When you hear Orlando, most people automatically think of the Amusement Parks and Attractions. While that is likely the biggest tourist lure, the nightlife in Orlando cannot be ignored. Disney Springs has a ton of food and drink offerings, and events and shows well into the evening, and Disney's Boardwalk offers street performers with an old timey Atlantic City type feel, with a dueling piano bar and a discotheque. While, Universal's CityWalk has a more grown up feel with bars and live entertainment, and numerous dance halls. But the real nightlife, is downtown Orlando, where the locals go to have fun. The Wall Street/Church Street area downtown Orlando, literally has something for everyone! The entire street is dotted with bars and eateries, and at the end, lies Wall Street Plaza with an open air courtyard at the end, where you can literally bar hop, as bars are within mere steps of each other. Various music types boom from Latin, Hip Hop, Pop, Jazz and even a little Country, and in between are all types of food, and a welcoming and inviting culture.

Quite possibly the heart of Sicily, the beautiful town of Taormina is known for its stunning views, and captivating culture. You may recognize some of the views in Taormina, as pictured in the famous gangster film, The Godfather, but there is so much more to this quaint little touristy town. We had heard a lot of people talk about how they have experienced racism in Italy, but our visit to Taormina was very comfortable, and without any incident. We felt welcomed in every area we visited, and because the town was so popular as a tourist attraction, I think we were viewed more as " American money" than we were as "Black." We strolled the beautiful busy streets on foot, window shopping and trying various street foods and pastries, on our way to the infamous Greek Theater. We happily stumbled upon the Villa Comunale, a gorgeous public garden with trails encapsulated in various flowering trees and plant life, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It was so beautiful, I could have spent the entire day there. The trees created a canopy that provided a beautiful and cool break from the beaming sun. There were so many lovely photo stops and the trail led us to the other side of town, putting us closer to our final destination. After about a 15 minute walk (UP HILL) from the gardens we arrived at the Greek Theater. It was extremely crowded, and the queue line to purchase tickets was reminiscent of an amusement park attraction. Rather than wait, we quickly purchased tickets online and moved to the prepaid line without any wait, at all. Surprisingly, once we were past the admission gate, the crowds seemed to vanish and we were able to walk about the Greek Theater and get great photos without any other people in the way. The theater is vast and remarkable with some of the structure having been standing since the 3rd Century BC! Perhaps even more notable, is that it is still used today! Seeing the contrast of the old stone seats, and the modern acoustic sound system was awe inspiring. We spent about an hour exploring the area, before the heat got the best of us, as our visit was in July. We decided to find some granita to cool us off. Just outside the theater are many shops and stalls with treats and souvenirs, along the main road back toward the Piazza. We got granita (think Italian shaved ice, but actually from Italy) and it deliciously helped us overcome the heat exhaustion we were experiencing. We ducked into a small pizzeria called Ristorante Del Corso, close to the Piazza IX (the main square) at the end of Corso Umberto (the main street) and people watched, over the beautiful courtyard, as we enjoyed what I feel was the most delicious pizza I have ever eaten. While there were more scenic eateries in the area, (such as those with seating on the flower lined staircases), this was an excellent location, because we were able to see the bustle of the courtyard, and take in Taormina's glory. We enjoyed Taormina as a day trip during our stay in Sicily, and would recommend you check it out. There are tour buses from nearly all of the surrounding areas in Sicily.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a rapidly growing city that is bursting with celebratory BLACKNESS. There is a surplus of Black owned businesses and venues to patronize, and no shortage on exciting events and activities, FOR US. This paired with the amazing art, collective culture, fantastic food and stupendous sports scene, make Charlotte a top travel destination in North Carolina for Black travelers. Those seeking adventure can visit Charlotte's White Water Center, for all things outdoors. You can hike, bike, rock climb, zipline or careen down a raging river, in an all-in-one fun environment with trusted instructors and guides ensuring your safety. You can also visit one of Charlotte's many hiking and biking trails and greenways. A few miles away, in neighboring Concord, adventurers can also visit I-Fly, a simulated skydiving experience, indoors! Sports fans can check out the Charlotte Hornets, or the Carolina Panthers for some high energy fun, or check out the nearby speedway in Concord, for some adrenaline pumping racing. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, Charlotte is chock full of art and cultural experiences, sure to bring out your inner bourgeoise. From art galleries and museums, to street fairs and performing arts, Charlotte has it all. Check out Freedom Park for lively events and entertainment, or Levine Museum, which chronicles post-Civil War history, through a lens of cultural exploration and upward movement. Nightlife is THE LIFE in Charlotte. With a variety of bars, night clubs, dancehalls and even a "juke joint" there is something for every type of party goer. You can experience hip hop, jazz, pop, soul and anything in between! And lastly, the food. Let me tell you, Charlotte has some of the best down south home cooking, hands down. Black owned restaurants such as Detour Coffee, Blue Bison, and BW Sweets Bakery give you the coffee and sweets you crave, while Jimmy Pearl's along with Leah and Louise give you the whole shebang, with a little extra Southern Black culture and charm. If you plan to head down south, ABSOULTELY add the Queen City to your itinerary. You will not be disappointed!

Boone is not your typical travel destination for Black travel. But, there are plenty of reasons to visit, if you find yourself in North Carolina. Known for its mountainous terrain, and for being home of Appalachian state university, it boasts scenic drives, river and mountain adventure activities, laid back old town shopping and eateries, and college sports. Although there are things to do and see here, year-round, I feel that the best time to visit is the late summer or early fall when the foliage and the mountain peaks and valleys make for breathtaking views. River tubing down the New River, perusing through shops, hiking, biking, and ziplining are among some of the more common activities, in summer, but Boone is also all about football, pumpkin patches, and apple picking in the fall. (Appalachian State brings in large crowds, with limited parking, so if you aren't there for the game, you may be annoyed by the crowds on gamedays.) Wintertime in Boone makes for same of the best adrenalin pumping snow tubing and skiing, with numerous snow and ski resorts, nearby. Whereas, the rebirth of the tree blossoms, and local market and festivals make spring a fun time to visit as well. Boone is in rural North Carolina, so you may worry that some folks there may not make us feel 100% welcomed, but the overall feel is comfortable and warm. The university brings people from all walks of life, which has created a significant rise in Black and Brown presence. So you can feel confident as you hike through the Blue Ridge Parkway, bike and picnic at the Greenway Trail, splash in the creeks at Julian Price Park, or stroll through the Daniel Boone Gardens. There are some great local shops, breweries, and eateries in Boone, with an old school feel that is truly charming. Some of my personal favorites are Comeback Shack, Black Cat Caf� (where everything is a burrito!), Melanie's (for breakfast), and Coyote Kitchen. I also have to mention Stick Boy Bakery, where they have the best coffee and pastries, though I have not been there since they "backed the blue." All in all, I say Boone is a great day trip destination year round, and for a long weekend destination in winter, if you enjoy winter sports or cabin living. It is an absolutely beautiful mountain town, that has no shortage of things to see and do.

We wanted to see Mayan ruins but did not want to make the trip all the way to Chichen Itza from Cancun, so we drove to the Tulum Archeological Zone instead. It was a short and easy drive, and was absolutely worth it. Initially, we didn�t want to pay for a tour but realized saying no would be difficult as we were directed to parking areas from the main road. There were local vendors and hustlers everywhere telling us which lot to park in and which place to patronize for a tour. After parking, we were approached by a tour guide as we walked through the mercado area. He offered us a very reasonable deal for transportation to the main gate, a guided tour with a local Mayan guide through the ruins, and a speed boat ride following the tour. Entrance to the ruins was also included. We accepted. We loaded onto a bumpy open air bus, reminiscent of a jungle expedition. We bounced along for a few minutes before being ushered off the bus, with instructions on where to meet back up for the boat ride to see the ruins from the ocean. Though there were others on the bus, we lucked up and had the guide to ourselves because there were so few people on this particular tour. Another family asked if they could pay our guide directly to join, as they were captivated by his descriptions of Mayan history and lore. He asked our permission before allowing them to join us. But we didn't mind. I feel that it was worth paying for the guide because though the ruins were beautiful on their own, the story behind them was even more beautiful and made the visit so much more meaningful. The tour itself was fascinating, as we learned about each building in the archeological zone and how the Mayans used the elements around them. The architecture was amazing, and the views from above the ocean were breathtaking. We were given some time to explore independently and our guide happily snapped a few photos for us before leading us back to the entry gate with instructions on the boat tour portion of our trip. If you take a tour listen intently and ask for specific directions as we could not find the correct tour boat operator for the speedboat portion for some time. We ended up having to walk for what felt like forever to the beach behind the ruins and ask around before finding the right one. They offered drinks and snacks for a fee and had changing rooms available. We didn't think we needed to change just to ride the boat so we boarded the speed boat and waited a bit for others to join us. After a few minutes, about eight others climbed aboard, all wearing swimwear. Somehow we missed the part that the tour included swimming with sea turtles! So, to our surprise after a 15 minute speedboat ride at the rear or the ruins, with spectacular views, the engines stopped and the tour guide began passing out snorkeling gear. Neither of us had ever used a snorkel before and were not dressed for the activity. So we did what any level headed traveler would do. We put our phones in the tour guides bag and jumped in with our clothes on! Talk about a rush! The turtles swam right up as if we were one of them. We stayed in the water with the turtles for about 45 minutes. It was an amazing experience even as a person who isn't a strong swimmer! The boat ride back was almost as exciting as the one out, because we were on a high from having had such an unexpected and unique experience. I absolutely recommend you see the ruins and take one of the locals up on their speed boat tour offer! Be warned though, the haggling was intense and it was a little uncomfortable trying to get to the entrance, because there were so many people approaching with tours and goods to sell!

Montenegro, is not a place we had ever heard of before, but as part of our recent European Tour, it was on the travel itinerary, and so, we cautiously agreed to it. We arrived in Kotor, a small coastal city surrounding a huge medieval fort, which hides the heart of the city, Old Town. As you proceed through the tiny stony archway through the fort, you are squished between the masses of eager tourists, to be met with surprising view on the other side; a beautiful open courtyard, speckled with shops and stalls, reminiscent of the town squares pictured in many childhood fairytales. Baked goods and gelato, hand carved souvenirs, and country flags abound, as the beautiful arched doorways and cobblestone alleyways invite you into every corner. One can easily lose hours, simply walking the tight streets, admiring the monuments and old architecture, and exploring the culture and history of Old Kotor. But there is much more to see. We joined a speedboat tour, which sped along the Bay of Kotor for amazing views of the water, encapsulated in Mountains. The orange tops of the grey-stone homes along the wharf added a colorful complement to the blue sea and green mountainsides. It was a short but enjoyable ride to the town of Perast, where we visited Our Lady of the Rocks, a church meant to welcome sailors home. The island itself was man made over hundreds of years, exclusively of local rocks. The church was beautifully ornate, and brimming with pride, as locals happily shared the lore of sailors who believe to have seen the Virgin Mary on the site. From here, you can witness a gorgeous panoramic view of the bay and mountains, as small boats bring others to the island to tour the church. Next, we shopped in Perast. Perast, much like Old Town, had a charming medieval feel. The old cobblestone roads had very few cars, and most of the people there were restaurateurs preparing for the lunch rush, or shop owners welcoming new customers. The people here seemed genuinely happy just for a chance to talk about their products or services. We were even invited for a free cheese and wine tasting, where we tried local goat cheese and pomegranate wine. We bought both. While Kotor is lesser known, (due to Montenegro's relatively recent independence) it's natural beauty and seclusion make it a worthwhile visit. There were very few non-white people in the places we visited, but we never felt out of place, or even looked at differently, as everyone from the dock to the diners was pleasant, and welcoming.

An hour outside of Negril, up thin, winding, unpaved (and death defying) roads lies "Mayfield Falls and Mineral Springs". Pristine, and untouched, nestled in the heart of a small town abundant with sugar cane and avocado, the falls were the most beautiful and unspoiled that we have seen, yet. If you are brave enough to face the turbulent drive through the thin mountain roads, your efforts will be rewarded. Taking cues from the locals, we blew our horn as we banked each curve up the mountain to forewarn pedestrians, and goats alike, before a local on a moped guided us to the final destination. Upon arrival at the receiving area we were greeted by a lovely woman, in bright colors, who explained the prices and offered to have our lunch ready for us when we returned from our adventure on the falls. She offered water shoe rental- which is a must do, because of the rocky terrain, and we were assigned a tour guide, Dave, for a private tour, as there were very few visitors that day. The scenery was captivating, as we walked down toward the falls from the receiving area. To the left, a gaping ravine, lush with vegetation, to the right, large twisted trees, adorned with birds and other wildlife. As we trekked through the trail, and across bamboo bridges and fallen trees, we could hear the rushing sounds of the waterfalls below. Dave explained the town's history and gave us a lesson on local flora and the fauna, on the way down. After a short hike we arrived at the raging rapids, with small rippling cascades and falls around every corner. Dave knew the water and surrounding area remarkably, instructing us with every step to keep us safe, while giving us enough space for it to be a romantic experience. He even held our phones in a waterproof case, and captured photos and videos for us. We visited several smaller falls, and one larger one, which created whirlpool, providing us with a natural massage. Dave helped us get a great video from underneath the falls. We were led further downstream, where the muddy bank was rich in minerals. The mud was an excellent exfoliant, so we stayed there awhile bathing each other in it, while Dave gave us some space. Our skin felt so radiant after, we decided to purchase some to take home. Dave said the purchase helped the local schools with broadband, so double win! Afterward we went back to the rendezvous point for the most delicious jerk chicken, ever. We made it just before the torrential downpour which was beautiful to watch from the summit. Finally, Dave arranged for us to follow a tour bus back down the mountain for safety. From the moment we arrived we felt like family, more than tourists. While the falls there are not as big as the one's at Dunn's River, they are equally as beautiful, and far more untouched, for a more unadulterated experience. We would absolutely recommend than anyone visiting the Negril area take a day trip up the mountain to Westmoreland to check out Mayfield Falls. TIPS: If you drive, be very careful on your way up and down the mountain, otherwise, some resorts in Negril can help you arrange a tour bus to visit. Bring or be prepared to rent water shoes, and absolutely take advantage of the delicious foods available there. You will work up an appetite! Bring cash for tips - the staff are great.

Pittsburgh, is known for a lot of things: the food, the rivers, the bridges, the views, the food and of course the Steelers! But, what about art and history? The Museums in Pittsburgh are unmatched among cities of the same size. Among them, notably are the Andy Warhol Museum, The Mattress Factory, and The Heinz History Museum. But their crowning jewel is the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History. The Carnegie, sits gloriously, on Forbes Street, a stone's throw from the equally as regal Cathedral of Learning on Pitt University's campus. Its large pillars and gaping stairwell swallow you in, as you walk toward the main entrance of the Museum. Greeted by Dippy the Dinosaur who sits just outside the Museum, visitors are invited in to take part in the modern and eclectic museum of art, the traditional museum of history, or both. The Art museum features some of the most famed artwork from prominent artists throughout history, from Homer to Warhol. But almost equally as impressive is the attention that the Carnegie gives to locals, with exhibits and installations by local Black artists such the infamous "Teenie" Harris, who was a photography documentarian, and more recently Dr. Sharif Bey, a ceramicist and educator, who grew up in a poor southside neighborhood, and now has his work displayed next to likes of Claude Monet's Water Lilies. Among the seemingly 100 feet ceilings and marble pillars of the "Forum" fashioned after the Parthenon, the Hall of Sculptures, and the Hall of Architecture, there is also also a room displaying works of young local artists, and classes held to expose youth from marginalized communities to experience art in a new way. To ensure equitable access, the Museum also provides free admission to families who receive government assistance. While some of the more prominent art is always displayed the local and more recent works are cycled, so there is always something new to see in the Carnegie Museum of Art. Just down the hall is the Museum of Natural History. As you approach, children's laughter echoes as you seem to walk through time, and come face to face with Dinosaurs. One of the most complete skeletons ever found is showcased here, and the display puts you right in the center of it all. Touch screens illuminate to give you an interactive lesson on each exhibit from prehistoric dinosaurs, to the age of man in modern times, with fun and adventure in every room, and on every floor. The contrast of the modern computer simulated interactive exhibits among the historical displays creates and exciting and almost surreal experience that is both fun and educational for the whole family. Our personal favorite is the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems, which holds 1,300 rare and unique gems and stones from all over the world. Beautifully displayed, are also rare pieces of jewelry and oddities from throughout history. Quiet and serene, you can immerse yourself in the beauty and education found here, walking along the cool, dark, aisles of displays that seem to go on forever. We like to find the gemstones that are from places we have visited, or spending time choosing which gemstone most closely fits our personalities. No photography is allowed in the Hall of Minerals. Anyone who finds themselves in Pittsburgh, should absolutely make the time to see The Carnegie Museum. It is definitely worth the visit; culture, history, education, art, and fun, all in one.

Procida Island is a colorful and romantic alternative to Portofino. With just a short ferry ride from Naples, you can be transported to a quaint little fisherman's village, with virtually no tourists! During our visit, it felt as though we had the island to ourselves as we perused the local shops and eateries that align the cobblestone roads, interrupted only by an occasional Vespa passing by. In the tiny corner shops and hidden gems in the nooks between old bricks you will find cute souvenirs, and clothing. While you won't find fast paced nightlife or skyscrapers, you will find the perfect pastel backdrop and old school charm, for cute couple photo opportunities. The view from Terra Murata is unrivaled, where fishing boats dot the turquoise water, along the port where the houses are painted various pastels to welcome the fishermen home, each day. You can also visit the old churches, beautifully rustic, and full of culture (but without air conditioning!). Palazzo d'Avalos, is a prison, hundreds of years old, which sits atop Terra Murata. It's been made into a museum that was a little too morbid for our liking, but even the outside held an eerie yet entrancing energy, that some may enjoy. There are several small public beaches where locals will happily point you to a changing room, and the best places to grab a bite or a drink! At every turn you'll smell the most delightful scents of fresh baked goods and pizza! Be sure to have a slice of pizza, try the local fish and indulge in the limoncello spritz or lemon flavored Italian ice, made from the gigantic local lemons there. We recommend that you try every dessert you find, but save room for at least two slices of the limoncello cake! Make sure to get back to the ferry port a few minutes early, because we learned the hard way that departure schedules, are more like "guidelines". We did not mind much though, as even sitting at the ferry port, Procida is a delight to all of your senses.