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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Best of Denali National Park, Alaska
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Denali National Park, Alaska Connect with Dr Travelbest email:
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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...
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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:
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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...
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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_outlineIn 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 from a reputable source is more likely to be safe. It is best to proceed cautiously if you find a QR code in an unsolicited email or on a random website. Criminals have placed stickers over legitimate QR codes in public places like bus stops.
Today’s destination: Belfast, Northern Ireland
The best part of Belfast, in Northern Ireland, is outside the city and exploring the countryside if possible. See the Giants Causeway, a national treasure of 40,000 hexagonal basalt stone columns that are 40 feet tall along the coast. These were formed 50-60 million years ago.
For perspective, there are 70 million people in the UK and 2 million people in No Ireland. The UK left the Left EU, but there is still a Land border with Ireland. The overall goal is one nation across the island. It’s been mostly peaceful since the 198 Belfast Peace Agreement on Good Friday.
The forecast usually calls for rain, so bring your gear.
I booked a tour that included many of the Game of Thrones locations, and I have never seen the films, so I was not very impressed. However, I'm told that scenic, narrow roads and unusual serpentine beech trees made this series memorable. It’s an atmospheric tree tunnel and a little bit spooky; on my tour, with Patrick as a guide, we made many stops for castles, caves from 400 million years ago, Bushmills’s Whiskey factory, churches, and pubs.
Castle at Carrick Fergis
https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/carrickfergus-castle-p674971
I have relatives from Northern Ireland’s Counties Leitrim and Louth, and my grandparents used to vacation along the Antrim coast and Glens National Landscape, a legacy of the Ice Age. I felt a tug of my ancestors here as I walked around a few graveyards in the countryside.
I enjoyed Queen’s University, the Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum, and Saturday Food and Craft Markets in the city. The Troubles Museum at Queen’s University was really good. Its full name is the Museum of the Troubles and Peace. It’s worth your visit, and it’s free.
http://museumofthetroubles.org/
You can read about the conflicts between the English and the Irish. I heard about them growing up, as my grandfather was born in Ireland. I can have dual citizenship, which is very common among the locals here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Museum
On my next trip to Belfast, I will visit the following:
Titanic museum
Black Taxi Cab Political Murals Tour
The Crown Pub
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/the-crown-bar/visiting-the-crown-bar
Sandy Row: What is it? It’s part of the turbulent history of Belfast.
https://belfastmedia.com/the-turbulent-19th-century-history-of-belfast-s-sandy-ro
Maybe by then, I will have watched Game of Thrones.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/giants-causeway
If you need special accessibility help, you can find wheelchair-accessible tours in the show notes.
https://www.getyourguide.com/belfast-l442/wheelchair-accessible-tc239/
What else is there in Belfast? Fairies
https://www.wildernessireland.com/blog/irish-folklore-fairies/
Today’s Misstep: I had a leaky water bottle in the plane's overhead compartment.
Tighten the seal on the water container. Mine leaked. I was on a plane and put the container in the overhead compartment. It leaked through my water container into another passenger's luggage on the flight. I was embarrassed to say anything but hoped nothing was ruined. Sorry about that.
Today’s Travel Advice- Secondhand shops in Belfast have good deals.
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