Lima Peru and airport luxiury 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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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...
info_outlineThis book just ranked in the top 4 of solo travel. Thank you. Please leave a review on Amazon for others to know how you liked this book and podcast! I would be so grateful to you! In this episode: FAQ is: Amy asked: How can I create my trip? Today’s Destination is Guangzhou, China
Today’s Mistake- Losing my sense of direction
Travel Advice: Keep your lip balm handy.
FAQ : Amy asked: How can I create my trip?
Answer: How to create YOUR own trip is what you want to be.
Start with writing out what you want to do. Put it on paper and you will see it, imagine it and then start beginning.
Get a map and start looking for the destinations and things that get you excited.
Talk to some friends who have been there and get some ideas on when the best time to travel would be for you. Then make plans, flights, sleeping arrangements, and transportation options.
Today’s episode destination is: Guangzhou, China
This is located in southern China, not too far from Hong Kong.
I spent a week in this city of 15 million people, which used to be called Canton, like the language of southern China, Cantonese. It is a bustling and busy industrial city for the most part. It was so modern, even more so than cities I know well. Most of my time was spent at the university, teaching. I was a guest lecturer at Sun Yat Sen University. It’s Ranked 159 worldwide among universities.
23,000 graduate studentsTotal enrollment: 85,100 (2011)
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/sun-yat-sen-university
Sun Yat-sen University, also known as Zhongshan University, is a public research university located in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. It was founded in 1924 by and named after Sun Yat-sen, a revolutionary and the founder of the Republic of China. Wikipedia
Guangzhou has a maritime heritage stretching back over 2,000 years and its vast port is China's main transport and trading hub. It was also one of the starting points of the old Silk Road, a trading route that stretched across Asia.
Want to know more about Guangzhou? Here’s a few attractions I found by searching the city information. It’s on the Pearl River and has architecture such as Zaha Hadid’s Guangzhou Opera House, known as the “double pebble”; a carved box-shaped Guangdong Museum; and the iconic Canton TV Tower skyscraper, resembling a thin hourglass. The Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, a temple complex from 1894, also houses the Guangdong Folk Arts Museum.
How did I get around the city by myself? Bus, train and subway. And I did a lot of walking. The subways were easy to follow and brought me around the city quickly.. I explored the city, got a hotel room and afterwards, I took a high speed train to Shanghai, which is an even larger city in the north of China. Seeing China by train is such an experience and you may love it too. I was able to really get to know the changes that were taking place in the countryside as well as in the larger cities with this kind of travel.
Mistakes-Losing my sense of direction
One of the things that I am terrible at is my sense of spatial direction. I wish it was different, but reality is true. I need to retrace my steps, my directions and I get lost a lot. One of the best things is my mobile app for directions.
Get the cure for a bad sense of direction. Don’t be like me.
Travel Advice- Keep your lip balm handy.
Many of us get dry lips and the best remedy is a stick that gives comfort, such as chapstick, Carmex, or other relief from chapped lips. Always apply balm before topping with gloss. The color from the gloss will adhere better to the balm’s waxy texture.
gloss can dry out and that dries out lips. Apply balm before gloss. Get some hydration and color is better.
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 Dr Travelbest’s 5 Steps to Solo Travel.
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