Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? Eurail Travel planning Hi there, I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest. I’m in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world. Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener named Kristen. Kristen loves to travel. She recently received a Fullbright Scholarship and took a trip with her husband and sons to a foreign country, Portugal, for several months. She’s full of great travel ideas and will be helpful as I continue to...
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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.
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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 aim is world peace through cultural exchange. I’m about to travel the world for 90 days. Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener who recently retired as a...
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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 try it early in the morning, before rush-hour workers arrive, but while it’s still light outside. Most of the time, you only need a card to swipe, and you...
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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 today is: Where to find the best travel insurance for a long trip abroad. 1. Start with a neutral comparison engine; you can see this in the show notes. Why use it first? Where to click ...
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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 that encouragement. The FAQ for today is: How do you choose your outfits for weather conditions that constantly change? The answer is more straightforward than you think: It's basic...
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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 check references. Then, you get a Letter of Engagement, and you can contact hosts and day hosts. Today’s destination: Planning my trip to Colombia Friends to meet in...
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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 think about it. I can relate to the woman who has never done it, because I remember my first time. I was scared. I told the hostess: “I’ve never eaten solo in a...
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Special Episode Blue Zone Travel 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, making them easily accessible by sea travel. Ocean proximity: Blue Zones like Costa Rica and California are situated not too far from coastlines, making them ideal destinations for those interested in combining a...
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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. 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, such as Alaska or Hawaii Step 4: International travel in familiar cultures Step 5: Fully independent, adventurous international solo travel. I’ve been creating this podcast weekly since 2018. I’m on my way to helping more than 100,000 women travel...
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In this episode: FAQ is: Since airlines don’t provide food on flights, what is the best airport food service?
Today’s Destination is: Glacier National Park
Today’s Mistake- Don’t always follow Google Maps
Travel Advice: Pick your room at a hotel.
FAQ: Joan asks, Since airlines don’t provide food on flights, what is the best airport food service?
Answer: Since airlines are not feeding most people, your robotic and app-powered food delivery service is growing in airports. There are firms that allow you to order, pay and pick up food from participating airport restaurants.
There’s a firm called, “At Your Gate” that has a service where a robot brings you food in the Los Angeles Airport. Their slogan is “don’t fly hungry.” You can order a day ahead of your flight if you wish. Overall, I prefer to bring my food to the airport, but in case you can’t this is an option.
https://www.atyourgate.com/
Destination: Glacier National Park, Montana
https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm
Glacier's pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker's paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. Re-live the days of old through historic chalets and lodges.
Montana is wide open territory.
Open from May 27-Sept 11
Day use visitors will need a ticket to access Going to the Sun Road at the West Entrance.
The new Camas entrance opens this spring.
Camas Road is a great way to quickly get away from the crowds of GNP via an auto tour either first thing in the morning or at dusk. Great opportunity for a chance to encounter wildlife. Down at the bridge that crosses the river, we spotted a beaver swimming in the water and a bald eagle flying overhead. Another bird of prey flew by, and while driving further down the road, a wolf quickly crossed the road. At the river you have a great view of the entire mountain range. Beautiful location that is easy to get to.
St. Mary Entrance opens in late June when the snow melts.
A separate pass is required to explore the North Fork area via the Polebridge Ranger Station.
Tickets come available as soon as March. Part of the park is in Canada. Bring your passports because you’ll want to see both sides of the park.
Today’s Mistake- Don’t always follow Google Maps.
I was lost due to Google Maps. I was heading to the Tijuana International Airport, and I wanted to park on the US side. The map told me to go straight, but I should have turned right on Britannia Blvd. Since I missed the turn, I was in truck traffic waiting for the border. Finally, I was able to make the exit, go to a side street and then go back to where I should have exited the highway. Don’t always follow the Google Map, because where you are going may be different than where they direct you. Use your judgment, too.
Today’s Travel Advice-.Pick your room at a hotel.
Did you know you can now book a room better? Most of the large hotel chains allow you to use their app for displaying a map of the hotel and allow you to select your exact room of choice, whether it’s a peaceful room far from the elevator or the one nearby for easy access.You can also instantly confirm connecting rooms, which is helpful for larger groups and families. Most of the chains now offer live chat, too. Check to see if your hotel chain has an app and what it offers you.
Today I want to bring meaning to your travels. Send me your travel tip. You can send it to my website, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. You can send to my Twitter, blog, and maybe you’ll see your tips in 5 Steps to Solo Travel.
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