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...
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Best of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance - Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today’s Special issue is on San Diego Zoo and Safari Parks Part 2 Today’s Mistake-Bodysurfing when the waves are too strong. Destination: Part 2 of 2 San Diego Zoo and Safari Park San Diego Zoo and Safari Parks is a conservation organization under the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and is a Step 1 or Step 2 destination. The Wildlife Alliance is trying to create A world where all life thrives. They have two front doors. In this episode, we focus on the Safari Park, formerly the Wild Animal Park. Connect with Dr Travelbest email:
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Unscripted-Iceland Step 5 Travel-Final Destination 90 days Solo Female Travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is a test episode that I hope you will enjoy as it is unedited and on the go. Tell me you heard it and what you think. If you don't like it, I will remove it and go back to the regular format. I hope you enjoy the test. I'm here for helping you travel. That's my goal. I want to bring world peace one step closer to reality through female travel. This episode is not scripted. There is no intro dialog. You can hear the story about my final destination in Iceland on my 90 day trip around the world. This is not the usual pattern, so let me know what you think about the message. This is a peek...
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Border Crossings - USA Mexico
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Special Episode: Border Crossings: USA/ Mexico: FAQ: Can I fly to Mexico from the Tijuana airport? Travel misstep-Parking at CBX was full Lesson or tip of the day: More packing light tips A friend asked me if I could fly to Mexico from Tijuana airport. Mexico Border Crossing on land: For over fifty years, I’ve crossed borders countless times worldwide and in dozens of countries, traveling solo or with a friend. During the hours I waited in line, often for four or more hours, I was treated to many vendors selling food,...
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Servas Travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Special 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...
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Death Valley California Part 2 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This Episode is for you and about Death Valley Part 2 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide, an empowering travel and life adventure with a personal approach to guiding women like you in your prime who might be a bit adventure-timid. My goal is for you to create memories with your travels. I want to expand the relationships you make in our groups into a supportive community with your needs at the center. In this episode, the FAQ is: How to pack a personal item to travel for 90 days. Today’s Destination is Death Valley, Part 2, Today’s...
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Death Valley California Part 1 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This Episode is for you and about Death Valley Part 1 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide. Today’s story will share how to live on the road in your style. In this episode, the FAQ is: How to pack a personal item to travel for 90 days. Today’s Destination is Death Valley, Part 1, the planning and first stops Today’s Misstep- Blowing my hat off Travel Advice: Bring plenty of shade, more than you think. FAQ: How to pack a personal item to travel for 90 days. Today’s Misstep- Blowing my hat off...
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Solo Travel in Mexico
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ: When it comes to solo travel in Mexico, how can I feel safer, more prepared, and excited, not hesitant or fearful? Special episode: Confidence Builders for Solo Travel in Mexico Lesson Learned: Sunglasses lost in the sea! Travel Tip: Focus on your superpower, terms, travel, and power. I’ve volunteered to help at the Door of Faith Orphanage and encourage you to visit this, too. You can visit online for more information. Connect with Dr. Travelbest
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Las Vegas, Nevada Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ is: I’m going on a long trip, but I’m only allowed to bring one small carry-on. How can I manage? Today’s Destination is Las Vegas. Part 2 outdoors. Today’s Misstep- I forgot the tent. Travel Advice: Protect yourself. FAQ: I’m going on a long trip but can only bring one small carry-on. The airline rules and my trip leaders limit the baggage. How can I manage? Las Vegas. Part 2 outdoors Connect with Dr. Travelbest
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Las Vegas Nevada Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ: A good friend who doesn’t want to be named asked me how not to try to do it all. The point of the question was to limit the fear of missing out. How do I reduce my FOMO and add more JOMO (the Joy of missing out) when I travel? Today’s Destination is Las Vegas. Part 1 Indoor activities for travelers Today’s Misstep- I Spilled the candle wax at my airbnb and made a mess. Travel Advice: Look for adventure close to home. FAQ: How do I reduce my FOMO and add more JOMO (the Joy of missing out) when I travel? Las Vegas. Part 1 ? Today’s...
info_outlineIn 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 you are prepared, have planned for things to go wrong, and have taken this travel step by step to be more likely to be successful.
They may be telling you in a way that they will miss you, but don’t know how to say that. They could also be jealous. They could wish they could make this trip themselves. So there could be a lot of hidden reasons why they have those opinions.
Today’s destination: Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como, Italy, was a quick train ride from Milan, Italy.
On a hot day, about 95 degrees Fahrenheit, I ventured to Lake Como to cool down. I went there solo for three days, staying in town at a hostel that cost me $150 a night for a “middle bunk.” That was the most I paid for sleeping anywhere around the world. It did have a bathroom with a shower en suite.
It may have been less costly if I had booked earlier than two weeks in advance. Either way, here’s some advice if you are heading there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Como_San_Giovanni_railway_station
It was a quick walk from the Como San Giovanni train station to town, so you don’t need a car here if you stay in the main city. The lake is a breathtaking view from wherever you are, so the water keeps you cool, even on a boat. Buy the all-day ferry ticket if you can stay for the day.
https://lakecomotravel.com/boat-tours-ferry-lake-como/
https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/en/services/disabled-accessibility-and-prm/
Explore all the ferries and see the episode's notes with links, including accessibility information for getting on and off the ferries.
I spent a full day on a ferry tour of the lake, three hours north at its furthest and with more than one tributary.
I got off at Menagio and found a paid private club called Lido, but I did not swim there. A few minutes later, while swimming, I met a family from Denmark at a free swim spot. I walked the town and had Nutella-flavored gelato.
I then Took the ferry to Varenna. I walked the town.
Then, I took another Ferry to Bellagio. The line was too long to get back on, so I stayed on board. I got off later in the smaller town. I met another couple from Germany. They agreed it was dreadfully Hot.
I Stopped to cool my feet in the sea at Argegno—thunderstorms in the morning. I walked to town.
https://www.explorelakecomo.com/go/lido-di-argegno#google_vignette
I met a girl from Munich and her friend, who took a photo of me with some flowers.
Bellagio has the George Clooney Villa. Most of the music I hear is American pop, not Italian.
The lake is carved into a deep canyon. The hills above can be accessed by a special bus-like on rails called a Funicular.
I took the Lake Como Funicular at 7:15 pm, running every 30 minutes until midnight.
I highly recommend you do this and give yourself time at the top. The views are stunning, and there’s a lot to explore here.
It connects Como to the town of Brunate. The trip lasts 7 minutes and reaches the maximum allowed gradient of 55%—so that’s steep! The fee is small: only 3 euros (4 dollars) for a single journey and 5,50 euros (7 dollars) for a round trip. So worth it!
When leaving the train station, notice the sculpture of large human hands nearby. It is beautiful and dedicated to disabled service people. One hand is healthy,, and one is wounded.
https://www.explorelakecomo.com/go/monumento-ai-caduti-per-servizio
Also, I noticed a little bit of Las Vegas here; inside the train station, there was mini gambling, like in Las Vegas. Ironically, there’s a hotel in Las Vegas that’s called Bellagio.
Today’s Misstep: You don’t always love your roommates, right?
I went to bed by 9 p.m. because I was busy the next day. My bed was the middle bunk, and there were 5 in the room booked. At 11 p.m., two girls arrived and talked in street voices. I asked them to quiet down nicely. They did not. I finally did get to sleep, but it was rude of them to wake others with their voices and chatter. Would you agree?
Today’s Travel Advice: Don’t buy a timeshare or another one. If you have one, it’s tough to sell it.
We got conned when we tried to sell our timeshare, so don’t let that happen to you. We only lost a few thousand dollars, but it was a warning. These are not easy to sell. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If they ask you for money, walk away. Timeshares are hard to navigate to use your week. I spend hours each year trying to book one, and it’s very frustrating.
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.
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