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_outlineSpecial Episode Servas Travel
Here is your FAQ: Have you done any couch surfing? My followers asked me this question.
Special Episode topic: Servas travel
Travel mistakes: Making the age limit in a restaurant
Travel Tips: Daily schedule for exercise
FAQ response:
Have you done any couch surfing? My followers asked me this question.
Answer:
No, but I have been using SERVAS for three years as a member. I stayed in 6 homes and did a day host in one country, too. Listen here for more on that.
Special episode on SERVAS
I’m planning another around-the-world trip in 2025 and will contact hosts in South America, Africa, Europe, and Canada. I will email them, introduce myself, and tell them my travel dates. If they respond, we may have a match. If you happen to be a SERVAS host, please let me know.
The countries where I did make great matches were the Philippines (day host), India (Kerala and Agra for 1-2 nights), Israel (Tel Aviv 2 nights), Italy (Naples 2 nights), Ireland (Dublin 2 nights), and Scotland (Glasgow, three homes, 5 nights total). The irony is that some of the Scottish hosts also hosted Dick this year. Small world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servas_International
SERVAS International was founded in 1949 by Bob Luitweiler, a pacifist and peace activist. Here are some of the organization's history and how it can benefit solo women travelers. I’ll share the history, the goals, and the benefits for travelers, especially women and especially solo women.
History
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Origins: SERVAS was established after World War II to promote peace through cross-cultural understanding and dialogue.
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Vision: The name "SERVAS" means "to serve" in Esperanto, reflecting its commitment to building bridges between cultures and fostering mutual respect.
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Global Reach: It operates in over 100 countries and territories, creating a worldwide network of travelers and hosts dedicated to peace and goodwill.
Goals
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Promoting Peace: SERVAS encourages cultural exchange and understanding to combat prejudice and conflict.
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Fostering Dialogue: Hosts and travelers engage in meaningful conversations about their lives, cultures, and beliefs, promoting mutual understanding.
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Sustainability: The organization values eco-friendly and low-impact travel, aligning with global efforts to protect the planet.
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Empowering Women Travelers: SERVAS provides a safe and supportive environment for women, including solo travelers, by connecting them with verified and trustworthy hosts.
Benefits for Solo Female Travelers
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Safe Accommodation: SERVAS connects travelers with hosts who have undergone a screening process, adding a layer of security for solo women.
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Cultural Immersion: Staying with local hosts allows you to experience the authentic culture of your destination, often away from tourist hubs.
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Cost-Effective Travel: Accommodation with SERVAS hosts is free, reducing travel expenses.
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Community and Connection: Emphasizing meaningful conversations provides opportunities for enriching educational experiences.
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Supportive Network: For solo travelers, especially women, SERVAS offers a built-in community of like-minded individuals who value safety, trust, and connection.
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Flexible and Global: The network spans various countries, offering unlimited travel opportunities.
How SERVAS Works
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You must apply for SERVAS membership, which involves an interview process to ensure alignment with the organization’s values.
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Members receive a document that introduces them to hosts and verifies their commitment to SERVAS principles.
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SERVAS provides a directory of hosts in participating countries, detailing their interests, location, and availability.
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Travelers arrange stays with hosts in advance, typically for 1-2 nights, to encourage meaningful interaction rather than transient lodging.
Tips for Using SERVAS as a Solo Woman
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Choose hosts with detailed profiles and positive reviews to ensure compatibility.
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Discuss expectations, house rules, and interests with your host before your visit via email.
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SERVAS is built on trust, so always trust your instincts and prioritize your safety.
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Keep in touch with someone back home and share your itinerary and host details.
As a solo female traveler who values meaningful travel experiences and cultural exchange, SERVAS aligns perfectly with my interests. It offered me a unique way to connect with real locals, experience destinations authentically, and travel safely. The organization’s commitment to peace and sustainability adds a deeper purpose to my journeys. I would recommend this to any of our listeners
Travel mistakes: Making the age limit in a restaurant
Travel Tips: Daily schedule for exercise
Connect with Dr. Travelbest
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Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page
Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group