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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Today’s Destination : Iceland
Today’s Mistake- Allergies
Travel Advice: Before you travel, get your finances in order.
In this episode: FAQ How do I find out if the place I want to visit is open?
Answer: This is not the easiest question to answer, because the place you may want to visit could be open only during certain times, seasons or with certain weather conditions. It’s best to call ahead, to email, and to check the website for updates. You may also want to check social media and do a search for any fresh news. If the place you want to visit is closed, you may want to have a backup plan ready. For example, in Paris, the Louvre is closed on Mondays. I was planning to go that day, but made other arrangements for my first time in the city. Now, I know the days they are open.
Destination: Iceland
My sister Ellen was in Iceland in Winter 2020, at the start of the pandemic and says it is warmer than Iowa, where she lives, in the winter season. Thanks, Ellen, for this recap of your trip and advice.
There is a lot of wildlife, which I will mention in a bit.
Ellen and her husband had hurricanes with 70 mile per hour winds and a Blizzard. They were not allowed to go outside. They called it a Red Condition. While they were huddled inside, Glen got a spot of COVID as a souvenir, but he didn’t know it at the time.
Normally, the 9:15 sunrise is typical in winter, so there is a lot of DARK.
85% of people live in the city, for a total of about 360,000. It’s the lowest population density in Europe, at just 3 people per kilometer. Why? The geography is harsh in this Viking country.
She went to the Blue Lagoon, and experienced a non Geothermal heated luxury experience, Water beautiful, Stunning color. Soak Culture, she called it.
They saw remains of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, lava, moss, snow, and of course, glaciers. The Iceland Ring Road goes 800 miles around the country
They saw a lot of Animals: puffins not in winter, but would see them in summer, horses, arctic seagulls, yak, birds of many kinds
https://www.nordicvisitor.com/blog/in-focus-icelands-beautiful-wildlife/
https://icelandtrippers.com/animals-in-iceland/
They had to let go of food prices and what they thought. That was life.
They said to themselves, “$10,000 was 100. `` Just accept it.
Lamb and fish are very good.
Some tips include:
Prepare for any weather year round.
Need a coat.
Lots of tourists.
Bhe glacier was aqua.
Language not a barrier
Make jewelry from lava
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/location/europe/iceland/
Iceland is on my bucket list.
Today’s Mistake -Allergies
My son forgot his allergy pills in Hawaii. We were outside almost the entire trip. I didn’t realize it for a few days, and he was miserable. I had never taken pills before, so I did not realize what a difference it can make for a trip. Don’t forget your allergy pills when you travel, especially if you will be outdoors. If you do forget them, be sure to pick some up when you arrive. That is a mistake you should not have to suffer through.
Today’s Travel Advice: Before you travel, get your finances in order.
Pay your bills ahead of leaving for a big trip. That makes your head clear and your desk clean when you return home. There’s no worries about people calling for their money, because the check is on the way already. Leave your concerns behind when you travel.
I want to bring meaning to your travels. Send a question or travel tip to [email protected]. We can connect on my website, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. Subscribe to YouTube, Twitter, or other social channels. Find 5 Steps to Solo Travel book series on Amazon. The show notes have more details for you to connect.
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email: [email protected]