Medellin
Don't listen to what people say about Medellin, it WAS dangerous back in the 90s now its super safe. I would highly recommend everyone to visit this gorgeous Colombia city rich in history and culture. Whilst Medellin, if famous for Pablo Escobar I recommend you steer clear of mentioning him, a lot of people don't like to talk about it. A lot of them have been impacted directly by him or know close family and friends who have been, so push his name aside and enjoy Medellin for all the other outstanding things it has to offer;
1. Take a free walking tour - Real City Walking Tours offer a free walking tour which is a nice informative introduction to the city
2. Comuna 13 - historically one of the most dangerous areas in Medellin, it is now filled with incredible street art and a daily free walking tour to explore it all.
3. Parque Arvi - take the cable car with sweeping views across Medellin's Hillside to escape the city and explore this large nature reserve.
4. Visit Guatapé - take a day trip (2 hours from the city) to this spectacular town situated on a lake, marvel at the colourful houses and climb the big rock (some 600 steps to the top) but definitely worth the views.
5. Drink Coffee - I had the best coffee of my life in Medellin at Pergamino in El Poblando, I mean it's Colombian coffee after all, the best!
Traveling while black - again I had no issues in Medellin at all, I felt very safe as a black female and a lot of people assumed I was a coastal columbian who lived there. Despite it's history, Medellin was very safe in general!
Croatia! So I've travelled across Croatia and it is a very beautiful and welcoming country with amazing towns, foods, and plenty of things to do, below are my highlights.
Dubrovnik - I loved Dubrovnik, it is by far one of the most popular places to visit in Croatia and the filming location for a lot of GoT. Explore the town enclosed around the historic defensive walls but a word of warning, this can be super busy as a lot of cruise ships dock here and off load all their passengers. Spend the morning in Lokrum (an Island 30mins away) and come back to Dubrovnik in the late afternoon when its less busy.
Split - Explore the town of Split and the old square which is a focal point for restaurants and nightlife. They have some pretty amazing seafood here. Take an excursion to Krka Waterfalls and swim in the emerald waters or Plitvices Lakes (swimming not allowed here) but both are incredibly gorgeous.
Pula/Rovinj - Further North in Croatia and close to the Italian border lies Pula and Rovinj. These are less touristy spots so nice for people who don't want crowds of tourists. The food is VERY Italian due to heavy Italian influence and a LOT of seafood, so if that is your kind of cuisine, you will not be disappointed. Rovinj offers daily boat services to Venice Italy if you feel like a quick stop in Italy too.
Opatija - A super small town in Northern Croatia, again the only tourists you'll find here are actual Croatians on their summer vacations. The streets are beautiful, the beaches are gorgeous, the food is divine, you cannot go wrong with a visit here.
Traveling while black - I didn't find this to be an issue generally in the larger more popular areas like Dubrovnik and Split, however in places like Opatija where they are not familiar with tourists from across the world, I found it attracted a lot of attention. Not in a negative way at all, it was a lot of curiosity and admiration, a lot of people - women and men a like would compliment my skin or my hair and tell me I'm beautiful. I never felt threatened at all or unsafe but you will certainly attract more attention in the smaller towns in Croatia.
Peru is by far one of my favourite countries. I started in Lima and travelled a long the coast ending Cuzco for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
HUACACHINA - it's a desert Oasis located about 1.5 hours away from Lima and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. Please don't miss this opportunity, it is absolutely beautiful. It is literally an Oasis in the middle of the desert. Spend the day surfing the sand dunes or flying across them on dune buggies for the real thrill seekers. Spend the night here if you can and watch the sun set and rise over the sand dunes, an experience not to be missed.
FOOD - CEVICHE, CEVICHE AND CEVICHE. This is probably all I ate day and night in Peru. Of course there's a large variety of delicious cuisine in Peru but Ceviche was just divine, especially if you're a fish lover.
Traveling while Black - I honestly felt safe and comfortable in any town across Peru and had no issues or safety concerns what so ever, it was by far one of the friendliest places I've know. I can't wait to go back!
Medellin Don't listen to what people say about Medellin, it WAS dangerous back in the 90s now its super safe. I would highly recommend everyone to visit this gorgeous Colombia city rich in history and culture. Whilst Medellin, if famous for Pablo Escobar I recommend you steer clear of mentioning him, a lot of people don't like to talk about it. A lot of them have been impacted directly by him or know close family and friends who have been, so push his name aside and enjoy Medellin for all the other outstanding things it has to offer; 1. Take a free walking tour - Real City Walking Tours offer a free walking tour which is a nice informative introduction to the city 2. Comuna 13 - historically one of the most dangerous areas in Medellin, it is now filled with incredible street art and a daily free walking tour to explore it all. 3. Parque Arvi - take the cable car with sweeping views across Medellin's Hillside to escape the city and explore this large nature reserve. 4. Visit Guatapé - take a day trip (2 hours from the city) to this spectacular town situated on a lake, marvel at the colourful houses and climb the big rock (some 600 steps to the top) but definitely worth the views. 5. Drink Coffee - I had the best coffee of my life in Medellin at Pergamino in El Poblando, I mean it's Colombian coffee after all, the best! Traveling while black - again I had no issues in Medellin at all, I felt very safe as a black female and a lot of people assumed I was a coastal columbian who lived there. Despite it's history, Medellin was very safe in general!
Croatia! So I've travelled across Croatia and it is a very beautiful and welcoming country with amazing towns, foods, and plenty of things to do, below are my highlights. Dubrovnik - I loved Dubrovnik, it is by far one of the most popular places to visit in Croatia and the filming location for a lot of GoT. Explore the town enclosed around the historic defensive walls but a word of warning, this can be super busy as a lot of cruise ships dock here and off load all their passengers. Spend the morning in Lokrum (an Island 30mins away) and come back to Dubrovnik in the late afternoon when its less busy. Split - Explore the town of Split and the old square which is a focal point for restaurants and nightlife. They have some pretty amazing seafood here. Take an excursion to Krka Waterfalls and swim in the emerald waters or Plitvices Lakes (swimming not allowed here) but both are incredibly gorgeous. Pula/Rovinj - Further North in Croatia and close to the Italian border lies Pula and Rovinj. These are less touristy spots so nice for people who don't want crowds of tourists. The food is VERY Italian due to heavy Italian influence and a LOT of seafood, so if that is your kind of cuisine, you will not be disappointed. Rovinj offers daily boat services to Venice Italy if you feel like a quick stop in Italy too. Opatija - A super small town in Northern Croatia, again the only tourists you'll find here are actual Croatians on their summer vacations. The streets are beautiful, the beaches are gorgeous, the food is divine, you cannot go wrong with a visit here. Traveling while black - I didn't find this to be an issue generally in the larger more popular areas like Dubrovnik and Split, however in places like Opatija where they are not familiar with tourists from across the world, I found it attracted a lot of attention. Not in a negative way at all, it was a lot of curiosity and admiration, a lot of people - women and men a like would compliment my skin or my hair and tell me I'm beautiful. I never felt threatened at all or unsafe but you will certainly attract more attention in the smaller towns in Croatia.
Peru is by far one of my favourite countries. I started in Lima and travelled a long the coast ending Cuzco for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. HUACACHINA - it's a desert Oasis located about 1.5 hours away from Lima and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. Please don't miss this opportunity, it is absolutely beautiful. It is literally an Oasis in the middle of the desert. Spend the day surfing the sand dunes or flying across them on dune buggies for the real thrill seekers. Spend the night here if you can and watch the sun set and rise over the sand dunes, an experience not to be missed. FOOD - CEVICHE, CEVICHE AND CEVICHE. This is probably all I ate day and night in Peru. Of course there's a large variety of delicious cuisine in Peru but Ceviche was just divine, especially if you're a fish lover. Traveling while Black - I honestly felt safe and comfortable in any town across Peru and had no issues or safety concerns what so ever, it was by far one of the friendliest places I've know. I can't wait to go back!