Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

Where in the world am I? Brazil planning Hi there. I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest, returning from a recent trip to Asia. I’m in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world. Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener named Juliana who is from Brazil. She was a student of mine and now she works with me. She gave me a list of all the places in Brazil that I should be going to.She and I have known each other for 3 years. She’s so beautiful and full of life. I’m so grateful for. Quick fire FAQ: The FAQ for today is:  Should I carry books with me to read on the trip? I recommend you download them from your local or cloud library. Then you read on the go. Don’t carry more than you need. 3 things: neighborhood selection, daylight itineraries, scam avoidance Select neighborhoods that are walkable and have public transportation nearby if you don't drive. Read reviews on the AirBNB website before you select. When booking a flight or train, be sure it arrives at a daylight time, which can differ in winter months. If it comes after dark, it will be more of a challenge for you.  To avoid scams, be cautious when choosing passwords, logging out of websites, and making online purchases. These are very typical scams. If you are suspicious, you may be right to avoid that vendor and choose another. Don’t look like a target, either   Today’s destination is: Brazil. Optimized for a budget‑minded solo woman in her 60s who loves beaches, nature, and a relaxed—but organized—pace.   Date Overnight Key plans How to get around Budget tips & cautions Rio de Janeiro (Leme / Copacabana) • Easy sunset stroll along Copacabana & watch locals at Arpoador point. • For a light dinner, try a fresh‑juice “sucos” bar and a tapioca crêpe. Take a taxi or Uber from GIG airport (≈ R$75). Choose a sea‑view “quarto feminine” at Selina Copacabana (~US $45 priv.). Keep valuables hidden on the beach. Wed 4 Jun Rio • Christ the Redeemer early (08:00 train from Cosme Velho). • Ride the Santa Teresa Tram then lunch in a colonial café. • Late afternoon cable car up Sugarloaf for golden‑hour photos. Day‑pass on RioCard metro + tram; cable/Uber for Sugarloaf. Buy Sugarloaf ticket online to skip queue; take a light jacket—windy on top. Rio Choose your mini‑escape ① Nature: half‑day to Prainha & Grumari wild beaches (shared van tour). ② Culture: ferry to Niterói for Niemeyer‑designed MAC museum & quiet Itacoatiara beach. ③ History: cool mountain air in imperial Petrópolis (bus 2 h). Tours or local buses; all safe in daylight. Pack reef‑safe sunscreen—Rio’s winter sun still strong. Foz do Iguaçu Morning flight RIO → IGU (1 h 45 m; promo fares from US $68 one‑way)    Drop bags, then spend the afternoon on the Brazilian side catwalks for sweeping views of Iguazu Falls (entry R$199 ≈ US $39)  iguazufalls.com End day at Parque das Aves bird sanctuary (1 hr)  iguazufalls.com Bus 120 links airport ↔ falls ↔ downtown. Taxi to hotel after dark. Stay at Tarobá Express (single en‑suite ~US $40, rooftop pool). Foz do Iguaçu Full‑day hop into Argentina’s Iguazú National Park for the Devil’s Throat boardwalk & eco‑train (passport needed, no visa/fee for US). Evening option: Itaipu Dam illumination tour. Shared shuttle (~US $25 rt) handles border formalities. Bring ARS pesos or pay by card for Arg. park ticket (US $45)  iguazufalls.com .São Paulo Morning nonstop IGU → GRU (1 h 35 m; fares from US $56)  KAYAK . Walk tree‑lined Paulista Avenue, pop into MASP art museum (free Sun mornings), coffee in Vila Madalena murals. Airport bus to Paulista (R$55) or Uber. Metro is clean & safe in daytime. Base yourself in Ibis Paulista or female pod at Selina Aurora (~US $50). São Paulo • Morning in Ibirapuera Park—rent a bike or visit Afro‑Brasil Museum (opens 10 am)  Tripadvisor . • Afternoon at Municipal Market (pastel de bacalhau!) & nearby Pinacoteca gallery. Metro Brigadeiro ↔ Luz. Watch bags on busy Linha 3 Red line; pickpockets work in crowds.  São Paulo Relaxed day‑trip choices: ① Santos coast: historic coffee port + beach promenade (1 h 30 m bus). ② Embu das Artes craft town (45 min EMTU bus). Buy a round‑trip bus ticket; depart before dusk. Wed 11 Jun — Free morning for souvenir shopping on Paulista, then head to GRU airport for onward flight. Allow 3 hours pre‑international departure.   Essential Practicalities E‑visa now required for U.S. visitors entering Brazil from 10 Apr 2025; online application fee US $80.90 and proof of ≈ US $2 000 funds (3 bank statements) are needed. Apply at least 3 weeks ahead.  VFSE Visa New York Post   Weather: Early June is Brazil’s mild winter—pleasant 72 °F / 22 °C in Rio & São Paulo, warmer at Iguazu (upper 70s °F) with possible mist; pack a light rain shell for the falls.   Money: ATMs are plentiful. Withdraw in R$ and use cards where possible. Carry small notes for kiosks, buses, and street food.   Health & safety:   No yellow fever shot is demanded for the coast, but it is recommended for the Iguazu region.   Wear non‑slip shoes on Iguazu catwalks (spray makes surfaces slick).   Use registered taxis or ride‑share at night; avoid deserted beach stretches after dark.   Language: Basic Portuguese greetings go a long way; Spanish is understood in Iguazu. Learn “Obrigado” (thank you from a woman).   Hand‑Picked Stays (private room prices, low‑season) City Comfortable & friendly Approx. US $ Why you’ll like it Rio Selina Copacabana (female dorm or priv.), Ibis Budget Botafogo 35–60 24 h desk, beach steps away, rooftop bar. Foz Tarobá Express, Che Lagarto Hostel 35–45 Central, free shuttle to falls stop, tour desk. SP Ibis Paulista, Soul Hostel (single) $45–60. It is Walkable to the metro and lively but safe at night.   Quick Activity Bucket‑List Region Must‑do Nice extra Rio Watch sunrise from Leme end of Copacabana; Sugarloaf cable car; caipirinha & bossa‑nova in Lapa. Short jungle hike to Mirante Dois Irmãos for postcard view. Iguazu “Devil’s Throat” platform roar; boat‑ride under the falls (waterproof bag!). Evening jungle moon‑bow walk (full‑moon nights only). São Paulo MASP’s suspended concrete gallery; bike Ibirapuera lagoon; coffee tasting at Octavio Café. Live samba at Bar Brahma or vinyl jazz in Vila Madalena.   Approximate Trip Budget (USD) Category Rio (3 nts) Iguazu (2 nts) São Paulo (3 nts) Total Lodging $150 $80 $150 $380 Flights (internal) — RIO→IGU $68 IGU→GRU $64 $132 Inter‑city buses / ferries $20 $25 (Arg. shuttle) $25 (Santos) $70 Sight tickets & tours $65 $110 $40 $215 Meals & local transit $30/day × 8 $240 Grand estimate ≈ $1 040   (Budget assumes dorm‑style breakfast included and a few splurges; private rooms or extra tours will raise totals.)   Enjoy Brazil’s unbeatable mix of beach life, rainforest thundering waterfalls, and South America’s most cosmopolitan metropolis—at a tempo that feels adventurous yet comfortable. Boa viagem!   Smart Move and Slip up pairings Brazil slip ups, are that there’s no way I can see all of the country in a week. So I have to be very picky about only going to the Rio and Sao Paolo regions, and possibly Iguazu Falls, if that works out and I am able physically and mentally.     Can you figure out A RAH LO   Local, regional, and global esims Local towers and networks in that country. Anticipate which eSim you need.  Whole wide world 90 days $59 for me. My first time in India, I thought it was part of Asia.  I found out that I missed out the night before I was leaving.   Supported countries. Read that carefully. It helps you make a decision. My code to get $3.00 off is MARY2856. You get the discount, and I get the credit.   Timer won’t start counting down until you get to the country you are traveling to, and once it connects, the plan will start—for example, 30 days and 5 Gig. Validity starts when you get there. Refill as needed. 5G devices   Watch this video for instructions.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi1Cb1tEeSI Resources Roundup   How do you travel if you don’t know anyone who can go with you, and maybe you want to see some unique places that no one you know cares about? Maybe you want to travel because you never saw these places while you raised your children and supported the family. You may want to visit where you were born and want to do it on your own. You may want to lie on a beach in Tahiti and have a long nap. How does one get to do this? We will help you with instruction, guidance, and good stories. This book must be published now because 14.8% of women are over 65, and most outlive their spouses. Another large chunk of women are in their 50s and early 60s and have years of activity to go. Plus, there are 38 million members of AARP, many looking for active choices on how they live and travel.  Gone are the days of your travel agent booking your paper airline ticket. You will not likely contact a travel agent for your trip. The more we understand others and their cultures, the more we can get along with them. Dr. Mary Travelbest is like Rick Steves for Women adventure travelers who are seasoned in years but have yet to gain travel experience. My daughter, my co-author, Tina, and I have been traveling since she was born 22 years ago. She’s also made many solo trips, including visiting her sister in China for a month this year. She’s completed her degree in Business, working on a Master’s degree, and living/working in the San Francisco area. This book needs to be published so the Golden Years can be just that for those who like active travel.    The take away mantra is to go and find peace where you rest and bring good to others    You can travel solo and never be alone. Dr. Travelbest.

Where in the world am I? Eurail Travel planning   Hi there, I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest. I’m in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world.   Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener named Kristen. Kristen loves to travel. She recently received a Fullbright Scholarship and took a trip with her husband and sons to a foreign country, Portugal, for several months. She’s full of great travel ideas and will be helpful as I continue to travel and make my adventures more mobile. She’s encouraging me to keep going in my travels and is a professor in Southern California. Quick fire FAQ: The FAQ for today is:  Do you find that air travel dries your sinuses? Do you get dry and scratchy throats afterward? Yes, it happens. Let’s talk about how to rid yourself of this in advance.    How to avoid the dryness of airline flights? The answer:   My solution is Saline Nasal Spray. I bought the 1.5-oz size for $4.00, which will last my entire trip. Before you get dry sinuses, squirt some in each nostril and then relax as it goes to work. What are the ingredients? Water, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate, benzyl alcohol, sodium phosphate, and benzalkonium chloride. Water and salt. There are three ways to use it: Squeeze twice in each nostril, and it delivers a spray, a stream, and a drop upside down. Take your pick. 60-second confidence challenge   Advice for Active Seniors :  “There is no shame in prioritizing and slowing down vs. overdoing. Most injuries happen when people are rushing. “Go slower, arrive sooner” is a helpful mantra.”  (Ellen McCabe) If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapter 2 of my book dives deeper buy it on Amazon or https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com [https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com]   See Book A for addressing all of these items.   Today’s destination is Eurail Travel Planning I said: You are traveling in Europe in the Summer of 2025. You arrive in Athens, Greece, then go to Krakow, Warsaw, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and end in Edinburgh, Scotland, where you leave the EU. You will travel for five weeks. How many days will you want to use the Eurail pass for trains and ferries? Plan the trip, including seat fees and senior discounts with these countries, and suggest other places that would be a good stopping point or worth seeing. I am a solo woman in my prime. Include a mention of the low-cost airlines that I should take when not on the train or ferry.   Answer:   1  Where a Eurail day genuinely saves you money Below is every leg: (a) scenic or pricey at full fare and (b) covered or discounted by the pass if the trip is a low-fare train, like under $10.regional hop, we skip the past day and just pay cash—why burn powder you might need later?    1  Day 3 Athens → Kalabaka  €3 IC seat  Sunset over Meteora cliffs—worth the four-hour train.  2  Day 5 Kalabaka → Thessaloníki  free (regional) No supplement, but one more travel day.  3  Day 9 Krakow → Oświęcim (return) free (regional) Auschwitz day trip; counts once.  4  Day 11 Krakow → Warsaw (EIP)  ~PLN 35 ≈ €8  High‑speed, mandatory seat.  5  Day 13 Warsaw → Gdańsk or Toruń (optional)  PLN 3 ≈ €0.70 Use if you “dive” north.  6  Day 16 Tallinn → Helsinki ferry  deck = free; cabin = ‑20 %  Tallink Silja It counts oas ne travel day.  7  Day 17 Helsinki → Tampere & back  €0–€6 VR seat  Eurail Pendolino; book in app.  8  Day 19 Helsinki o/night ferry → Stockholm  deck = free; cabin –20 % Same Tallink perk.  9  Day 21 Stockholm → Uppsala (return)  €0 (regional) Same‑day out‑and‑back.  10  Day 22 Stockholm → Gothenburg  ≈ €7 SJ seat  Eurail Community 3 h X2000.  11  Day 23 Gothenburg → Oslo  free No reservations.  12  Day 25 Oslo → Bergen  ≈ NOK 50 ≈ €4 seat Bergensbanen panorama.  13  Day 26 Bergen → Flåm train + Nærøyfjord boat  boat covered A rail‑and‑fjord combo.  14  Day 30 Copenhagen → Roskilde day‑trip  ≈ €9 seat  Eurail Vikings have & an easy return.  15  Day 32 Edinburgh → Inverness  £0–£5 seat UK still in the Eurail network.   * Fees are 2ᵈ ‑class, summer 2025 published rates.   Total Eurail travel days = 15 – the cap of the 15‑days‑in‑2‑months Senior Global Pass  2  What about the long, awkward gaps? Why wrestle with two‑day rail marathons when a 90‑minute hop costs less than your hostel?   Segment Suggested airline(s) Typical July fare if bought 3 mo ahead Thessaloníki ✈ Krakow Ryanair, Aegean €55–€85 Warsaw ✈ Tallinn airBaltic, LOT, Ryanair €45–€90 Bergen ✈ Copenhagen Norwegian, SAS €65–€110 Copenhagen ✈ Edinburgh easyJet, Ryanair, Norwegian €40–€80   Question: could you train Thessaloníki→Krakow via Budapest? Yes—but it burns 2‑3 pass days plus €30‑€45 in night‑train supplements. The low‑cost flight is simply cheaper and quicker.   3  Five‑week skeleton itinerary   Week Base & ideas Safety‑first extras for a 65‑yr‑old solo traveler  1 Athens 3 d – dawn Acropolis, Plaka food walk → train to Meteora 2 d (monastery sunsets) → Thessaloníki 2 d for Byzantine walls & waterfront. Central hotels near Syntagma & Aristotelous squares; use the eat taxi app after dark.  2 Fly to Krakow 3 d (+ Auschwitz) → Warsaw 2 d → optional day to Toruń or Gdańsk. Women‑only dorms at Greg & Tom (Krakow) and OkiDoki (Warsaw); trains arrive before dusk.  3 Fly to Tallinn 2 d → ferry to Helsinki 3 d with day‑trip to Tampere—Telliskivi creative city, Suomenlinna flat walks; Bolt taxis for late returns.  4 Night ferry to Stockholm 3 d (+ Uppsala) → train to Gothenburg 2 d → rail to Oslo 2 d. Stockholm hostel “City Backpackers” has curtained bunks; carry Rail Planner live‑trip link to share location.  5 Oslo‑Bergen rail & fjords 3 d → Fly to Copenhagen 3 d (+ Roskilde) → Fly to Edinburgh; finish with Highlands loop 4 d (Inverness, Aviemore hikes) before departure. Fjord cruise boats have good handrails; Scottish B&Bs offer single rooms beside stations.   4  Is the pass still worth it? That’s $200-250 saved, plus the flexibility to reroute if wildfires, strikes, or your whims intervene.   5  Quick checklist before you lock it in Buy the Senior Global Pass (15 days/2 months) before prices rise.   Book the four trains with limited seats (EIP Poland, X2000 Sweden, Bergensbanen, Copenhagen reservations) as soon as reservations open—usually 60–90 days in advance.   Use the Rail Planner app to activate travel days on the morning you board; keep two blanks until the very end in case you shuffle plans.   Flights: watch Friday flash sales on Ryanair/Norwegian; they routinely drop

This is a Best of..... Have any questions? Please ask. The photo was taken by me on the grounds of one of the many museums of the Smithsonian.

Episode title: SLO to San Diego by Train, GF Diets, and a Confidence Challenge Hi there. I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest, a world traveler who has traveled solo for over 50 years. I'm coming to you after a recent trip to Asia. I visited Taiwan and South Korea for 10 days. I’m here to share my best travel ideas and work on solo travel. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world solo again. The aim is world peace through cultural exchange. I’m about to travel the world for 90 days.   Listener Story Spotlight I want to tell you about a listener who recently retired as a dental hygienist. Her name is Cathy A. She’s been a big supporter of this podcast. She is traveling to Wisconsin to see her family and attend reunions. She’s enjoying her retirement by playing Marjan and. She recently sold her house and moved back into a condo she had bought decades before marriage. Her contractor husband fixed it up to her specs before they moved in, and she’s so happy. She’ll be traveling a lot more soon.    Quick fire FAQ: The FAQ for today is: How can I find the right foods when I travel? I am gluten-free, and I have a hard time finding the right foods.   First, you can use trusten gluten-free apps, but don’t trust them completely. Find me gluten-free options. The GF scanner, Yuka, and Happy Cow are three to check out. Find Me Gluten Free is a restaurant review site for gluten-free diners, primarily focused on the US, but with some unreliable data. The second is a scanner for reading labels with gluten information. The third is mostly for vegans and vegetarians, but it also filters for gluten-free.   Here are some more tips for GF travel. Learn Local Phrases, For example, Celiac Travel. Bring Printed translation cards Book accommodations with kitchens or fridges. Shop local Be wary of street food, buffets, and Gluten-friendly menus. These are not medically safe. Bring a stash of protein bars, GF crackers, or instant oats. Use Facebook or Reddit Gluten-Free Travel Groups. Check Airline and airport dining in advance. Red Flag countries' Awareness or Labeling Laws. 60-second confidence challenge   3 things: neighborhood selection, daylight itineraries, scam avoidance Select walkable neighborhoods with public transportation nearby if you don't drive. Read reviews on the AirBNB website before you select. When booking a flight or train, be sure it arrives during daylight hours, which can vary in winter months. If it comes after dark, it will be more challenging.  To avoid scams, be cautious when choosing passwords, logging out of websites, and making online purchases. These are very typical scams. If you are suspicious, you may be right to avoid that vendor and choose another. Don’t look like a target, either. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapter 2 of my book dives deeper— https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com [https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com]     See Book A on Amazon or my website for information on all of these items.   Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s destination is:  “Amtrak Coastal Sampler: San Luis Obispo to San Diego”   Do you love train travel? Have you considered Amtrak? I took one of the very best train trips on July 4. I started in San Luis Obispo, known as SLO to the locals. I was the only passenger in first class who picked me up at 5 pm. The porter greeted me happily and brought me snacks and drinks. The entire night was like a dream. I could see fireworks in hundreds of cities along the path to San Diego. I did transfer trains in Los Angeles, but even then, I could see a lot of fireworks. This was a treat. I was the only one in the car until we got close to San Diego, about a 5-hour trip.    What is there to do in SLO? The beauty of the area will take your breath away. Your taste buds will be treated to incredible tastes from many choices. Your thirst will be quenched with fresh wine and beers from the local wineries and breweries.  The weather is almost always great here, too.    Slip-ups and smart moves   One thing I messed up was not downloading the e-ticket before I reached the poor Wi-Fi zones on the train. But the fix is easy. Just download and take a screenshot of the ticket when you're preparing for the trip and have a good Wi-Fi connection.   Practice: Test out your local commuter train and take a ride this weekend.    60-second confidence challenge   Have you been on a train lately?   Practice: Test your local commuter train and ride this weekend.  Buy the ticket on your phone, then validate it before boarding the train. If your train requires a ticket screenshot, take that before you board.    Resources Roundup:   If you're looking for more female solo resources, you can find several tips and ways to navigate the pitfalls. Check out the 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part A, the audiobook, or Part B. They are available in eBook and paperback formats on Amazon. The ebook is also available on my website.   Take away mantra.   You can travel solo and never be alone. Dr. Travelbest.   Thanks for listening! Please send me your travel stories or questions. Listen for the next episode next week and the 320 plus episodes waiting for you to get going.

Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan FAQ Should I use public transportation abroad?   Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan    Lesson Learned: Don’t schedule everything Day 1   Travel Tip: Trust your gut instincts, if unsure, pivot fast.   FAQ Response:  Should I use public transportation abroad?   Yes, you should try it at the least, but not in rush hour with all of your luggage. One way to test it out is to try it early in the morning, before rush-hour workers arrive, but while it’s still light outside.  Most of the time, you only need a card to swipe, and you can add money to the card when you need to. Your first care purchase is often at a self-service kiosk, and usually there is English translations here. Go for it and try.   Episode: Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan This scenic region reminded me of Lake Tahoe, California.  If you are coming you will Arrive in Taoyuan airport and take the train to the Taipei Main Station and take the HSR train to Taichung City which comes about every 30 minutes and takes about an hour. Bus to Sun Moon Lake, which comes at least hourly. The total cost to get there is about $25, and it takes about 3 hours. To drive, you would take about 2.5 hours and save a few dollars.       🏨 Where to Stay? There are several hotels and resorts. My room at the Harbor Resort was not ready when I arrived, so I walked around the lake in the meantime. Here are a few other places, listed from most expensive to least expensive. * Luxury/Comfort: Fleur de Chine Hotel – thermal spa access, lakeside views, wellness focus * Midrange/Solo-Friendly: The Crystal Resort or Hotel Del Lago – walking distance to bike paths and pier * Budget/Unique: Sun Moon Lake Youth Activity Center – traditional wooden lodge vibes     🌅 Sun Moon Lake Itinerary (4 Days) Day 1 –  * Afternoon: * Arrive via bus to the (Shoe-is-he) Shuishe Pier area * Check in + light walk along the Shuishe Lakeside Trail (flat, peaceful) * Evening: * Early dinner of local fish and mountain vegetables at Full House Resort Restaurant or a local restaurant nearby. * Sunset viewing from Wenwu Temple stairs (lit up at night) * local tea tasting at Sun Moon Lake Antique Assam Tea Farm     Day 2 – Biking the Lake & Culture * Morning: * Rent an e-bike or mountain bike and ride the Sun Moon Lake Cycle Route — voted one of the top cycling paths globally * Stop at: Ci'en Pagoda, Xiangshan Visitor Center, and (May-he) Meihe Garden * The full loop is approximately 18 miles; consider a half-loop if you're feeling leisurely. There are places where you need to dismount and walk it. Some days, you may not be able to go the full distance, so ask. * Afternoon: * Take the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway (cable car) to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. * Learn about the Thao, spelled T-H-A-O) and other cultural groups * Optional: garden strolls * Return via cable car or ferry. * Evening: * Relaxing soak at your hotel’s onsen-style hot springs * Dinner at The Lalu’s Moon Pavilion Restaurant for lakeside fine dining (worth it solo!)     Day 3 – Hiking + Temples * Morning: * Hike the Maolan Mountain Trail or Tsen Pagoda Trail for panoramic lake views and forest immersion * Easy to moderate; solo-safe and well-marked * Afternoon: * Visit Xuanzang Temple – peaceful with Buddhist relics. * Snack on local tea eggs and tofu pudding from lakeside stalls * Evening: * Night market (seasonal, usually in Shuishe or Ita Thao area) – solo-friendly and fun for grazing * Optional: Boat cruise at dusk (join a group tour or private hire)     Day 4 – Tea + Departure * Optional walk in Xiangshan Forest Trail for one last quiet moment    Safety, Solo Vibes & Tips * Taiwan is ranked one of the safest destinations for solo female travelers (source: Global Peace Index) * English signage is plentiful in Sun Moon Lake; locals are helpful but modest. * Google Translate,  and Pleco app help with communication. I used the Line app for texting here. * Public bathrooms are clean and common * Tap water is not typically drunk directly — use filtered water.   * Sun Moon Lake Official Website [https://www.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/] * Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village [https://www.nine.com.tw/] Lesson Learned: Don’t schedule everything on Day 1 Travel Tip: Trust your gut instincts, if unsure, pivot fast.   Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website [https://5stepstosolotravel.com] Dr. Mary Travelbest X [https://twitter.com/drtravelbest] Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/drmarytravelbest/?ref=bookmarks] Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/drmarytravelbest/] Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drmarytravelbest/] Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast [https://drmarytravelbest.libsyn.com/site] Dr. Travelbest on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@drmarytravelbest?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] Dr.Travelbest onYouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOC3LQcOeT9f970liN4ofMQ] In the news [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/story/2023-12-29/opinion-90-days-solo-travel-senior-woman-india]