Best of Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor Maine
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ is: “What is air travel like these days, and what is different? Today’s Destination is Acadia National Park Today’s Mistake- My own car crash in parking garage Travel Advice: Travel pillows FOR SLEEPING on planes FAQ: “What is air travel like these days, and what is different? AARP is offering some airline travel tips that may answer this question. First, some facts. In 2019, the FAA reported 146 cases of bad behavior on planes, but in 2021, that number grew to more than 1,000. That was out of nearly 6,000 cases of unruly...
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Special Edition: London, England Airports Ranked
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Special Edition: London, England Airports In this episode, the FAQ is: What are some of the biggest changes for travel in 2025? Today’s Destination is: London Airports Today’s Misstep- Wearing the wrong shoes Travel Advice: When buying an airline ticket, pause. FAQ: What are some of the biggest changes for travel in 2025? Expect more opportunities for local immersion, where you can experience the daily life of local communities through homestays, service projects, and interactive cultural programs for seniors. Solo female travel is on the rise, with women...
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Delhi, India Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Delhi, India Part 2 In this episode, your FAQ is: Safety in India for solo travelers Today’s Destination is: Delhi, India. Part 2 Today’s Misstep- Cellphone issues that were my fault and more Travel Advice: Safety tips for travel in Delhi. FAQ: Let’s talk about safety in India. My friend Kathryn is going to Delhi and is worried about being a solo woman. Can I talk to her about what she can expect? The short answer is that Kathryn is already back home, and she had a great trip, but she was nervous and needed confirmation that all would be well. Today’s destination: Delhi, India Part 2...
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Delhi, India Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Delhi, India Part 1 In this episode, the FAQ is: My listeners ask: How do I check for the weather where I’m going? Today’s Destination is: Delhi, India Today’s Misstep- Stuck in India and missed the bus Travel Advice: Ask a group of people for directions FAQ: You asked me how to get the most reliable weather forecast: Here’s how> Use apps like AccuWeather, weather.com, and windy or local services, with hourly and long-range forecasts, radar maps, and severe weather alerts. For more local alerts, sign up for location-based apps on Google...
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Phu Quoc Vietnam
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Phu Quok, Vietnam In this episode, the FAQ is: What’s the best water bottle for travel? Today’s Destination is: Phu Quoc, Vietnam Today’s Misstep- I Booked a room under construction and How I upgraded. Travel Advice: Take a small risk, not always a big one in Vietnam FAQ: What’s the best water bottle for travel? The top 10 water bottles for a solo senior female traveler will be on this list, including price, from the least to most expensive in the show notes. They range from $11 to $90. Vapur Anti-Bottle Collapsible Water Bottle - $11–$14 Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free...
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Edinburgh, Scotland
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Edinburgh, Scotland Today’s Misstep- Too much of a good thing Travel Advice: Eat early, rest early FAQ: How do I remember to stretch while on the road? Answer: Tips for Remembering to Stretch: Set Phone Reminders: Schedule gentle reminders on your phone for morning and evening stretches. This way, it’s a built-in routine, just like brushing your teeth. Tie it to Daily Activities: Stretch after sitting for long periods, like after a meal or a bus/train ride. This helps to break up stiffness and becomes part of your rhythm. Use Cues...
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Coventry, England
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is Coventry, England Today’s Misstep- Manila Airport was a disaster Travel Advice: Bring the thing you usually forget FAQ: What are some simple exercises for travelers, especially solo females in their prime? Here are five I recommend: Walking: Aim for a daily walk to explore your surroundings. It's an easy way to keep your body moving and enjoy the local sights. Leg and Ankle Stretches: Sitting stretches are perfect for waiting in lines or resting. Flex and extend your ankles, or gently lift and lower your legs. Back and Shoulderstretches: Do these to...
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Cabrillo National Monument Part 2, accessibility
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ: How do I best enjoy the Cabrillo Park? Today’s Destination is Cabrillo National Monument Accessibility Part 2 Today’s Misstep- Don’t forget to stretch like I did. Travel Advice: Swimming? Watch your valuables. FAQ: My friends ask me how do I enjoy the Cabrillo Park. I love this question. First, you have to plan for it, so bring your National Park Pass and try to visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the slow days. Park at the top and see the lighthouse. It’s iconic. Then visit the overlook to the city of San Diego and see the boats go in and out...
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Cabrillo National Monument Part 1, using AI for travel, advice on guides
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ: Can AI really help me travel? Today’s Destination: Cabrillo National Monument Experience Part 1 Today’s Misstep- Mark Twain jokes about European tour guides in his travel books. Travel Advice: If you are interested in travel and do as you listen here, why not purchase a guide that answers most of your questions in one place? FAQ: Can really AI help me travel? Answer: AI is a great tool kit for travel. Yes, but be sure to check for accuracy and hallucinations. You will also find bias. But you can start...
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Best of Denali National Park, Alaska
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Denali National Park, Alaska Connect with Dr Travelbest email:
info_outlineWelcome to my shownotes for the History of Dr. Travelbest episode. In this episode: The FAQ is FAQ: People ask me, what qualifies as independent or solo travel?
Today’s Special episode: History of Dr Travelbest
Today’s Mistake- traveling with a baby crying
Travel Advice- Unplug
FAQ: People ask me, what qualifies as independent/ solo travel vs a tour group?
Answer: Even if one day of your travel is on your own, without a guide to show you all of the sights, you are now independent. If you are alone, that is solo travel. You are never really alone, though, right?
Let’s say you go on a cruise by yourself, and maybe even get paired up with a roommate. Are you still independent? Yes, because you are not on a “tour” . Are you going on a cruise excursion? That is likely a tour.
On a cruise, my ship stopped in Acapulco. I hired a driver for the day and that was independent travel, because I had the control of where I wanted the driver to take me.
Special episode: History of Dr Travelbest
Doctor Travelbest was founded in 1993/4 while I was starting my company, Sun Marketing. The name was an alias, because my name had nothing to do with travel, and I had not worked in the travel industry. My first book was founded with the idea of helping women travel independently, since I had been to every continent by myself or with a friend. except Antarctica. Nearly 30 years later, 5 Steps to solo travel, a series for women to travel in their Prime, has been launched with a part A and soon Part B and maybe more. Hundreds of thousands of women have discovered Dr. Travelbest and a billion miles has been traveled since the start. The stories and the lessons are authentic. No one has paid me to write about any of these companies or destinations. I currently teach marketing classes at Point Loma Nazarene University and consult with clients as part of my service to the community. I have a doctorate in Marketing, in Business, not in a medical field.
What kind of a traveler are you, Dr Mary?
When given the choice between solo, Independent, or tour travel I will choose Solo or independent depending on if I had somebody to go with or not. Tour travel works for places that can't be accessed without a guide. There's a place for that role in my travels, too.
My most recent trip was a train travel trip up the coast of California and back in a few days. I traveled light, carrying only two small backpacks, and healing from a broken wrist. I really enjoyed that trip because I didn't have to drive and I could relax and enjoy the company on the train. I met a few people who were really nice, including the conductors. I've even reached out to them afterwards to make a lasting impression.
In my first book, there was an appendix that gave types of travel to types of locations. Test yourself to find out what kind of a traveler you are. It’s easy and quick. My profile turned up “adventure travel”. What’s yours?
Once you know what kind of travel you aspire to, consider the options of where you want to go, not who you want to go with. What is the best season for YOU? What is your schedule looking like? Consider the costs, and the costs of staying home, too. For some of you, the cost to stay home is more than you think.
My friend Cindy and her husband Mike traveled independently for more than a year. They both retired and rented their home to a friend while they traveled the world. They researched and set some plans, and the rest of the planning was done from abroad. In today’s world, this kind of trip is not only possible, it’s doable. Another couple, Jim and Marlene moved to Panama in 2017. They are finding that they can live very comfortably in Central America, visit the grandkids here in the USA when they want, and not have to work the jobs that they had before. Talk about changing careers, he’s become a musician, instead of a businessman.
Lessons learned: traveling with a baby crying
As I write this, I’m listening to a crying baby on the plane across the country. The parents are trying to satisfy the child, but they are doing a terrible job. Is there something that can be done? I’ve been in this position before with a crying child, but I don’t think it went on for this long. This has been for more than an hour in all. If this is you, please take your baby for a walk down the aisle. That worked for my kids. Maybe the kids are overtired and overstimulated. They need to settle down and relax.
Tips: Unplug
Unplug yourself from the many creature comforts and technology that we have at our fingertips. Spend your time and money wisely and buy something that no one can ever take from you, memories. I don’t necessarily think that you should jump out of a plane like George Bush did two times. But you can experience a lot while in an airplane, in an airport, and on a train, as well as in the car driving to our wonderful National Parks, for example.
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 the 5 Steps to Solo Travel book series on Amazon. The show notes have more details for you to connect.
Connect with Dr Travelbest
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group
email: [email protected]