Dr. Mary Travelbest

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 ...

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 met a woman yesterday named Teresa who said she needs to read my books and here’s why.. She’s a single woman in her 70s and relies on her grown children for travel assistance. But they don’t always want to go on the same trips as mom. So Teresa needs to manage her travel. I also think she needs to organize her phone apps so she can find the ones she needs quickly. If this is you, stick around. So...

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 suddenly can’t continue my trip alone?” You talk confidence and preparation, but many women want a realistic breakdown of escalation: minor illness vs. hospital vs. trip-ending events, and who steps in when independence temporarily fails.   Answer: As a solo senior traveler, confidence doesn’t mean pretending nothing will go wrong. It means knowing exactly what you’ll do if it does. Before every tri...

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 that early?”    Answer: I emphasize empowerment. I permit you to change course, leave early, or say “this isn’t for me” without framing it as failure. A destination isn’t “wrong” because it challenges you — but it is wrong if it consistently drains your energy, confidence, or sense of safety. If you find yourself constantly anxious, overly fatigued, or forcing yourself to “push throu...

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 https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Today’s special destination is Gdansk, Poland   https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/poland/gdansk   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMkHw3WDNiY     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 on YouTube In the news   Check out this episode!

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 buy additional items later on, as I did.  Also, consider shipping a package with your warmer clothes to your destination.  If you need more professional clothing, you can check your bag on the plane, but I rarely do so because of the cost and the time you have to wait at the airport. 60-second confidence challenge Your challenge today Confidence Challenge in Bergen: The biggest cha...