Masada and Red Sea, Israel Plus eSIM cards, screenshot your map, money belts
Release Date: 03/01/2024
Phu Quoc Vietnam
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Phu Quok, Vietnam In this episode, the FAQ is: What’s the best water bottle for travel? Today’s Destination is: Phu Quoc, Vietnam Today’s Misstep- I Booked a room under construction and How I upgraded. Travel Advice: Take a small risk, not always a big one in Vietnam FAQ: What’s the best water bottle for travel? The top 10 water bottles for a solo senior female traveler will be on this list, including price, from the least to most expensive in the show notes. They range from $11 to $90. Vapur Anti-Bottle Collapsible Water Bottle - $11–$14 Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free...
info_outline
Edinburgh, Scotland
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Edinburgh, Scotland Today’s Misstep- Too much of a good thing Travel Advice: Eat early, rest early FAQ: How do I remember to stretch while on the road? Answer: Tips for Remembering to Stretch: Set Phone Reminders: Schedule gentle reminders on your phone for morning and evening stretches. This way, it’s a built-in routine, just like brushing your teeth. Tie it to Daily Activities: Stretch after sitting for long periods, like after a meal or a bus/train ride. This helps to break up stiffness and becomes part of your rhythm. Use Cues...
info_outline
Coventry, England
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is Coventry, England Today’s Misstep- Manila Airport was a disaster Travel Advice: Bring the thing you usually forget FAQ: What are some simple exercises for travelers, especially solo females in their prime? Here are five I recommend: Walking: Aim for a daily walk to explore your surroundings. It's an easy way to keep your body moving and enjoy the local sights. Leg and Ankle Stretches: Sitting stretches are perfect for waiting in lines or resting. Flex and extend your ankles, or gently lift and lower your legs. Back and Shoulderstretches: Do these to...
info_outline
Cabrillo National Monument Part 2, accessibility
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ: How do I best enjoy the Cabrillo Park? Today’s Destination is Cabrillo National Monument Accessibility Part 2 Today’s Misstep- Don’t forget to stretch like I did. Travel Advice: Swimming? Watch your valuables. FAQ: My friends ask me how do I enjoy the Cabrillo Park. I love this question. First, you have to plan for it, so bring your National Park Pass and try to visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the slow days. Park at the top and see the lighthouse. It’s iconic. Then visit the overlook to the city of San Diego and see the boats go in and out...
info_outline
Cabrillo National Monument Part 1, using AI for travel, advice on guides
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ: Can AI really help me travel? Today’s Destination: Cabrillo National Monument Experience Part 1 Today’s Misstep- Mark Twain jokes about European tour guides in his travel books. Travel Advice: If you are interested in travel and do as you listen here, why not purchase a guide that answers most of your questions in one place? FAQ: Can really AI help me travel? Answer: AI is a great tool kit for travel. Yes, but be sure to check for accuracy and hallucinations. You will also find bias. But you can start...
info_outline
Best of Denali National Park, Alaska
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Denali National Park, Alaska Connect with Dr Travelbest email:
info_outline
Milan Italy
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ is: How do I manage increasing technology and security for travel? Today’s Destination is: Milan, Italy Today’s Misstep- I almost took a train to Switzerland at the Milan station Travel Advice: Bring a handheld portable fan for the heat. It can be oppressive. FAQ: The level of technology and security has stepped up for travel and entertainment. How do I manage it as a senior citizen in a very busy world? Answer: There is a growing level of distrust in today’s environment. For some venues, you can no longer use a...
info_outline
Best of Hawaii's Big Island
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Best of Hawaii's Big Island Connect with Dr Travelbest email:
info_outline
Lake Como, Italy
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ is: What should I tell people who think I can’t travel solo? Today’s Destination is Lake Como, Italy Today’s Misstep: Sometimes, you don’t love your roommates when you share a room. Here’s why. Travel Advice: Don’t buy another timeshare. If you have one, it’s really hard to sell it. FAQ: What do I tell people who think I can’t travel solo? Answer: Ask them why not. Then listen. Then, address each one of their questions or comments if you like. No one says you need permission to travel solo, but it would be good to tell them...
info_outline
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ is: Using QR Codes. Are they safe? Today’s Destination is: Belfast, Northern Ireland Today’s Misstep: My leaky water bottle was in the overhead bin on the airplane. Travel Advice: Secondhand stores in Belfast are good deals. FAQ: Using QR Codes. Are they safe? Answer: When you open a QR code, pay attention to the context and the brand because it could contain a virus or even worse. Be careful when accessing websites on your desktop, laptop, tablet, watch, or phone. Preview the destination before you go there. A QR code...
info_outlineThis episode's FAQ is: Do I need a local SIM card?
Today’s Destination is The Dead Sea and Masada, Israel
Today’s Misstep- Screenshot your MAP before you travel
Travel Advice: Wear a money belt.
FAQ: Do I need a local SIM card?
Response: When you travel abroad, you don’t need a local SIM card anymore. It’s found in nearly every airport and is expensive, but you get your own phone number. It does involve opening your phone up.
Read the show notes if you want to try an esim and need help. I’ve been using an esim called Airalo for a year, and I have a referral code for you to save $3.00. It is MARY2856.
https://www.airalo.com/blog/roaming-vs-international-sim-card-vs-local-sim-card-heres-what-to-know
Today’s destination: Israel (split into three parts, Jerusalem, Dead Sea/ Masada, and Tel Aviv. This episode is part 2 of three.
Because I was a solo female traveler, I booked a full-day tour of the Dead Sea and Masada. On my tour, I asked, “Where is the West Bank”?
I learned that it originally meant West of the Jordan River. Now, it is a shared space between Israelis and Palestinians. There are three settlement types here. Palestinian, Mixed, and total Israeli control has about 13 million people living there.
The land also has date trees, vineyards, and olive trees. With advances in agriculture, the soil has been cleansed from salt, so trees grow abundantly. There are many vegetables and greenhouses with drip irrigation, and I was told that cherry tomatoes were invented here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6UxvYeH_v0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bno1m1zhIWs
Masada is part of Rift Valley. Masada is the last Judean stronghold not taken by Romans. In 70 AD, the temple was destroyed and never rebuilt.
Nine hundred thirty-two people went to Masada to escape the Roman Empire and lost. How did the Romans win? They built a ramp, had a catapult, and knocked down the wall.
A gondola brings you to the top of the mountain now. You see storage rooms with places where date trees grew. There were plenty of touristy things to do here in Masada, but the history made it come alive today for me.
The lake is dried up, mostly, with remnants of where the water used to be. Jordan Valley is 450 meters below sea level. Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered here.
https://library.gordonconwell.edu/Old_Testament/Texts/DSS
Want to ride a camel? You may pay 20 shekels to ride and another 50 to get off.
West of the Jordan River, 13 million people, primarily Arab, Jews, and mixed.
Businesses are harvesting minerals and creams from the Dead Sea. For example, we stopped at a factory where Ahava is sold; sunscreen is $50. Mud is also sold here for $13.60. The mud comes directly from the Dead Sea in a bag. They say it is suitable for your skin. I did not purchase any.
https://www.ahava.com/pages/about-us
People from around the world travel to the Dead Sea to bathe in its water and to cover themselves with its mud to relieve symptoms of skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, cardiac disease, respiratory illnesses, and more.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293979-i8272-k5751280
The Dead Sea has no fish. That’s not a joke because it’s poison.
Spend 20 minutes maximum in the water—no splashing, drinking, or tasting. Don’t get in your eyes. Don’t wet your head. Dangerous. My genital area was burning, so I think I was more sensitive than others. I didn’t stay in very long as my private parts were uncomfortable. While getting in and out of the water, I got two minor scratches on my hand. The mud felt oily and slick.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1040/
Rick Steves two minutes on Masada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQg-H4GsWA
Today’s Misstep- Screenshot your digital MAP before you travel
Today’s Travel Advice- Wear a money belt.
Connect with Dr. Travelbest
5 Steps to Solo Travel website
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group