Athens, Greece Part 1 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Welcome to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast for 5 Steps to Solo Travel. The FAQ is: What is going on with the number of cars on the road these days? Is traffic increasing, and why? Answer: Americans are sitting in traffic longer than ever. Last year, commuters lost an average of 63 hours, or almost 8 workdays, stuck in traffic, according to a Texas A&M study reported by Kiplinger. It is a 16% increase in national congestion costs from 2099 to 2024. Truck congestion rose 19%. A shift in traffic patterns has contributed to overall increased traffic times. Delays are no longer...
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Best of Archives. Japan
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Japan is one of the most visited places by those from the USA. Listen to this archived episode from years' past about Japan. It's still relevant today. It's a Step 5 Destination, and you can travel there solo. Find out more from the book series: The Five Steps to Solo Travel. And if you leave a review, you will make Dr. Travelbest so happy. Happy 2026 to you. Read what others say and then make your own words. It's an authentic voice, and it's really me!
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The Garden Route, South Africa
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Episode: The Garden Route, South Africa Today's episode is an FAQ on what the Garden Route is, a bit about the route, and my mistakes on it. The FAQ is: What is the Garden Route? It sounds lovely, but what is it actually? Answer: The Garden Route is a re-branded name for a region in Africa. It's a 190-mile stretch of South Africa's southeastern coast, stretching from Mossel Bay to the Storms River. It is a popular tourist road trip known for lush forests, dramatic mountain scenery, lakes, and sandy beaches. The area features a mild, year-round temperate climate, making it a premier, safe...
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Part 2)
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide Podcast, Part 2 of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The FAQ is: How to carry toiletries on a long trip? Answer: For traveling solo, especially on longer journeys, toiletries can quietly become the heaviest, messiest, and most annoying part of your bag. I use cubes, just packing cubes like for my other travel items. So before you toss everything into a pouch, ask yourself: Do I really need this much? Will this leak at 35,000 feet? Can I replace it at my destination? Here are four smart, confidence-building tips for carrying toiletries on a long...
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Rio de Janeiro Brazil Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is part 1 of 2. . Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. The FAQ is: What are three phrases to learn for Brazil? Answer: Language Insights: Your Spanish will help tremendously. While English is less commonly spoken outside tourist hotspots, learning a few key Portuguese phrases can enhance your experience: Bom dia (Good morning) Obrigada (Thank you – from women) Quanto custa? (How much?) These should help...
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Thessaloniki Greece Part 2 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Thessoloniki Greece, Part 2 of 2. Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I recently returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. This episode covers driving and navigating at the same time, Thessoloniki, Greece, and my mistakes of not hydrating enough in Greece. The FAQ is: "I need help finding my way while driving." What advice can you provide me as I try to navigate while I drive? Answer: Here are three driving safety tips...
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Thessaloniki Greece Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Thessoloniki Greece, Part 1 Welcome to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences for world peace. Here is an FAQ about plane or train travel, Thessoloniki Greece, Part 1, and also about a health issue you don’t want when you travel. Give a listen. I guide you to solo travel experiences to bring out your best. The FAQ is: If you could take a plane or a train, which would it be and why? Answer: If I have the...
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Best of South Korea
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego today. Hi there. I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest, coming to you from a recent trip to South Korea, now sharing my best travel ideas. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world. Listener Story Spotlight A friend and a listener named Lois recently went to Hawaii. She told me about how she spent a lot of 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...
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Mojave Desert Southwestern USA
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Destination: Mojave Desert Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5-Step Guide to Solo Travel for women like you who need a little extra support as they travel the world (slowly), one woman at a time. I’ve been traveling solo since 1972. Now you can experience for yourself in the Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, A Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, found on Amazon. Yes, it has been a best seller in its category for some time! Please rate this podcast and the book! In this episode: Mojave Desert FAQ: loneliness on the road and how to...
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Warsaw, Poland
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Warsaw, Poland The FAQ is: “How do I decide when it’s time to pay more for comfort or safety instead of pushing myself?” Budget travel advice is common; guidance on when frugality stops being smart for aging bodies is not. This is a silent tension for senior solo travelers. Answer: Here’s the truth: saving money is never worth arriving exhausted, stressed, or injured. As we get older, comfort becomes a strategy, not a luxury. I ask myself one simple question: Will this choice give me more energy tomorrow? If the answer...
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In this episode: FAQ is: My husband died two years ago, and I want to travel. Is that selfish of me? Is that disrespectful?
Today’s Destination is: Lincoln Park, Chicago
Today’s Mistake- Buy the unique purse when you can.
Travel Advice: For one week of travel, be an extravert.
FAQ: My husband died two years ago, and now I want to travel. Is that selfish of me? Is that disrespectful?
Answer: No. Your husband would have liked you to travel. Please just go ahead as long as you can afford it. Some travels cost more than others. I did hear about some single women and couples who decided to live on a cruise ship. For some people, living on a ship is cheaper than having a mortgage.
See the show notes for examples:
Today’s destination: Lincoln Park, Chicago
Less than 5 miles north of downtown Chicago is a neighborhood known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment called Lincoln Park. It’s got a little bit of everything you would like in a city, with a few good parks. It’s an authentic neighborhood in the sense that it’s got a mix of different and diverse community members while being a place to enjoy,
The Lincoln park zoo has children who love animals, adults who wander and soak it in, and nature is the priority. This is the best of what a zoo can offer. Did I mention that it’s free to visit? Public transportation or walking here is best because parking can be expensive and a hassle.
The closest subway stations to Lincoln Park Zoo are: Clark & Armitage (North) is 25 yards away, 1 min walk. Armitage & Clark (East) is 43 yards away, 1 min walk. Stockton & Armitage (South) is 150 yards away, 2 min walk.
Two miles north of this area is Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. You may enjoy a game while visiting the area. I’d suggest it!
Today’s Mistake- Buy the unique purse when you can.
My friend Carol is sorry she did not purchase that purse on her vacation. she regrets not buying it because she never found one like it again.
She believes that if you see something unique, buy it. don’t always expect to find another one like it toward the end of your trip. My advice usually is to wait and get it later, but in this example, it would make more sense to buy now and not worry about getting it later if it’s an item you want.
=Today’s Travel Advice-For one week of travel, be an extravert.
You may naturally be an introvert and want to avoid meeting new people. However, if you want to travel, especially solo, you must adjust your personality to be more outgoing and friendly. This will help you get where you’re going. Trust me. Find a way to ask the person who may have the answer and go there.