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
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
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?
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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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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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