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...
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Cartagena, Colombia and safety in South America
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Cartagena, Colombia. Today, we're heading to Cartagena, Colombia —a vibrant and touristy Caribbean city bursting with color, music, and history. It's one of the most popular destinations on South America's northern coast — and I'll share my experiences and a few lessons learned for solo travelers like you. Get ready to immerse yourself in a culture that's as lively as it is rich. Let's start with the setting. Cartagena's Walled City — La Ciudad Amurallada — is the heart of it all. I recommend exploring early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and the heat. You...
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Lincoln Square, Chicago, using AI on the road and staying healthy tips
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Lincoln Square, Chicago. The FAQ is about using AI while traveling. How do I get the best responses to my prompts when I have a question? Is there a platform you recommend? There are thousands of platforms, and new ones are popping up every day. For travelers seeking the most current answers to their travel questions, you are in luck. You can navigate the territory solo better today than ever because you can ask the right questions. Practice is the best way to use them. 60-second confidence challenge If you like today’s...
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Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego today, talking about Cape Breton, Canada . Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, world traveler, professor, marketing expert, and all-around fun person. And I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share our experiences. Quick-fire FAQ: Your mom, grandmother, or even your daughter told you to be careful when traveling solo. But did they ever do it? You are on your way. The question I get asked is: What should I tell someone who discourages me from traveling? Answer: You can turn it around and ask for specific information...
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Machu Picchu, Peru including lessons learned about Step 5 travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Machu Picchu Are there any tips to help me avoid being cheated or robbed while traveling? Yes, you can take precautions like removing your expensive jewelry before traveling and not carrying expensive purses or shoes. Don't look like a target. Look like you belong, and try not to stand out from the usual crowd. Check reviews of any Airbnb or turo car rentals you book. Be careful not to walk alone in the dark at night, as much as possible. Think of the odds whenever you go out. Please put them in your favor, not a criminal. If you like...
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Medellin Colombia Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Medellin, Colombia.Part 2 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide Quick-Fire FAQ: Drying Out Wet Clothing. How do you do that on the road? How do you dry your wet belongings while traveling, especially when you're solo? Especially in a humid area, it’s hard to get things dry. When you solo travel, you have more control over your time constraints, so plan to let things dry. When it’s damp, the best way to dry your clothes is by maximizing water removal before drying. Try the towel roll trick. First, lay the clothes flat on a towel, roll them up, and twist to ring out...
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Medellin, Colombia Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Medellin, Colombia 60-second confidence challenge: The confidence challenge is to meet someone new today. You might stop by the mailbox to say “hi,” or visit a park where people are less in a hurry. Start a conversation with someone new today. If you like, then get their name and phone number and give them a call. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapters of my book dive deeper into how to build confidence using it—link in description.” See Book A for addressing the challenge of meeting new people Find it on our website at or on...
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Galapagos, Ecuador
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Here is the episode on Galapagos, Ecuador 60 second confidence challenge Check your passport. Do you have at least six months left until it expires? Do you have at least four blank pages? Then your passport is in good shape. You’re ready to travel, as long as you check for any Visa entries you may need. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapter 2 of my book dives deeper—link in description.” See Book A for addressing all of these items like preparing for travel. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s destination is: Galapagos, Ecuador Galapagos means nature to most...
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Haarlem, Netherlands
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
this episode is about Haarlem, Netherlands. See Book A for addressing the challenges of solo travel in your prime. Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Destination: Haarlem, Netherlands. It’s a Dutch city that’s often overshadowed by Amsterdam, but has just as much charm—and far fewer crowds. I’m talking about Haarlem, Netherlands. Haarlem is only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam, making it an easy and quiet alternative for solo travelers over 50. What you’ll love is its slower pace, historic streets, and safe, flat, walkable...
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Toronto Canada Part 2 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This episode is about Toronto, Canada. See Book A for addressing this challenge. Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Toronto is another example of Step 3 travel, advanced solo travel. Other step 3 destinations in my Part B book include Banff, Whistler, and Vancouver. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s special destination is: Toronto, Canada, part two of two You may arrive at Pearson airport, like I did, which was a lovely airport ranked high among international airports. I had the opportunity to experience the Priority Pass lounge...
info_outlineIn this episode: The FAQ is: How do those from other nations view American travelers? The destination is New Zealand, South Island. The lesson learned is: getting ripped of while traveling.
and the tip is to listen to other podcasts about travel, besides this one from Dr Mary Travelbest, of course.
FAQ : How do others view American travelers?
The answer is a bit uncomfortable to even ask but realistic. To those in foreign countries, they may look at Americans in a negative light, mostly because they only know what they see in the news media. America has the “World Series” in baseball, but it’s all teams from the USA and Canada. Being the greatest nation in the world may not serve the needs of people in other countries, so remember that you are a representative of your home nation, wherever you go. Overall, New Zealand was one country that really liked American travelers.
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/09/15/us-image-plummets-internationally-as-most-say-country-has-handled-coronavirus-badly/
Best of Independent Destination- New Zealand’s South Island
My friend Jenny Latto, from near Auckland, New Zealand is traveling inside of her country due to the pandemic and she’s enjoying it more than ever since the tourists are almost all Kiwis these days. She’s going to travel with a few friends to the South Island for a holiday, and a Multisport race. The team does running, cycling, kayaking, and more.
Check the South Island map of New Zealand and how green it is. One city you may have heard of is Christchurch, where there was a big earthquake and a massacre. Christchurch is hotter than Auckland since it’s not surrounded by water.
When I visited New Zealand, I flew Air New Zealand and loved the service from start to finish. I flew all over the country and it was easy to get around, and lovely to see all the sheep. Once you can travel there, be sure to give yourself time to know the people as well as the beauty there.
If I had limited time in New Zealand, I would visit the Milford Sound, not far from Queenstown on the western side of the south island. One of my worldly traveled friends told me he thinks it’s the best part of the earth. In many ways, this area has similar sights to Norway. The boat trip through the fjords was somewhat magical to me. The waterfalls are stunning. There’s plenty more to see, so look in the show notes.
Franz Josef Glacier is where you can see the glacier firsthand and upclose. I started as a passenger in a plane on land, and minutes later I was ended up walking on the glacier.
Franz Josef Glacier is one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand, descending from its origins high in the Southern Alps deep into the lush native rainforest of Westland's National Park. It also moves faster than your average glacier. This creates some truly incredible features in the glacier such as ice caves, tunnels and crevasses; all of which are constantly changing and evolving so no two days are ever the same.
https://www.franzjosefglacier.com/
Ride a chairlift above town in Queenstown
https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/
https://www.milford-sound.co.nz/about/
Be sure to listen to the North Island episode of New Zealand, too.
Today’s Lesson learned-Getting ripped off while traveling.
When did I get ripped off? I almost never get taken when I’m traveling. Most people have been especially nice and thoughtful to me. However, here’s what happened to my friend, a very seasoned traveler. She was walking in a large downtown city, a construction zone, so the sidewalk was narrow. It was nighttime, and someone walked up to her, asked her a question, and then physically took her entire backpack and ran away with it. That’s the kind of story that sounds made up but it wasn’t. So if you’re ever in an area that may seem to be trouble, make sure that you have an escape. If you are wearing a hidden money belt, that’s the safest you can be.
Today’s Travel Advice- Listen to other travel podcasts
You have a choice when it comes to other podcasts. We hope you listen to the following, The Globetrotter Lounge with Lisette, which is an interview format with inspiring women guests who have traveled and shared their stories. Or what about listening to the history of New York through the podcast, Bowery Boys, or even listening to The Thoughtful Travel Podcast with Aussie Amanda Kendle, who talks about practical and useful tips from other travelers?