Athens, Greece Part 1 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Welcome to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast for 5 Steps to Solo Travel. The FAQ is: What is going on with the number of cars on the road these days? Is traffic increasing, and why? Answer: Americans are sitting in traffic longer than ever. Last year, commuters lost an average of 63 hours, or almost 8 workdays, stuck in traffic, according to a Texas A&M study reported by Kiplinger. It is a 16% increase in national congestion costs from 2099 to 2024. Truck congestion rose 19%. A shift in traffic patterns has contributed to overall increased traffic times. Delays are no longer...
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Best of Archives. Japan
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Japan is one of the most visited places by those from the USA. Listen to this archived episode from years' past about Japan. It's still relevant today. It's a Step 5 Destination, and you can travel there solo. Find out more from the book series: The Five Steps to Solo Travel. And if you leave a review, you will make Dr. Travelbest so happy. Happy 2026 to you. Read what others say and then make your own words. It's an authentic voice, and it's really me!
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The Garden Route, South Africa
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Episode: The Garden Route, South Africa Today's episode is an FAQ on what the Garden Route is, a bit about the route, and my mistakes on it. The FAQ is: What is the Garden Route? It sounds lovely, but what is it actually? Answer: The Garden Route is a re-branded name for a region in Africa. It's a 190-mile stretch of South Africa's southeastern coast, stretching from Mossel Bay to the Storms River. It is a popular tourist road trip known for lush forests, dramatic mountain scenery, lakes, and sandy beaches. The area features a mild, year-round temperate climate, making it a premier, safe...
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Part 2)
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide Podcast, Part 2 of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The FAQ is: How to carry toiletries on a long trip? Answer: For traveling solo, especially on longer journeys, toiletries can quietly become the heaviest, messiest, and most annoying part of your bag. I use cubes, just packing cubes like for my other travel items. So before you toss everything into a pouch, ask yourself: Do I really need this much? Will this leak at 35,000 feet? Can I replace it at my destination? Here are four smart, confidence-building tips for carrying toiletries on a long...
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Rio de Janeiro Brazil Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is part 1 of 2. . Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. The FAQ is: What are three phrases to learn for Brazil? Answer: Language Insights: Your Spanish will help tremendously. While English is less commonly spoken outside tourist hotspots, learning a few key Portuguese phrases can enhance your experience: Bom dia (Good morning) Obrigada (Thank you – from women) Quanto custa? (How much?) These should help...
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Thessaloniki Greece Part 2 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Thessoloniki Greece, Part 2 of 2. Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I recently returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. This episode covers driving and navigating at the same time, Thessoloniki, Greece, and my mistakes of not hydrating enough in Greece. The FAQ is: "I need help finding my way while driving." What advice can you provide me as I try to navigate while I drive? Answer: Here are three driving safety tips...
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Thessaloniki Greece Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Thessoloniki Greece, Part 1 Welcome to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences for world peace. Here is an FAQ about plane or train travel, Thessoloniki Greece, Part 1, and also about a health issue you don’t want when you travel. Give a listen. I guide you to solo travel experiences to bring out your best. The FAQ is: If you could take a plane or a train, which would it be and why? Answer: If I have the...
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Best of South Korea
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego today. Hi there. I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest, coming to you from a recent trip to South Korea, now sharing my best travel ideas. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world. Listener Story Spotlight A friend and a listener named Lois recently went to Hawaii. She told me about how she spent a lot of 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...
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Mojave Desert Southwestern USA
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Destination: Mojave Desert Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5-Step Guide to Solo Travel for women like you who need a little extra support as they travel the world (slowly), one woman at a time. I’ve been traveling solo since 1972. Now you can experience for yourself in the Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, A Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, found on Amazon. Yes, it has been a best seller in its category for some time! Please rate this podcast and the book! In this episode: Mojave Desert FAQ: loneliness on the road and how to...
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Warsaw, Poland
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Warsaw, Poland The FAQ is: “How do I decide when it’s time to pay more for comfort or safety instead of pushing myself?” Budget travel advice is common; guidance on when frugality stops being smart for aging bodies is not. This is a silent tension for senior solo travelers. Answer: Here’s the truth: saving money is never worth arriving exhausted, stressed, or injured. As we get older, comfort becomes a strategy, not a luxury. I ask myself one simple question: Will this choice give me more energy tomorrow? If the answer...
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In this episode: FAQ is: What should you bring on an airplane?
Today’s Destination is: Hawaii’s Big Island
Today’s Mistake- Not taking responsibility for my actions
Travel Advice: Eating Mana musibi and Spam in Hawaii
FAQ: What should you bring on an airplane, asks Carole?
Answer: Bring your small luggage and place that overhead if you can. Put your small bag by your feet and in that you will have the things to use on the flight.
What should be in your small bag? Your sweater, a small snack, water bottle, phone, earbuds, and phone charger, toothbrush and floss, and something to read. You should have warm socks in case you feel cold feet. Airlines don’t always have blankets and pillows anymore. Noise canceling headphones may be the best device you invest in for a long flight. And consider eye covers and a pillow for your neck if you want to sleep. Even If you did check your bag, you still may want to have a change of underwear and t-shirt in case the luggage gets misplaced.
Bring your food on the airplane to be sure you get what you want and when you want it. What works well may be fruit and a sandwich. On Southwest Airlines, they no longer give out peanuts. Today, as I am writing this, I was given a choice of Ritz Cheese crackers, Oreos, and corn chips. These are not very healthy options, especially on a five hour cross country flight.
Be sure to stay hydrated. You lose water when you fly. It’s dry, even if you don’t feel it. The longer your flight, the more water intake you need.
Today's destination: Hawaii’s Big Island
https://www.hawaiitours.com/to-do/evening-volcano-explorer/
Island Insiders know the best sunrise views.You can take a helicopter tour, or a zipline experience if you wish. I stayed in Kona, on the west side of the island, and drove my rental car to the southernmost point of the USA and then to the eastern area of Hilo. From there, I drove to the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea Volcano areas, where I saw snow at the peak. I did not hike up there, but had a good view from the Visitor’s Center. Driving around the island, you are going to need to rent a car to really see the most of this island.
Shave ice is a popular beverage here. Another drink that is unique is Awa. It’s also known as kava kava. Relaxing, good for anxiety and depression. Very earthy. Milky, minty. Feel a tingle in your mouth. Tongue gets numb. Check for side effects.
https://fruitstand.com/blogs/experiences/how-to-drink-awa
Kava Kava Root Supplements: Benefits, Effects, Use, Dosage, & More
Marine tourism is very big in Hawaii. 60% of marine animals can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. Get up close and personal with snorkeling or scuba diving. You may need to drive a bit to find what you want, including shark swimming. You will often find spinner dolphins, sea turtles, endangered Hawaian monk seals. Be relaxed when swimming with the sharks…hammerheads…and more. They are revered in Hawaiian culture.
https://www.realhawaiitours.com/oahu/shark-tours/
Parasailing
This brings you about 20 stories up, and it is a thrill to be pulled by a boat and then brought back to the ship. Have someone on the boat take your photo for free, instead of the official photographer. Do it if you can for some outstanding views and memories. Make your reservation upon arrival and then show up for a fun adventure. You will need to sign a health waiver for this activity.
https://ufoparasail.net/kona-activities/hawaii-parasailing/
Find a hidden place in Hawaii. You can explore and find many to call your own.
Today’s Mistake- Not taking responsibility for my actions
We all need to be better at taking responsibility for our actions. In my younger years, I often was guilty of wasteful actions and littering from my car window. I regret that now.
Kuleana has this meaning: “Responsibility.” Other messages that I learned were: “Take wisdom, make it deep. Be good to nature. Respect the land.”
Don’t litter in any way and be kind to the land.
Today’s Travel Advice-Eating Mana musibi and Spam in Hawaii
Looking for some food, try this. Mana musibi is a snack of rice and nori, a seaweed wrap, with Spam inside. Yes, more Spam is in Hawaii than anywhere else.
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