2025 Eurail Travel Planning Guide and sinus relief
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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Best of D. C. Smithsonian Museums
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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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Train Travel: SLO to San Diego and Gluten Free Travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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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Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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, South Korea and travel insurance comparisons
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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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Travel Planning: Ecuador
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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: Colombia
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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, CO
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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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Blue Zone Travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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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5 Steps to Solo Travel for the Woman on the Go: What are the 5 Steps?
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
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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In this episode: FAQ is: Yuli asked, Where can I travel pretty far and well on a smaller budget?
Today’s Destination is: Philadelphia
Today’s Mistake- Getting in the wrong line
Travel Advice: Let’s both win through travel.
FAQ: Where can I travel pretty far and well on a smaller budget?
Answer:
Traveling a long distance should not be the end goal, but if you are looking for a Step 5 travel experience, here’s an idea good for a smaller budget.
You can see a lot in Thailand on a shoestring budget. It’s got plenty of airlines serving the country plus you can get around in the main cities via public transportation. So consider going here for your next trip.
It is a tropical island, so consider that it will be humid and rainy often. You may need to cool off in a beachy resort, and know that you can find great deals. You can get an awesome massage for a small fee here, so that will be my suggestion. You could afford one every day you visit. Pamper yourself here.
Today’s destination is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The city of Brotherly Love is what Philly is known for, the 6th largest US city. And cheestakes. You as a traveler will want to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and where the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were signed. You will also like the American Revolutionary sites. It’s a step 1 or step 2 city of the 5 steps to solo travel.
More recent fame is for the run to the top of the staircase where in the movie “Rocky”, the movie is, with Sylvester Stallone working out, which is the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The theme music still rings in my head for that great film. Da da da da ….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZCO40Zwt00
The region not only has American history and arts, but also a lot of traditional foods and activities. Philly has the most outdoor sculptures and murals than any other US city per capita. find them in all parts of town. Fairmount Park, Wissa hickon Valley Park are two examples of parks in the city.
How many tourists visit? 42 million in 2016 who spent nearly $7 Billion that year.
Phillies, Eagles, 76ers and plenty of other sports keep fans hoping for winning seasons here. Catch a game if you are in town.
Some neighborhoods are best during the daytime, because there can be danger at nighttime if you’re not familiar with the inner city areas. Some are less safe than others, like any large city.
Some travelers combine Philadelphia with Amish Country, which was episode 136. Other people combine Philly with a visit to Washington, DC, episode 177 and even New York, episodes 100 and 101.
I spoke to Chrissy Watts, who is a Phily tour guide. She helps organize events such as: bar crawls. You can find her info in show notes:
(@215experiences
She organizes Five star black mural tours, wellness sessions, themed party buses for locals and visitors.
IG @phillyexperiences)
Don’t travel in the inner city at night alone
Do enjoy some of the history, art and sports.
Today’s Mistake- Getting in the wrong line
If you are solo, it’s not so easy to lineup like if you have a partner. If you have a partner, one can stand in line and the other can find out if it’s the right line by asking someone in charge. Once I waited in line at the airport for an airline ticket, but could have easily ordered it on my phone. Just because everyone is lining up doesn’t meet you should. If you can, consider how you can navigate the situation on your phone with an app. If you are lining up in person and can’t use the app, they ask someone in front of you to save your place in line and get agreement.
Today’s Travel Advice-.Let’s both win!
When you have a successful trip, I win. Let me know where you traveled, where you had the best time and what to look forward to next.