Travel Tips For Black Women

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You keep seeing Black Women Travel. Your Friends have told you how dope their travel experiences have been. You have told yourself “okay next year I am going to do it” but next year comes and the year after that and the year after that and your passport is sitting in your underwear drawer unopened and alone.

I know you are looking for the sign to just GO! Well sis, here it is!

As a Black Woman traveler, I have lived in Switzerland for over a month, Traveled to 16 countries, hiked Table Mountain in South Africa, took a solo trip to see the Black Sand Beaches in Iceland, and met amazing new people all over the world.

I know it can seem overwhelming and scary to step out of your comfort zone to take the plunge and travel, but I am here to tell you it isn’t as scary as it seems!

One of the major goals I had when creating Black Girls Pole was to not only give black women a safe space to pole dance but also to give them the chance to travel to different countries and see the world with a group of like minded individuals!

Check out these few travel tips to help ease your fears and book the flight!

YOLO...so go it SOLO!

If you can’t get your friends, family or boo to come on a trip with you, Go Solo! One year I really wanted to go to Madrid and no one was interested in coming with me so I took myself on that trip and had an amazing time! Solo travel is not as obscure as it seems. You are not going to get “look at that sad lonely girl all by herself” looks. Most of the time people mind their own business and are also traveling solo as well so they are always up for conversations! Let your Family or Friends know your itinerary...and everyone else of importance i.e. your bank. The one and only time I forgot to tell my bank I was going out of the country to Cuba, they blocked my card and I had to have my Mom Western Union me money. (Another story for another blog post)

Travel with a Group

Black Travel groups (Like Black Girls Pole) are a great way to go to new locations and feel safe because you will have your itinerary mapped out for you. There are many communities on facebook who provide excellent resources and travel information as well as groups geared towards a specific demographic! Want to go to Amsterdam? Check out the Amsterdam Black Women Group to meet some amazing ladies! Even putting “Black Women in (Fill in the Black Country) in your search engine, could help you find travel groups!

Pack your Essentials

These are items you cannot live without! Be sure to bring a portable charger for your phone, Sunblock, neck pillow, your camera and make copies of your passport and visa in case of emergencies! Trying to get everything in one suitcase? Packing Cubes are perfect for long trips so you know exactly where everything is and help your suitcase stay organized. I love this tripod for when I am solo but want to capture photos of myself in beautiful places!

Pack your Hair Products!

We all know how Important our Black Hair is. Not every country will have a Sally’s Beauty supply store that you can run into if you forgot something. When you are preparing for your trip be sure to pack ALL the products you will need from deep conditioner to your head scarf. It is very unlikely that your destination will have Eco Gel, Wide Tooth Combs, Shea Butter, Flexi Rods etc so be sure to make your hair list and check it twice!

Book the Red Eye

Overnight Flights tend to be cheaper and less crowded! If you are traveling internationally, it can work to your advantage to get a late direct flight, take a melatonin and wake up in a new country. Be sure to pack things to keep calm and relaxed on the plane like books, headphones, ipad etc.

Beware of the Black Girl Fetishes

Black Women are beautiful. We all know this. Most people from around the world are genuinely very curious about Black women travelers, Black culture, and Black people in general so they may fawn over us and stare. Do not be surprised if you hear phrases like “I have never been with a Black Girl” or “I want to do XYZ” with a Black Woman. Avoid these clowns at all cost and keep your sanity and peace and walk away sis. Trust your gut. If something seems off, it more than likely is!

Hope these tips help! Let me know your dream destination you want to go to in the comment so I can send you all the Travel Vibes to get you there!

Thanks for reading fam!