going?    Today's Destination is: Delhi, India   Today's Misstep- Stuck in India and missed the bus   Travel Advice: Ask a group of people for directions   FAQ: You asked me how to get the most reliable weather forecast:   Here's how> Use apps like AccuWeather, weather.com, and windy or lo...