Aruba is the "A" in the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, the Dutch Caribbean -- islands under the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Most speak Papiamento, Dutch, English, and Spanish. With descendants from Africa and Europe, and within eyeshot of Venezuela, they have a multiracial, multicultural tapestry. However, it is very much skewed to cater to whites. And to be more specific, those from North America, Europe, and persons who are European descendants, particularly those from Venezuela and Argentina. That being said, they like our money. Aruba is expensive. It is not big. You can drive around it in one day. Our family has had a place on the island to visit since the early 1990s -- so, a VERY LONG TIME. There has been enormous change with beachfront hotels, increased traffic, an overcrowded airport that desperately needs more expansion and efficiency, and ridiculous prices for goods/food. The weather is GLORIOUS. There's very little rain annually. Hurricanes aren't an issue. The trade winds are lovely. But, it gets hot. It is 'safe', by far, compared to other Caribbean destinations. (Never forget: Their police force received extremely bad press because Natalie Holloway was unalived there, and they were incompetent.)

Having been to Paris three times, the last time being with my mother 10+ years ago, I decided I needed a break. 1. If you've never been to Paris, GO. It's one of those bucket list travel destinations. 2. There is a LOT to see, including museums -- Musee d'Orsay is great; the Louvre can be a disappointment -- e.g. CROWDED, and the Mona Lisa was a waste of time; seeing an ugly Eiffel Tower during the day; better at night), luxury shops, historical sites like Notre Dame and Versailles; and must do: strolling down the Champs Elysees and seeing the Arc de Triomphe, visiting the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Latin Quarter and Le Marais. 3. Places to eat are plentiful like NYC, so there's no one, right place. Reddit is a resource (you don't need the app!): https://www.reddit.com/r/ParisTravelGuide/comments/12trc1e/where_to_eat_in_paris/?rdt=65112. Also, Les Frenchies (they're a couple) for first-time visitors: https://youtube.com/@lesfrenchiestravel?feature=shared Now about the French, using a broad brush: I'm sure they're nice and kind; haven't seen much. Black people: LOTS of Africans, many from former Francophone colonies. They're not necessarily nice and kind either. BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS, MOSTLY WOMEN IN GROUPS!!!

Message to self: Do not go to Scandinavia in the winter. I was in Helsinki, Finland in 2019/2020. When I tell you night fall came EARLY -- in the afternoon, and it was biting cold -- I was not ready. Like other Nordic countries I've been to, namely Iceland, Denmark, and Norway, I repeat: THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE. If that makes you uncomfortable, don't go. There are Black people, but they are predominantly from Africa. Brown folks are mostly from the Middle East. What's there to see and do? If you're outdoorsy, in the winter, you can go sledding, skiing, and camping. They decorate the city center with lights. It is not big AT ALL. So, if you're coming from a large city like a New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, you can do all the touristy things in a couple of days. And nothing was "Wow" tbh. They had a church built into a rock and their main cathedral was ablaze in a light show. Those were about the only wows, and that's all in lowercase. Getting into the city center was easy -- a train from the airport. Finns are antisocial and blunt.

Wayyyy too short a time in Copenhagen, and I definitely want to return. Went in summer 2024. It was not quite warm, but they seemed to think so. *side eye* Basically, Copenhagen is: * Liberal * Quaint * There's a monarchy but not like the British mess * Expensive * Public-transport accessible (so, like London, you can get to the center of the city easily, not like NYC where they still can't get their s-t together) * They love bicycles. * It's colorful. THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE. Yes, all CAPS. What does that mean? * You WILL BE in primarily white spaces all the time, but... * That does NOT mean you will be mistreated. * The Black people you may come in contact with are mostly from the African continent (n.b. they do have a lot of refugees). * The food isn't going to be what you might be used to, but you should accept that. You're a guest on a foreign land and they like pickled things and cheese and roasted meats and cold cuts and potatoes and it will not be cooked like you typically have it in your home but it's not necessarily "bad".

Long before living in London, I visited, since there's a large branch of the family there. So, I have the perspective of a tourist, as well as a resident, but still a visitor. I posted a long comment for someone on this app already about London and shorter one recently for someone else. But in a nutshell, what London is: * A major city off continental Europe * Culturally-protective e.g. they do go to the pub, and they do believe in the Sunday roast tradition, and it's football, NOT "soccer" * English-speaking, but this is NOT America * Coping with HIGH inflation; cousins, it's expensive! * Rich with history; a lot of it unpleasant (center of the slave trade; Windrush) * Filled with things to do as a tourist (royal things, Londontown tingz, like going to South London, visiting Brixton, a haven for the Caribbean diaspora, going to the markets like Camden & Borough, seeing the shops like Harrods & Oxford Street) * Having a we-season-our-food culture (check Indian, Pakistani, Jamaican, Nigerian, among others) *The Arts: museums, many of them free, and Theatre culture (so, it's called the West End; like in NYC, it's called Broadway) * Public transport-accessible P.S. Black people, it's not some racial utopia.

Putting an important "Traveling While Black" review here for Tangier, Morocco, although it has been 20+ years since my first and only visit, and I can't add a photo to the post because the quality would be extremely poor. (This was still during my film-in-a camera days.) I went to Morocco (after visiting Gibraltar) during one of my visits to Spain. I went to Tangier on a tour. It was several hours of, first, being driven from Marbella to a port and then on to a high-speed ferry for Tangier. I was the only Black person on the tour. As a matter of fact, I was the only non-white person. Landing on the African continent was surreal. It was a dream come true. The greeting was not. The men were openly pushy, wayyyy too close, and aggressive. Hindsight is an interesting thing because I've had a chance to look back. I am unsure if my presence as a young(er) Black woman was negative or, in a strange way, positive, i.e. as a foreigner, a Black woman who was clearly not Moroccan and not from any other African nation. I was, in their eyes, "American," which I am not. I attracted A LOT OF ATTENTION, which was embarrassing while being with a group of about 16, mostly middle-aged, white people. Tangier was chaotic, bustling, and very crowded. I have vivid memories of walking around the souk and having one of the tour chaperones acting as a bodyguard. It was so bad that I stayed on the bus when a planned stop was made to ride camels. Today, with many countries being exposed to tourists from other nations, it may not be so jarring. I'd love to go back to take advantage of soaking in the culture without extreme discomfort.

Jamaica is often looked through a harsh lens, albeit unfairly. Crime riddled. Pushy and bossy characteristic; some may say rude. Easily bought by outsiders. Directionless. But, is it any different than any other country, or even more specifically, than the United States where a large number of its visitors come from as tourists? It certainly, definitely, has its problems, but what you might see in the tourist areas of Negril, MoBay, or even its capital city, Kingston, does not reflect the totality of the island. If all you see is the all-inclusive resort you've paid for, you've seen absolutely nothing. You haven't been to Jamaica. Worse, if you've stopped there on a cruise only to be shuttled to a sanctioned marketplace. Hire a reputable company, SPEND THE MONEY THAT YOU HAVE for quality and professionalism, and...: * Visit Germantown * Dip in the Blue Hole mineral spring * Treat yo'self to the Appleton Rum Distillery and tour * Climb the Blue Mountains * If you're in Kingston, head out to Portmore Waves Beach * Also, if you're in Kingstontown, go to Heroes Park and Devon House (for the ice cream and patties) P.S. Patsy's Cafe has great ice cream, too. * Speaking of patties, the best is Tastee. Yes, Juici is good, but a definite first runner-up! lol * Have REAL jerk chicken, pork, fish, lobster -- you name it, at Boston Jerk, Baggies, Pork Pit, Pachie. Don't get that Americanized sweet stuff, a beg. * Go for a "drive out" in Kingston and book a tour of the Bob Marley Museum, and visit the old synagogue downtown (call first! Shabbat services on Friday and Saturday) Finally, skip the KFC unless you really want to let everyone a farrin know seh yu went there.

I know a Black Berlin community exists, but I didn't really get to see it. In all fairness, I wanted to do all the touristy things, and I ran out of time to visit certain neighborhoods to get a taste of the African and Caribbean diaspora. So, I wouldn't mind revisiting. (Note: Like Spain and Italy, with the influx of migrants from the African continent and the Middle East and the leftist political rise, you should be mindful of Traveling While Black.) Berlin is a city rich with history, some of it extremely disturbing. Things to do: * Visit Checkpoint Charlie and see where part of the Berlin Wall was located (unfortunately, there's a fast food establishment there now, so it cheapens the experience) * Visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe * See the Brandenburg Gate * Visit the Reichstagskuppel Things to be mindful of: * Book tours and visits to tourist attractions IN ADVANCE. Also, some places may require your passport. * Germans tend to be rough and direct, snarky, even, and can be rude or taken as such. Either dish it right back or pay them no mind. * Although many Germans speak English, learn a few phrases, and keep Google Translate handy. * Take the metro, a.k.a. the U-Bahn. Stay within walking distance of a metro station that will ultimately get you to the main areas (Zone A & B) . If you have taken public transport in any large, major city, you'll be fine. Here's a helpful video: https://youtu.be/2G1fIeI4owg?feature=shared * Pro-tip: Take the Route 100 bus. It passes many tourist attractions! See: https://www.berlin.de/en/tourism/self-guided-tours/5704967-8056766-explore-berlin-by-bus-100.en.html * Germans love their meats and sausages. Vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians plan accordingly.

Reykjavik, in a nutshell: * You can't count the number of Black people. That being said, when I and my niece went almost 10 years ago, we were warmly welcomed. It was just coming into popularity, too, so everything was new to the locals. * Go into the city and walk around. The airport is actually not in Reykjavik, but getting to it is a bus ride away. * Go to the Lutheran church, Hallgrímskirkja. That house of worship is magnificent and unusual-looking from the outside and a modernist creation on the inside. * Go to Cafe Loki. It should still be there. It's almost across the street from the church. They had the most delicious rye bread ice cream on the menu. * Go to the Blue Lagoon if you can AND if it is safe. However, fair warning, it is extremely expensive. Or, invest in an adventure outdoors. Iceland is an unusual magnificent place. * Finally, it isn't cheap there. But you don't have to stay for very long. Take Iceland Air, and you can do a stop over for free and stay for a few hours or a few days. Visit: https://www.icelandair.com/flights/stopover/

The Rock of Gibraltar is a real thing in a real place (Gibraltar, a U.K. territory), and how I got there was through Spain. It involved hours of driving from Marbella to the Spanish - Gibraltar border where I, literally, walked across a fully-functioning airport's tarmac. I kid you not. Pause... Worth a visit? Not really Glad I went? Yes Did I see anything else while there? No Did I see Black people? No To continue... Then it was more walking to the left through what felt like a neighborhood, but not, then to the one tourist attraction people visit while there - the Rock of Gibraltar. To get on the Rock required a cable car. (It was almost 21 years ago.) Once on the Rock, visitors were accosted by monkeys, and signs and announcements forbade feeding. We were warned about protecting or bags, sunglasses, and cameras. Totally unexpected. Thankfully, the day of the visit was perfect with blue skies and a view that was nothing short of spectacular. It was at that moment looking across a massive body of water through my camera's extreme zoom that I saw the coast of Africa. Emotional. A few days later, I would be in Morocco.

Mexico City was such a pleasant surprise and more - wow. This is high on my list to revisit. Simply here's why it was top tier: It has history, culture, an amazing food scene, nightlife, and a deep sense of pride by its people. Where to stay: Roma Norte (food, drinks, night fun, people-watching, architecture... you're welcome) Places to eat where I'd return: Nudo Negro, Lalo, Blanco Colima, Mercado Roma, La Casa de Toño and there was this great bar that was a tight squeeze and had an upstairs - the vibe omg was so good! Treat Yo' Self: Book a Viator walking tours - do food and places to see. Don't miss: Strolling up and down and around the side streets of Avenida Álvaro Obregón in Roma Norte, going into the heart of CDMX with a Viator guide and seeing Tlatelolco, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, Church of Dan Francisco, the old synagogue in Mexico City, and Palacio de Correos (Postal Palace). Traveling While Black: I had a wonderful experience! I had long braids during that visit and I was complimented so many times - and no one touched my hair! They wanted to know where ai was visiting from. They got extra curious and chatty when I wore anything that tipped them off that I was from the Caribbean. The rasta colours stand out. One Love.

Been to Key West three times. It's nothing special. The last time was the end for me. Does this qualify for a "Traveling While Black" hotel story? On my only trip there, where I didn't take a cruise, I stayed at the Casa Marina Hotel. I arranged with the concierge to join a dinner cruise. On the night, I boarded the boat contracted for this exclusive excursion. We depart. But, there was a problem: They didn't have me on the manifest. They asked me repeatedly how I made arrangements, and, of course, this is all happening in front of everyone. Did I mention I was the only Black person on the boat? AAMOF, there were hardly any guests who looked like me during my hotel stay. It is now VERY embarrassing; they are NOT being discreet/quiet. I am told to leave the boat. They pull into the harbor and put me off with a boat of yt people staring at me. I was HUMILIATED. I couldn't take a taxi to the hotel because I didn't have my wallet. I had my room key, phone, and a camera. I walked 45+ minutes back in the darkness. I was exhausted and hungry; by the time I got to my room, I was in tears. Word got back to the concierge and GM. The following evening, there was a platter of bullsh*t waiting for me. I picked it all up and left everything in the hallway. I checked out two days later. When I returned home, I sent emails. The hotel apologized for their error with the manifest, how the excursion company handled the situation, and how they all contributed to embarrassing me. I also received an email from the excursion company with an apology. I never replied.

You'll do several things in Barcelona: * eat * drink * walk * sightsee (must see: La Sagrada Familia -- STUNNING, and Park Güell, but they get really crowded! Book the church in advance, and go for a climb) * Visit the beach You will enjoy: * tapas, and lots of it * wine, and lots of it * helados or gelato You will appreciate: * the siesta (although some businesses no longer prescribe to this); seriously, if you're walking a lot from early in the morning, you'll need rest in the afternoon before dinner. And, let's talk about dinner: It will be late. Locals aren't having dinner at 5 or 6 o'clock. Think 8 or 9 o'clock. What to watch out for: * Since it's been a few years since my last visit (I've been to Barcelona three times), I have heard from friends, that like Italy, there has been an influx in African migrants, not to mention other Europeans, especially Brits, who have set up new lives in the city. The Catalonians are in an uproar. What was once a welcoming city by the sea has seen tensions, and Black people aren't necessarily as warmly appreciated. Be mindful, therefore, of cultural sensitivities and stay away from political discourse. *Pickpockets; thieves and hustlers in general in Las Ramblas and the tourist areas. (Not going to slander any one particular group of people here, but they've been around for decades. IYKYK) * Avoid currency conversion. Get your Euros before you go and stick to a budget. There's really nothing you ::must:: buy in Barcelona, but they do have some hidden gems of leather craftspeople (of bags and belts), and not so hidden retailers like Massimo Dutti and La Roca Village.

Ah, Bermuda. Explored the city, took a bus, took a ferry, found an unassuming Jamaican restaurant called Jamaica Grill in a Hamilton neighborhood, and, of course, went to the beach (it may have been Astwood Cove or Elbow Beach). Lucky for us, we pretty much had the place to ourselves, so we had the pick of placement, rented an umbrella and beach chairs, and settled into total relaxation. Fast facts: * There are really pink, sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters. ⛱️ * The men actually did wear Bermuda shorts with long socks and dress shoes. * The weather did not feel as scorching as other islands I'm familiar with. * It remains under British rule, and there's a certain "prim and proper" aura that lingers. * It is expensive, and the well-to-do clock to it for summer R&R (polo is popular there). * Couldn't determine what made Bermuda, "Bermuda." Unfortunate.

If you ever get a chance to go to the Balearic Islands, do it! Mallorca/Majorca. It's been years since I visited, and my mother and I seemingly had the place to ourselves. We went in the summer, but it was surprisingly empty, although if you know anything about the Islands, this is not the most popular. Ibiza is. We were only there for one day. We wondered around. Shopped. I spoke with the locals in my very broken Spanish. We had lunch. We looked through the gates of the many courtyards with beautiful architecture. Flowers bloomed everywhere, including in a promenade area with beautiful fountains. The pace is slow. Treat yourself to strolling and lounging, embracing soft-life living. The food was fresh and delicious. It's an island, so there's seafood, which I devoured. Prepare yourself: It was pricey. I bought a button-down ladies' shirt in cash. To this day, I think I spent about $300 for it, and I never wore it! We didn't feel uncomfortable while there. Yes, for older Mallorcans - the abuelos and abuelas - they looked but didn't stare. They mostly went about their business strolling like we did while likely engaged in island gossip.

Costa Rica. Le sigh. I was disappointed. I think there was so much hype on Black Twitter years ago that when I got there, I was deflated. I didn't find the locals particularly warm or friendly. I was visiting for over a week that began at the end of a year and brought me into a new one. I stayed in San Jose to be a bit more submerged in the culture. Thankfully, I had arranged excursions, including to La Fortuna / Arenal volcano and a trek through a forest where the highlight was a Tarzan swing through a gorge. The worst: I deplaned relatively early, and as I passed through immigration with my carryon and handbag wearing my rasta tam, I was surrounded and pulled aside for questioning. I had to point out to the Federal Police that I found it interesting that they zeroed in on me as a Black person, they weren't searching my bag, were asking everything but requesting blood, while the yt boys with the nasty dreads on the plane who were obviously there for a good time were not stopped. I told them they could clearly see I had traveled extensively as they flipped through my passport, I had a departure ticket and excursion receipts, and had no intention whatsoever of staying in their country because I had other places to visit. Yes, I said all that and didn't care less if they'd put me back on the next flight because almost everything I'd paid for was refundable. Costa Rica is not some utopian location for Black people. It is like any other place. And, sweeping statement, but I don't care: The police hate your Blackness just as much as where you come from.

Ah, Roma. So full of history, culture, vibrancy, and food. But baybeee, in the summer, prepare yourself for crowds, chaos, and creative pickpockets. Full disclosure: It has been about 15 years since my first and only visit to Rome, and I was fortunate to be chauffeur-driven everywhere, but at some point, you need to get out of the car, walk, and interact with people. After all, you want to soak everything in. You want to see The Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps. You want to eat gelato. You want to have fresh pasta with sauce and the best olive oil while sipping vino. You want all the things! But... I went at a time when there was not an influx of Black migrants, which I've heard from other Black travelers who have visited a few times over the years are treated with disdain. As a result, your "saving grace" will be as a tourist that may look like you're not part of the migrant population, that you ::may:: be tolerated and treated nicely because businesses want your money. I have no interest in being tolerated or seeing my people mistreated, so I won't be returning to Rome, but I would like to explore more of Italy. Pro-tip: Get entrance tickets to everything beforehand. Go to Vatican City super early, or as my mother and I did, late in the day after most of the crowds seemed to have moved on. Get off the beaten path in search of food - side streets 3 blocks away. What you want: Menus posted that are solely in Italian - Google Translate is your friend. And see who's inside -- locals? Perfetto! (If you see, "We speak English, Dutch, French...!" Avoid.)

The Six. Home of Drake. CN Tower. Yonge-Dundas Square. The Distillery District. Graffiti Alley. And now, in 2025, as FAFO has come into play with the new U.S. administration... They have the power (no pun intended) to shut down the energy of many U.S. cities. (Well, well, well, eh?) Here's the thing about Toronto... it's in the shadow of major East Coast American cities, especially New York City. But, there's really no competition. Culturally, it is different. They are not seeking to be "American." They are very proud of being Canadian, but they're less obnoxious about it than the U.S. The lowdown: * Easy to get around via public transport -- metro, tram, taxis, Ubers; accessible from Pearson International Airport to the city center, and walkable. * The U.S. dollar has had a good run of being stronger than the Canadian dollar, so nights out, generally, will be cheaper than New York, for example. * The city and its surrounding areas have a large Caribbean and Asian population, but... * Where melanated folks, specifically Black people, meet has always been a mystery (considering I've been to Toronto about a dozen times, I should know this by now). * Little Jamaica, i.e. Eglinton West, is an option, but real talk, if you are looking for a Black, upwardly mobile population like Atlanta, for instance, The Six ain't it. "A hit dog will holler" if offense is taken to this statement, but since I have a number of family members living in and around the Toronto area, I can confidently say, you're not going to see Black wealth and overwhelming entrepreneurship like you see in the States. * Caribana, which will always be the real name of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, is fun. In 2025, it will be held from July 31st to August 4th.

Longyearbyen, Svalbard, part of the Kingdom of Norway, is your last airport before the North Pole. Longyearbyen identifies itself as the northernmost town on earth, complete with the northernmost gas station, brewery, and church, and having more polar bears than people. Counted six Black people while visiting, including myself and travel partner. There is no Native population. People were very kind and eager to meet others. We were not petted or stared at like some destinations. IYKYK. - It is cold. Pack insulated pants and rugged boots. Sneakers are nonsensical. The terrain is rugged. There is gravel, dust, and dirt everywhere! - This is NOT budget travel. It will cost you to get there, cost you to shop there, and cost you to eat there. - Use Norwegian Kroner or, easiest, use a credit card (Mastercard or Visa). - You can't enter Svalbard without going through Norway. - Flights: We did New York to Copenhagen to Oslo to Trumso to Longyearbyen. - They have 24 hours of sunlight or 24 hours of pitch darkness depending on the time of year you visit. - We saw no polar bears, but there are warning signs. Yes, there have been people seriously injured or unalived by bears. You are required by law to have a gun on you if you venture past warning signs. - Don't like outdoor activities, especially hiking or venturing on the sea? Don't go. It will be boring. I don't care what YouTubers say. - Glaciers are STUNNING. - The Coal Miners Cabins was a great place to stay. Pro-tip: Get the room w/the private bathroom and not one you have to share. A breakfast buffet is included, and their on-site restaurant was good. Bar staff were great. - Take a lot of photographs. - Whale for dinner? Never again.