Oslo, Norway Part 1 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Oslo Part 1 Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I had my second solo 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. The FAQ is from Amara, who wants to travel more. She asked: How can I plan a trip like you do, Dr. Travelbest? Would I love to take some of the trips you have been on? I’m not sure where to start. I hear a lot from YOU, but how do I do it? Answer: Getting started is like this. Take small trips until you build up your travel muscles. I...
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Milwaukee, Wisconsin episode I’ve been traveling solo since 1972. Now you can experience for yourself the Best Selling Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, A Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, a book series found on Amazon. Please rate this podcast and the book! The FAQ is “What’s my plan if I get sick, injured, or suddenly can’t continue my trip alone?” Today’s Mistake- Staying in a destination too long because leaving feels like failure Travel Advice: Organize your apps FAQ: “What’s my plan if I get sick, injured, or...
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Krakow, Poland and Selecting Accomodations
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Krakow . Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. A few weeks ago, I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. Today, we will discuss Krakow, Poland, and when to admit you are not ready for a trip. We will discuss passports and then my travel mistakes. Get ready now, as we are starting. The FAQ is: Marcia, who recently returned from a solo trip to Antarctica, asked: “At what point does a destination become a bad match for my solo senior travel — and how do I admit...
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Gdansk, Poland and Why Travel to Poland?
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today's Episode is about Gdansk, Poland The FAQ is: Why visit Poland? Answer: Poland is one of the places that Chicagoans love to talk about. It’s home to many people of Polish descent. If you enjoyed today’s Confidence Challenge on your essential documents, my book series Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Today’s special destination is Gdansk, Poland Connect with Dr. Travelbest on YouTube
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Bergen, Norway and solo travel in your prime
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today, we'll talk about Bergen, Norway. The FAQ is: Julie asked: How can I pack for several seasons in the same small pack? Answer: It’s going to be a challenge if you are moving to different zones in your trip. When I was in South Africa in June, the winter weather was a challenge, as there was no heat in the homes where I stayed. I used hot water bottles in bed at night. I also wore all of my clothes. A week later, I was in Greece and gave away the warm clothes to a new friend from England. She was a South Korean, grateful. You can experiment with what you need right away and then...
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Best of Mexico (From the Archives)
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This podcast series helped launch the now famous book series, Five Steps to Solo Travel. Now you are able to listen to one of the eariest versions of the show, and it's still relevant today. This episode takes you to Baja, Mexico. You will learn to drive to Ensenada, the Valle de Guadalupe and other destinations. Find your confidence through the FAQ's and also my mistakes and errors, so you won't make the same ones. This is snackable, without any filters, just a great listen for you now. Follow Dr. Travelbest here on your favorite channel, on TikTok, on IG and FB. We have an...
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Quito, Ecuador and packing for South America
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ:” Let’s quickly address how to pack for South America. If you are in the winter, it's summer, so you don’t need many clothes; pack light. I only took a personal item, but I had to wash it often, and I had only one pair of sneakers. No laptop. It helped me travel quickly and efficiently on planes, trains, and buses. In their winter, our summer, you should have many layers and a raincoat. I was able to buy what I needed or forgot while I was there, and the dollar was strong. On my first trip to South America, about 30 years ago, I went skiing in Chile, and I had to bring...
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Niagara Falls, Canada
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is Dr. Mary Travelbest, and we'll be talking about Niagara Falls, Canada. See Book A for guidance on saving money on airline tickets and more. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s destination is: “A Day at Niagara Falls – Solo, Soaked & Spectacular” Today, we're diving into the thundering wonder that is Niagara Falls, from a solo female traveler’s lens — and yes, I got a little wet. On the Road to the Falls I took the FlixBus from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The ride is scenic and comfortable, even with a bit of drama—my Toronto Metro train broke down this morning. I had to get...
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Best of Dr. Mary Travelbest - Dr. Travelbest History plus solo vs group travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This episode aired in 2022, so if you missed it, find out more about the origins of the Dr. Mary Travelbest story. We are now on episode 350 and counting, so let us hear from you. @drmarytravelbest Give a gift of solo travel to a loved one. Find out more.... Thanks for Connecting further with Dr. Travelbest
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Lima Peru and airport luxury lounges
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is Dr. Mary Travelbest. I help you travel. The 60-second confidence challenge is on getting access to the airport lounges. It will take some experience, but it’s worth it. Check the fine print, too. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, my book series dives deeper into best practices while traveling solo—link in description.” See Book A for addressing this challenge. Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Today’s special destination is Lima, Peru. Hello, solo travelers—especially my sisters 50 and up. Today I’m...
info_outlineIn this episode: FAQ is: Need services for handicapped? Where can you go for information?
Today’s Destination is: Monarch Dunes and Paso Robles Wineries, CA
Today’s Mistake- Trusting the first person you ask for directions
Travel Advice: Visit your local zoo or park and get some outdoor fun.
FAQ: Need services for handicapped? Where can you go for information?
Answer: We talk about ability-travel here often, so listen if you want to know more.
I have a friend named Kathryn who is traveling the world now, when she can, and doesn’t let her handicaps keep her from going. She works full time as a teacher, and travels weekends and holidays. She went on a summer trip to Australia and New Zealand and we spoke while she was there.
She says there are plenty of services available to those with a lack of ability, and to seek help when you need it. The best advice is to try to stick to a morning routine, as much as possible.
Here’s a few companies that specialize in travel for those situations.
Arrange Accessible accommodations by contacting your hotel and requesting a special room.
Arrange assistance while flying and try to get special accommodations.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures
Make sure travel insurance includes medical, because medical is not covered by most plans when you are out of the country.
Enroll in the Smart Travelers enrollment Program (STEP)
Here’s a few companies that specialize in travel for those situations.
Mobile International USA
Curb Free with Cory Lee
Flying Wheels Travel
Accessible Journeys
Open Doors Organization helps people with travel challenges.
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/tour-companies-dedicated-to-travelers-with-disabilities
Today’s destination: Monarch Dunes and Paso Robles Wineries, CA
Monarch is a butterfly that was well-known in this farming area of Nipomo, CA. and inspired a development of 1200 homes surrounded by beautiful beaches and farming agriculture.
Many people travel to Nipomo for the golf experience. There’s a community of homes, built by Shea Homes that could double for a land-based cruise ship, except it’s not. It’s a community that pops out of nowhere of single family homes. The activities are resort-like and the atmosphere is healthy-looking adults in their 60’s and 70’s. These baby boomers are living large and have their desserts. Many drive Tesla’s. Many have 3 car garages. Some are on the golf course and others on the vineyard, facing the ocean. The breeze is nice here, but the blowing sand gets old fast. There is a ton of sand to sweep. The clubhouse has a pool and spa, plus there’s a shed for throwing pottery and Bocce Ball courts by the pickleball courts. It’s open to the public.
You’ll also find some great wine tasting in Paso Robles. less than an hour from Nipomo. The region got its reputation of being a wine destination in the 1960’s, starting with the soil scientist from San Luis Obisbo, and Jack Niven was the soil and fruit expert known in this region.
https://www.goldmedalwineclub.com/winery/niven-family-wine-estates-san-luis-obispo-county
In Paso Robles it is known by winemakers that the same fruit can taste different even when grown as little as 2 miles away. Patience is key in wine growing here as well as in other wine regions.
I visited this July 4 weekend 2022 and stayed in the resort-like area with friends. They played pickleball. And I went to the swimming pool and spa. We planned wine tasting and other cultural adventures. One of those was at the Baileyana winery, on a warm July afternoon, looking over the vineyards from a tent outside in the parking area, surrounded by grassy areas and a building that held the wines. We had a couple of hours tasting and eating our picnic lunch. We arranged this ahead of time and it was easy to find the location and parking.
Our wine expert was Martha, who attended UCSB and has been here for nearly ten years. Baileyana is owned by the Wine Exchange now, who also own Bread Butter in Napa and Chronic in Paso Robles.
Do visit a winery and tour a vineyard. Bring a picnic lunch and buy a bottle at the winery.
Don’t forget to make a reservation. Golfing, wine tasting or a meal. You may need to reserve in advance, so plan ahead if you can.
Today’s Mistake- Trusting the first person you ask for directions
I get lost a lot. I ask for directions most of the time. This week, I got lost in a casino. I was unable to find where I was going. I found an employee and asked for help. They sent me in the wrong direction, so I got lost again. The next person gave the right directions, and I found my way to my destination. Don’t always trust the directions until you find it’s correct.
Today’s Travel Advice-Visit your local zoo or park and get some outdoors fun.
Get outdoors. Leave the devices behind and spend time with the animals, tree life and make a friend. What is your favorite Zoo? My favorite is the World Famous San Diego Zoo. They are now part of the Wildlife Alliance.