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_outlineEpisode Naples, Italy Part 1
In this episode, the FAQ is: How do I get to and from the airport? I am an inexperienced flyer and need to know how to get there and back if I don’t take a taxi or Uber/Lyft, which can be very expensive.
Today’s Destination is Naples, Italy Part 1
Today’s Misstep- I took the Subway in the wrong direction.
Travel Advice: Use Chat GPT for travel ideas, but verify the results
Today’s destination: Naples, Italy Part 1
Naples, Napoli is about an hour from Rome by train.
It’s an Under-rated city. Some rough edges may exist, but give it a chance.
It’s a city not to be missed. It’s a Step 5 trip because you need to be experienced as a traveler to be here solo.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/campania/naples
My new Servas friend Rossana has lived in the Vomero neighborhood for 20 years.
Here’s some more background. The third-largest city in Italy is full of history, art, architecture, and delicious food, yet it gets a bad rap for its crime and grime. While these blemishes are a reality for residents, they're far from ubiquitous, especially where tourism concerns them. Find higher ground at places like Certosa e Museo di San Martino, and you'll be rewarded with spectacular views. Stroll the Via Caracciolo e Lungomare di Napoli as I did for a full day, or chat with friendly locals like Rossana, and you'll experience some of the magic this port city holds. And, of course, you can't forget the joy that comes from that first bite of Neapolitan pizza (in the city credited with inventing the pizza), nor that perfect gelato.
https://www.amoitaly.com/napoli/vomero.html
The Art Stations, distributed along Metro lines 1 and 6, include more than 180 pieces of art created by 90 international authors and local architects, allowing them to combine different architectural styles. I often used the Quattro Giordano metro stop. If you don’t ride the subway, you miss all of these.
Mappatella Beach is where I went swimming along the coast.
Via Chiaia (Vee-ya, Kaya heeya) district is a high-end and strolling area.
https://www.visititaly.eu/places-and-tours/district-chiaia-naples
Art Museum with Toledo.
Beautiful old and pop art.
Rossana is retired, volunteers with kids, and lives with two cats.
https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/o-sole-mio-lyrics/
https://sscnapoli.it/en/league-standings/
.
https://www.italia.it/en/campania/naples/posillipo
Today’s Misstep: I took the Subway in the wrong direction because I did not realize there were three levels instead of two. Don’t make my mistake. Ask if there’s another level before you board the wrong train. And if you are wrong, you can always go back the other direction.
Today’s Travel Advice- Use Chat GPT for travel ideas, but verify the results
In previous podcasts, I mentioned how to use Chat GPT for travel. If you’re not using it, you could miss out on some great hidden gems for your travel. I bet your tour guides use this tool to learn some secrets and factoids for their upcoming tours. So why keep yourself in the dark? Use Perplexity or whatever AI program you like best, and explore before you leave home. However, do check the responses for hallucinations.
I want to bring meaning to your future travels. Sign up for the Dr. Travelbest newsletter. We can connect on my websites, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. Find the 5 Steps to Solo Travel series on Amazon. The show notes have more details for you to connect. Please support this podcast with a review. We need your help to help others.
Connect with Dr. Travelbest
5 Steps to Solo Travel website
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group