Dr. Mary Travelbest

  Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Part 2   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.   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 trip:   Travel-size everything sounds sensible — until you realize tiny bottles run out quickly on a 3-week trip.   Instead: Decant only essentials i...

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 choice between a plane and a train, Most of the time… I choose the train. Now let’s be practical. If the distance is extreme — say, cross-country or intercontinental — the plane wins on efficiency. At this stage of life, I value my energy. Six hours in the air may beat twenty hours of transfers. But when are both realistic options? Train. Here’s why. First, the train allows me to arrive gent...

  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 worth it for her peace of mind.   Quick fire FAQ: The FAQ for today is: Where to find the best travel insurance for a long trip abroad.   1. Start with a neutral comparison engine and you can see this in the shownotes. Why use it first? Where to click Smart filters to enable Lets you price 30-day single-trip plans from dozens of underwriters side-by-side, then c...

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 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 pa...

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 is no, I upgrade — whether that’s a better seat, a closer hotel, or a taxi instead of public transit. Smart travel means spending where it preserves your strength and confidence, not proving how tough you still are.   60-second confidence challenge Your challenge today is to set up your phone to access your essential private information while keeping it secure.   Do you have the numbers sa...

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. 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 ...