Chattanooga, Tennessee
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ is: How can I take a walking tour when I arrive in a city? . Today’s Destination is: Chattanooga, Tennessee Today’s Misstep- Getting stopped by TSA security Travel Advice: Plan for the unexpected FAQ: How can I get the walking tour when I get to a city? Response: A guided walking tour of a city is a treat for a solo traveler, especially for a woman who is interested in its history. The more popular ones are through platforms like Viator, TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and FreeWalkingtoursbylocals.com, but there are many ways to score a tour...
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Estes Park, Colorado
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, FAQ is: What are etias visas, and when are they required? Today’s Destination is: Estes Park, Colorado Today’s Mistake- I am not a foodie, but I love learning about new foods. I need to be braver. Travel Advice: check your loyalty points and miles frequently for errors FAQ: What are etias documents and when are they required? Let’s make it simple: it’s not a visa. It’s a visa waiver. Starting in 2025, the ETIAS will be required for Americans traveling to Europe. US citizens can travel to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa. From 2025 on,...
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Akureyri and Northern Iceland
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Akureyri and Northern Iceland Today’s Misstep- My hostel was self-service, and someone was in my bed. Travel Advice: Be on time if you are on a tour. FAQ: How do I navigate the city bus system when I don’t speak the language? Response: I traveled around the world for 90 days, and most of the time, I did not speak the language of that country. I had some challenges riding the bus in some cities; for example, Reykjavik, Iceland, was a minor disaster. You can use travel apps like Rome to Rio for bus or train travel guidance. You'll be able to get to the...
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Louisville, and the Kentucky Derby
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ: How do I make small talk when you are on the road with a stranger? Destination: Louisville, Ky Today’s Mistake-Getting lost in Louisville Travel Advice: Pack half your suitcase with giveaways and gifts. FAQ: How do I make small talk with a stranger when you are on the road? Start small with a question or comment about the weather, date, location, or event you are both at or have just attended. Do they seem to have something in common with you? You can gently ask how they are doing today. Today’s destination: Louisville, KY Derby is on the...
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"Solo Journeys in India: Navigating the Transport Tapestry via tuk-tuks, trains and planes….”
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
"Solo Journeys in India: Navigating the Transport Tapestry via tuk-tuks, trains and planes….” Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide for women like you who need extra support traveling the world (slowly), one woman at a time. Please rate this podcast and the Amazon book series, especially Part B on Destinations! I’ve been traveling solo since 1972 and writing about it since 1993. Now you can experience the Top Selling Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, a Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, found on Amazon. I recently...
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"Table for One: Dining Tips and Tricks for Solo Female Travelers"
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
"Savoring Solitude: Women's Guide to Eating Out Alone While Traveling" "Table for One: Dining Tips and Tricks for Solo Female Travelers" You have three meals a day, and you are solo. What do you do to enjoy these meals by yourself? You can have some great times if you follow these tips, or maybe you can add more tips for other travelers. Eating out alone can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for solo travelers, including women aged 60 and above. Here are some tips to make dining alone more comfortable and enjoyable: Choose the Right Restaurant: Choose restaurants...
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San Francisco Airport "Wings and Wanderlust"
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode: FAQ: What questions should you ask someone you know who traveled somewhere you like? Destination: San Francisco Airport "Wings and Wanderlust: Solo Female Traveler's Guide to SFO" Today’s Mistake- I left my phone on the airline counter at the SFO airport. Travel Advice: Relax in the Airport Yoga Room, if in SFO anyway…. FAQ: What questions should you ask someone you know who traveled somewhere you like? Answers 1 or 2 1. Ask the right questions if you want to get good responses to your questions about others' travels. Instead of “How was...
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Osaka Japan
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode: FAQ: What do you do when a significant change in weather interrupts your travel? Destination: Osaka, Japan Today’s Mistake- My global entry card has my name wrong. Travel Advice: Use AI when planning your next trip FAQ: A Facebook group member asked us, “What do you do when a significant change in weather interrupts your travel?” Answer: Unexpected weather changes are not uncommon, but they can still pose a challenge when traveling, especially when solo. If I were faced with a sudden shift from sunny and warm to rainy and cold weather while on a trip, I...
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National Park Service and Foundation
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Mistake- I was a stunt woman at Universal Studios and ended up in the hospital. Travel Advice: Always pack a bathing suit. Today’s destination: National Park Foundation and Service I support the National Park Service in the USA by purchasing a yearly wall calendar. The images are beautiful. I also have a Senior Pass, which you can get for your lifetime, starting at age 62. Buy it at any park or online. Don’t lose it. It’s worth a lot for your traveling. Membership has its perks! That includes free admission. Have you been to Yosemite? Yellowstone? Are...
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Best of Cairns Australia
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
info_outlineIn this episode: .The FAQ is: What is the best way to test out the van life for me?
Today’s Destination : Durango Part 1
Today’s Mistake- Toll Booth mishap
Travel Advice: Tell a joke to someone you meet
In this episode: FAQ What is the best way to test out van life for me? My friend Victoria is testing out vans for a possible retirement.
Answer:
If you want to retire and live in a van, I encourage you to practice with some friends who already do this kind of travel. Ask them to set you up with a trip and help you navigate the way to become a van life person. You need to tell them about your experience if you have any, or not. Be frank and clear on your expectations and your needs.
Then when it comes to getting the van, they will be on board, and you will be able to learn from them what this takes. It’s about the experience. You will find several reasons to go and others NOT to join the van life experience, but you’ll never know if you like it until you try it out yourself. The show notes have a link to the not so pretty side of van life. This person would rather stay in a fancy hotel, so be warned. Not everyone wants the van life.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/20/magazine/van-life-dwelling.html
Destination: Durango Part 1
There’s a new Pedestrian bridge in Durango. That’s a big deal for the locals, like my friends Deb and Ken, who live here. . It’s a small town in the southern and western part of Colorado. I drove there from Phoenix this spring. When asked if they had a lot of snow, the answer was:
“I used my snow blowers 4 x last winter” so no.
Locals will discuss that the Mining industry is big
The Smelter processes ore from Silverton.
The history includes facts like “The Town Marshall got gunned down in town.”
For a more recent history, I learned about a neighborhood called Tupperware Heights, built in the 50’s
I had the experience of Yoga Durango, Flying Fish open on Fridays, driving the Loop around Fort Lewis College and seeing Activities: ski hill and skate rink
There are plenty of Cyclists, which is why Orthopedic surgeons do very well here because of these sports enthusiasts
https://www.durango.org/things-to-do/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33397-Activities-Durango_Colorado.html
Historic downtown shows well, including 3rd Avenue Churches and houses.
Next episode will be the drive from Durango to Phoenix
Today’s Mistake Toll Booth mishap
Today’s Travel Advice: Tell a joke to someone you like
When you travel solo, you meet a lot of people that you may never see again. Try telling a joke to a person you meet and make them smile. That will make their day, too. The show notes have a list of clean adult jokes you can find easily. Here’s one: What do dentists call their x rays? Tooth Pics.
https://parade.com/1041830/marynliles/clean-jokes/
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