Discover the places writer Stephanie Yeboah and her social media followers have selected for giving the best experience.
A few years ago, while considering options for the perfect destination for my annual birthday holiday, I decided to do a call out on my social media channels for the best spots to travel solo as a Black woman. Frankly, I was tired of having to search online for honest answers about where I can visit without being exposed to racial slurs and harrassed.
I've written about my experiences traveling while Black in the past and how the unexpected racial micro (and macro!) aggressions I experienced would discourage me from visiting again. I believe that one of the biggest concerns Black travelers have when it comes to international travel is safety. Add to that the additional considerations women have as part of daily life and it's no wonder I feel hesitant before booking a flight. Will I be racially profiled? Will strangers come up to me asking to touch my hair? Will I be subject to rude stares in public?
While no destination is a complete utopia where the Black experience exists in a vacuum, there are many places where Black travelers have felt comfortable exploring and others that are particularly exciting for travelers right now. I’ve taken a cross-section of responses I got from Black female travelers and added them to my own list of personal experiences; read on for some of the destinations on our recommended list to visit.
It’s been more than 400 years since the first slave ships departed from the shores of Ghana before arriving in the Western world. 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'. Since then, many have been traveling back to Ghana to connect with their ancestral roots, so there has never been a better time for Black women to travel there. Speaking as a person of Ghanaian descent, I can attest to the fact that it is indeed one of the safest places I’ve ever visited and lived.
While Portugal can sometimes be seen as a companion trip to Spain, it's a country that's more than able to stand on its own. Since it is such an incredibly diverse country in its own right, it is definitely one of the best countries for Black travelers. If you are going for the first time, I would suggest visiting Lisbon, Porto and Faro, which have huge African communities.
There’s so much to love about Toronto, especially with its thriving Caribbean culture, but Ontario’s capital can get quite busy for that very reason. That’s why you should head to Montreal
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Summer is over and travel is seasonally slow. Meanwhile, some Americans are reluctant to travel overseas because of the ongoing war in the Middle East. But travel vendors are tempting the hesitant with Black Friday deals to extraordinary destinations.
There’s a line in the poem Goodman’s Bay by the Bahamian poet Christian Campbell that reads, ‘God, there is too much red in the sky!’ I consider the line beautifully dramatic until I stand on the shore at dusk in Basse-Terre and find it apt. My unfamiliarity with the immensity of sky and sea on a tropical island in the Western Hemisphere makes everything seem unreal — every colour more intense, every horizon more distant. This aura of the surreal makes my arrival in Guadeloupe feel like it belongs to both fiction and reality, a liminal universe not unlike my writing, which questions the world by seeking to reimagine it from the perspective of suppressed cultures — the inverse of what we’ve come to accept as official history. It’s wondering writing, it’s wandering points of view.
The captivating Niah National Park in Sarawak is packed with natural beauty and profound historical significance. Adventurous travellers can immerse themselves in a full day of exploration through this unique and varied landscape.
Embark on an action-packed adventure by pairing Tenerife and Fuerteventura. Tenerife, a haven for active tourism, offers diverse activities from hiking along the Teide volcano to exploring underwater wonders like the Cathedral dive site. Fuerteventura, with its flat terrain and stunning beaches, complements Tenerife’s dynamism. Catch short internal flights or ferry rides between these two islands and ensure your holiday is a thrill from start to finish. Gran Canaria and La Gomera: Journey into Tradition
“2024 is the year to embrace the allure of the island of Milos and the majesty of the Olympus Riviera – two new gems that will be added to the Olympic Holidays portfolio” comments Michael Vinales, MD Olympic Holidays. “ Being able to expand our offering in Greece and to continually bring new, exciting, and often ‘off the beaten track’ destinations on board is what makes Olympic Holidays the go-to operator for Greece and her islands” he continues. “Milos offers an unforgettable experience with its captivating blend of pristine beaches, rugged landscapes, and rich history whilst the Olympus Riviera is another spot just waiting to be explored. Olympic Holidays will also be expanding its Island-Hopping portfolio, with some new itineraries twinning Santorini & Milos, Athens & Poros and a multi-island hop combining Mykonos, Paros & Santorini. Cruise product, which was brand new this year is also set to expand in 2024 – more information on this to follow shortly.”
Visiting cities typically characterized as traffic-clogged, dense and hectic, it’s easy to balk at the idea of mixing an unknown urban destination with kids. However, harborside, fresh-air-swept Sydney is an exception that feels like it puts families first.
Megève has everything an alpine destination needs and more — 150 ski slopes, cozy chalets, Michelin-starred restaurants, and abundant sunshine. Go for a hike to enjoy panoramic views of Mont Blanc or indulge in a delicious hot chocolate in Megève’s quaint village center; the possibilities are endless. Mountain enthusiasts can enjoy 445 kilometers of pistes and those who like to move at a slower pace can indulge in a spa treatment or enjoy some warming fondue. There’s something here for everyone, especially at Four Seasons Megèvewhere you can ski-in and ski-out for a snow-filled day of sports or just unwind in their heated outdoor pool while enjoying striking mountain views.