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...
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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.
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineFAQ: How do I make small talk when you are on the road with a stranger?
Destination: Louisville, Ky
Today’s Mistake-Getting lost in Louisville
Travel Advice: Pack half your suitcase with giveaways and gifts.
FAQ:
How do I make small talk with a stranger when you are on the road?
Start small with a question or comment about the weather, date, location, or event you are both at or have just attended. Do they seem to have something in common with you? You can gently ask how they are doing today.
Today’s destination: Louisville, KY
Derby is on the first Saturday of every year in May.
I’ve attended several of them with friends and always had fun. I miss those days, but still love the races. Churchill Downs is the place to visit when in town as that’s where the race takes place, the fastest two minutes in sports ever!
Even if you can’t make the early week races, get dressed up and place your best. Check out Thurby Oaks, which is an alternative to Churchill Downs.
On Derby weekend, you can go bourbon tasting or whatever. Be sure you get your big hat! Follow the rules regarding what you can bring.
My friend and I always celebrated with a Mint Julep, even if not at the race. What’s the recipe?
The four ingredients to taste are mint leaf, bourbon, simple syrup, and crushed ice. Once, I did not have a mint leaf, so I used oregano, which went over badly. It was a hoot!
https://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets/
https://www.letsgolouisville.com/kentucky-derby-tips
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Visit the museums on Museum Row, including Louisville's own Muhammed Ali Museum, the Frazier Kentucky History Museum, 21C Museum Hotel, KMAC (the Kentucky Museum of Art & Crafts), and Roots 101 African American Museum, all within proximity. The Speed Art Museum is also a fantastic contemporary art museum in Old Louisville.
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Stroll through beautiful Old Louisville, or take a guided history tour with Louisville Historic Tours to learn all about the local architecture and history.
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Take a food tour with Louisville Food Tours and experience the story of Louisville one bite at a time in the most scenic neighborhoods in town. You'll learn all about the city's history while enjoying the sights, interspersed with stops at fantastic local eateries for food and drinks. With just 1.5 miles of walking spread out over 3 hours, it's the perfect balance of activity, history, and eating and drinking.
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Louisville has a fantastic theatre scene! Check out what's playing at Actor's Theatre, or if you're visiting during the summer, check out the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, the longest-running free Shakespeare festival in the country. Another fantastic entertainment venue is PLAY, a gay nightclub hosting drag performances and Queer-owned theatre productions.
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Take a sunset cruise on the beautiful Ohio River aboard Louisville's historic steamboat, the Belle of Louisville.
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Explore NuLu and shop at the local boutiques and gift stores in the NuLu neighborhood. It's a small area, about 2 blocks, but full of locally owned businesses. My favorite is Revelry, a gift shop and art gallery featuring unique creations by Louisville artists. Right across the street is Women Owned Wallet, a shop featuring only women-owned and created products. There are also two bourbon distilleries, Angel's Envy and Rabbit Hole! If you're spending the day in NuLu, book a NuLu Food Tour with Louisville Food Tours. Their 3-hour daytime tour features food that represents the culinary heritage of Louisville and Kentucky, and they also offer an evening bourbon food tour in NuLu, which treats bourbon as if it were wine and explores pairings of food, bourbon, and bourbon cocktails.
Lia Garcia, Founder and CEO, Let’s Go Louisville
Today’s Mistake- Getting Lost in Louisville
It was the night of the Kentucky Derby, and my college friends were all there, staying near Churchill Downs. One friend drove their motor home out to a bar after the event, and they left me behind by mistake. I did not have the address of where I was staying before cell phones, so I found a policeman and told them what happened. They helped me get “home” for the night.
Just as I walked in the door, they noticed I was missing.
Today’s Travel Advice: Pack half your suitcase with giveaways and gifts. Then, you will have room for your extras and souvenirs when you go home.
Where are you going? Let me know if I helped you travel. The show notes have ways to connect.
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