Dr. Mary Travelbest

In this episode: FAQ is: I get lost all the time, so how can I travel without getting frustrated and upset? I want to have fun and not fear making a mistake. Today’s Destination is: Bremerton, WA Today’s Mistake- Mixing up my cities in Washington State   Travel Advice:  Stuck in your planning? FAQ: I always get lost, so how can I travel without getting frustrated and upset? I want to have fun and not fear making a mistake. Answer: Like you, I get lost all the time. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction. How bad? If I leave a hotel room, I usually walk the wrong way out the door, which tells me I am not noticing the direction when I should.   What is a sense of direction? According to the dictionary, a Sense of direction is knowing one's location and performing wayfinding. It is related to cognitive maps, spatial awareness, and spatial cognition.   Given that, I’ve still traveled around the world solo and can help you deal with this issue. My personal...

Today’s Destination: Chickamauga National Park: Part 2 of Chattanooga episode. Today’s Misstep- Driving over hills, a tire came at us Travel Advice: What exercises should I do when I travel?   FAQ: What do you wish you knew before booking your flight?   Response: A few more questions you can ask someone before you plan your trip are:  Did you experience any frustrations related to the destination or the actual traveling? If so, what should people be aware of to avoid those frustrations, hopefully? What websites or services were the most helpful for planning/booking your trip? What advice would you give someone going there for the first time? What was the most enjoyable or relaxing part of your trip?   Today’s destination: Chickamauga National Park Part 2 of the Chattanooga series It’s officially called Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park near Lookout Mountain. Use your National Park Pass for free entry. http://cityofchickamau...

  In this episode, the FAQ is: How can I take a walking tour when I arrive in a city? . Today’s Destination is: Chattanooga, Tennessee Today’s Misstep- Getting stopped by TSA security Travel Advice: Plan for the unexpected   FAQ:  How can I get the walking tour when I get to a city?   Response: A guided walking tour of a city is a treat for a solo traveler, especially for a woman who is interested in its history.   The more popular ones are through platforms like Viator, TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and FreeWalkingtoursbylocals.com, but there are many ways to score a tour from someone who truly cares about the experience for you.  Be sure to read the reviews and book in advance during a busy season. Some are free, and suggest a tip at the end if you liked it. Your hotel could also gook you a tour. The Visitor Center or Tourism office can also give you guidance on this. You may also find a walking tour app for a self-guided tour, with maps and points of ...

In this episode, FAQ is: What are etias visas, and when are they required? Today’s Destination is: Estes Park, Colorado Today’s Mistake- I am not a foodie, but I love learning about new foods. I need to be braver. Travel Advice:  check your loyalty points and miles frequently for errors FAQ: What are etias documents and when are they required? Let’s make it simple: it’s not a visa. It’s a visa waiver. Starting in 2025, the ETIAS  will be required for Americans traveling to Europe. US citizens can travel to the Schengen Area for up to 90 days without a visa. From 2025 on, visa-exempt non-EU nationals, including Americans, will be able to register with ETIAS before departure. This is not a visa but a visa waiver for travelers. It does require registration, not a visa. https://etias.com/etias-launch-pushed-to-2025 The ETIAS visa waiver for Americans is a multiple-entry travel authorization valid for three years. During this period, U.S. travelers can enter any Schengen zon...

Today’s Destination is: Akureyri and Northern Iceland Today’s Misstep- My hostel was self-service, and someone was in my bed. Travel Advice: Be on time if you are on a tour.   FAQ: How do I navigate the city bus system when I don’t speak the language?   Response: I traveled around the world for 90 days, and most of the time, I did not speak the language of that country. I had some challenges riding the bus in some cities; for example, Reykjavik, Iceland, was a minor disaster. You can use travel apps like Rome to Rio for bus or train travel guidance. You'll be able to get to the station early so that you can ask other people about the timing of the bus. In Goa, India, I waited at an unmarked bus station, but it never came, so I took a chance with a motorcycle taxi. Later that day, I waited at another bus station and was unsure where the bus would go, left or right. No one spoke my language. I finally got on my first of 4 buses to my destination. In hindsight, a taxi would...