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...
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Dr. Mary Travelbest - Buyacada, Turkey Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Destination is: Buyacada, Turkey Today’s Misstep- My airline went bankrupt Travel Advice: Tips on visiting Turkey FAQ: This was an honest question from one of our fans: How do I share my senior status but not my age regarding travel discounts? Do they need to know my age, or can I make it up? Answer: Let’s get real here. Many of us want to save a few bucks and are willing to share that we are seniors, but maybe we don’t want to give away our age. Why or why not? It may be your personal decision, so let’s respect that. When you fly, you must give the...
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Dr. Mary Travelbest - Istanbul Turkey Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ is: What are the best theme parks for those in their Prime Years? Today’s Destination is: Istanbul, Turkey (part 1 of 2) Today’s Misstep- Ask for specific directions and then listen better. Travel Advice: Get a better exchange rate than in a busy tourist city. FAQ: What are the best theme parks for those in their Prime Years? Answer: I think the best theme parks for adults are the Disney ones. They have been friendly for generations, and you can always find someone to answer your questions, i.e., a cast member. You will pay more than for other parks, but you...
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Jamestown Settlement, Virginia
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Jamestown Settlement, VA In this episode, the FAQ: How to budget while on your trip? Today’s Destination is Jamestown Settlement, VA Today’s Misstep- Too much caffeine on an empty stomach. Travel Advice: Get TSA Pre-check for every flight. Connect with Dr. Travelbest
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Marietta, Georgia and the best seat on the plane
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ says that one of our followers does not fly much. She asked me, “What’s the best seat on the plane?” . Today’s Destination is: Marietta, GA Today’s Misstep- On Southwest, I paid twice for the Internet. Travel Advice: Get a good night’s sleep on the road with a clear head in bed. FAQ: What’s the best seat on the plane? That was the question asked by someone who doesn’t fly much. Response: I think the best seat is a window seat, but you may prefer the aisle if you want to stretch your legs and walk around the cabin. On Southwest...
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Dr. Mary Travelbest - Venice Italy Part 3 of 3
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
In this episode, the FAQ is: How do I keep track of travel memories so I don’t forget them? Today’s Destination is: Venice, Italy Part 3 Today’s Misstep: Tickets to the Opera in Venice were sold out Travel Advice: Stick to the outskirts for fewer tourists FAQ: How do I keep track of travel memories so I don’t forget them? Answer: Our memories may not be as sharp as we age, so recording our best thoughts in writing may be more critical. I use the Notes app on my phone, my audio recording app, and take lots of photos and videos while I travel. I do not post to...
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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