loader from loading.io

Rotorua, New Zealand

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Release Date: 03/24/2023

Dr. Mary Travelbest - Buyacada, Turkey Part 2 show art Dr. Mary Travelbest - Buyacada, Turkey Part 2

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Today’s Destination is: Buyacada, Turkey Today’s Misstep- My airline went bankrupt   Travel Advice: Tips on visiting Turkey   FAQ: This was an honest question from one of our fans: How do I share my senior status but not my age regarding travel discounts? Do they need to know my age, or can I make it up?   Answer: Let’s get real here. Many of us want to save a few bucks and are willing to share that we are seniors, but maybe we don’t want to give away our age. Why or why not? It may be your personal decision, so let’s respect that. When you fly, you must give the...

info_outline
Dr. Mary Travelbest - Istanbul Turkey Part 1 show art Dr. Mary Travelbest - Istanbul Turkey Part 1

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

In this episode, the FAQ is: What are the best theme parks for those in their Prime Years? Today’s Destination is: Istanbul, Turkey (part 1 of 2) Today’s Misstep- Ask for specific directions and then listen better. Travel Advice: Get a better exchange rate than in a busy tourist city. FAQ:  What are the best theme parks for those in their Prime Years? Answer: I think the best theme parks for adults are the Disney ones. They have been friendly for generations, and you can always find someone to answer your questions, i.e., a cast member. You will pay more than for other parks, but you...

info_outline
Jamestown Settlement, Virginia show art Jamestown Settlement, Virginia

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Jamestown Settlement, VA   In this episode, the FAQ:  How to budget while on your trip? Today’s Destination is Jamestown Settlement, VA Today’s Misstep- Too much caffeine on an empty stomach.  Travel Advice: Get TSA Pre-check for every flight.       Connect with Dr. Travelbest  

info_outline
Marietta, Georgia and the best seat on the plane show art Marietta, Georgia and the best seat on the plane

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

In this episode, the FAQ says that one of our followers does not fly much. She asked me, “What’s the best seat on the plane?” . Today’s Destination is: Marietta, GA Today’s Misstep- On Southwest, I paid twice for the Internet.  Travel Advice: Get a good night’s sleep on the road with a clear head in bed.   FAQ: What’s the best seat on the plane? That was the question asked by someone who doesn’t fly much.   Response: I think the best seat is a window seat, but you may prefer the aisle if you want to stretch your legs and walk around the cabin. On Southwest...

info_outline
Dr. Mary Travelbest - Venice Italy Part 3 of 3 show art Dr. Mary Travelbest - Venice Italy Part 3 of 3

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

In this episode, the FAQ is: How do I keep track of travel memories so I don’t forget them?   Today’s Destination is: Venice, Italy Part 3 Today’s Misstep: Tickets to the Opera in Venice were sold out   Travel Advice: Stick to the outskirts for fewer tourists   FAQ: How do I keep track of travel memories so I don’t forget them? Answer: Our memories may not be as sharp as we age, so recording our best thoughts in writing may be more critical. I use the Notes app on my phone, my audio recording app, and take lots of photos and videos while I travel. I do not post to...

info_outline
Dr. Mary Travelbest - Venice Italy Part 2 of 3 show art Dr. Mary Travelbest - Venice Italy Part 2 of 3

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

The first Venice episode was # 247. I came back and added more to that here and the following episode.  In this episode, the FAQ is: Would I return to Venice? Today’s Destination is Venice, Italy Part 2 of 3 Today’s Misstep: Spend more time in the region of Northern Italy.   Travel Advice: In Venice, Get Lost FAQ: Would I go back to Venice?   Answer: The answer is yes because I hardly saw the main attractions the first time. I was in a crowd of tourists, and it was under construction. I think there will be better crowd control now that there's a fee. Today’s...

info_outline
Bucket List Travel #4 -The Garden Route of South Africa with Rose Kilian show art Bucket List Travel #4 -The Garden Route of South Africa with Rose Kilian

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Bucket List Episode: The Garden Route of South Africa, by Rose Kilian Hi there, I'm Rose Kilian, and I'm thrilled to share the magic of the Garden Route in South Africa, a place that has been my home and my heart. Growing up here was a dream, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a rich tapestry of experiences. Whether you're planning a visit or just curious, I'm excited to take you on a journey through this enchanting region.   The Garden Route stretches along the southern coast of South Africa, from Knysna in the Western Cape to Storms River in the Eastern Cape. This coastal...

info_outline
Bucket List Travel #3 Crete, Greece from Kirsty Nunez show art Bucket List Travel #3 Crete, Greece from Kirsty Nunez

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

·       Bucket List Travel Crete, Greece ·         ·       Script from Kirsty Nunez ·         ·       Introduce Crete (Creta) o   Largest Greek island ·       Outline highlights o   Ancient civilizations o   Antiquities o   Beautiful beaches o   Stunning mountains in interior of island o   Shopping o   Food ...

info_outline
Bucket List Travel -#2 Toronto, Canada with Carolyn Ray from JourneyWoman show art Bucket List Travel -#2 Toronto, Canada with Carolyn Ray from JourneyWoman

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

This is Bucket List Travel, a special series within the podcast Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide. This is Carolyn Ray, CEO and editor of JourneyWoman, a women's solo travel publication based in Toronto. I'm going to share some tips and advice about my hometown with you. I'm actually a sixth-generation Torontonian, and my daughter is a seventh-generation Torontonian.     So this is my hometown, and I can tell you, if you're looking for an exciting, vibrant city, Toronto is it. We are, you might be surprised, the fourth largest city in North America, and very easy to get to from just about...

info_outline
Bucket List Travel #1 - Copenhagen, Denmark show art Bucket List Travel #1 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Welcome to the Special Bucket List Travel Series of Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide.   Patti Christensen from San Diego talks about one of her favorite travel destinations, Copenhagen, Denmark. Copenhagen, like much of Denmark is a city on the water. One of the first things you want to do when you go to Copenhagen is go on one of the sightseeing Canal boat tours with a live guide. You hop on this great open-air boat and slowly experience various city views. Copenhagen combines brand new shiny buildings and historic buildings going back centuries. The boat trip past the multicolored buildings...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Today’s Destination is: Rotorua, New Zealand

Today’s Lesson Learned- Losing my reading glasses

Travel Advice:  Maps offline can help you find your way solo.

 

FAQ: Annie asks Dr. Travelbest; I’m so worried about traveling alone. I must build my confidence to go on a trip, even with another person. If I was to go alone, What would be the biggest concern for solo travel safety?

 

Answer: Annie, you should be aware but not worry unnecessarily. Travel at the step you feel comfortable.

You will be safer in many ways if you follow specific simple guidelines.

Always ask for help before you go solo when you need it. Others want to help you out. I’ve made a quick list here for you to follow.

 

 5  Quick Safety Answers for Solo Travel Safety

  • Stay Connected. ...Keep Others Apprised of Your Itinerary. ...

  • Stash Money, Credit Cards, and Passport in Separate Places. ...

  • Ensure Your Lodgings Are Safe. ...

  • Stay Healthy. ...

  • Pray for a safe trip.



Today’s destination: Rotorua, New Zealand

 

If you like discussing the climate, you will want to learn about geothermal, including geysers and mud pools.

One place to explore is on the North Island of New Zealand, in a small town called Rotorua. It’s a volcanic wonder space with unique geothermal attractions and landscapes. There are rare flora, fauna, and history of the Maori. The region has one of the world’s most active geothermal fields. Five minutes from the city, you will see a geyser called Pohutu. This erupts to a height of 100 feet and does it up to 20 times per day. You can’t escape the smell of sulfur, the clouds of steam, and the volcanic bubbling.

Besides this fantastic spectacle, what else is there worth seeing? Visit the shopping markets in the central city and then the free thermal reserve, which features beautiful public gardens, bubbling mud pools, colorful hot lakes, and free thermal foot pools.

Then consider a bike ride past four major geothermal attractions on the Thermal bike trail.  Stop along the way for a dip in a natural hot river. 

Visit a Maori village where the people live amongst the geothermal activity and use the boiling water for cooking, bathing, and warming their homes. I watched a dance of the Maori warriors and was entertained by the cultural experience. I recommend it.

Depending on the weather, you can float in a thermally heated public swimming pool or one of many luxurious thermal spas.

https://www.newzealand.com/us/rotorua-geothermal/

Today’s Lesson Learned-  Losing my reading glasses.

I lost my reading glasses and struggled with not having great vision. I was struggling with seeing the small print on my phone.

Don’t lose your glasses; if you do, have a spare pair handy

If you wear contacts, bring your eyeglasses as a backup when traveling.

Today’s Travel Advice-Maps offline can help you find your way solo. Free.

 

Check out the map dot me app, where you don’t need to have data, just GPS.

 

It will help you route yourself, even without an online connection.

They have offline maps of the whole world.

 

Search and discover travel maps, tourist guides, and navigation offline.

they have a web version, too.

Maps.me works with no Wi-Fi or cellular internet and is free. All it needs is your phone's GPS! It gets its data from OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap is an app you can download to your phone.

Find attractions, monuments, churches, viewpoints, museums, businesses, hairdressers, dentists, and cafes.

They have 140 million customers in 190 countries

and 1.5 million app store reviews and are based in Switzerland.