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Level 5 Independent Travel

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Release Date: 01/18/2021

Oslo, Norway Part 1 of 2 show art Oslo, Norway Part 1 of 2

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Oslo Part 1 Welcome back to the  Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I had my second solo  90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. The FAQ is from Amara, who wants to travel more. She asked: How can I plan a trip like you do, Dr. Travelbest? Would I love to take some of the trips you have been on? I’m not sure where to start. I hear a lot from YOU, but how do I do it? Answer: Getting started is like this. Take small trips until you build up your travel muscles. I...

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin show art Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Milwaukee, Wisconsin episode   I’ve been traveling solo since 1972. Now you can experience for yourself the Best Selling Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, A Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, a book series found on Amazon. Please rate this podcast and the book!     The FAQ is “What’s my plan if I get sick, injured, or suddenly can’t continue my trip alone?”   Today’s Mistake- Staying in a destination too long because leaving feels like failure Travel Advice:  Organize your apps FAQ: “What’s my plan if I get sick, injured, or...

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Krakow, Poland and Selecting Accomodations show art Krakow, Poland and Selecting Accomodations

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Krakow .  Welcome back to the  Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. A few weeks ago, I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences.   Today, we will discuss Krakow, Poland, and when to admit you are not ready for a trip. We will discuss passports and then my travel mistakes. Get ready now, as we are starting.   The FAQ is:  Marcia, who recently returned from a solo trip to Antarctica, asked: “At what point does a destination become a bad match for my solo senior travel — and how do I admit...

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Gdansk, Poland and Why Travel to Poland? show art Gdansk, Poland and Why Travel to Poland?

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Today's Episode is about Gdansk, Poland The FAQ is: Why visit Poland? Answer: Poland is one of the places that Chicagoans love to talk about. It’s home to many people of Polish descent.   If you enjoyed today’s Confidence Challenge on your essential documents, my book series  Find it on the website​​ at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Today’s special destination is Gdansk, Poland         Connect with Dr. Travelbest on YouTube  

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Bergen, Norway and solo travel in your prime show art Bergen, Norway and solo travel in your prime

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Today, we'll talk about Bergen, Norway. The FAQ is:  Julie asked: How can I pack for several seasons in the same small pack? Answer: It’s going to be a challenge if you are moving to different zones in your trip. When I was in South Africa in June, the winter weather was a challenge, as there was no heat in the homes where I stayed. I used hot water bottles in bed at night. I also wore all of my clothes. A week later, I was in Greece and gave away the warm clothes to a new friend from England. She was a South Korean, grateful. You can experiment with what you need right away and then...

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Best of Mexico (From the Archives) show art Best of Mexico (From the Archives)

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

This podcast series helped launch the now famous book series, Five Steps to Solo Travel. Now you are able to listen to one of the eariest versions of the show, and it's still relevant today. This episode takes you to Baja, Mexico. You will learn to drive to Ensenada, the Valle de Guadalupe and other destinations. Find your confidence through the FAQ's and also my mistakes and errors, so you won't make the same ones.  This is snackable, without any filters, just a great listen for you now.  Follow Dr. Travelbest here on your favorite channel, on TikTok, on IG and FB. We have an...

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Quito, Ecuador and packing for South America show art Quito, Ecuador and packing for South America

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

  FAQ:” Let’s quickly address how to pack for South America. If you are in the winter, it's summer, so you don’t need many clothes; pack light. I only took a personal item, but I had to wash it often, and I had only one pair of sneakers. No laptop. It helped me travel quickly and efficiently on planes, trains, and buses. In their winter, our summer, you should have many layers and a raincoat. I was able to buy what I needed or forgot while I was there, and the dollar was strong. On my first trip to South America, about 30 years ago, I went skiing in Chile, and I had to bring...

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Niagara Falls, Canada show art Niagara Falls, Canada

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

This is Dr. Mary Travelbest, and we'll be talking about Niagara Falls, Canada. See Book A for guidance on saving money on airline tickets and more. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s destination is: “A Day at Niagara Falls – Solo, Soaked & Spectacular” Today, we're diving into the thundering wonder that is Niagara Falls, from a solo female traveler’s lens — and yes, I got a little wet. On the Road to the Falls I took the FlixBus from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The ride is scenic and comfortable, even with a bit of drama—my Toronto Metro train broke down this morning. I had to get...

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Best of Dr. Mary Travelbest - Dr. Travelbest History plus solo vs group travel show art Best of Dr. Mary Travelbest - Dr. Travelbest History plus solo vs group travel

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

This episode aired in 2022, so if you missed it, find out more about the origins of the Dr. Mary Travelbest story. We are now on episode 350 and counting, so let us hear from you. @drmarytravelbest   Give a gift of solo travel to a loved one. Find out more....   Thanks for Connecting further with Dr. Travelbest  

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Lima Peru and airport luxury lounges show art Lima Peru and airport luxury lounges

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

This is Dr. Mary Travelbest. I help you travel. The 60-second confidence challenge is on getting access to the airport lounges. It will take some experience, but it’s worth it. Check the fine print, too.   If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, my book series dives deeper into best practices while traveling solo—link in description.”    See Book A for addressing this challenge. Find it on the website​​ at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Today’s special destination is Lima, Peru. Hello, solo travelers—especially my sisters 50 and up. Today I’m...

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More Episodes

Dr Mary Travelbest special Episode on Travel Independent Spectrum Level 5

 

In this episode: The Faq is: What’s the most challenging trip so far for Dr Travelbest?

This Special Episode is about Level 5 Travel, the most challenging.

Lesson learned getting a tow and the Tip is to Stay informed by tuning in to local news early

 

FAQ: The most challenging trip so far for Dr Travelbest has been not traveling during Covid (much travel that is).

I’m trying to flatten the curve in a small way. I’d like to be traveling every week, going somewhere new and what an adventure that will be. However, I’ve been patient and waiting until the bans are lifted and will have lots of travel ahead.

 

 

Today’s Independent Destination Travel Independent Spectrum Level 5 Difficult

 

This is travel to the countries that I’ve been to that would be considered Level 5 include these: Thailand, Taiwan, China, Korea, and Chile.

 

This is the peak level, or most difficult travel of all. Many of the listeners today will not make this kind of a trip, but it’s always a challenge to learn what’s available and dream about it.

I’ve been to different continents, all but Antarctica, and these Level 5 Difficult countries are not recommended for most US citizens to travel, for example regions of Asia or Africa, and can be impossible to visit some countries like North Korea. Level 5 difficult travel is about getting out and having unique experiences in nature, with countries you may not know how to spell, and to see people who are very different than you are.

 

If you are heading on a journey that is Level 5, I want you to be prepared for anything, including losing your passport, luggage, and cash. You want to have copies of everything important in a safe place and a backup ready for when you need it.

However, you may combine a level 5 with another level as well.

 

If you are heading to a country that is on this list, be sure to get all your documents prepared in advance, including birth certificate, passport and any vaccinations that are required or may be in the future. You may need a permit to visit the region, so ask.

In Tibet, only tour groups are allowed, and all tourism is currently closed during the pandemic. For travel to Mongolia, you will need a visa and a passport that has more than 6 months until it expires. Do keep checking the show notes to see any further news on vaccines.

 

http://mongolianembassy.us/mongolian-visa-information/

https://www.yowangdu.com/tibet-travel/visit-tibet.html

 

 

I’ve not been to places that take four days to get to from the USA, but they exist on our planet. This is level 5 planning at it’s best. My woman friend San-d is a scuba diver who goes on remote locations on small islands in the Indian Ocean. This takes time and energy to plan and to make a success. I would like to hear about your trip. Please share it with my travel group on Facebook, especially if it is a Level 5 trip.

 

 

Today’s lesson learned ----Getting a tow can be ok

 

Here’s the situation, I’m age 13, and in a canoe rowing the same stretch of water for what seems like hours. The current was too strong, and it was impossible to keep going in the same direction. This was a Girl Scout camp on Long Island, and it was a three-day canoe trip. Getting a tow from a nearby speedboat not only helped us move forward, it also gave us confidence we would finish our trip. In the long run, the lesson was healthy.

 

Today’s Travel Advice- stay ahead of local news

 

Read a local newspaper, even if it’s online, on where you’re going next. Here are three reasons to read a local paper

  1. Learn if there are any special events happening that you would not want to miss.
  2. In advance, find out if there is a crowd expected or a traffic alert that could prevent you from your activity.
  3. Be able to have a conversation with a local on things that are going on in the locale.