Dr. Mary Travelbest

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.   https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/171391/when-flying-with-volaris-what-difference-does-it-make-between-flying-to-tij-or   https://www.crossborderxpress.com/en/   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.   https://fox5sandiego.com/news/border-report/medical-lane-at-san-ysidro-port-of-entry-suspended-temporarily/   During the hours I waited in line, often for four or more hours, I was treated to many vendors selling food, beverages, and cookies. I have been offered puppies in previous years, but not this time. A news report from Fox 5 says ...

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 another around-the-world trip in 2025 and will contact hosts in South America, Africa, Europe, and Canada. I will email them, introduce myself, and tell them my travel dates. If they respond, we may have a match. If you happen to be a SERVAS host, please let me know.   The countries where I did make great matches were the Philippines (day host), India (Kerala and Agra for 1-2 ni...

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 Misstep- Bad at directions   Travel Advice: Take the lesson with you and share it with others.    FAQ:  How to pack a personal item to travel for 90 days. Part 2 Here’s the destination story: Part 2 Planning the visit This is part 2 of a story about visiting Death Valley, California, on a solo road trip in 2025. I told you last time how I planned the trip and my first stops. He...

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.   https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm https://www.pahrumpnv.gov/   https://www.nps.gov/places/zabriskie-point-scenic-viewpoint.htm   https://www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/ecology-death-valley-national-park-0 Today’s Misstep- Blowing my hat off   Today’s Travel Advice- Bring plenty of sun shade, like a floppy umbrella hat, and cover your face and hands with sunscreen. Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps t...

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. https://wikitravel.org/en/Taxco https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/414/   https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/central-pacific-coast/zihuatanejo https://travel.usnews.com/Mazatlan_Mexico/   https://visitpuertovallarta.com/ https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/central-pacific-coast/zihuatanejo   I’ve volunteered to help at the Door of Faith Orphanage and encourage you to visit this, too. You can visit www.dofo.org online for more information.  Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website Dr. Mary Travelbest X Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest o...

  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   https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/index.html   https://rivermountainstrail.org/tag/ocallaghan-tillman-bridge/   https://www.visitlasvegas.com/listing/high-roller/36000/     https://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire   https://www.nps.gov/lake/index.htm     Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website Dr. Mary Travelbest X Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest onYou...

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 https://downtowncontainerpark.com/   https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/hotel/the-venetian.html   https://www.simon.com/mall/the-forum-shops-at-caesars-palace   https://bellagio.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/gallery-of-fine-art.html   https://tickets-center.com/search/seating-chart-and-schedule ?   Today’s Misstep- Spilled the candle wax.   Today’s Travel Advice- Look for adventure close to home.   Conne...

FAQ: Should I go out at night when on a solo trip?   Mistake in travel: Check the connection, battery and power bank   Today’s Travel Advice- Travel in one direction, in a circle   https://www.cntraveler.com/story/is-it-safe-to-travel-to-la-fires   I see some bright spots, but it will be a while before LA returns as a major travel destination, so pay attention and use the Watch Duty App.  https://www.watchduty.org/ Mistake in travel: Check the connection, battery life, and power bank   So often, my laptop is not connected to electricity, or my battery runs out of juice. One more thing to remember is power. If you have a portable battery, remember to bring the right cords to connect it. All of your electronics need power, so think this through. Today’s Travel Advice- Travel in one direction, in a circle if you like…. Travel in a circle, so you don’t need to double back. If you buy a round-trip ticket, which most people do, you can draw a circ...

In this episode:  The FAQ is: What is your purpose for traveling? Today’s Special episode:  San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Part 1 Today’s Mistake- Time zone mayhem Travel Advice:  Prioritize Flexibility In this episode: FAQ What is your purpose for travel? Answer: My purpose for traveling and especially solo travel, is to reach into places that may not be the most populated and to connect with women where they are to help bridge the culture gap. World peace is the ultimate goal for seeing this through. If I can reach 1,000,000 women and help 1000 of them travel solo, that is my specific goal next year! I’ll be asking if and how I helped you. Destination: Part 1 of 2 San Diego Zoo and Safari Parks is now the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance 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 Zoo, and in the next episode, it will be the Safari Park, formerly known as the Wild Animal P...

  In this episode: The FAQ is: A reader asks, I recently booked a trip, and the airfare included no carry-on bag. How can I manage to travel without a carry-on?   Today’s Destination: NAPLES, FLA   Today’s Mistake-  I lost my horse.   Travel Advice:  MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSsyNhQ79M0   Answer:  Destination: Naples, FL     https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/southwest/naples/ Today’s Mistake: I lost my horse.       Today’s Travel Advice: MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY   Connect with Dr Travelbest Drmarytravelbest.com Dr. Mary Travelbest Twitter Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram email: info@drmarytravelbest.com Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest onYouTube Check out this episode!

In this episode, the FAQ is: “What is air travel like these days, and what is different? Today’s Destination is Acadia National Park Today’s Mistake- My own car crash in parking garage   Travel Advice:  Travel pillows FOR SLEEPING on planes   FAQ: “What is air travel like these days, and what is different?   AARP is offering some airline travel tips that may answer this question. First, some facts. In 2019, the FAA reported 146 cases of bad behavior on planes, but in 2021, that number grew to more than 1,000. That was out of nearly 6,000 cases of unruly passengers.  Airplane etiquette is more important because we are all hyper-aware of those around us. Some people get to the airport these days, forgetting basic kindness. The first rule of respectful travel is to accept the rules: Observe mask mandates, boarding processes, and carry-on restrictions. Beyond that, there are steps you can take to make travel a little more pleasant for everyone and avoid c...

Special Edition: London, England Airports   In this episode, the FAQ is: What are some of the biggest changes for travel in 2025?   Today’s Destination is: London Airports   Today’s Misstep- Wearing the wrong shoes   Travel Advice: When buying an airline ticket, pause.   FAQ: What are some of the biggest changes for travel in 2025? Expect more opportunities for local immersion, where you can experience the daily life of local communities through homestays, service projects, and interactive cultural programs for seniors. Solo female travel is on the rise, with women comprising 71% of solo travelers. Many travel companies now offer solo-friendly options, such as cruises without single supplements and women-only trips to destinations like Saudi Arabia, where my parents almost moved in 1980, when it was very different for women. Decision Fatigue The solo traveler is solely responsible for all decisions, from choosing accommodations and dining spots to ...

Delhi, India Part 2 In this episode, your FAQ is: Safety in India for solo travelers Today’s Destination is: Delhi, India. Part 2 Today’s Misstep- Cellphone issues that were my fault and more Travel Advice: Safety tips for travel in Delhi. FAQ: Let’s talk about safety in India. My friend Kathryn is going to Delhi and is worried about being a solo woman. Can I talk to her about what she can expect? The short answer is that Kathryn is already back home, and she had a great trip, but she was nervous and needed confirmation that all would be well. Today’s destination: Delhi, India Part 2 One of the best parts of India…and Aero City Let’s discuss a region of Delhi called Aero City.  It’s really close, just minutes from the airport. Indira Gandhi International Airport, that is. It’s well connected to the rest of the city through the Airport Metro Line. And you can get to places in the center of Delhi, like Connaught Place, in about 25 minutes. Aerocity is a top priority for ...