She gives great tips on travel, both domestic and abroad, from the perspective of a black female solo traveler. Must-haves for a road-trip kitchen. Interesting. 1. Solo female travelers, friends, sisters, partners, mothers and daughters. As a person who frequently travels alone, you shouldn't underestimate how important it is to have a group of locals who are willing to give recommendations and directions. Some good places to start include: Eventually youll realize (as every solo traveler does) that traveling alone doesnt. Choose Your Destination Wisely and Research, Research, One of the biggest struggles solo traveling as a Black woman will always be haircare. I also want you to know that there are places we can visit comfortably and spread our Black girl magic unapologetically. All youve got to do is walk outside, says Tomika Anderson, founder of Single Parents Who Travel, an online group of more than 3,000 members. What started as an Instagram Account in January of 2015, has now become a black travel movement that has changed the lives of hundreds of women. See the wilderness-backed beaches, ancient sites and smaller-scale cities of Rio de Janeiro, whether you're using public transit or your own set of wheels. As a matter of fact, solo travel has the power to transform your life. Will strangers come up to me asking to touch my hair? Inside this guide will get you pumped for many solo trips ahead. ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. If you are looking for an active adventure with a like-minded group of travelers and future life-long friends, this is the trip for you. Educate others on taking micro-cations; 2. You dont want to run out of your curling cream while in Thailand; you wont find a replacement at the local drugstore there. Fort Lauderdale has great beaches, beautiful water, inexpensive hotels and a lot of stuff to do, says Soares, who rents a reasonably priced time-share apartment during her stays. Vietnam. In 2019 alone, Black U.S. leisure travelers spent a whopping $129.6 billion on domestic and international travel . It isnt the most budget friendly city but it is safe and there are several ways that you can cut down on costs. But as you might have guessed from the title of this blog, a few weeks ago I found the courage to go on my first solo trip. In western Germany, for instance, I was stared at a lot, but the people were very sweet to me. Stay Safe (But Dont Let Fear Deter You From Fun), But always remember that for every bad experience a solo traveler has (especially a Black woman solo traveling) theres a good one that hasnt gotten the same press or coverage as the negative experience, which can easily skew perceptions on what it means to travel solo. Meetup is an international site where groups with differing interests hold events. Not every country is culturally- and racially-aware, but my hope is that this will change as more people of color travel abroad to less popular destinations. Sadly, I was never able to get that flat iron to work, but my blowout stayed silky the whole time with use of my products and nightly hair wrapping. With A Surge In Interest In Solo Travel, Here Are Tips For How Black Women Can Do It Safely After being stranded by friends on a vacation, Keem, aka, 'The Passport Abuser,' became a solo travel . And it has, on a personal note, opened my mind to going to countries I would never have found welcoming before. Just image the pictures that you can take on the beaches with the black sand. On her blog, BlackKintsugi.com and Instagram ( @black.kintsugi ), Pelumi shares great travel tips . Chicago Did you know that Chicago is the home of the only Black daily newspaper in the nation? Thank you my sista. Before social media, solo travelers like Jessica Nabongo (the first Black woman to visit every country on earth) or Gloria Atanmo, the blogger behind the blog abroad were non-existent. 6 Things Every Black Woman Needs to Know Before Going Abroad, Its Not Just Black and White: An African-American Womans Adventures in Denmark, Traveling to Senegal as a US-Born Black Woman Changed My Life, and My Hair, harmful stereotypes that oversexualize black women, 11 Irresistible Holiday Gifts for Women Travelers, Breastfeeding in Public Abroad: What You Should Know, Advice for Solo Female Travelers in Ethiopia: Some Dos and Donts, Meet this Remarkable 70-Something Scuba Diver Traveling the World Solo, How to Travel (Safely) to Rio de Janeiro as a Solo Woman, Solo female travel- How I see it A lot of world to see, Making Money for a Life of Travel - Travel / Dissent / Repeat, 6 Things Black Travelers Need to Know Before Going Abroad, Violence or Fetishization, and Sometimes Both: What Its like to Travel as a Black Woman, Meet the Trailblazer Cultivating a Community of Black Women Digital Nomads | Wanderful - Blog, Join Us at Wanderfest in New Orleans! Sharing your location and itinerary with a close friend or family member, Choosing accommodation close to the city or town center. And, on the other end, no point in paying hundreds of dollars for vaccines you may not need. Located in southwest Thailand, this haven is chock-full of enriching activities. Iceland Lava caving in Iceland. Thailand has definitely become one of the most popular travel destinations for people of color - especially Black women. You can input information about where you plan to stay and when. First Baecation? Italy is one of the few countries that is deeply steeped in history while having a solid foot in the modern western world. The Wanderful Members group is an excellent way to meet people (or ask for suggestions) in the city youre visiting. Related: Traveling to Senegal as a US-Born Black Woman Changed My Life, and My Hair. While the tickets from across the pond from many Western countries can be a bit pricey and more than a bit long. Read next: Is Solo Travel to Cuba Safe for Women? Just be street smart about who you talk to. We travel for escapism, excitement and unbridled joy, for the fun, the freedom and the food. Im 52 and would love some more info on this traveling I went to Las Vegas by myself and do much sleep it was quite rewarding and adventurous now Im ready to see the world. The one thing you want when solo traveling is not stand out too much. 18 Best Solo Trips In U.S. For Females. Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love! On Jessie on a Journey, I'm passionate about not only sharing my own realities traveling the world, but also the experiences of other travelers. Its photos on Instagram of travelers both groups and solo really inspire me to get out to . But not every stop is really random, if you know what I mean. If you run out of products on your trip or just want to experience getting your hair done abroad, then use Instagram! My blog site is You dont need a curling iron, flat iron, or blow dryer. My taxi driver didnt charge me and thanked me for our struggle. Love the idea of mutual education. T. hese dont exist in every country, and I also recommend always checking TripAdvisor especially their forums. There are so many friends and influencers that I see posting pictures of their spa days, beach trips and visits to world heritage sites in Bangkok on Instagram that I'm starting to feel the itch myself! great for women traveling alone is its proximity to mainland United States. Head to Harlem and indulge in soul food fusion and good music at Red Rooster, co-owned by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, Anderson suggests. Pelumi is a twenty-something solo traveller doing a PhD in cancer research and human genetics in London (so cool!). An avid solo traveler myself, I could relate to so much of ur experiences. I just found your blog and I love it. And you can look our website about free anonymous proxies. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms. So from me to you, heres a quick guide on how to master solo Black female travel. You can even take a tour of Black Paris and explore the historically Black districts. I typically travel alone but Ive been wanting to visit Kenya for sometime now and I think Im about to just do it next month. Solo traveling breaks that down and shows us just how amazing we are. In addition, the country is an excellent budget option for those of us who need it. Going with a tour group of course makes it easier to meet people, but I also love to try online groups set in the location youre visiting. I am a part of a growing group of Black people traveling the world for leisure. In an effort to encourage and empower more black women to explore the world on their own terms, I asked nine different black women solo travelers about their experiences traveling solo as black women, what advice they would give to someone considering it, and what countries they felt were safe for black women to travel to. provide credit and sources back to your weblog? You can literally be on your Iphone, traveling on the metro, and get off in front of the Coliseum. She Explores: Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild (Solo Travel Guides, Travel Essays, Women Hiking Books) [Book] Preparing for a solo hike. 3. Join African American Female Travel groups Related topics: Travel International Travel Women Who Travel Singles Who Love to Travel Travel Solo Travelers Victoria Mason, founder of the blog, Shes Candid, relaxes seaside in Fort Lauderdale. From tapas to wine, jamn to paella, here are the best Spanish dishes and where to try them. We are the largest travel company (based on . The city is walkable, and when its not, an $87 Travelcard for a week of getting around on buses and the subwayits called the underground or the tube theremakes sightseeing easy and cost-effective. Brazil is one country that every traveler should have on their bucket list. I've written about my experiences traveling while Blackin the past and how the unexpected racial micro (and macro!) As a Black woman, I sometimes find myself on edge when I travel in spaces where no one looks like me. A lot of info and lessons to learn. Find beauty in Montral's best city parks. experiences youll never know what kind of trip youll have. 6. Get out of the city and experience some of the best parts of Ontario with these top day trips from Toronto. Compared to some other countries, Columbia can be incredibly affordable. This should include information on how the public transit works, your accommodation, and a bucket list of activities for your travels. Columbia should definitely be on the list for a Black female solo traveler. As Black women I dont think we should have to limit ourselves on where we get our passport stamps. The First Outdoor Travel Festival For Women, The 2022 Bessie Awards: Travel Industry Awards for Women of Impact. I realize that many countries have random stops like this. Nomadness is a great group that is super active on Facebook (its closed, so youll have to join) and offers many helpful tips and conversations for travelers of color. In Rio, there is a rich and accessible art community that travelers can take advantage of and immerse themselves in. Visitors can relish quiet, even visceral, moments at the historic palaces around the city or on a day trip to Ouzoud Falls. In fact, it can be really empowering. Add to that the additional safety considerations women have as part of daily life and it's no wonder I feel hesitant before booking a flight. The food is known to be absolutely amazing and the scenery can rarely be beat. My dad does not have a special set of skills (ala Liam Neeson), so if I do get Taken, welp, I need to at least give them some places to start checking. It overloads the senses in the best possible way, says Anderson. And we may have to encounter some situations where we must teach others about our particular black American culture. Several of the major cities are known for being dangerous at night but during the day there shouldnt be any issues as long as you stay in well-lit and populated areas; advice that all women sadly have to keep in mind no matter where they travel. Some good places to start include: Once you join you should introduce yourself and start asking questions leading up to your solo trip. It did not escape me that I was the only one from my plane who was stopped. Come get a plate of goodness! No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Add in being a woman and a black woman, at that and suddenly traveling alone can seem downright daunting. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Blogger Ivy Coco has a magical moment in Marrakech. And research as much as possible. LIVE! Brazil is known for having one of the highest populations of African people outside of the continent of Africa, with Nigerianstopping the list. The biggest lesson Ive learned as a black traveler is that our vacation has a dual role. The full-service restaurants and massage spots make traveling on your own peaceful without any feelings of isolation. I have been told that there is an underlying energy to South Africa that just cant be described with words. To me, the future reward of this world being a more diverse and open-minded place is well worth it. This is another thing you should do, regardless of color or travel status. It was helpful for me to have a fellow traveler to talk it out with and lean on. Plus, since I dont blend in with the crowd in many countries, I want to make sure that I have everything in order. And you dont need to wait for anyone else to do it. Racial profiling or not, its always good to have someone back home who knows where you are and what your plans are. Did you know that Brazil has the largest African population outside the continent of Africa? What makes the U.S.V.I. Which means that sometimes, Im out there on my own. Try a free Saturday-morning surfing lesson, courtesy of Island Water Sports, in nearby Deerfield Beach; tour the Everglades; or set sail on a riverboat cruise to see the waterways that have earned the area its nickname, Venice of America. Big Buddha, a world-famous attraction, is visible from most venues on the island, and Thalang Road is filled with authentic shopping, food, and architecture. Here are a few of my favorite digital resources. 10 Places Every Black Woman Should Visit In Her Lifetime - Essence. If you want to go out for dinner or drinks, or listen to music, check sites in advance to know where you should go and what kind of environment it is. Solomon), a romantic comedy. I am older than a South Africa without apartheid. If you are looking for some ideas for what you can do during a solo trip you can check out my post here. Sadly, as we travel this world, not everyone is going to be as open-minded as wed like. Black Girls Travel Too curates travel experiences with the intent on stretching, growing, and enriching women through travel. But this post definitely gave my courage! Affordable lodging can be found in pretty much any part of the country and, if you stay out of restaurants and stick to local street food, you'll be surprised at how far your budget will stretch. In some countries, I have found that traveling as a black woman can make me more noticeable than others. 0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%. */. While the tickets from across the pond from many Western countries can be a bit pricey and more than a bit long. Sadly, with the spotlight on us, the things we do can impact the experience the traveler after us has in a way that other travelers will never know. When I think of my summers or family vacations while growing up, they didn't involve . We'll talk about solo travel pros and cons and how to plan your first solo trip. All rights reserved. InsureMyTrip and SquareMouth are excellent for comparison insurance shopping. Thank you very much for this write up. The reality is that in certain rural areas of this world, residents have only seen black people on TV. Contacting expats is the perfect way to find out about getting around in a country for a visitors perspective. Luxury retreats like The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa and Katathani Phuket Beach Resort might be high-end, but prices can start at less than $110 per night in mid-June on travel booking sites like TripAdvisor. We empower women through solo travel. Sometimes, having built-in places to meet people can help. What I love about Ghana is that it is known as being one of the safest and friendliest West African Countries. My destination recommendations for Black female solo travel! On my first visit to England years ago, I was stopped before I even got to customs by personnel who asked me a litany of questions, including proof of where I was staying and what I would be doing on my trip. You can also check out my post about cities for Black women to travel alone right here. Its good to get a little research before I fully take that step. A few tours with some free days is best for me. Meetup also has a ton of groups with a focus on the black diaspora or on women. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. In Thailand, many people stared, and some tourists even snapped pictures (I tried not to take offense). As Brazils second largest city, Rio de Janeiro is vast and complex. London has so much to offer and has something for every type of traveler. I did some research and put together a list of 10 international destinations safe for Black Women. Ghanaian politicians have also long been advocates of the Pan-African movement and in 2019, Ghana started to invite people of African descent to visit with the promise of easier visa applications and a year-long calendar of culturally immersive events, dubbing it the "Year of Return." Even though you cant tell from the media, there are thousands of Black women traveling solo every day, you just need to find them. Which areas are safe? Some countries offer free care to travelers. In this eye-opening, empowering, and educational guide, Efia Sulter the travel blogger behind Effy Talks Life shares what it is like traveling solo as a Black woman. But always remember that for every bad experience a solo traveler has (especially a Black woman solo traveling) theres a good one that hasnt gotten the same press or coverage as the negative experience, which can easily skew perceptions on what it means to travel solo. http://www.thecozyme.com, window.dojoRequire(["mojo/signup-forms/Loader"], function(L) { L.start({"baseUrl":"mc.us20.list-manage.com","uuid":"cbe9d583adbc93b552acb0833","lid":"f244d73cc6","uniqueMethods":true}) }), #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } There is so much that South Africa has to offer but we cant forget that apartheid ended in 1994. One downside for Anderson was occasional catcalling, but on the whole her trip was wonderful. For Solo Women: Black Girls Travel Too . In a worst-case scenario, the following products can work in a pinch for natural gals: Conditioner mixed with water as a leave-in conditioning treatment, lotion as a hair moisturizing cream, and any oils (shea, olive, coconut, argan, Morrocan) which are common in products in most places (even for body and face) as a moisturizer. You can check out my post about tips for a Black woman in Italy. If you are going for the first time, I would suggest visiting Lisbon, Porto and Faro, which have huge African communities. Planning ahead for unknown territory. But its also incredibly rewarding. In the wake of devastating loss, a writer finds sisterhood and healing in daring journeys. There are a lot of things I love about solo travel: Im not on anyone elses schedule. The good vibes extend to Black Taxi Tours, which explores hundreds of political murals depicting global movements including those led by freedom fighters like Nelson Mandela. I do this in my hometown as well. Vietnam will surely be an unforgettable experience for Black women who embark on solo travel. Latrice's top safety tips: Don't advertise that you . Happy travel ladies. Im pretty Type A in all areas of my life. No experience necessary. Related: 6 Things Every Black Woman Needs to Know Before Going Abroad. With that said, its still important to be safe wherever you go. And for those a bit timid at stepping out alone: Try going with a tour group! There are so many friends and influencers that I see posting pictures of their spa days, beach trips and visits to world heritage sites in Bangkok on Instagram that Im starting to feel the itch myself! Travel Noire is an informative site for the black traveler. Ive been wanting to on a solo international trip and this article really gave me the courage to go for it, thanks! She gives great tips on travel, both domestic and abroad, from the perspective of a black female solo traveler. When Im wandering about, I have my phone and earpiece or earphones in, and have Google Maps give me directions through them. That isnt because I dont think that other African countries are worth the time to see but when it comes to traveling to Africa from America the flights alone are often more than some people can afford for a whole trip. Point being, until you take your own solo trip and make. And theres always the Nomadness Facebook group. Ive taken a cross-section of responses to my tweet from Black female travelers and added them to my own list of personal experiences; read on for some of the best destinations to visit if youre a Black woman. France is considered one of the safest places in the world for solo women travelers, especially Black women. You can search the forum for keywords associated with your interests. Once you have obtained your fill of Black Paris, you can explore the rest of what the city has to offer. Eventually youll realize (as every solo traveler does) that traveling alone doesnt really mean youll be by yourself, because you make so many connections during your trip! Visit the CDCs website to get health information about the country you are visiting. Greece became an incredibly popular destination in 2020, ranking among the top three bucket list destinations among members of the Solo Female Travelers community . It was so moving, particularly, she admits because she had braced herself to encounter stereotypical racism. Why Black women need to travel solo It boosts your confidence Many times, and so many ways, Black women are told to make themselves smaller for other people to thrive. Traveling solo as a woman of color can be intimidating. The local Japanese people are known for being welcoming to visitors. Every Black woman deserves to see the world on her terms and have the trip of a lifetime. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. You can do this easily through staying in hostels, joining a free walking tour or taking up a group activity while youre solo traveling. Youll feel like youre on top of the world, and the best news is, the tour companies take care of almost everything. So, if youre visiting Amsterdam for a week and want to meet some locals who have shared interest, join a meetup group there. I found your post interesting and informative. Fans of Studio Ghibli films will be able to visit Ghibli Park next month in Nagoya, Japan. Happy Travels! Our tours offer a positive, inclusive, gender-affirming space for women of all ages, abilities, and bodies. Stroll through the Swap Shop, a massive market and entertainment complex that has a drive-in movie theater and more than 2,000 vendors, so discount shopping addicts can get their fix. Now feel more comfortable traveling to Iceland and beyond. I use Yelp, in particular, to search by area and narrow it down for places with keywords like R&B, Jazz, Live Music. Even if you cant blend in, looking like an expat or someone working there is better than looking like someone who has the makings of being a mark. For black women, the fear of sticking out, facing racism, or being fetishized makes solo travel especially daunting. And as much as I love a good AfroNation festival in my hometown of Accra in Ghana, its not really financially feasible or fun to keep visiting there everysingletime. She's an avid chick lit reader, an urban fantasy fan, an active blogger, and the author of The Mission (under the pen name C.C. The Black Woman's Guide to Solo Traveling - Travepreneur Don't be afraid to take the solo trip! One of the biggest struggles solo traveling as a Black woman will always be haircare. As always, do some research. Personally, I prefer groups with less structure, so that I can truly have the benefits that come with solo travel while still having a built-in network on the adventure with me. Since then Ive called the UK, China and Thailand home, solo traveled across the world and havent moved back to the US since. Connect with the Black travel community through Facebook groups to choose your solo travel destination, get more information and recommendations on a place or even find a potential travel buddy! You deserve to see the world. Some oil for your hair is pretty much it. If nothing else, Japan is known for being an incredibly safe country for solo female travelers of all races. It is not the cheapest place that you are ever going to go but the adventures are endless. One of the best things for any traveler making their first solo trip to Florida is that it is very hard to get lost. But when I talk to friends and family in the States, the idea of solo travel is still a taboo. Annual events like the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade & Festival make the city a popular spot for the LGBTQ community. Between scrambling to find an Afro hair salon while backpacking in Europe and trying to get braids in the middle of Thailand (a struggle), Ive learned from experience that its always best to pack your own products. When I announced that I was American, I had people kissing my hand and giving me the extra Irish pour on my alcohol. When I dont have wifi and dont want to use up my data on the streets, I take screenshots of directions or take photos of maps before I leave. Indonesia, particularly Bali, is a popular location for female solo travelers. Barbados is the birthplace of rum. Black women love Iceland. On top of that you can enjoy the soca music, the tasty food, and the overall kind locals. So I was kind of like a celebrity (or an alien though I prefer celebrity)!
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