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 staying more nights than needed?

Are you locking yourself into inflexible dates?

Often, lodging costs drop sharply one or two transit stops away from tourist cores.

2. Choose private rooms in shared properties

Many hostels, guesthouses, and homestays offer private rooms with shared kitchens or bathrooms.

You avoid roommates entirely.

Prices are often 30–50% lower than hotels.

Kitchens reduce food costs, which adds up fast.

3. Stay longer, pay less

Weekly or monthly rates can dramatically undercut nightly pricing.

This works exceptionally well for apartments, apart-hotels, and extended-stay properties.

Even adding an extra night can lower the average nightly rate.

Ask: Is speed costing me money?

4. Travel slightly off-peak.

You don't need to travel in miserable weather to save money.

Shoulder seasons often offer the same experience at lower prices.

Midweek stays are consistently cheaper than weekends.

Airfare and lodging both benefit from this shift.

5. Rethink room features you don't need

Be skeptical of "comfort upgrades":

Do you actually need daily housekeeping?

A view?

A large room when you're out most of the day?

Smaller, simpler rooms are quieter, cheaper, and often better for sleep devices anyway.

6. Use points and cash together

If you collect hotel or credit-card points:

Use points for expensive nights.

Pay cash for cheaper ones. This hybrid approach stretches value without compromising privacy.

7. Pick accommodations built for solo sleepers

Some properties quietly cater to solo travelers:

Business hotels

Capsule-adjacent private rooms

Budget chains with excellent soundproofing

These are designed around individual sleep needs, not social lodging.

Confidence Challenge in Oslo:

If you're new to traveling with accessibility needs, your challenge may be trusting yourself to explore independently. Oslo's infrastructure is excellent, but navigating it alone in a foreign country can feel intimidating. The confidence builder is this: Norwegians are incredibly respectful and willing to help — they'll assist you if you ask, but they'll never intrude. Trust that combination of independence and quiet support.

If you enjoyed today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves deeper into trusting your decisions when traveling solo. Get educated. Learn and do in that order.

. You can find the series at the link in the description.

See Book A for addressing this concern. Step 5 travel

Find it on the website at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. It's a several-part series.

Today's special destination is Oslo, Norway, Part 2 in more depth.

Oslo, Norway, is a breathtaking city embraced by stunning fjords and vibrant forests. Known as one of Europe's most welcoming and forward-thinking capitals, it offers a serene, safe, and modern atmosphere that's ideal for solo women travelers over 50, including those who use wheelchairs or mobility aids.

Explore Parks, History, and Nordic Design

Kick off your adventure at the magnificent Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of the largest sculpture parks globally created by a single artist. With its wide, smooth paths, it's easy to explore at your leisure. The park's tranquil ambiance is just perfect for reflection and appreciation of its artistic beauty.

Visiting the Vigeland statues in the park reminds me of Versailles, France. Took Tram 15 directly there. The park features statues of babies, women, and faces, as well as a lovely rose garden. The park is open every day, all hours, and never closes.

My friend from an earlier trip to Sweden that week, Margaret, and her sister drove to Portebakken and Krikkleiva. Notable landscapes included white birch trees and blue skies with clouds. - Weather: 26-28 degrees Celsius.

We had an incredible experience visiting a museum dedicated to the Oslo tragedy involving homegrown terrorism that occurred in November 2011. Here are some highlights that genuinely stood out during our visit:

- Exploring the beautiful moss and unique plants at Sundvolden, an outdoor museum just a short 30-minute drive from Selte, was a delightful experience.

https://www.visitnorway.com/listings/sundvolden-hotel/279615/

- It was exciting to travel around in a Skoda electric car, showcasing Norway's commitment to sustainability.

https://www.skoda-auto.com/emobility/electrified-models

- Interestingly, Norway's independence from the EU economically, thanks to its rich agricultural and fishing resources, allows it to prioritize its own interests without contributing to the EU's financial struggles.

Next time to see in Oslo…..

- A trip to the renowned Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, only 45 minutes away, is definitely a must-see.

Explore Cobenhill, an eco-friendly destination featuring a ski slope, lifts, hiking trails, and a climbing wall, located near the waste-to-energy plant.

Check out The Fram Museum, where you can dive into the incredible tales of Norway's polar explorers. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps leading to a replica of the historic polar ship Fram. Just a stone's throw away, the Kon-Tiki Museum awaits, accessible and showcasing Thor Heyerdahl's remarkable voyages.

For a delightful lunch, mentioned in Part 1 on Oslo, why not try one of the local seafood cafés on the scenic Bygdøy (bug-day) Peninsula? Enjoying outdoor seating with stunning fjord views is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the local flavor.

Stroll along Karl Johans Gate, the city's vibrant main pedestrian street filled with charming shops, cozy cafés, and historic architecture. This lovely avenue leads you right to the Royal Palace, surrounded by inviting gardens and easy-to-navigate pathways.

Hop on a tram—most of Oslo's public transportation is low-floor and incredibly wheelchair-friendly—and soak in the enchanting city lights dancing on the water!

My missteps: Language barriers.

Can't pronounce the names, so just do your best as someone from the USA.

Most people speak English.

Can't speak the language? Use Duolingo for practice, then keep trying.

Fake it until you master it, and apologize in the meantime. People will appreciate that you tried.

Thanks for listening, and I'll see you on the next journey.

AI was used to select some of the suggestions for this episode.

Connect with Dr. Travelbest

5 Steps to Solo Travel website

Dr. Mary Travelbest X

Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page

Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group