Athens, Greece Part 1 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Welcome to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast for 5 Steps to Solo Travel. The FAQ is: What is going on with the number of cars on the road these days? Is traffic increasing, and why? Answer: Americans are sitting in traffic longer than ever. Last year, commuters lost an average of 63 hours, or almost 8 workdays, stuck in traffic, according to a Texas A&M study reported by Kiplinger. It is a 16% increase in national congestion costs from 2099 to 2024. Truck congestion rose 19%. A shift in traffic patterns has contributed to overall increased traffic times. Delays are no longer...
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Best of Archives. Japan
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Japan is one of the most visited places by those from the USA. Listen to this archived episode from years' past about Japan. It's still relevant today. It's a Step 5 Destination, and you can travel there solo. Find out more from the book series: The Five Steps to Solo Travel. And if you leave a review, you will make Dr. Travelbest so happy. Happy 2026 to you. Read what others say and then make your own words. It's an authentic voice, and it's really me!
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The Garden Route, South Africa
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Episode: The Garden Route, South Africa Today's episode is an FAQ on what the Garden Route is, a bit about the route, and my mistakes on it. The FAQ is: What is the Garden Route? It sounds lovely, but what is it actually? Answer: The Garden Route is a re-branded name for a region in Africa. It's a 190-mile stretch of South Africa's southeastern coast, stretching from Mossel Bay to the Storms River. It is a popular tourist road trip known for lush forests, dramatic mountain scenery, lakes, and sandy beaches. The area features a mild, year-round temperate climate, making it a premier, safe...
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Part 2)
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This is the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide Podcast, Part 2 of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The FAQ is: How to carry toiletries on a long trip? Answer: For traveling solo, especially on longer journeys, toiletries can quietly become the heaviest, messiest, and most annoying part of your bag. I use cubes, just packing cubes like for my other travel items. So before you toss everything into a pouch, ask yourself: Do I really need this much? Will this leak at 35,000 feet? Can I replace it at my destination? Here are four smart, confidence-building tips for carrying toiletries on a long...
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Rio de Janeiro Brazil Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This is part 1 of 2. . Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. 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: What are three phrases to learn for Brazil? Answer: Language Insights: Your Spanish will help tremendously. While English is less commonly spoken outside tourist hotspots, learning a few key Portuguese phrases can enhance your experience: Bom dia (Good morning) Obrigada (Thank you – from women) Quanto custa? (How much?) These should help...
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Thessaloniki Greece Part 2 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Thessoloniki Greece, Part 2 of 2. Welcome back to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I recently returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences. This episode covers driving and navigating at the same time, Thessoloniki, Greece, and my mistakes of not hydrating enough in Greece. The FAQ is: "I need help finding my way while driving." What advice can you provide me as I try to navigate while I drive? Answer: Here are three driving safety tips...
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Thessaloniki Greece Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Thessoloniki Greece, Part 1 Welcome to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences for world peace. Here is an FAQ about plane or train travel, Thessoloniki Greece, Part 1, and also about a health issue you don’t want when you travel. Give a listen. I guide you to solo travel experiences to bring out your best. The FAQ is: If you could take a plane or a train, which would it be and why? Answer: If I have the...
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Best of South Korea
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego today. Hi there. I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest, coming to you from a recent trip to South Korea, now sharing my best travel ideas. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world. Listener Story Spotlight A friend and a listener named Lois recently went to Hawaii. She told me about how she spent a lot of 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...
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Mojave Desert Southwestern USA
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Destination: Mojave Desert Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5-Step Guide to Solo Travel for women like you who need a little extra support as they travel the world (slowly), one woman at a time. I’ve been traveling solo since 1972. Now you can experience for yourself in the Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, A Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, found on Amazon. Yes, it has been a best seller in its category for some time! Please rate this podcast and the book! In this episode: Mojave Desert FAQ: loneliness on the road and how to...
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Warsaw, Poland
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Warsaw, Poland The FAQ is: “How do I decide when it’s time to pay more for comfort or safety instead of pushing myself?” Budget travel advice is common; guidance on when frugality stops being smart for aging bodies is not. This is a silent tension for senior solo travelers. Answer: Here’s the truth: saving money is never worth arriving exhausted, stressed, or injured. As we get older, comfort becomes a strategy, not a luxury. I ask myself one simple question: Will this choice give me more energy tomorrow? If the answer...
info_outlineDestination: Mojave Desert
Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5-Step Guide to Solo Travel for women like you who need a little extra support as they travel the world (slowly), one woman at a time.
I’ve been traveling solo since 1972. Now you can experience for yourself in the Book Series: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, A Woman’s Guide to Travel and Destinations in Her Prime, found on Amazon. Yes, it has been a best seller in its category for some time!
Please rate this podcast and the book!
In this episode: Mojave Desert
FAQ: loneliness on the road and how to pause when it happens.
Today’s Mistake- Dropping off at the Navajo Reservation
Travel Advice: Have multiple backups when traveling in the desert.
FAQ: How do I handle moments when loneliness or vulnerability hits unexpectedly on the road?
Loneliness can show up even on a dream trip — and it doesn’t mean you made a mistake.
When it happens, I don’t fight it or judge it. I pause, rest, and reconnect — whether that’s through a familiar routine, a call home, or simply being around other people in a café or public space. Solo travel builds confidence, but it also requires emotional honesty. Feeling vulnerable doesn’t make you weak; it reminds you that you’re human — and capable of navigating it.
Today’s destination: Mojave Desert, including Joshua Tree
The Mojave Desert is a desert in the rain shadow of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains and Transverse Ranges in the Southwestern United States. It is named for the indigenous Mojave people.
Let’s dig deeper into this desert.
The Mojave Desert is a North American desert spanning California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, known for its iconic Joshua trees, stark beauty, and extreme temperatures, including those in Death Valley. It features diverse landscapes, including sand dunes (Kelso), lava tubes, salt flats, and unique wildlife. Major attractions include Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, and Mojave National Preserve, offering activities such as hiking, stargazing, and exploring ghost towns.
Key Figures & Details:
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Area: Around 47,000 to 50,000 sq mi (or 120,000 to 130,000 sq km).
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Location: Southeastern California, southern Nevada, northwestern Arizona, and southwestern Utah.
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Elevation: Extreme range, from 282 ft below sea level (Death Valley) to over 11,000 ft at Telescope Peak.
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Borders: Bounded by the Sierra Nevada, San Gabriel/San Bernardino Mountains, Great Basin Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Colorado Plateau.
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Nickname: Often called the "high desert" due to its significant elevation.
You can listen to two podcasts about my Death Valley adventures. Episodes 310 and 311 from 2025.
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/mojave-desert/
Inside the desert is:
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Joshua Tree National Park: Home to dense Joshua tree forests, hiking, and stargazing.
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Death Valley National Park: North America's hottest, driest, and lowest point (Badwater Basin).
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Mojave National Preserve: Features Kelso Dunes, lava tubes (like Hole-in-the-Wall), Cima Ghost Town, and Zzyzx.
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Red Rock Canyon State Park & Valley of Fire State Park: Known for colorful cliffs and hiking.
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Stargazing: Excellent dark skies for astronomy.
Today’s Mistake- Dropping off at the Navajo Reservation
I was driving from Chicago to San Diego, and one of my riders wanted to be dropped off at the Navajo Reservation. This was a several-day trip, and I was happy to have the company in the car. I’ve not seen this friend since, and I think she’s ok. I wonder whether it was a mistake to do that.
Travel Advice: Have multiple backups when traveling in the desert.
Have more than enough of the key items, food, water, blankets, and gas when you travel in the desert. Sometimes, you can’t find things you need here. Be prepared.
Where are you going? Please let me know if I helped you with your travel. The show notes have ways to connect.
Connect with Dr Travelbest
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Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page