Cambodia was a vibe. We toured Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and other tourist spots. Unlike other SE and E Asian countries, I wasn't fondled or ogled for being Black. The people were kind and not pushy and I always appreciate that. The food I ate wasn't great, but it wasn't the worst either. This is my personal experience and I would definitely return. One of my favorite holidays to-date!

The Yucatan peninsula is a great place to experience the history and natural beauty of Mexico. From Chichen Itza and Valladolid, to the ruins of Tulum and over 200 Cenotes in the area, there is plenty to choose from. Me and my partner decided to visit here as a mini vacation away from home and loved every minute of it, no matter how nuanced some situations were. Due to the location and pre and post-columbian history, this makes for an awesome adventure. We try to steer away from visiting beach-only destinations as it can become a little repetitive, especially since we live within easy reach of beaches. When choosing destinations; we base it on activities, things to do, affordability, and attractions. Although we hardly consider ourselves being touristic, we do enjoy visiting historical sites before venturing through local residences and eating at hole-in-the-walls. Mexico was the closest and most affordable location we could find for the duration of 5 days; seeing as we now live in a country that believes 2 out of 52 weeks in the year is sufficient to recoup from the rat race. Regardless, we took advantage, learned, and loved every minute of it. The beaches, sunsets, and romantic locations set the tone on many occassions and the privacy of renting a car is better (and probably cheaper) than being crammed into the space of a bus with other travellers, although the idea of meeting new people is something I'd welcome any other time. Be sure to check out Kin Toh for those picture-perfect shots and beautiful sunset with your loved one and Cenote Suytun to take that memorable kissing pic on the platform. :)

Miami is great for if you wish to escape the cold of the north, but don't wish to spend too much to leave the country. Still a developing city, you will notice much construction still going on (depending on if you leave South Beach to explore!). South Beach, I find, is a little too touristic for me so typically I would head over to Blackbird Ordinary in downtown Miami or anywhere in Wynwood for a night out. Depending on the time of year you visit, there is always an event happening as Miami attempts to keep up with the world. Art Basel is great in December, carnival is great in October, etc. South Beach has a great beach, but, locals don't frequent it too much as there are far too many tourists. Fort Lauderdale Beach near Las Olas, in my opinion, is better and Hollywood beach if you want something a little quieter but still exploding with things to do. Being by the sea, there are tons of great seafood restaurants. American Social os one of my favs in Brickell, GGs in Hollywood, and pretty much anywhere by the water! Hard Rock is also located in Hollywood and has tons to do. If you're a history buff, Miami is probably not the best place for you, but, there are some great museums if you don't mind driving outside of Miami. The Ah tah thi ki museum is located over an hour away in Clewiston and focuses on the Seminole culture, Morikami Gardens is situated near Boca Raton and is focused on Japanese culture. For closer attractions, you can always visit the PAMM for contemporary art and a great view, or the History Miami for finding out more about Miami's history. If you enjoy being black, check out any events that Social Xchange might be having on eventbrite. These are filled with young professional black individuals that come out for a good night. Unlike some spots in wynwood or south beach where people are more concerned with looking good, the crowd is very "Atlanta-ish" at these events. For the hippies amongst us, be sure to check out the Farmers Markets such as "Coconuts Grove Farmers Market", or again, if you don't mind a 25 minute drive; the yellow green farmers market in Hollywood on the weekends. Plenty of fresh, organic, and multi-dietary produce. Beautiful loving vibes too! Reach out if you need more localized information :) info@lv-fn.com

London is just one of those places that you could always go back to and still not get the chance to do everything there is to do. After living there for almost all of my life, I still haven't completed all that is considered touristic. There is always the touristic side of a place, and a local side. Oxford street is great and all, but, many locals stay local to their area of residence when shopping. Leicester square is great for nightlife, but, they can be pricey and sometimes it's better to just go to the 'Piano Bar' in Angel, North London or to attend a 'Don't Flop' rap battle at the Brixton Jamm in South London for the hip hop connoisseurs out there. Unless you're having an English breakfast or Fish and Chips, English food in itself can be considered quite bland and most Brits don't in fact delve into the cuisine. Turkish food, different types of Arabic food, and Indian and Chinese cuisines are typically the most frequented for something quick and accessible. Turkish was always my favourite, even when I stopped eating meat. A really great cultural experience can be had at 'Aziziye' near Stoke Newington, North London. Situated inside a mosque, you can head to the entrance on the left side of the building where stairs will lead you upstairs to the restaurant. The Turkish, like the Japanese, traditionally eat on the floor and there are many cubicles to choose from, which, also includes a buzzer for when you wish to summon a server! If you visit in the summer, you will notice that Brits live in the park. Unlike here in the states, all parks are free to visit and you will generally notice swarms of people laid out with snacks and alcohol when the sun is out. Hyde Park is great if you are central, however, can become a little overwhelming with the amount of people so I would typically suggest researching parks in your area as they are bound to be more of a unique experience. If you visit in the winter, winter wonderland is popular with families and ice skating at Alexandra Palace, or Ally Pally as the locals call it, will be sure to put you in for a treat. London, like Washington DC or New York, thrives by inclusion and you will have the opportunity to visit areas like China Town near Leicester Square or the less renowned Edgeware road for an immersion into Arabic culture, Stoke Newington (along with many other towns) for Turkish culture, and Brixton for Jamaican culture. There is something and somewhere for everyone. Travelling by boat is very easy and, in fact, many locals use this as a method of transportation for work. Researching the river bus will show you a few stops that you can alight at. Purchasing an Oyster Card at any train station will allow you to travel easier on all public transportation and now you can't actually use cash on the regular buses. You can use this on the river bus as well. It's great for if you want to see all of the sites on the River Thames, but, don't want to get off just yet to visit them. My favourite route to suggest is heading over to Royal Victoria station on the DLR, catching the emirates cable car that takes you up and across the thames into North Greenwich (where the o2 centre is located) and catching a river bus from here to the last stop. Even locals enjoy this as a day trip every now and then. Start early so you can even check out the o2 centre (formerly the millennium dome). Reach out if you need more local info on visiting London! info@lv-fn.com :)

As a daughter of a Seychellois, I can't help but feel that my review may be taken as biased. I was born and raised in the UK, however, and didn't actually visit the Seychelles until I turned 16. The Seychelles is an extremely relaxing archipelago of over 115 islands that requires quite a bit of financial freedom on part of its visitors. There are plenty of things to do if you have the money, however, if you don't have it like that you can still have a good time. I will only touch upon Mahe as there is so much information to take in! Firstly, I would suggest researching accommodations hosted by locals. These can fare as much more affordable than the hotels and can lead to a more adventurous and independent experience. If you tell them that you have a Seychellois parent, they may even give you a discount! Everyone, except some of the older mummies, speaks English so it is very easy to communicate. When I don't wish to stay with family, I rent a little 'lakaz' from one of the aunties nearby the capital of Victoria, or, close to Beau Vallon beach. Saint Louis is a perfect spot for staying near town as you can walk either way. It is a bit of a trek to Beau Vallon from Saint Louis, but, totally worth it if you want those picture-perfect shots. You can also walk to town and find a few hole-in-the-walls on the way. Be sure to try 'Ladob Bannan'; the traditional dessert made with bananas, fresh coconut milk (coconuts straight from the tree), cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and vanilla essence. You won't regret it! Also try the national dish; 'Kari Sousouri', if you're adventurous. It is quite literally Bat curry! For nightlife, there are very few options on Mahe. 'Barrel' is one located between Saint Louis and Victoria and is typically not suggested for tourists as it can become a bit rowdy, but, has great music otherwise. La faya and Tequila Boom stand side-by-side in Bel Ombre and are pretty poppin'. Katiolo is on the north side and is considered the most popular club on the island. For a quieter night out, Level 3 bar is interesting and located in the docklands. In Beau Vallon there is a Bazaar every Wednesday. This tends to be very lively and features plenty of souvenirs, food, and drinks for purchase. You will notice uncles frying fish or trying to sell you some 'Baka'. I would not suggest trying this drink unless you have a stomach for good old island moonshine. It is extremely strong and can have you going to the toilet pretty quickly if you're not used to it! 'Baie Lazare' is in the south and is considered one of the best beaches on Mahe, however, has changed drastically with the growth in tourism. As a child, I remember being able to see through the water and feed the angel fish. My suggestion is if you're a beach goer, take the cat cocos ferry or a quick flight to Praslin to visit Cote d'or beach. Probably the best beach on the main islands. My family is from La Digue, so I often venture there than anywhere else. For history, visit the national archives, the national museum, and even the natural history museum. If you happen to be there in July, be sure to ask around about 'Dimas Moutya'. It is a festival based on one of the traditional dances of the Seychelles and occurs on a Sunday. The Seychelloise do love a drink, so be weary of the hype! When in the airport going home, attempt to purchase a bottle of Coco d'amour. It is an alcoholic drink made from coconut milk and is divine! It used to be made from the Coco de mer (a coconut in the shape of a womans lower region and only grows in the Seychelles!), however, they are becoming extinct and are therefore protected so I'm not sure if they still use them. If you do happen to see one of the Coco de mer's in the Mahe Botanical gardens or in the 'Vallee de mai' on Praslin, you can purchase it for around 3-4000 Seychelles Rupees to bring one home for yourself! Any more info required, feel free to reach out to me on IG @lavie_femmenoire or via email at info@lv-fn.com. :)