Cartagena, Colombia and safety in South America
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Cartagena, Colombia. Today, we're heading to Cartagena, Colombia —a vibrant and touristy Caribbean city bursting with color, music, and history. It's one of the most popular destinations on South America's northern coast — and I'll share my experiences and a few lessons learned for solo travelers like you. Get ready to immerse yourself in a culture that's as lively as it is rich. Let's start with the setting. Cartagena's Walled City — La Ciudad Amurallada — is the heart of it all. I recommend exploring early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and the heat. You...
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Lincoln Square, Chicago, using AI on the road and staying healthy tips
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Lincoln Square, Chicago. The FAQ is about using AI while traveling. How do I get the best responses to my prompts when I have a question? Is there a platform you recommend? There are thousands of platforms, and new ones are popping up every day. For travelers seeking the most current answers to their travel questions, you are in luck. You can navigate the territory solo better today than ever because you can ask the right questions. Practice is the best way to use them. 60-second confidence challenge If you like today’s...
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Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego today, talking about Cape Breton, Canada . Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, world traveler, professor, marketing expert, and all-around fun person. And I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share our experiences. Quick-fire FAQ: Your mom, grandmother, or even your daughter told you to be careful when traveling solo. But did they ever do it? You are on your way. The question I get asked is: What should I tell someone who discourages me from traveling? Answer: You can turn it around and ask for specific information...
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Machu Picchu, Peru including lessons learned about Step 5 travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Machu Picchu Are there any tips to help me avoid being cheated or robbed while traveling? Yes, you can take precautions like removing your expensive jewelry before traveling and not carrying expensive purses or shoes. Don't look like a target. Look like you belong, and try not to stand out from the usual crowd. Check reviews of any Airbnb or turo car rentals you book. Be careful not to walk alone in the dark at night, as much as possible. Think of the odds whenever you go out. Please put them in your favor, not a criminal. If you like...
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Medellin Colombia Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Medellin, Colombia.Part 2 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide Quick-Fire FAQ: Drying Out Wet Clothing. How do you do that on the road? How do you dry your wet belongings while traveling, especially when you're solo? Especially in a humid area, it’s hard to get things dry. When you solo travel, you have more control over your time constraints, so plan to let things dry. When it’s damp, the best way to dry your clothes is by maximizing water removal before drying. Try the towel roll trick. First, lay the clothes flat on a towel, roll them up, and twist to ring out...
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Medellin, Colombia Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Medellin, Colombia 60-second confidence challenge: The confidence challenge is to meet someone new today. You might stop by the mailbox to say “hi,” or visit a park where people are less in a hurry. Start a conversation with someone new today. If you like, then get their name and phone number and give them a call. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapters of my book dive deeper into how to build confidence using it—link in description.” See Book A for addressing the challenge of meeting new people Find it on our website at or on...
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Galapagos, Ecuador
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Here is the episode on Galapagos, Ecuador 60 second confidence challenge Check your passport. Do you have at least six months left until it expires? Do you have at least four blank pages? Then your passport is in good shape. You’re ready to travel, as long as you check for any Visa entries you may need. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapter 2 of my book dives deeper—link in description.” See Book A for addressing all of these items like preparing for travel. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s destination is: Galapagos, Ecuador Galapagos means nature to most...
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Haarlem, Netherlands
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
this episode is about Haarlem, Netherlands. See Book A for addressing the challenges of solo travel in your prime. Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Destination: Haarlem, Netherlands. It’s a Dutch city that’s often overshadowed by Amsterdam, but has just as much charm—and far fewer crowds. I’m talking about Haarlem, Netherlands. Haarlem is only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam, making it an easy and quiet alternative for solo travelers over 50. What you’ll love is its slower pace, historic streets, and safe, flat, walkable...
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Toronto Canada Part 2 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This episode is about Toronto, Canada. See Book A for addressing this challenge. Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Toronto is another example of Step 3 travel, advanced solo travel. Other step 3 destinations in my Part B book include Banff, Whistler, and Vancouver. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s special destination is: Toronto, Canada, part two of two You may arrive at Pearson airport, like I did, which was a lovely airport ranked high among international airports. I had the opportunity to experience the Priority Pass lounge...
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Toronto Canada Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Toronto Part 1 of 2 FAQ: Do you travel on public transport? Let’s explore one city. The FAQ for today is: How would I travel around Toronto on public transport, if needed? Here are a few facts about their public transit. Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is your central transit system—includes: Subway Streetcars (trams) Buses PRESTO Card is the smart fare card you'll want to use. It gives discounted fares for seniors (65+). Ask ChatGPT about the best travel options for you, whether it's the subway or any other mode of transportation. It will provide detailed information instantly....
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It’s the first of five steps that will bring you to the level you wish to travel. Only this is by yourself solo, or with a friend, independently, but not on a guided tour.
The steps in order: briefly, Step One is your first solo trip, nearby overnight. Step 2 is state to state travel, Step 3 is to a far away state or nearby country, Step 4 is to a far country and Step 5 is to a country where you don’t speak the language.
Before I became a solo traveler, I was shy and introverted. I did not have confidence in myself. I was often quite lonely and sad, and my life felt unimportant. I was bullied by my so-called friends as a young teen. These so-called friends smeared oil and grease from carbon paper all over my body and mocked me. This has never been publicly shared before, as I was shamed. The experience of travel has lifted a burden from my past and now I can share the lessons I have learned throughout this book—of new places to see and favorite places to revisit. This was a transformation for me, and I know it will transform you, irrespective of your age or lifestyle. This is no longer a story about being shy and under confident. Travel has changed my life and it can change yours too.
I started traveling. And I tried to find books on how to travel solo, but I was not able to find any that I liked. So I decided to write one and help the millions of other women my age who are desperate for this travel, especially after two years of not being able to travel. Think of the plans that are now being made. You need this book now.
Solo travel is about the experience, all which leads up to going somewhere new, and subsequent events. Books like this one help you decide where to go, how to go, what to see, and how to experience it at the level where you are. Do you want to know more?
Step One: No experience yet, but ready to start a solo trip. Suggested trips include: starting at a city where you have a family member or friend with whom you can stay. It could be Boston, New York, or even a suburban town in Montana. It should be relatively close to your home state and not for an extended period.
Consider: when you were in kindergarten, you were just starting out, and you knew it. If you realize you are once again just embarking on a new journey, you will give yourself some extra time and grace to travel alone and learn. Ask questions along the way. Don’t assume everything is going to go well (it won’t!). Accept that plans will go smoothly some of the time;celebrate those moments. When you look back on your personal history, you will be telling the story the way you saw it unfold, so it will be from your perspective alone as a Step One traveler. Don’t carry extra baggage from plans that didn’t go exactly as you prepared them.
Every chapter has step one guidance on what you need to travel, accommodations, packing, food, air and ground travel, safety and health and general travel tips. I also tell you of my lessons learned, including the most embarrassing ones. An example of that is when I drew out directions for a friend that had the wrong info. The water was on the east, not the west.
Step One Destinations found in the book include the following:
East coast:
Vermont, New York, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Boston
Midwest, USA
In this Midwest USA section Step One, we cover parts of Nebraska, Colorado, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
Now that you learned about Step one, You will hear the other four steps to follow.
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