Best of Ann Arbor, Michigan plus oversleeping and how to hide emergency cash
Release Date: 04/15/2023
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...
info_outline
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.
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 ...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineIn this episode: FAQ is: Do you have any advice on finding a safe place to sleep in a strange new city I’ll visit? I’m in my 60s and I have a challenge sleeping when I don’t know much about my surroundings.
Today’s Destination: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Today’s Mistake- Oversleeping
Travel Advice: Hide some extra cash for emergencies
FAQ: Do you have any advice on finding a safe place to sleep in a strange new city I’ll visit? I’m in my 60’s and have difficulty sleeping when I don’t know much about my surroundings.
Answer:
When I get to a new city, I like to walk the neighborhood and feel the pulse of the area. I try to arrive as early in the day as possible, and especially not when it’s dark. That makes me more comfortable with the area and allows me to rest. Sometimes I take the red eye flight, because I will arrive early in the morning and can get around the city during the daylight.
Before you travel, find your destination on google maps, and then make a path from your airline to your hotel or Airbnb virtually. Look for the main signposts, freeway exits and signposts. You can use the visual guide “street view” so you can anticipate what it will look like in advance for a safer feeling about the location.
Today’s destination: Ann Arbor, Michigan
It’s a town that doesn’t change much over the years. If you’ve not been there, it’s worth a visit, even for a day or two. Slow down and enjoy the good things in Michigan. Summers and winters have weather, and fall leaves are colorful. Pick your season and make the most of it.
I visited in the 1970’s and again in 2021 and it’s a fresh and inspirational college town to me. Football rules as University of Michigan Blue is seen all over. Downtown is a walking city, with plenty of free parking for visitors. Do check out some of the culture, entertainment, and especially the art museum at the University. I enjoyed this museum that was the arts and culture museum in downtown Ann Arbor. Admission was no charge, and the tickets were available online.
There are 14 farmers markets in the county of Washtenaw in spring and summer. There are plenty of farm-to-table restaurants, too. Argus Farm Stop and White Lotus Farms have good markets.
https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/museums/
Today’s Mistake- Oversleeping before a big trip
I did not set my alarm correctly, and it did not wake me up. I overslept for a 5 am drive to the airport as I woke then. I was out the door by 5:15am, but not really yet awake and the rest of the day followed poorly. Do make sure you have at least one if not two reliable alarms set if you are catching an early morning flight.
Today’s Travel Advice-Keep cash in hidden places. It’s a good idea to have an extra $20 somewhere you may need it. You may be running out of gas or need to get supplies. That $20 bill could be a big lifesaver for you when you travel independently. You could put it in your shoe, your money belt, or your inside pocket.
Today I want to bring meaning to your travel. Send me your travel tip. You can send it to my website, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. You can send to my Twitter, blog, and maybe you’ll see your tips in the next book, Steps to Independent Travel.
Connect with Dr Travelbest
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group