I visited Berlin for a conference and really enjoyed my time there. This city is chock full of history, from World War II and the Cold War era. * Here's a list of places to visit: 1. Berlin Wall 2. Brandenburg Gate - beautiful at night 3. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe 4. Berlin Cathedral 5. Alexanderplatz 6. Checkpoint Charlie - Many people died trying to cross from East Germany into West Germany here 7. Topography of Terror 8. Neus Museum - The famous bust of Nefertiti is housed here 9. Jewish Museum 10. Reichstag - Free to visit inside the glass dome, but reservations are required * In terms of food, be sure to try currywurst (a combination of sausage, ketchup, and curry powder) and Döner kebab.

Barcelona has the best of both worlds with its city center and beach. There are an array of free and cheap activities including walking tours, the fountain show at Montjuïc, Park Güell, Barceloneta Beach, Boqueria Market, Barcelona Cathedral, Las Ramblas, and the Gothic Quarter. Gaudi's unique architecture is visible throughout the city, but each building is pricey to visit. If you're on a budget (like I was), I'd recommend only visiting La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. I stayed in the Gothic Quarter and found the city easy to navigate on foot.

My trip to Greece is one of my all-time favorite vacations. Santorini is absolutely stunning and worth all the hype. The people were friendly and proud of their island and its slow pace. All of the food I ate was delicious. Skala, a restaurant set on the edge of the caldera, is a must visit. I still rave about the baklava I ate there. Other dishes to try are moussaka, dolma, cheese bread, and ozo (a strong liquor). Walk down to the water in Oia and stop at any of the restaurants lining the shore. The fish is sure to be fresh and yummy.

Amsterdam was a cool experience. With its tree-lined canals and endless rows of bicycles, it's very photogenic. I'm a history buff, so visiting the Anne Frank House was the highlight of my trip. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid waiting on a very long line. Only a few people are allowed in at one time and no photography is allowed. This allows you to really appreciate the tiny space Anne and her family hid in for 2 years. * Other interesting things to do are visit The Museum of Fluorescent Art and Foam (photography museum), admire the tulips in Vondel Park, stroll through the Red Light District, take a photo with the I Am Amsterdam sign, and go on a free walking tour through the city center. The major museums are really expensive, so you may only want to pick one to visit. I opted for the Van Gogh Museum and I'm glad I did. It provided a great overview of his life and the inspiration behind some of his most famous pieces.

I had my first all-inclusive resort experience in Playa del Carmen. I stayed at the Reef Coco Beach, a small and affordable resort located at one end of the popular shopping strip, 5th Avenue. There was a nice sized pool, DJ, and activities for most of the day, creating a fun and lively atmosphere. I enjoyed the convenience of having a beautiful beach steps away from my room. Book through the hotel's website for perks including a free RT ride to the airport and a spa credit. The only drawback was the food; it was pretty bland and the drinks weren't strong. * Playa del Carmen is a great base for exploring the Mexican Riviera. Halfway between Tulum and Cancun, you can take day trips to either city. I had fun getting into my exploring my adventurous side. Some of my favorite memories are zip-lining in Xplor park and climbing up the ancient Mayan pyramid of Coba.

I lived in Rome for almost a year in 2015. Rome is a big city, but easy to navigate on foot or public transit. However, strikes aren't uncommon and buses aren't always on time. When visiting, be sure to stay near a Metro stop; it will make your life much easier. Crowds and the heat are unbearable in the summer, so try visiting in the spring or fall. * For first-timers, I always recommend the Big 4: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums. There's a lot of history at all four sites, so you should book a tour; most of the tours will combine two spots in one. The city center is very easy to navigate. Pick up a tourist map and walk to the different piazzas like the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. * If you're spending more than a few days in Rome, get off the beaten path. Ostiense and Testaccio are two of my favorite neighborhoods. I highly recommend going a food tour in Testaccio with Eating Europe. You'll visit a local market and multiple restaurants. Prepare to be stuffed by the end of the 4 hours. Ostiense is a hip and gritty neighborhood popular with young Romans. Get a huge spread for aperitivo (happy hour) at Doppiozero or dinner at Ristorante Porto Fluviale. * Italian food is delicious, but each region has their own specialities. Avoid eating at places located directly on major piazzas and with menus translated into multiple languages. My favorite restaurants are Da Carlone (for spaghetti carbonara), Roma Sparita (for cacio e pepe and fried artichokes), Duecento Gradi (for paninis), and San Crispino (for gelato).

I visited Toronto for the first time last year with three friends. We timed our trip to explore the city and experience Caribana. Prices spike due to the influx of tourists, so be sure to book your flight and lodging well in advance. * I liked the city’s diverse and cosmopolitan vibe. The City Sightseeing Bus is a great way to get around and see the city’s major highlights in a short amount of time. The ticket also includes a short cruise to the Toronto Islands, making it more than worth the price. If you’ve been wanting to see one of Yuri Kurasama’s Infinity Rooms, you can at Toronto’s AGO Museum. We arrived shortly after opening and only 3 people were ahead of us on line. * Toronto is known for its diverse array of food and it did not disappoint. I went on a great food tour in Kensington Market, which included food and covered the neighborhood’s history. St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District are two more great spots for a meal. Dinner at the top of the CN Tower was also a cool experience. * Half of our group played mas, while the other half watched. I paid for tickets to watch the parade from inside the CNE grounds and would NOT recommend doing this. There was no shade and an hours-long delay between bands crossing the stage. My friends who played mas said their band was disorganized. Food was limited and they decided to leave after waiting forever to cross the stage.

Agra's main attraction is the Taj Mahal and it does not disappoint. My group arrived shortly after sunrise, so there was no line to enter. The grounds were by no means empty, but this is the best time to visit as it gets substantially more crowded as the day goes on. Be sure to buy the ticket that includes entry inside the mausoleum (photos aren't allowed inside). * The Taj Mahal is breathtaking from all angles. I found myself stopping every few feet to take another photo. Most of the group dressed in saris for our visit, which made the experience even more special. We spotted a few tourists and locals taking photos of us. With its blindingly white marble, the Taj Mahal certainly deserves its status as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It was the highlight of my trip to India. * If you're staying in Jaipur, I would not recommend visiting Agra in one day. The drive is about 5-6 hours one way. If you can, spend the night so you can add in a visit to the Agra Fort.

I visited Toronto for the first time last year with three friends. We timed our trip so we could explore the city and experience Caribana. Prices throughout the city spike due to the influx of tourists, so be sure to book your flight and lodging well in advance. * Toronto is a large city and I liked the cosmopolitan vibe. We went on an excellent black history walking tour (booked thru Airbnb) with Jacqueline, a black Canadian PhD candidate. The City Sightseeing bus tour is a great way to get an overview of the city and see a number of highlights quickly. The ticket also includes a cruise to the Toronto islands in the summer, making it more than worth the price. * Toronto is known for its diverse array of food and it didn't disappoint. I highly recommend going on a food tour. I went on a great tour of Kensington Market that included food and history. St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District are two more great spots for a meal. Dinner at the top of the CN Tower was also a cool experience. * Half of my group played mas for Caribana, while the other half watched the parade. I paid for a ticket to watch inside the CNE grounds, which I do not recommend. There was no shade and there was an hours-long delay between bands crossing the stage. My friends who played mas said their experience was very disorganized. There was a limited amount of food and they left after waiting hours for their band to cross.

I spent a week in Bali and didn't really like it. Many of the must visit places are simply places to take photos for Instagram. The most popular way to get around is to hire a driver. Be sure to find a driver that is actually a tour guide and is willing to take photos of you if you're travelling solo (like I was). My first driver didn't do this, but fortunately, I found another driver for the second half of my trip. * Bali is a huge island, so you'll want to choose where you stay based on what you want to do. Activities are spread out, so be prepared to spend a good amount of time in the car. I chose to spend the first half of my trip in Ubud, the green, zen part of the island. The Monkey Forest, Tegalang Rice Terrace, and Karsi Spa (for the IG famous flower baths) are all located in this area. There are also many swings in this area. I recommend Uma Pakel; it's cheaper than the original Bali swing and the views are lovely. * As for the famous Gates of Heaven, I would not recommend. The reflection is created using a mirror; there is no water here. Further, you will have to arrive before the sun rises for any chance at a short line. When I arrived around 9 am, the line was 3 hrs long. * The Southern part of the island has many beautiful beaches. I spent a day beach hopping from Nusa Dua to Dreamland Beach. Some of my other favorite experiences were the sunrise hike up the Mt. Batur caldera (easier than hiking up the volcano itself), visiting Kanto Lampo Waterfall, seeing a traditional Balinese dance at Ubud Palace, and releasing a baby turtle into the ocean. * I stayed at Adil Villa & Guesthouse on the outskirts of Ubud. My suite was huge and included a pool, which was shared with one other villa. I enjoyed relaxing in the pool and enjoying the views of the nearby rice terrace. Their floating breakfast is also delicious.

I explored Delhi on my own after a group trip to Jaipur. There's a lot to see in this sprawling city, so I recommend spending at least 2 days here. I used a private driver to get around, which was super convenient and not very expensive, but there is also a Metro system. * Start in Old Delhi and take a rickshaw ride through the crowded markets. The Red Fort, Jama Masjid (mosque), and Sikh temple Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib are all in this area. Other must sees in this area are Raj Ghat (Gandhi Memorial) and India Gate. Start your second day at Qutub Minar, the world's tallest stone tower, then visit the Lotus Temple and the Hindu Temple Swaminarayan Akshardham. Humayun's Tomb is gorgeous at sunset and another must visit. * For a bit of new Delhi, visit Lodhi Street Art District and Hauz Khas Village, a hip pedestrian area with shops and bars. * I stayed at the Holiday Inn near the airport. The room was spacious and service was good. There are 3 restaurants to choose from; the food is tasty, but pricey. There is an open air mall across the street with a lot of restaurants and bars to choose from as well.

I visited India for the first time in March 2020 on a group trip, shortly before COVID-19 shut everything down. Jaipur is a good base for exploring the Golden Triangle as it's centrally located. * There are a plethora of gorgeous historic buildings to explore in the Pink City, Jaipur's city center. City Palace and Hawa Mahal, the world's most famous screened in porch, are must visits. Cross the street and head to Tattoo Cafe for an unobstructed view of the Hawa Mahal. Stop for a photo op at the Water Palace, which appears to be floating in the middle of a lake, before heading up to Amber Fort. I'd recommend getting a tour guide at Amber Fort so you can fully appreciate the history. There are many nooks and crannies to explore here, so be sure to allocate 2-3 hrs. Patrika Gate, a colorful gateway, is another must visit. It's about 30 mins from the city center, making it a good photo stop on your way to or from the airport. * For hotels, I recommend Umaid Bhawan, a former heritage home turned hotel. The staff is friendly and the decor is lovely. Order a thali, a sampler plate, to taste a bit of Rajasthani cuisine. * As a black traveler, I didn't enjoy travelling in India. Everywhere I went I received many stares and requests for selfies. I would often say no, but people would proceed to try and sneak photos. I found that people would leave me alone once I stated a photo with me would cost money.

I caught a cheap flight to Cape Town and was able to book my first trip to Africa. Cape Town is hands down the most beautiful city I've ever been to. From the stunning Table Mountain to the blue waves of the ocean, it's got the best of both worlds. My trip started with Thanksgiving dinner at Gold Restaurant, which includes a traditional dance performance along with your family style meal. Some of the must dos are the cable car up to Table Mountain, a visit to the winelands (highly recommend Granwell at Cape Trio Tours), driving to Cape Peninsula to see the penguins (book with Steven at Around the Table Travel and Tours), tour Robben Island (where Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years), and visit a township with a local. I was glad to have the opportunity to patronize POC-owned businesses like Seven Sisters, one of the few vineyards run by women of color. Be sure to visit Bo-Kaap to take photos in front of the colorful houses. Booking a City Sightseeing bus tour is the easiest way to get up to the cable car, plus it provides a nice overview of the city. The District Six Museum provides powerful insight into how apartheid ripped apart a specific neighborhood in Cape Town. A trip to South Africa is not complete without a safari. I didn't visit Joburg, so I opted for Aquila Game Reserve, which is a couple of hours outside of Cape Town. It was a memorable experience seeing lions, elephants, giraffes, and leopards up close.

I loved my visit to Cartagena. This coastal city combines the best of historic colonial architecture with lovely beaches. My visit was in January and coincided with the Hay Festival and the Festival del Frito, a festival celebrating fried food (think arepas and empanadas). Contacting Alex Rocha at Experience Real Cartagena is an absolute must. I went on two tours with him: one to Palenque, the first free black town in the Americas, and the Real Cartagena tour, which centers around a visit to Bazurto Market. Both tours are great and provide real insight into life for Colombians today. I recommend staying in the Walled City. It's easy to navigate and there are so many delicious restaurants nearby. Restaurante Espíritu Santo was one of my favorites. Visit Getsemani to see tons of colorful street art and stick around Plaza de Trinidad in the evening to chill and drink with the locals. Definitely add on a Chiva party bus to your itinerary. A live band plays as the bus drives around the city at night; it's a fun pre-game and cool way to meet other travelers.

I visited Turks and Caicos for my birthday with two friends. We stayed at Ports of Call Hotel in Providenciales, only a 5 minute walk from the white sands of Grace Bay Beach. TCI was very relaxing and Grace Bay Beach certainly deserves the title of most beautiful beach in the world. We went on a fun catamaran ride with Caicos Dream Tours. The delicious food was the most surprising part of the trip. As a seafood lover, I thoroughly enjoyed all the fresh fish, conch fritters, and shrimp. Mr. Grouper's, Da Conch Shack, and Coco Bistro are all must visits. For drinks, watch the sunset at Infinity Bar, then head to Sand Bar.

Kuala Lumpur is most famous for the Petronas Towers and they are stunning to behold up close. You can buy a cheap wide angle lens from the vendors at the bottom to capture that perfect shot. The Batu Caves are a must visit; you can book a cheap half-day tour via Klook (a site similar to Viator). Climb up the colorful steps to see inside the caves, but beware of the monkeys; they're known to snatch food and phones. KL is quite diverse and each ethnic group has its own neighborhood. Petaling Street Market and Central Market (which has cultural performances) are both in Chinatown and great spots to buy souvenirs. For beautiful photos, visit Thean Hou Temple; it's a colorful Chinese temple and popular IG spot. Lastly, visit Jalan Alor Street Night Market for a taste of authentic local cuisine, all at cheap prices. KL is a good base for exploring Southeast Asia. I'd recommend a 2-3 day visit.

The food was one of the highlights of my trip to Singapore. You could create an entire itinerary around visiting the city's many hawker centers, which are open air food courts with different vendors. The prices are very affordable. I had a full meal at Ah Tai Hainanese Chicken Rice in Maxwell Food Center for less than $10. Some other must try dishes are chili crab, fried carrot cake, mutton murtabak (Singapore Zam Zam has the best), Hokkien prawn mee, and the Singapore Sling (invented at the Raffles Hotel).