Oslo, Norway Part 2 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Oslo, Norway, Part 2. Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. A few months ago, I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. The FAQ is from Tabitha, who complained and then asked a question: I don’t want to share a room because I use a sleeping device that makes a lot of noise. How can I save money on my travel without putting someone else out of their sleep? Answer: Sharing a room is a blunt instrument for saving money....
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Oslo, Norway Part 1 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Oslo Part 1 Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I had my second solo 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. The FAQ is from Amara, who wants to travel more. She asked: How can I plan a trip like you do, Dr. Travelbest? Would I love to take some of the trips you have been on? I’m not sure where to start. I hear a lot from YOU, but how do I do it? Answer: Getting started is like this. Take small trips until you build up your travel muscles. I...
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Milwaukee, Wisconsin episode I’ve been traveling solo since 1972. Now you can experience for yourself the Best Selling Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, A Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, a book series found on Amazon. Please rate this podcast and the book! The FAQ is “What’s my plan if I get sick, injured, or suddenly can’t continue my trip alone?” Today’s Mistake- Staying in a destination too long because leaving feels like failure Travel Advice: Organize your apps FAQ: “What’s my plan if I get sick, injured, or...
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Krakow, Poland and Selecting Accomodations
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Krakow . Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. A few weeks ago, I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. Today, we will discuss Krakow, Poland, and when to admit you are not ready for a trip. We will discuss passports and then my travel mistakes. Get ready now, as we are starting. The FAQ is: Marcia, who recently returned from a solo trip to Antarctica, asked: “At what point does a destination become a bad match for my solo senior travel — and how do I admit...
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Gdansk, Poland and Why Travel to Poland?
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today's Episode is about Gdansk, Poland The FAQ is: Why visit Poland? Answer: Poland is one of the places that Chicagoans love to talk about. It’s home to many people of Polish descent. If you enjoyed today’s Confidence Challenge on your essential documents, my book series Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Today’s special destination is Gdansk, Poland Connect with Dr. Travelbest on YouTube
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Bergen, Norway and solo travel in your prime
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Today, we'll talk about Bergen, Norway. The FAQ is: Julie asked: How can I pack for several seasons in the same small pack? Answer: It’s going to be a challenge if you are moving to different zones in your trip. When I was in South Africa in June, the winter weather was a challenge, as there was no heat in the homes where I stayed. I used hot water bottles in bed at night. I also wore all of my clothes. A week later, I was in Greece and gave away the warm clothes to a new friend from England. She was a South Korean, grateful. You can experiment with what you need right away and then...
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Best of Mexico (From the Archives)
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This podcast series helped launch the now famous book series, Five Steps to Solo Travel. Now you are able to listen to one of the eariest versions of the show, and it's still relevant today. This episode takes you to Baja, Mexico. You will learn to drive to Ensenada, the Valle de Guadalupe and other destinations. Find your confidence through the FAQ's and also my mistakes and errors, so you won't make the same ones. This is snackable, without any filters, just a great listen for you now. Follow Dr. Travelbest here on your favorite channel, on TikTok, on IG and FB. We have an...
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Quito, Ecuador and packing for South America
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
FAQ:” Let’s quickly address how to pack for South America. If you are in the winter, it's summer, so you don’t need many clothes; pack light. I only took a personal item, but I had to wash it often, and I had only one pair of sneakers. No laptop. It helped me travel quickly and efficiently on planes, trains, and buses. In their winter, our summer, you should have many layers and a raincoat. I was able to buy what I needed or forgot while I was there, and the dollar was strong. On my first trip to South America, about 30 years ago, I went skiing in Chile, and I had to bring...
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Niagara Falls, Canada
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is Dr. Mary Travelbest, and we'll be talking about Niagara Falls, Canada. See Book A for guidance on saving money on airline tickets and more. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s destination is: “A Day at Niagara Falls – Solo, Soaked & Spectacular” Today, we're diving into the thundering wonder that is Niagara Falls, from a solo female traveler’s lens — and yes, I got a little wet. On the Road to the Falls I took the FlixBus from Toronto to Niagara Falls. The ride is scenic and comfortable, even with a bit of drama—my Toronto Metro train broke down this morning. I had to get...
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Best of Dr. Mary Travelbest - Dr. Travelbest History plus solo vs group travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This episode aired in 2022, so if you missed it, find out more about the origins of the Dr. Mary Travelbest story. We are now on episode 350 and counting, so let us hear from you. @drmarytravelbest Give a gift of solo travel to a loved one. Find out more.... Thanks for Connecting further with Dr. Travelbest
info_outlineWhere in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Oslo, Norway, Part 2.
Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. A few months ago, I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences.
The FAQ is from Tabitha, who complained and then asked a question:
I don’t want to share a room because I use a sleeping device that makes a lot of noise.
How can I save money on my travel without putting someone else out of their sleep?
Answer:
Sharing a room is a blunt instrument for saving money. If your sleep setup creates friction, the more brilliant move is to optimize timing, location, length of stay, and amenities—not to sacrifice privacy.
Here are seven tips for you, Tabitha, and listeners:
1. Question where the money is going
Before changing lodging, look at the most significant cost drivers:
Are you paying for location prestige you don’t actually use?
Are you staying more nights than needed?
Are you locking yourself into inflexible dates?
Often, lodging costs drop sharply one or two transit stops away from tourist cores.
2. Choose private rooms in shared properties
Many hostels, guesthouses, and homestays offer private rooms with shared kitchens or bathrooms.
You avoid roommates entirely.
Prices are often 30–50% lower than hotels.
Kitchens reduce food costs, which adds up fast.
3. Stay longer, pay less
Weekly or monthly rates can dramatically undercut nightly pricing.
This works exceptionally well for apartments, apart-hotels, and extended-stay properties.
Even adding an extra night can lower the average nightly rate.
Ask: Is speed costing me money?
4. Travel slightly off-peak.
You don’t need to travel in miserable weather to save money.
Shoulder seasons often offer the same experience at lower prices.
Midweek stays are consistently cheaper than weekends.
Airfare and lodging both benefit from this shift.
5. Rethink room features you don’t need
Be skeptical of “comfort upgrades”:
Do you actually need daily housekeeping?
A view?
A large room when you’re out most of the day?
Smaller, simpler rooms are quieter, cheaper, and often better for sleep devices anyway.
6. Use points and cash together
If you collect hotel or credit-card points:
Use points for expensive nights.
Pay cash for cheaper ones.
This hybrid approach stretches value without compromising privacy.
7. Pick accommodations built for solo sleepers
Some properties quietly cater to solo travelers:
Business hotels
Capsule-adjacent private rooms
Budget chains with excellent soundproofing
These are designed around individual sleep needs, not social lodging.
Confidence Challenge in Oslo:
If you’re new to traveling with accessibility needs, your challenge may be trusting yourself to explore independently. Oslo’s infrastructure is excellent, but navigating it alone in a foreign country can feel intimidating. The confidence builder is this: Norwegians are incredibly respectful and willing to help — they’ll assist you if you ask, but they’ll never intrude. Trust that combination of independence and quiet support.
If you enjoyed today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves deeper into trusting your decisions when traveling solo. Get educated. Learn and do in that order.
. You can find the series at the link in the description.
See Book A for addressing this concern. Step 5 travel
Find it on the website at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series.
Today’s special destination is Oslo, Norway, Part 2 in more depth.
Oslo, Norway, is a breathtaking city embraced by stunning fjords and vibrant forests. Known as one of Europe’s most welcoming and forward-thinking capitals, it offers a serene, safe, and modern atmosphere that's ideal for solo women travelers over 50, including those who use wheelchairs or mobility aids.
Explore Parks, History, and Nordic Design
Kick off your adventure at the magnificent Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of the largest sculpture parks globally created by a single artist. With its wide, smooth paths, it’s easy to explore at your leisure. The park’s tranquil ambiance is just perfect for reflection and appreciation of its artistic beauty.
Visiting the Vigeland statues in the park reminds me of Versailles, France. Took Tram 15 directly there. The park features statues of babies, women, and faces, as well as a lovely rose garden. The park is open every day, all hours, and never closes.
My friend from an earlier trip to Sweden that week, Margaret, and her sister drove to Portebakken and Krikkleiva. Notable landscapes included white birch trees and blue skies with clouds. - Weather: 26-28 degrees Celsius.
We had an incredible experience visiting a museum dedicated to the Oslo tragedy involving homegrown terrorism that occurred in November 2011. Here are some highlights that genuinely stood out during our visit:
- Exploring the beautiful moss and unique plants at Sundvolden, an outdoor museum just a short 30-minute drive from Selte, was a delightful experience.
https://www.visitnorway.com/listings/sundvolden-hotel/279615/
- It was exciting to travel around in a Skoda electric car, showcasing Norway’s commitment to sustainability.
https://www.skoda-auto.com/emobility/electrified-models
- Interestingly, Norway's independence from the EU economically, thanks to its rich agricultural and fishing resources, allows it to prioritize its own interests without contributing to the EU's financial struggles.
Next time to see in Oslo…..
- A trip to the renowned Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, only 45 minutes away, is definitely a must-see.
Explore Cobenhill, an eco-friendly destination featuring a ski slope, lifts, hiking trails, and a climbing wall, located near the waste-to-energy plant.
Check out The Fram Museum, where you can dive into the incredible tales of Norway's polar explorers. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps leading to a replica of the historic polar ship Fram. Just a stone’s throw away, the Kon-Tiki Museum awaits, accessible and showcasing Thor Heyerdahl's remarkable voyages.
For a delightful lunch, mentioned in Part 1 on Oslo, why not try one of the local seafood cafés on the scenic Bygdøy (bug-day) Peninsula? Enjoying outdoor seating with stunning fjord views is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the local flavor.
Stroll along Karl Johans Gate, the city’s vibrant main pedestrian street filled with charming shops, cozy cafés, and historic architecture. This lovely avenue leads you right to the Royal Palace, surrounded by inviting gardens and easy-to-navigate pathways.
Hop on a tram—most of Oslo’s public transportation is low-floor and incredibly wheelchair-friendly—and soak in the enchanting city lights dancing on the water!
My missteps: Language barriers.
Can't pronounce the names, so just do your best as someone from the USA.
Most people speak English.
Can’t speak the language? Use Duolingo for practice, then keep trying.
Fake it until you master it, and apologize in the meantime. People will appreciate that you tried.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you on the next journey.
AI was used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.
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