Episodes

  • Cabrillo National Monument Part 1, using AI for travel, advice on guides

    Cabrillo National Monument Part 1, using AI for travel, advice on guides
    Nov 22 2024

    In this episode, the FAQ: Can AI really help me travel?

    Today’s Destination: Cabrillo National Monument Experience Part 1

    Today’s Misstep- Mark Twain jokes about European tour guides in his travel books.

    Travel Advice: If you are interested in travel and do as you listen here, why not purchase a guide that answers most of your questions in one place?

    FAQ: Can really AI help me travel?

    Answer: AI is a great tool kit for travel. Yes, but be sure to check for accuracy and hallucinations. You will also find bias. But you can start using your phone today to ask about some of the questions you have at this moment. “Do I need to bring an umbrella to England?” That’s a question you already are asking your Alexa, Siri, or other smart device. I just asked that. The answer was that it’s not raining right now in the UK. That did not answer my question, but it helped. So don’t limit yourself and keep asking questions. Be sure to ask here for a reputable answer to some more challenging questions you want to know will be useful and relatable.

    Today’s destination: Cabrillo National Monument Experience

    Cabrillo National Monument is a beautiful spot in San Diego, offering incredible views and a mix of historical and natural experiences. Part 1 focuses on the experiences and Part 2 focus is the accessibility.

    I’ve made this experience part of my life in San Diego, since first visiting as a tourist in 1977. It’s one of my all-time favorite places in the world. I hope you get to experience this amazing treasure. It’s such a treasure that I held my birthday party here one year and my friends all had a great time, too.

    2. The Tide Pools and Oceanside Trail

    https://www.nps.gov/cabr/learn/oceanside-trail.htm

    This visit offers a mix of nature, light activity, and historical exploration—ideal for a solo traveler interested in scenic views and coastal experiences. Want to know more: Check out the show notes: www.nps.gov.

    https://www.cnmf.org/visit-the-park

    Today’s Misstep: Not getting a guide when I should have.

    I have used tour guides on some travels but have also regretted it at other times. If you comment, I’ll do a future episode on this topic. When to use a guide and when to go without.

    https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3176/3176-h/3176-h.htm

    Today’s Travel Advice- Guidebooks are best before you leave home.

    Use my 5 steps Travel Guidebook Series now, before you go, and tell me how you like it! If you have an interest in travel, and you do as you listen here, why not purchase a guide that answers most of your questions in one place? You can use the e-book while traveling, so you won’t get bogged down on the trip.

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    9 mins
  • Best of Denali National Park, Alaska

    Best of Denali National Park, Alaska
    Nov 15 2024

    Today’s Destination is: Denali National Park, Alaska

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    9 mins
  • Milan Italy

    Milan Italy
    Nov 9 2024

    In this episode, the FAQ is: How do I manage increasing technology and security for travel?

    Today’s Destination is: Milan, Italy

    Today’s Misstep- I almost took a train to Switzerland at the Milan station

    Travel Advice: Bring a handheld portable fan for the heat. It can be oppressive.

    FAQ: The level of technology and security has stepped up for travel and entertainment. How do I manage it as a senior citizen in a very busy world?

    Answer:

    There is a growing level of distrust in today’s environment. For some venues, you can no longer use a screenshot of a QR code to access a ticket, so it must be a live link if you don’t have the paper ticket. If you are not on Wi-Fi, you may have trouble accessing the venue, like I did in July at the Symphony, where we used handwritten paper tickets.

    The Crowdstrike tech shutdown of computers in July 2024, with thousands of airline flights canceled, was a peek into what could be an even longer period of shutting down air travel, train travel, and more. So, you need to develop options for adapting your transportation.

    Get educated.

    The questions will keep coming, but you can figure it out. Keep listening here for more confidence-building guidance.

    Today’s destination: Milan, Italy

    Milan is in northern Italy and is known for its history, culture, and fashion. Many styles originate here, so people-watching is a favorite activity.

    The famous Duomo Cathedral, a Catholic Church, is in the city's center. I walked around twice to get the full picture and people-watch. I also did some pigeon watching, as there were plenty of them here in this vast square, filled with tourists in the middle of July. Metro stops were plentiful below the square, and the church filled the plaza. People are walking above the church’s structure, near the roof, and you can see them below.

    Shopping:

    You can shop at great stores, especially in the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II. It’s great even just for looking for fashion ideas.

    Tip 2: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

    Connect with Dr. Travelbest

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    8 mins
  • Best of Hawaii's Big Island

    Best of Hawaii's Big Island
    Nov 1 2024

    Today’s Destination is: Best of Hawaii's Big Island

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    8 mins
  • Lake Como, Italy

    Lake Como, Italy
    Oct 25 2024
    In this episode, the FAQ is: What should I tell people who think I can’t travel solo? Today’s Destination is Lake Como, Italy Today’s Misstep: Sometimes, you don’t love your roommates when you share a room. Here’s why. Travel Advice: Don’t buy another timeshare. If you have one, it’s really hard to sell it. FAQ: What do I tell people who think I can’t travel solo? Answer: Ask them why not. Then listen. Then, address each one of their questions or comments if you like. No one says you need permission to travel solo, but it would be good to tell them you are prepared, have planned for things to go wrong, and have taken this travel step by step to be more likely to be successful. They may be telling you in a way that they will miss you, but don’t know how to say that. They could also be jealous. They could wish they could make this trip themselves. So there could be a lot of hidden reasons why they have those opinions. Today’s destination: Lake Como, Italy Lake Como, Italy, was a quick train ride from Milan, Italy. On a hot day, about 95 degrees Fahrenheit, I ventured to Lake Como to cool down. I went there solo for three days, staying in town at a hostel that cost me $150 a night for a “middle bunk.” That was the most I paid for sleeping anywhere around the world. It did have a bathroom with a shower en suite. It may have been less costly if I had booked earlier than two weeks in advance. Either way, here’s some advice if you are heading there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Como_San_Giovanni_railway_station It was a quick walk from the Como San Giovanni train station to town, so you don’t need a car here if you stay in the main city. The lake is a breathtaking view from wherever you are, so the water keeps you cool, even on a boat. Buy the all-day ferry ticket if you can stay for the day. https://lakecomotravel.com/boat-tours-ferry-lake-como/ https://www.navigazionelaghi.it/en/services/disabled-accessibility-and-prm/ Explore all the ferries and see the episode's notes with links, including accessibility information for getting on and off the ferries. I spent a full day on a ferry tour of the lake, three hours north at its furthest and with more than one tributary. I got off at Menagio and found a paid private club called Lido, but I did not swim there. A few minutes later, while swimming, I met a family from Denmark at a free swim spot. I walked the town and had Nutella-flavored gelato. I then Took the ferry to Varenna. I walked the town. Then, I took another Ferry to Bellagio. The line was too long to get back on, so I stayed on board. I got off later in the smaller town. I met another couple from Germany. They agreed it was dreadfully Hot. I Stopped to cool my feet in the sea at Argegno—thunderstorms in the morning. I walked to town. https://www.explorelakecomo.com/go/lido-di-argegno#google_vignette I met a girl from Munich and her friend, who took a photo of me with some flowers. Bellagio has the George Clooney Villa. Most of the music I hear is American pop, not Italian. https://www.bellagiolakecomo.com/en/bellagio-lake-como-italy/poi-points-of-interest/public-transport-lake-como The lake is carved into a deep canyon. The hills above can be accessed by a special bus-like on rails called a Funicular. I took the Lake Como Funicular at 7:15 pm, running every 30 minutes until midnight. I highly recommend you do this and give yourself time at the top. The views are stunning, and there’s a lot to explore here. It connects Como to the town of Brunate. The trip lasts 7 minutes and reaches the maximum allowed gradient of 55%—so that’s steep! The fee is small: only 3 euros (4 dollars) for a single journey and 5,50 euros (7 dollars) for a round trip. So worth it! When leaving the train station, notice the sculpture of large human hands nearby. It is beautiful and dedicated to disabled service people. One hand is healthy,, and one is wounded. https://www.explorelakecomo.com/go/monumento-ai-caduti-per-servizio Also, I noticed a little bit of Las Vegas here; inside the train station, there was mini gambling, like in Las Vegas. Ironically, there’s a hotel in Las Vegas that’s called Bellagio. Today’s Misstep: You don’t always love your roommates, right? I went to bed by 9 p.m. because I was busy the next day. My bed was the middle bunk, and there were 5 in the room booked. At 11 p.m., two girls arrived and talked in street voices. I asked them to quiet down nicely. They did not. I finally did get to sleep, but it was rude of them to wake others with their voices and chatter. Would you agree? Today’s Travel Advice: Don’t buy a timeshare or another one. If you have one, it’s tough to sell it. We got conned when we tried to sell our timeshare, so don’t let that happen to you. We only lost a few thousand dollars, but it was a warning. These are not easy to sell. If it sounds too ...
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    8 mins
  • Belfast, Northern Ireland

    Belfast, Northern Ireland
    Oct 18 2024
    In this episode, the FAQ is: Using QR Codes. Are they safe? Today’s Destination is: Belfast, Northern Ireland Today’s Misstep: My leaky water bottle was in the overhead bin on the airplane. Travel Advice: Secondhand stores in Belfast are good deals. FAQ: Using QR Codes. Are they safe? Answer: When you open a QR code, pay attention to the context and the brand because it could contain a virus or even worse. Be careful when accessing websites on your desktop, laptop, tablet, watch, or phone. Preview the destination before you go there. A QR code from a reputable source is more likely to be safe. It is best to proceed cautiously if you find a QR code in an unsolicited email or on a random website. Criminals have placed stickers over legitimate QR codes in public places like bus stops. Today’s destination: Belfast, Northern Ireland https://visitbelfast.com/ The best part of Belfast, in Northern Ireland, is outside the city and exploring the countryside if possible. See the Giants Causeway, a national treasure of 40,000 hexagonal basalt stone columns that are 40 feet tall along the coast. These were formed 50-60 million years ago. For perspective, there are 70 million people in the UK and 2 million people in No Ireland. The UK left the Left EU, but there is still a Land border with Ireland. The overall goal is one nation across the island. It’s been mostly peaceful since the 198 Belfast Peace Agreement on Good Friday. The forecast usually calls for rain, so bring your gear. I booked a tour that included many of the Game of Thrones locations, and I have never seen the films, so I was not very impressed. However, I'm told that scenic, narrow roads and unusual serpentine beech trees made this series memorable. It’s an atmospheric tree tunnel and a little bit spooky; on my tour, with Patrick as a guide, we made many stops for castles, caves from 400 million years ago, Bushmills’s Whiskey factory, churches, and pubs. Castle at Carrick Fergis https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/carrickfergus-castle-p674971 I have relatives from Northern Ireland’s Counties Leitrim and Louth, and my grandparents used to vacation along the Antrim coast and Glens National Landscape, a legacy of the Ice Age. I felt a tug of my ancestors here as I walked around a few graveyards in the countryside. I enjoyed Queen’s University, the Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum, and Saturday Food and Craft Markets in the city. The Troubles Museum at Queen’s University was really good. Its full name is the Museum of the Troubles and Peace. It’s worth your visit, and it’s free. http://museumofthetroubles.org/ You can read about the conflicts between the English and the Irish. I heard about them growing up, as my grandfather was born in Ireland. I can have dual citizenship, which is very common among the locals here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_Museum On my next trip to Belfast, I will visit the following: Titanic museum Black Taxi Cab Political Murals Tour The Crown Pub https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/the-crown-bar/visiting-the-crown-bar Sandy Row: What is it? It’s part of the turbulent history of Belfast. https://belfastmedia.com/the-turbulent-19th-century-history-of-belfast-s-sandy-ro Maybe by then, I will have watched Game of Thrones. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/giants-causeway If you need special accessibility help, you can find wheelchair-accessible tours in the show notes. https://www.getyourguide.com/belfast-l442/wheelchair-accessible-tc239/ What else is there in Belfast? Fairies https://www.wildernessireland.com/blog/irish-folklore-fairies/ Today’s Misstep: I had a leaky water bottle in the plane's overhead compartment. Tighten the seal on the water container. Mine leaked. I was on a plane and put the container in the overhead compartment. It leaked through my water container into another passenger's luggage on the flight. I was embarrassed to say anything but hoped nothing was ruined. Sorry about that. Today’s Travel Advice- Secondhand shops in Belfast have good deals. 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 onYouTube In the news
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    7 mins
  • Dr. Mary Travelbest - Buyacada, Turkey Part 2

    Dr. Mary Travelbest - Buyacada, Turkey Part 2
    Oct 11 2024

    Today’s Destination is: Buyacada, Turkey



    Today’s Misstep- My airline went bankrupt

    Travel Advice: Tips on visiting Turkey

    FAQ: This was an honest question from one of our fans: How do I share my senior status but not my age regarding travel discounts? Do they need to know my age, or can I make it up?

    Answer: Let’s get real here. Many of us want to save a few bucks and are willing to share that we are seniors, but maybe we don’t want to give away our age. Why or why not?

    It may be your personal decision, so let’s respect that. When you fly, you must give the airline your date of birth so they know. What do they do with that information? Perhaps they save it for future marketing purposes. I’ve never been sent a birthday card by any of the hundreds of airlines I have flown, have you?

    If you want to be sneaky, you can give the details in a fun way by saying, “I’m between this and this age, but I feel like I’m 50!”

    Does that help some of our listeners in our prime?

    And here’s a tip: You can join AARP at any age you like.

    Today’s destination: Buyacada, Turkey (Part 2 on Turkey)

    Turkey is a destination that I get asked about often.

    Spend a few days in Istanbul and see the touristy places. This is the second of two episodes on Turkey focused on the largest of the Prince’s Islands. Buyacada means Big Island, about 2 square miles big.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes%27_Islands

    Adventure on the high seas, where the local Turkish people go for a vacation break.

    They go to the Princes Islands. The ferry stops at four main islands, so you can get off or stay aboard. Take your pick. Due to stops, getting to the furthest ferry island could take hours each way. On a hot day, you will welcome the bay breezes.

    When you get to the islands, you feel like you are in a tropical paradise, whisked away but still close. Adalar is the central city on the island of Buyukada. The other island I visited was Heybeliada, which also had some good nearby swimming.

    https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240304-adalar-explore-the-ottoman-past-on-istanbuls-car-free-islands

    https://turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/adalar/index.html

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/adalar-turkey

    Today’s Misstep: Check the Airbnb reviews very carefully before booking

    Today’s Travel Advice- Turkey Tips:

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    10 mins
  • Dr. Mary Travelbest - Istanbul Turkey Part 1

    Dr. Mary Travelbest - Istanbul Turkey Part 1
    Oct 4 2024
    In this episode, the FAQ is: What are the best theme parks for those in their Prime Years? Today’s Destination is: Istanbul, Turkey (part 1 of 2) Today’s Misstep- Ask for specific directions and then listen better. Travel Advice: Get a better exchange rate than in a busy tourist city. FAQ: What are the best theme parks for those in their Prime Years? Answer: I think the best theme parks for adults are the Disney ones. They have been friendly for generations, and you can always find someone to answer your questions, i.e., a cast member. You will pay more than for other parks, but you have the franchise behind you to almost guarantee you a good visit. Prepare ahead of time with any needs you have for accommodations. My friend Ron was in a wheelchair there recently and agreed that the multi-generation experience was good for him. Listen to some of my previous podcasts about Disneyland and California Adventure. Today’s destination: Istanbul, Turkey https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293974-Istanbul-Vacations.html Turkey was a different type of experience, and I highly recommend you go there if you want to see some variety of culture. It is different from most places I have been to in my life. Yes, I did find someone selling carpets, so I will share that later in the episode. I was in Turkey for 7 nights. First, it is centrally located near Taxsim Square at the Wabi Sabi Hostel for four nights, then the Second Home for two nights, plus the Airbnb with “Miss” for one night. With all my travel, I managed a budget one-hour massage, which I highly recommend here. Here’s a Carpet store tale: I was asking for directions and encountered a man named Burak Solak who worked at the Red Apple Carpet store. He sells carpets, purses, and jewelry at his uncle's store. I told him to put an apple sign out front, but he disagreed. What do you think? If you are solo like me, I recommend the day Tours: Try one of the Hop-on-hop-off $40 for 24 hours. Stretch that over two days so you can do a half trip in the PM and the rest in the next AM. Museums: The Cistern Museum was an underground water system where you could see all the remnants from centuries ago. It cost $22 to explore and was cooler than the outside baking heat of the day, so it was refreshing. https://mshiddengarden.com/ Today’s Misstep: Ask for specific directions, listen better, and exchange rates. My missteps in Turkey Missing the pickup point: I was getting off the hop-on-hop off the bus and should have been more specific about the pickup point. The driver pointed, but I did not pay attention. That caused me a lot of confusion. It was probably the busiest part of the city and under construction. I was dangerously lost and finally found someone to help me out after walking back and forth for a long time. It was maybe 30 minutes, but the heat was strong, so I was stressed. Next time, ask for the pickup point. Second mistake: Don’t try to exchange your cash in any Turkish currency exchange in Istanbul. I got 12 euros for $20 US, which is not a good exchange rate. I should have brought my debit card. Don’t make my mistake. Today’s Travel Advice- Money Exchange Woes Don’t try to exchange your cash in any Turkish currency exchange. I got 12 euros for $20, not a good exchange rate. I should have brought my debit card. Don’t make my mistake. I want to bring meaning to your future travels. Sign up for the Dr. Travelbest newsletter. We can connect on my websites, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. Find the 5 Steps to Solo Travel series on Amazon. The show notes have more details for you to connect. Please support this podcast with a review. We need your help to help others. 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 onYouTube In the news
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    9 mins